A/N: It's been a while! I wrote this for my NaNoWriMo in 2010 and hadn't properly finished it until now. Sorry for the delay. As such, this is the backstory for Luxord (which I had incredible fun writing). There will be OCs and stuff in there, but they're there particularly for Luxord's character development. You can tell I don't invest in them as much as some writers do...including myself when I was young XD

Please also note that this was written before Dream Drop Distance, so there may be some concepts that don't officially make sense but did before the release of the game. I have been trying to amend it as a go, but there may naturally be some areas that fall short. This backstory should hopefully fill in the blanks to Luxord's life canonically speaking. Hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think.

If, however, you want to skip the entire backstory, please skip to chapter 22. Of course I would not recommend it as there will be some bits that won't make sense, but I understand if people are here essentially for the Organisation. Hope it's worth your while, and if you'd be so kind please leave any comments!

I. It'll Take Time to Heal

When someone realises that they've already lost the game, it's only natural to bring others down with them. Even if they can't win that round, they can lower the competition for the next one. In a cruel game of luck, it doesn't take long to realise that they signed up for something they shouldn't have.

For me, it was too late.

After what seemed like forever, I let my eyelids flutter open. The burning heat had dispersed in an instant, replaced by the faint glow of dusk. My inheritance, which in my memory had towered over and around me, crashing and cracking its last signs of life, was now only a series of miniature shops along a worn town centre. There were only tiny murmurs to be heard now, not the sounds of music or excitement or chaos.

I didn't know when I had gotten onto my feet. I didn't even know how I was on the floor in the first place. I wasn't aware that my jacket had snagged against the brick wall and had left an ever-growing tear on my elbow. I wasn't even sure if I was all there.

People didn't look at me twice, as though restless beggars were abundant in this area. I instinctively felt for my stubble. Shaving would be my paramount priority once I found out where I was.

I let my hand inch for my inside pocket to retrieve my leather wallet. My hand was shaking mildly as it did so. Everything that was on my person was all the possessions I had now. My fingers touched the cold surface of my dad's pocket watch briefly before finding the wallet. I hadn't done this a lot in the past, counting money. It was all figures and numbers to me. But when I finalised I had a mere thousand munny, I had to double and triple check it.

Sighing, I stuffed it back where it belonged as I tried to find out the best place to go to first. I settled with the jewellery shop, with its colourful appearance and rather attractive shop attendant.

"Hey, are you a man with taste or are you buying for a friend?" The girl leaned over the counter as she spoke, intent on the marketing I suppose. Accessories and the like were suitable for someone with six visible piercings.

I dismissed both ideas with a shake of my head. "As much as a gentleman dislikes claiming so, it's important to admit when one is lost."

The vendor broke into a smile a few seconds later, after deciphering her way through my outlandish accent and mannerisms. "It's all right, people get lost here all the time. Where are you from?"

"Traverse Town, but I don't think I'm remotely close to it."

"Yes, this area's known as Twilight Town," she clarified, her radiant smile losing its shine every second. "I haven't heard of a Traverse Town."

Apparently, what little luck I had that day had run out.

"You've been a help," I said, making a hasty exit. I should have noticed it from the moment I came here. Traverse Town was located on another world, a distant place where I couldn't hope to slink my way back to. Indeed, perhaps it was better this way. A crisp packet of cards to start the first game.

"Hey, hold up a sec!"

I did – it wasn't in me to ignore what a lady had to say.

"If you follow that road up the hill, you can get to Station Heights. There might be a train that'll take you there." The blonde girl grinned, and I returned the gesture. I doubted such a thing existed, but I didn't have the heart to burst her bubble. She was only trying to help, and I appreciated it.

"Thank you for the suggestion."

It wasn't like I had anything else to do in mind, so I did as she had advised. This town was too different from what I was used to, the buildings in bright brickwork and boasting little glamour in the work. Twilight Town, as its name suggested, made things shine in the dying flames of the sunlight. Neon, by comparison, was a harsh source of light.

Station Heights had a fantastic view of the town below. That was given though, especially after the hard climb uphill. I could see the jewellery shop from here, and a large open area where the children played sports, perhaps. I didn't know this place enough to see if an education was encouraged here.

Of course, as I read the train timetable, Traverse Town wasn't listed as one of its destinations. I let out a sigh, relieved. I had reasons for wanting to return, but there were just as many reasons I didn't want to go back. If fate had decided I should be here, then I could get used to it. The slowed-down lifestyle of a lazy afternoon without a worry in the world.

I took a newspaper from the basket as I left the station, tucking it under my arm and taking mild interest in the headline. I had left a lot behind, however I had to fold for now. And reading current news of my first days in this world would pay in the long run.

It was fortunate that I should find a bar en route to the play area I had seen from Station Heights. When I opened that door, I knew immediately the proximity was like home. I felt more at ease already, taking the table in the far corner without a moment's hesitation.

I crossed one leg over the other as I lay the newspaper on the wooden table.

SCHOOL OPENS NEW LIBRARY

Apparently, Twilight Town did have a school. The photo in the middle was of the said school with some rather important figures, who I could only assume was the headmaster and his closer colleagues.

"You're early," the barman shouted, and I had to look up to make sure he was talking to me.

"Bad day," I replied, which wasn't entirely a lie. "I'll have a wine."

"Wine?" the man retorted. "Not the usual?"

I couldn't fathom what he could have meant, especially since this was my first time meeting him. Did news spread about town that quickly? Everything was so bizarre.

But I was a master at bluffing. "No, red wine will do today."

The man nodded curtly and was on his way. I let his words pass over me, letting myself believe that he was drunk himself, and turned the page of the paper.

Judging from the headlines, nothing else was remotely useful. I took the time to familiarise myself with names and their photos in the scenario that I would meet them in person, and it was on page 15 that the barman came to my table.

"Terrible times, eh?" he contributed, setting the wine on the table as he sat opposite me. "I've never heard such rubbish in the papers since…forever."

I looked up, leaning back in my chair and resting a hand on my knee. "Oh? Are there some stories in there that aren't showing the whole picture?"

"Well, start with that library on the front page. Forgive the rudeness, but who cares?" The man slid the wine towards me, and I acknowledged it graciously. "The previous papers kept saying that it's near completion, and now that it's done, even the reporters are getting a bit fed up of the place."

I laughed. "That's not hard to believe."

"And if you turn to the middle…" The man leaned across and fiddled with the corners to find the right page. "Look, more news about that ludicrous Struggle competition!"

I only had to read the first few lines of the article to know what he was trying to get at. "Do you really hate children that much?"

"Whole lot of them are trouble," he elaborated. "The hype Struggle causes makes them crazy. And they get rewarded with a library? I worry about the future."

I took a sip of my red wine. "Ironic coming from a bartender. You sound like a teacher or a politian, or of a background just as respectable."

"I could say the same to you," he countered as he got onto his feet. "I find it hard to believe you're the same person. Is your friend coming later on in the evening?"

I had to bluff again to hide my horror. Had I really been here before without prior knowledge, and with someone else as well? "Perhaps. They said they had a few errands to run." I was careful not to slip up on the unknown person's gender.

The burly man nodded once. "Shame. A friend can make even the worst of days that much better. If you need someone, I'll be over there cleaning the dishes."

"Thank you for the support, but I think this is something I have to sort out for myself. You wouldn't believe it." I flashed a grin before drinking a little more of the wine.

"Fair enough. Not sure if it's a good thing, but thank goodness it's Friday." He raised an eyebrow and went on his way to the counter.

I waited for him to be out of earshot before I set my wineglass down and rapidly got to the front page again. I ignored the smug teachers and the giant headline, bringing the paper close to my face to read the date at the top.

Sure enough, as the barman said, it was a Friday. Things were getting weirder by the second. It seemed only yesterday that I was reading Sunday's paper with my morning tea. I didn't know if the die was loaded or not.

When I read the date again, the whole date, I felt my grip on the paper tighten. Two whole years. What was I doing in the two year gap?

My breaths were shallow as I steadily replaced the paper back onto the table. I still couldn't believe it. Had I been missing for two years and no one wondered where I was? Or maybe they did wonder, but gave up soon afterwards. That was more likely – even I didn't know where I was.

I brought both of my elbows onto the table, letting one hand support my head as I gazed out the window. A lot could have happened in two years, explaining why the barman may have known me.

Back at home, they probably thought of me as long dead now. Two years would be too long to wait and hope, and given the circumstances of what I last remembered, there was good reason. How old would Charles be now? Would my mother still be around?

I let my eyes close again. It was too late for amends now and I leapt into the wrong chances. Would I have lived longer if I stayed with them? If I was dead at the moment, since I certainly wasn't living, that would explain why I was so disorientated.

It would take time for all of us to heal, but we will make it. We all looked out for each other, didn't we?