MC21.2: Coronation

(Hmm, hmm, hmm,
Hm—m, hmm, hmm, hmm.)
This one goes out to the one I love.  (Ah, ah.)
This one goes out to the one I left behind.
Another prop has occupied my time.
This one goes out to the one I love.  (Ah, ah.)
Fi—re!  (Fire!  Oh-oh-oh, oh.)
Fi—re!  (Fire!  Oh-oh-oh, oh.)
Fi—re!  (Fire!  Oh-oh-oh, oh.)
Fi—re!  (Fire!  Oh-oh-oh, oh.)

The tempo of the music slowed down as this second song came to a close.  The echoes of the guitar chords and drum beats revived the wave of concert-style cheering.

A feeling of paranoia in one of the Nobodies was also revived.  Xargas sharply turned away from the stage towards the buildings on the other side of the Square; another Nobody, Xylon, turned there as well in response to the beeping of a device in his pocket.  A final sensor, not requiring a device to pinpoint the exact whereabouts, turned from his position at the counter towards the spot where the other two did:  the alleyway at the southwest corner of the Square.

Xargas's snake swords violently unsheathed themselves from the shadows.

A futuristic pistol appeared in Xylon's hand as he disappeared from the crowd.

Lagaldex turned to Vredarigox and gave a silent command:  "Raise a Barrier in the west alley."

The Defensive Damsel nodded and obeyed her brother's order posthaste:  an invisible wall of psychic energy was soon erected in the appropriate area.

It was soon shattered by an attack from the shadows.  To Lagaldex's horror an arrow shot out from the area he thought was sealed.  'I knew there should have been a Light Screen as well.'

Xargas made the next move.  With Xylon clearing a circle in the crowd, the Ominous Champion had enough room to bring his swords around to ensnare the shaft of the arrow.  Unfortunately, the swords passed right through it, as if the shaft were a gas!  Not even the arrow's trajectory was altered, a flight path aimed right at Machelix!

The Mysterious Mage had been aware of the incoming arrow ever since he heard the glass-like shatter of the Barrier in the alley.  Seeing that even Xargas and gravity were ineffective against it, he decided to try something else.  His eyes not leaving the arrow, he raised his guitar's base until the blue crystal ball was right in the flight path.  No sooner had he done this did the arrow crash into the ball.  The gaseous projectile was blown asunder, dissipating into the air.

A fog of fear and anger replaced it.  While most of the younger and less battle-adept attempted to flee (but stopped at the door by Scarnfix and Kespix), Xaldin took action.  His six lances appeared around him as he leapt up into the air.  The six organized themselves into a hexagonal spearhead below him as he came crashing down in the alley where the shot had come from.

A figure leapt out of the alley with a cloud of dust appearing before him from Xaldin's impact.  The incriminating bow was in his hands.  He was in Organization garb, but not even Machelix had seen him before:  the Mysterious Mage hadn't seen anyone that tall with brown hair.  

When the man turned around, a stalwart sneer and a one-eyed leer, icy-blue in color, made up the majority of his face.  Scarnfix and Kespix had to summon their minions to ensure that the few fearful Nobodies stayed put.  They assured the escape hopefuls that none of them appeared to be the target.  In truth, the stranger only had eye for his initial target.

Saïx had other plans.  He stepped forward to confront the man (not even standing as tall as the attacker's shoulders) with Xargas and Lagaldex following close behind.  "What is your name?  State your business here," the Luna Diviner growled, bringing his claymore into view.

Undeterred by the formidable-looking weapon, the mystery man took hold of his bow in both hands and split it, effectively forming two swords of his own.  "I am Altarix, and I am here to attack the man who courted my woman."

"Another fool who clings to such a pathetic power," Xaldin groaned as he stepped from the shadow of the alley.  "Pathetic, in and of itself."

Altarix turned on the Whirlwind Lancer, still towering a head taller than him, and replied, "Obviously no one ever showed you love while you still had a heart."

Xaldin's eyes narrowed, but they were more so in scrutiny than irritation.  "I remember you now:  you were one of the guards to what is now Beast's Castle.  You were the one with the crush on the clockmaker."

The sound of tightening leather signaled Altarix's intensifying grip on his swords.  "I can assure you, it was more than a crush."

"I'm sure it was."  Machelix stepped into the group with his guitar slung on his back.  "Being one with a girl myself, I can understand your anger.  But, I assure you—"

"Silence!" Altarix hissed, placing one of his swords at the Mage's throat.  "I don't want to hear your crap, unless you want to be singing through a hole in your neck."

Saïx brought his claymore up, knocking the sword away from Machelix.  "I'm afraid that course of action won't bode well for you, should you decide to take it."

Nonchalantly Machelix eased Saïx back with his hand.  "Leave this to me, Saïx," he calmly said.  "There's just a simple misunderstanding here."

"I understand perfectly," Altarix shot back, anger still apparent in his voice.  "That last song was you courting of my woman.  I saw you talking to her."

"Yes, and about that—"

"Silence!"  Altarix brought his swords slashing across, attempting to scissor Machelix across the middle.  The Mage was well aware of the incoming attack (thanks to Lagaldex's warning) and flipped backwards to avoid it, landing in the center of the Square.  The circle that Xylon had formed in the crowd still remained.

Machelix was far from un-humored, though, as was evidenced by the grin on his face.  "Well, if it's a fight you want, far be it from me to deny you," he chuckled, cracking his fingers and bringing the guitar back to his front.

Altarix nodded once before vanishing completely.  A split second later he appeared in front of Machelix with one of his weapons charged and prepared to cut him right down the middle.  The Mage barely sidestepped this strike.  The other one Altarix brought across Machelix's chest, tearing a long slit in his jacket.

Despite the seriousness of the battle, Demyx called out a question from the stage to the guitarist:  "What about the concert?"

"We continue as scheduled," Machelix replied, staggering back a step from the slash.  To Lagaldex he said, "Four Shield Field maneuver!" before he was forced to retreat another step.

The Silent Psychic nodded and ran to his sister.  She was already on the other side of the counter; she, too, had heard the order.  The Gemini Guardians turned to the fight, their hands outstretched.  Vredarigox's bracelet flashed as her hands became surrounded in psychic energy.  This energy became channeled into four transparent walls of colossal size parallel to each of the four sides of Skyscraper Square.  Because of their size, they needed to be "built" from the ground up about a foot per second.

Another potential brawler took advantage of this slow progress and leapt over the wall under construction.  "You aren't escaping scot-free this time, Machelix."  When she landed, Machelix and Altarix were in a standoff.  "You owe me a fight," she said, pointing a red-bladed short sword at the Mage.

Machelix rolled his eyes.  "Does it have to be now, Raxein?"

She didn't verbally reply, instead rushing forward with a thrust.

The Mage smirked at the incoming assault.  "At least it's during my big number.  Let me show you who you're dealing with."  He snapped his fingers as he tossed a short glance to the band.  They got the message immediately, following Machelix's low-set strumming.  His eyes by this point had returned to the Fire Fox.  As she approached rapidly and he played on, the guitarist Nobody caught Raxein's weapon in the spikes of his instrument and deflected her towards Altarix.

With his audience set, Machelix began his song.

I'm gonna cast a spell on you.
You're gonna do what I want you to.

"No chance!" Altarix angrily shouted.  His grip tightened on his swords as he rushed at Machelix, prepared to perform his Rapid Assault.

Even while performing his song Machelix was able to read Altarix's attacks and bend deftly out of harm's way.  He was even so bold as to continue singing during the dodges.

Mix it up at this concert o' mine,
Kick to the beat a-and sing in time!

Raxein decided to enter the fray while the two boys were fighting.  A fiery aura flared up around her swords and eyes.  Machelix had instructed her in this attack; it was fitting that she should repay the favor.  Her hands holding the charged weapons in reverse grips, she ran at Machelix's undefended back.

Even above the clamor of the fight, the Mage could still hear the tap of her high heels on the pavement.  Swinging away from Altarix during a crouching dodge, he sprang up right in front of Raxein as she brought her blades down.  They harmlessly sank into the pavement up to the ocean-blue hearts.

Machelix, on the other hand, back-flipped over Altarix's head and landed squarely on his feet before the psychic shield.  His two opponents chased after him as he followed the barrier's perimeter and began the refrain.

Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you!
(Gonna put a spell on you.)
Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you!
(Put a spell on you!)

(Rynexethak sang the echoes.)

By the time the Mage stopped, he was standing before Xemias (who was still outside the battleground).  There was reason for this destination.  Quietly and with his back against the wall, Machelix made a request of his former adversary:  "I need some fog." This was all he had time to say before Raxein and Altarix caught up with him.

It was all the Empty Void needed.  His sharp smile spread wide as two clouds of fog spilled out from his sleeves.  "If you insist."

The fog machine was up and willingly running.  Of course, Machelix had to lose his pursuers to avoid another inadvertent double-teaming.  His opponents wouldn't allow him the chance.  Having escaped to the center when he broke away from Xemias, Raxein and Altarix had picked opposite sides to attack him from.  Their blades were already primed for their next attacks.

Altarix rushed towards the Mage with a silent sneer on his face.  This time he would make sure his Power Strike struck its mark.

"Nowhere to run now!"  Raxein ran forward as well, both her blades held to stab.

The Fire Fox spoke the truth.  Both of them had ample time to adjust their attacks for any attempt to dodge.  There was only one ace up his sleeve that he could play, but the timing had to be exact.  Using the rhythm of the music as his timer, he waited for just the right moment…

…before he disappeared.

Raxein and Altarix were surprised by the turn of events, but they didn't stop in their tracks.  They continued through with their attacks, both sets of metal blades colliding.

Fexyregof was more intrigued by what Machelix had done.  "What manner of technique is that?"

"Teleportaion," Demyx answered, more to himself than to anyone.  (The music had ceased since the end of the refrain, so both Nobodies could hear each other.)  "Only the higher-ups like Xigbar and Xaldin have that kind of power."

The Disgruntled Scholar stroked his chin pensively, a smile on his face and his eyes on the battlefield.  "That would e a novel power to possess indeed.  But where did he teleport to?"

"Oh, he's right there."

Demyx pointed to the center of the square where the Mage was innocently walking up to the two fighters.  A smirk was on his face.  Looking between the two, he asked of Altarix, "Is she the girl you've been looking for?"

The Abyss glanced at the much shorter Fire Fox before bitterly replying, "Wrong redhead."  Forcefully he kicked her away and turned on Machelix.

The right redhead approached the barrier, summoning her weapon and preparing to scale the sheer wall.

Scarnfix caught sight of her and held her back with the blunts of his cutlasses.  "And where do ye 'tink ye're goin', missy?" the Turncoat Privateer asked.

"I need to stop this," Lerexina said.  "I need to talk to Altarix."

"Don't worry yer pretty little 'ead," Scarnfix said to console her.  "'E may 'ave been bored out o' 'is mind fer a fight fer 'de longest time, but Machelix only kills 'Eartless.  'E only fights Nobodies fer fun.  Besides, 'e prefers an audience to an ally; more people to impress wit' 'is 'techniques'."

Helpless to do otherwise, Lerexina looked on as the fight continued.

Altarix thrust a blade at Machelix, but the Mage leapt backwards to avoid the strike.  While he was still in the air, Altarix shifted is Astral Chasm to his bow and aimed an ether arrow at his opponent.  The launch was immediate, the accuracy impeccable.  There was no way conceivable to Altarix that the Mage could escape unharmed.

Thinking outside the box was Machelix's specialty.  The guitarist slid the spikes of his instrument under his boot and thrust the bottom spikes into the ground with a kick.  Still holding onto the headstock, the Mage was easily able to spread his legs apart to have the arrow sail between them.  "Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that."

A wave of twilight energy coursed down his hands and over the guitar's strings.  His gray-blue eyes shifted from side to side, picking up the fog now covering the feet of everyone (even the two opponents of his) as the music picked up for the second verse.

You feel the fog climbin' up your spine.

The battlefield music ceased after just this line but with good reason.  Raxein had snuck up behind Machelix again, but this time her noisy heels had been out of earshot.  He only realized she was there when he heard her shout, "Crab Claw!" and plunge her swords into his leg!  She quickly pulled them out and flicked them to shake the blood off.

Machelix leapt off of the guitar before she could launch another attack, taking his guitar out of the pavement and swinging it between himself and his opponent as he did so.  (It may be noted that Machelix's stance at this point was remarkably similar to that of Demyx.)  The similarity between the Nocturne and the Mage's current weapon choice was driven home by Machelix's next attack.  Leading with the headstock, the guitarist swung his instrument in a slashing movement.  Raxein recognized the battle style and was able to avoid damage.

Of course, Machelix's variation had its differences.  The first of these was what Machelix sang while doing it:

Getting' goosebumps, eh, you peeps of mine?

The second was (instead of swinging the guitar like a bat) he thrust the base into Raxein crystal ball first.  The Fire Fox had been expecting him to follow through with his imitation and had dodged backwards; she was helpless to dodge the blunt attack.

There was another attack from the third fighter, one that Machelix wasn't ready for.  Altarix had aimed another Aether Shot at Machelix while he dealt with Raxein, and only after the Fire Fox was pushed away did he release it.  His target:  the Mage's already wounded leg.  A streak of blood on the ground proved the hit, and more blood joined it once the ether disappeared from the afflicted area.  Cries of alarm arose from the crowd around the fighters.

Machelix's stance visually faltered with these successive, successful attacks.  Not even he could take that much damage in stride.  A healing was needed.  Upon placing the guitar's crystal ball on his foot and laying it against his damaged appendage, he whispered the name of the Curaga spell and channeled his magic through his instrument.  The healing spell would apply a decent enough patch-up job for now, but Machelix made a mental note to have Vexen take a look later.  Still, the magic and clean-up of blood calmed his audience somewhat.  To ease their nerves still further he continued the verse:

You're my guests here, no need for fright.

Satisfied for now, he still had a song to start and a fight to finish.

His patchwork had come none too soon.  Altarix had changed his weapon back to his swords while Machelix was healing and bridged the gap between them with quick, colossal strides.  From the way he carried his blades, the Mage could tell that he was gearing for another Rapid Assault.

Having to deal with an attack like that so soon after healing wasn't in Machelix's playbook.  The guitar in his hand changed to its Keyblade form.  Machelix's Retribution intercepted Altarix's Astral Chasm, delivering painless weapon namesake away from himself.  Instead, he deflected his attack towards the one who was once again attacking from behind.  With a smile he turned to his audience and sang out once again to complete the verse:  

Feel the groove as we rock the night!

Altarix's balance was slightly offset, but he still continued going forward even without his intended target in front of him.

The same could have been said of the Fire Fox (the latter part, anyway) as well.  Even with a new opponent in front of her, she intended to defeat him just the same.  She intercepted Altarix's attack with one sword, quickly following it up with a thrust of her other short sword and a call of her attack:  "Shark's Bane!"  It seemed appropriate enough, given the aggressive nature of her target.

Upon recognizing that the intended point of impact was his face, Altarix bent backwards and away from the offensive blade.  

He decided to take advantage of the situation, since her eyes were centered on his teeth instead of his feet.  When she entered into range (which didn't take much considering his height) in her rush, the Abyss raised a straight leg under her and threw her over himself with it.  He continued around in a back-flip cartwheel and landed on the launching leg.

There was still some unfinished business to attend to with this target.  Altarix quickly turned around, ether energy enshrouding his otherwise empty hands.  Before Raxein could recover, the Abyss launched this ether at her in the form of numerous rope-thick tendrils.  Also in similarity to ropes, they wrapped around her at various areas to represent marionette strings!  "Chaos Control successful."

Raxein struggled in her restraints, but her wrists, waist, and ankles were held fast.  She was barely able to turn her head to the puppeteer and shout, "Let me go right now, you jackass!"

With a snort Altarix answered, "Not likely to happen."  A flick of his wrist caused her to snap into a battle stance angled towards Machelix.

The Mage couldn't help but smile.  "Oh, so that's how you want to do things, is it?"  Holding out his right hand while supporting his guitar by the headstock with his left, he started the second refrain.

Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you.
(Gonna put a spell on you.)

The spell this time was tangible.  Five shadowy threads shot out from Machelix's hand and pierced the ground between him and Altarix's puppet prisoner.  A line of yellow light flashed between each point.  Ambrex immediately realized what Machelix was up to; she had seen the star-and-circle pattern, the phantom figure rise from it like a gaseous inflatable, the solidified zigzag body, the mismatched arms, the crest of spikes on the spherical helm, and the Nobody symbol visor all before.  This was one of the pair of minions directly under Machelix's control, the Knight of the Paladin Puppets!

Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you!
(Put a spell on you!)

Altarix's patience with the music was wearing thin, and the signs were obvious:  grit teeth, a furrowed brow, and Raxein being thrown at Machelix with an arm prepared to slash.  The Mage was only concerned about the latter.  He tugged on his puppet's strings, bringing General the Knight into Raxein's way.  His axe hand harshly collided with the Fire Fox's sword, her red blade caught in the center of his turquoise one.  There was a slight bit of hesitation on her part; Machelix took advantage of this by thrusting the Knight's sword arm at her.  Altarix barely had brought his puppet out of harm's way before the axe was brought around for General's own horizontal slash.

This time Raxein was hauled backwards and out of range of the axe head.  "Where did you learn to fight?" she shouted over her shoulder.  "Elementary school?"  

Still scowling Altarix clenched his fist, turning her around completely.  Another movement of his hand caused the pirouette to complete topped off with a lunging stab.

Against this attack Machelix didn't move General from his position.  Instead, he spread his fingers.  The Paladin Puppet's reaction was to stretch the zigzag portion of his torso like an accordion.  Raxein's blade sailed between two of the lavender bars!  Machelix's fingers closed; the Knight's body did likewise and pinned the sword in place.

This didn't sit too well for the sword's owner.  "I'm sick of fighting this amateur's style!  I am no man's plaything!"  Intense a blazing fire surrounded her arm, an aura that severed Altarix's string.  With this one appendage free she took her sword out of General's body and spun around with the force of the pull.  Her arm's aura spread to her whole self and formed a whirlpool of writhing flames.  Faced with this onslaught, the other strings holding her simply evaporated off.  Machelix cut the power to summoning spell before his Paladin Puppet suffered any severe damage.

Altarix's puppet wasn't about to show such hospitality to her puppeteer.  Once her Blazing Whirlpool fizzled out, her stance and cold blue eyes became set on the Abyss.  Still stunned that his Chaos Control was broken, he was almost unable to move out of Raxein's path.  The keyword was almost.  Recognizing the way she carried herself brought him back to his right mind.  He leapt backwards in a high somersault and out of range of her Crab Claw.

With both of his opponents once again occupied, Machelix saw an opportunity to voice the final verse.  The band onstage could sense the chance as well and changed up the music from rock to more macabre tones.  There was no need in this ensemble for Machelix's guitar, so the Mage took hold of his traditional weapon's green shaft and charged the blue crystal ball at its top.  As he did the first half of the verse was sung:  

With this little Twilight Pulsing,
There will be a mad convulsing.

Altarix's ear for music still proved deaf.  As far as he was concerned, Machelix still had the bulls-eye painted on his back.  The Abyss spun out of the way of the Fire Fox's follow-up thrust and ran at the guitarist; one of his swords was charged for a Power Strike.

Similar to the humorous effect of a banana peel, Machelix's feet slid out from under him.  The move was deliberate and deceivingly evasive.  Machelix's face fell beneath the charged blade, smiling up at Altarix's sneer.  Soon he was looking down in surprise at the Mage's own powered weapon.  A Twilight Pulse was launched into the Abyss's face with another successive one sent to collide with his chest.

Three, two, one, it's time to start—Hey!

The third and final one sailed under Altarix and went on to hit Raxein in the upper torso!  Machelix cringed at his mistake; that wasn't supposed to happen.  Almost immediately he regained his feet and stepped forward to apologize.

Raxein also showed that she was no longer listening to the Mage.  Both of them were her enemies here.  A red plume of fire wrapped around her neck and dangled down her front like a scarf.  Machelix recognized this as her Fire Fashion flare, an agitation move similar to a cat's hair standing on end.  Also recognizing a need for defense the guitarist shifted his staff to his instrument; the crystal ball retained its charge throughout the transformation.

Raxein's weapons held a charge as well, but one of action more than energy.  Rapidly advancing on the Mage, she held one sword in front of her like a spear head and the other behind her but equally straight.  This was definitely a whole new technique altogether.  Still, Machelix held his guitar horizontally in front of him to deflect the streamline stab.

Appearances proved deceiving.  Raxein was about to strike Machelix's guitar with her thrust when she lowered her blade and brought her other around for an overhead slash!  The range was too close to counter, resulting in Raxein scoring another hit on the Mage!  This time it was the right shoulder.

Machelix's defense faltered with his good arm injured, but he remained stalwart against the Fire Fox's onslaught.  Her blades continued to come in a descending arc one after another in her Calamari Cascade (as she called it) on the guitar's spikes.

Despite the constant pressure, Machelix recovered a decent amount of his dominant strength, enough to counter one of Raxein's slashes and throw her attack off-balance.  In that opportunity, Machelix trained the crystal ball on her and blew her back with a Twilight Shotgun blast!  Not having an attacker on him allowed him to regain his composure and finish the verse (with an appropriate dance step):  

Where the hell is my dance par-tay?

Hardly anyone had the nerves to join in his dance, but there were a few who rose to his invitation; a couple, to be exact.  Unfortunately for Machelix, neither one of them wanted to join in; their drawn weapons told the story.  Altarix had his sword charged for a Power Strike, and the reverse grips of Raxein's weapons screamed Viper's Bite.

Having to dodge both attackers simultaneously would be a chore, especially with their attacks covering his escape routes (the wall at his back blocked a retreat).  The only thing to do (that could have been done) was defend.  Machelix brought his guitar into a playing position for the only such trick in his bag.  Still keeping to the music awaiting a final refrain, the guitarist struck a few chords while pouring a bit of his magic into the strings.  This magic manifested itself into a spherical aura around the Mage.

By this time Raxein had leapt up to deliver her attack to Machelix's shoulders; Altarix remained ground-bound with his blade prepped for a horizontal hack.  The aura was too faint for them to notice it.  That was, until Machelix turned up the volume.  The Twilight Wave solidified and expanded like a concussive blast, colliding into both the Abyss and the Fire Fox.  Machelix knew that the Gemini Guardians would oppose the attack and prevent it from entering the crowd, freeing up his mind to concentrate on the offense and his music.

Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you.
(Gonna put a spell on you.)
Name's Machelix,
And I'm gonna put a spell on you!
(Put a spell on you!)

The two Nobodies targeted by the onslaught didn't have such a luxury as the Mage.  Altarix, being on the ground and relatively level with the wave's epicenter, was pushed back into the wall; Raxein, on the other hand, was thrown up, over, and out of the barrier!  The Fire Fox's flight carried her almost like an invisible set of arms into Xeron's embrace.  Of course, she fell a little harder than he was able to bear; a cushion of dark water slowed her descent and allowed her to crash gently into his chest.  Once he caught his breath again, he asked, "Are you okay, Raxein?"

The redhead scowled, averting her blue eyes from Xeron's silvers.  "Yeah…"

"You know it was only business, nothing against you."

"I know, but still…" she groaned.  Her weapons vanished from her hands as she and the Black Swirl turned to watch the rest of the fight unfold.

It definitely seemed like the match was coming to a close.  Both the Mysterious Mage and the Abyss stood their ground on shaky legs with their energies near-completely drained and their bodies battered by numerous abuses.  In the mind of either Nobody the battle had to end soon to avoid a double-knockout.

Altarix felt the need to make the first move.  With his weapon still in its single sword state, he held out his empty hand towards Machelix.  "Don't move."  The Mage didn't even register what Altarix said before the Abyss launched a large force of ether.  The wave was widespread and all-encompassing for ground targets (specifically Machelix).  Without the energy in his legs to leap out of the way or enough elemental power for a short portal, Machelix found the snare secured fast around him like a belt!

Almost effortlessly the Abyss brought Machelix up off the ground in preparation for the next phase of the attack.  Channeling as much effort into it as he could spare, Altarix leapt up to Machelix's new height with sword held to slash.  "This is The End for you!" he roared as he brought his sword across.

By that time, Machelix had his Keyblade ready to catch the sword slash.  The ether wave had failed to catch the Mage's arms, allowing him free use of his hands and weapons.  The blades clashed before Machelix could sustain any more damage.  "This isn't my curtain call," he said to Altarix.  "This is my crowning moment!"  A furious blaze entered his eyes; the shift in his countenance was reflected in his weapon, the spiked crystal ball dropping with a chain and growing even more spikes.

Raxein and Xeron had seen this transformation once before.  "That jerk…" Raxein groaned, "…going all out after he forces me out of the fight…"

"I think he excluded you for your own safety rather than in insult," replied Xeron.

Seething with frustration, the Fire Fox was suddenly startled by Xeron's shifting her slumped position on his shoulder.  "Damn it; be gentle with a wounded woman!"

The Black Swirl sighed to himself before muttering, "I should be happy that she's not a limp lady…" under his breath.

Some of the other spectators weren't as calm in their reactions to Machelix's show of power.  "What… what is going on with him?" asked Ambrex.

"I honestly don't know," Xiru replied, holding her close.  "It hasn't been for a while that I've seen him at all, let alone in battle or in a state like this.  It's almost like Saïx's berserk mode…"

The Lunar Diviner himself was rather impressed by the spectacle before him.  "So he has managed to channel his rage into his weapon.  I was curious after his display in the interrogations room."

Xaldin wasn't quite so swayed.  "This show of force isn't anything special.  Weapon transformations are commonplace for any Nobody with their heads on their shoulders."

"You give yourself too much credit," Saïx sighed.  "Have you forgotten that Xigbar also has a weapons transformation?"

With a snort and a smirk Xaldin turned away and said, "I wouldn't even regard that as an example."

Either way, both Nobodies of the original thirteen looked to Machelix's fight to see how it unfolded.

The Mage's morningstar chain was grasped in his hand and swung around in a circle as his other hand supported the guard.  Despite the extra strength foreseen in his weapon form change, his resistance was still on the verge of succumbing to Altarix's attack.  Machelix's rage hadn't reached that keen of a point.

However, neither did he want his anger to grow to that level.  His opponent wasn't a Heartless but a Nobody.  Killing one of his own kind was something he would not do so long as he was in control of himself.  He would not lose himself to his rage again.

Since overpowering was impossible, strategy was necessary here.  It was to this effect that Machelix had been spinning the morningstar sphere out of Altarix's tunnel vision focus.  Releasing the chain on the upswing broke the Abyss's concentration and caused him to retreat from the clash.

"Looks like you might be getting some competition," Axcul said to the Ominous Champion beside him.

"Don't be foolish," Xargas nonchalantly shot back.  "He may have been made a Superior, but it wasn't because of his skills as a fighter.  He simply isn't that bothered by paperwork.  I am a fighter, not an office worker."

"Whatever."  The Reaper's Blade shrugged and awaited Machelix's next move.

The morningstar was still spinning in Machelix's hand.  Not only did this serve to force Altarix to keep his distance, but it was also a preparation for his next offensive gambit.  The ether around his legs was still in place, and it would remain tangible until a threat presented itself to shift it to its gaseous state.  The Mysterious Mage hoped that his own weapon would adequately play the role of this threat.  Down-swinging with it, he allowed enough time for the ether to evaporate before he flipped out of its clutches and landed flat on his feet.

Anticipating a follow-up attack, Altarix retreated backwards a few steps with his sword still held defensively.  Such wasn't Machelix's intent.  With his feet freed, he allowed himself a few seconds to catch his breath and cool his head.  His empty hand he placed on his forehead and shook himself completely back into his right senses.

It was in this pose that he received a message from Lagaldex:  'We cannot keep this barrier in existence for much longer.  Finish this fight soon!'

"Roger that," whispered the Mage.

Machelix looked up to his opponent (who was busy transforming his Astral Charm into his bow), laid the shaft of his weapon against his shoulder, and said, "Well, it's been fun, but I have to wrap—"

A light knock against his back interrupted him.  Again his left hand moved, this time to this distraction.  When he found it, the metal and shape of spikes met his fingers and the rattle of a chain sounded.  His weapon was still in its morningstar form!

Altarix had been well aware of this maintained change, but he failed to understand Machelix's surprise.  Still, he wasn't going to waste this unexpected opportunity.  The abyss raised his weapon with a freshly loaded arrow, sighting it to Machelix's head!  Once aimed, the delay before firing was negligible.

It was with the 'twang' of the bow that Machelix realized that he had left himself wide open.  He brought his morningstar spinning beside him, using the revolutions to drive his magic into the crystal sphere more quickly.  The charge was far from satisfactory, but this Twilight Bomb would suffice for his needs.  Still spinning, the Mysterious Mage brought his weapon's spiked head down on the arrowhead pointed at him.  Not a step did he retreat from it, confidence from his prior experience granting almost smugness to his ploy.  A charge not unlike a dynamite plunger raced through his arm and weapon, igniting the keg of stockpiled energy.  The spiked sphere, still within the defensively gaseous arrow, expelled the Twilight bomb's energy and blew the ether arrow asunder!

With eyes narrowed Altarix watched his attack be thwarted and turned into a disadvantage for the both of them.  He might have been a decent archer, but he hadn't memorized the Mage's physical description enough to shoot blindly.  Such would be just a waste of energy and time.

It seemed that Machelix had similar thoughts in regards to wasting time.  Through the cloud he leapt with his morningstar being brought around again!

There was no time for the Abyss to change his weapon before his and the Mage's clashed.  The length of his arms was thankfully such that the spiked ball swung underneath them without leaving a scratch.

Even with his surprise attack failing, the Superior-to-be still wore a smile.  His weapon's chain had wrapped around Altarix's bow and been hooked by the ball's spikes.  The reverse tug-of-war allowed him enough time to plan and act.  Both of his hands clasped the hilt of his weapon before he forcefully ripped it back!  Altarix's own force as well as Machelix's pull sent the Abyss staggering forward.  The bow left his hands and was soon released from Machelix's chain as well.

It was like a matador that Machelix sidestepped Altarix, bringing his morningstar around again to the Abyss's exposed back.  Unarmed and wide open, the Mysterious Mage showed some restraint and simply opted to punch his opponent with weapon's guard.  The added force sent Altarix on his hands and knees with a cough.  A grunt escaped him next as Machelix rested his boot on him.  Grinning as he did, he finished his prolonged song:

Name's Machelix, and don't be forgetting that soon!

Both of the Gemini Guardians ended their efforts on the barriers by that point.  With Altarix subdued, the Silent Psychic and the Defensive Damsel called the situation safe enough to do so.

The majority of the other Nobodies, though grateful, remained at a distance from the battleground.  Only one stepped forward:  the rather short redhead with the hip-length hair.  Her sudden appearance confused Machelix.  "Lerexina?" he said, stepping off of Altarix and turning towards her.

As soon as the pressure was released, the Abyss stood up as well with an almost relieved confusion on his face.  His single eye was fixed on the Time-Bound Lament.  Even looking at him sideways, Machelix could recognize the presence of a history between these two Nobodies, a history he knew nothing about.  "I take it that you two know each other?"

Not a word did Lerexina say in response, instead pulling aside the hair that had been hiding the right half of her face.  Three red scars, initially mistaken for missed hairs, were drawn across her eye.  Actually, that seemed inaccurate to the Mage:  the turquoise jewel that shone there was different from the lavender that he assumed to be her true eyes.  In fact, it was strikingly similar to Altarix's…

This realization and the conclusions drawn from it handed Machelix the novel missing from his mental library.  There were no further questions necessary.

Content with this discovery, Machelix turned back towards his stage.  There was a show he had to finish.  However, there were four figures blocking his way.  The blond in front had her green eyes narrowed at him, her mood further revealed in her arms folded across her chest and a slight smile on her face.  "Very well done, Machelix," she said.

It was in her purple scarf, her position within the group of four, and the slightest hint of Irish in her voice that revealed her identity to the Mage.  "Thank you, Elyxr," he said with a bow, recognizing her as his boss, the Superior of Organization Infinity's Superiors.

"Your one-on-one skills you have proven to us, but your ability to work in a team must also be tested.  It won't be here, but it will occur before we reopen our doors.  Larcsaixs, Zaxin, and I will be the ones to administer the test," she continued, indicating the blue-haired woman and characteristically emaciated man (both beside her) respectively, "and '' will be judging."  This time she indicated the man behind her, someone with whom the Mysterious Mage was unfamiliar.

The man's unknown identity unnerved Machelix slightly, causing a shiver down his spine.  Even so he said to the Clandestine Assailant, "Alright.  I await your word on when this test will commence.  In the meantime…"  He shifted his weapon into his guitar and needled his way through the crowd, saying, "I have a concert to finish.  Feel free to stick around, enjoy some snacks."

A twirl of his finger served as a signal to Fexyregof.  The finale was about to begin.  Softly the Disgruntled Scholar produced a single, rising note out of nothing.  A second note followed it at the same volume, shortly accompanied by chords from Rynexethak's bass.  As soon as the Wench started, noises like spurs squeaking rang out.  Machelix even seemed to be stepping in time to these chimes as he moved up to his place.  Snare beats like a machine gun burst signaled his spin as he faced the crowd and began to play his own piece.  A couple slides embellished his movements as the pianist struck a few hard notes.  When the hard notes returned again he sang,

Once upon a time, not so long ago…

The identity of the song was recognized by everyone in the Square with this final piece of evidence.  At least, the music was.  When Machelix began to sing in earnest, it was obvious that he had changed the lyrics slightly.

Geoffrey used to work in his shop.
Loved himself a girl, was by her lover chopped:
It's tough, so tough.

Katheryne lived a love fantasy:
Heart worn on her sleeve, 'twas lost to the sea
Of love, for love.

She said we gotta hold on to what we got.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.
We got each other, and that's a lot for love.
We'll give it a shot!

Oh, we're halfway there.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Take my hand:  we'll make it, I swear.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!

A few more guitar chords marked the break between the verses, and high notes separated the next stanzas.

Louis was a flyboy pirate.
Now his wings are clipped, forced to walk with the low-set;
It's tough, so tough.

Hammer was a fighter of Rome.
He roams in the night, in the darkness, wanting fights like home.
Just some.

We gotta hold on to what we got.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.
We got each other, and that's a lot for love.
We'll give it a shot!

Oh, we're halfway there.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Take my hand:  we'll make it, I swear.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Livin' on a prayer!

Now Machelix and his band pretty much kept to the original music and lyrics, including the rather intense bit of guitar playing before and after the altered (and higher pitch) refrain:

We gotta hold on, ready or not.
Ya live for the fight, and that's all that we've got!

Whoa, we're halfway there.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Take my hand:  we'll make it, I swear.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Whoa, we're halfway there.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!
Take my hand:  we'll make it, I swear.
Whoa-oh!  Livin' on a prayer!

Rather than fade out to nothing, though, Machelix had this performance come to an obvious finish.  His guitar took on a new tone as he strung together a complex series of notes.  All of the other instruments remained silent for this solo finale.  Up and up like a roller coaster it went before sliding down with the finish…  The audience stood likewise until the final notes were struck with a flourish.  All at once those Nobodies possessing any kind of positive emotion shouted their praises, individual words lost in the torrent that rose throughout Skyscraper Square.

'That's right,' Machelix thought with a smile and his guitar held up like a trophy.  'This is what it means to be the life of the party.  This is what everyone should feel in their lives.'

…

With the concert now over, Demyx walked off the stage and into Memory's Skyscraper's elevator.  The echoes of the cheering still persisted, albeit barely because of the insulation layers.  Hardly did the Melodious Nocturne care, though, easily drowning out the noise with his humming.  It seemed impossible for him to play a song without it being set to "repeat" in his mental playlist.

When the otherwise silent elevator reached the top floor, Demyx stepped into the middle of what appeared to be a rooftop meeting.  All twelve of the remaining original Nobodies had amassed again on the skyscraper roof.  "Uh, was there a party going on here, too?" he asked.

"More like a going away party," Axel answered.

This response alarmed the sitar player.  "What?  Who's leaving?"

"We all are," replied the Cloaked Schemer.

"The winds of change are blowing."

"It's high time for us to take our place at the table again."

The Melodious Nocturne held his head and groaned, "Can you just spit it out?  My head hurts with all of these riddles…"

"They mean that we're coming out of hiding, idiot!" the Savage Nymph hissed.

"But why?"  Demyx was no longer worried, but his confusion remained.

Axel scratched the back of his head and said, "Apparently the paparazzi are getting better with their cameras."

"As if.  They managed to get a hold of that footage of the stunt you pulled in Ansem's office."

"I didn't know that the security was still working.  Got it memorized?"

"Before this becomes a war of the catchphrases," interrupted Vexen, "yes, it was the Flurry of Fumbling Flames' fault."

"The die has been cast; it's all in the past," added Luxord.

Saïx gave them all a glare before saying, "The Keybladers have also begun to move.  Our presence is no longer required here, as evidenced by Machelix's ability to handle himself.  Since his Organization is the only newly-conceived one to acknowledge our continued existence, it would be pointless to simply remain here and hide."

Lexaeus nodded in agreement with arms folded.

"So, what is the plan?" asked Marluxia.

"We will reconvene in the normal meeting place," replied the Luna Diviner.  "I do not want to give anyone here the opportunity to follow us on a whim."  With those words, he disappeared into a portal of darkness.  The majority of the serious Nobodies followed closely behind.

Of course, Demyx still had a question.  "Wait, where's the meeting place?"

"The scene of the crime.  Got it memorized?"  Axel also disappeared with a hesitant Demyx in toe.

These weren't the only Nobodies to meet in the private heights surrounding Skyscraper Square.  A meeting only a fourth as large as the one across the span was being conducted.  Two of them wore Organization jackets of black and white.  "You sure know how to pick 'em, Xhaonroi," one of these said to the other.

Looking down upon the gathered crowd, she smiled with ruby-red lips the same color as her highlights.  "Indeed I do.  He was an excellent candidate."

The first turned up her nose slightly.  "Extravagant, brash, and lenient at best in following the rules…  I'm surprised that you kept him in your Organization, let alone made him an assistant Superior."

"Our recruits were more about conduct than construct," answered the Sadistic Temptress.

"No wonder you left."  Sighing, the conversation continued.  "I see this group collapsing by this summer if he stays.  If not, within a year."

"Not that I care, but I was made aware of several changes that should bring it to your standards."

"All the luck in the worlds to them, then."  With hands in pockets, a dark portal silenced the voice.

Xhaonroi remained on the rooftop for a few more minutes, once again looking at the immensity of the number gathered.  Only about half of them she didn't recognize, no doubt from groups (or worlds) with which she was unfamiliar.  The fact that he was the Superior (self-proclaimed as he was in this regard) of a group with this much influence gave her little doubt that he would do well with the post she had assigned him.

The third figure bent down to her ear after the wait and asked, 'Shall we be off?'

A nod was all the signal that was necessary before they, too, disappeared into the darkness.