"Ah, this is once again a joyous time, indeed," a deep voice announced. "Today, we will be accompanied by yet another member…" This voice emanated from a much tanned older male with long silver hair, deep yet bright orange eyes, and had an air of superiority about him.

The large white room became silent. Those who sat in High Chairs wore black leather coats to make it easy to recognize each other in the brightness of not just this room, but the entire Castle. There were thirteen seats, yet only seven of them were occupied.

"So this is Organization XIII. Quite the place you have here," another voice spoke. This voice came from below. On the ground stood the next member to join Organization XIII. He was tall, slender, and had feminine curves. The stranger wore the same black leather coat as the ones sitting in High Chairs were wearing. Everyone else except for their Superior had their hoods drawn over their heads, hiding their faces until the time for introductions arrived.

The stranger removed his hood and smirked. His hair was a literal red that was a bit longer than shoulder-length, styled into long descending spikes; his eyes were sculpted of the deepest emeralds, then surrounded by the darkness of eyeliner and the heat of red eye shadow, and he had what seemed to be a tattoo of an upside-down teardrop under each eye.

"My name's Axel. Got it memorized?" The literal redhead put his index finger to his temple as he said this.

The silver-haired man gathered the attention of those sitting in the High Chairs. "Yes. This is our newest member—Axel. Number VIII. The Flurry of Dancing Flames. His element is fire, if that wasn't obvious enough." He then directed his attention to Axel. "You… I do not want you burning down our fine establishment, understand? Everyone here already knows my name, but I will make it clear once again. I am Xemnas, your Superior. I believe the only thing I ask of you is respect, Axel. And not to burn down the Castle. Xigbar will both show you around and be your mentor to help you prepare for the future when the time comes for you to serve your purpose and prove your worth and loyalty."

One of the High Chairs speaks in a surfer's tone, "Aw, how come I hafta train the squirt?" Said High Chair removes his hood, revealing a face of long history. He was thin but muscular and finely tanned-but from being in the sun-and his face shows what may have been many years of life. His hair is long and dark, with clumped streaks of gray, pulled back into a ponytail. His ears were pointed and he wore an eyepatch to cover his right eye; his left was a bright yellow. Just below that eye was a rather large scar that covered most of his cheek, starting from his jaw. This is Xigbar.

"Because," Xemnas started, "you are second in rank, and considering Axel's personality, you would be the only one with enough patience to train him."

"Oh really, now?" Xigbar snickered. "Fine. So be it."

Xemnas sighed and returned his attention to Axel once more. "Axel, I'd like you to meet the rest of the members and perhaps get acquainted with some of them. It might just save your ass one day."

Axel scoffed, not being able to see his rear getting saved by the likes of any of these hooded strangers. "Alright."

Xemnas gave one of the High Chairs a sign to remove their hoods. This one was neither thin nor tanned, but muscular and had an abundance of hair… everywhere. On top, he had dreadlocks—and lots of them. The top half—with the exception of a few in front—was pulled back into a ponytail, leaving the rest to fall to his shoulders. On his face laid thick sideburns and interesting eyebrows that were trimmed to have a certain look. This man had lots of hair on his arms and legs underneath that coat and pants, as well. He also had slightly pointed ears that were pierced, deep blue eyes with a tint of purple, and had almost-feminine lips.

Xemnas introduced him. "This is Xaldin, one of our finest fighters, alongside Xigbar. He cooks and keeps things in order around the Castle, and his element is the wind. He is known as the Whirlwind Lancer. Oh," he then turns his attention to Xigbar momentarily, "and lest I forget, Xigbar is known as the Freeshooter. He has high dexterity, so be on your guard when you train with him."

Axel studies the two, who, in return, grimace at him.

"Moving on," he continues, cueing another member to remove their hood, "we have Vexen, fourth in rank and our researcher. His element is ice. Please do give him some respect."

"Thank you ever so kindly, Superior!" This man has almost a geeky voice, and well, is one. He is roughly in his forties, and has bright green eyes to accompany his long, blond hair. He's kind of scrawny and socially awkward, so he spends most of his time in his laboratory.

"Oh just shut up, Vexen! He's not going to respect you anymore than we already don't. He's fire anyway, so yer screwed either way!" Xigbar states loudly.

Vexen grips the arms of the High Chair and grits his teeth, holding back any crude comments he may have wanted to say to the Freeshooter. Xigbar is still his superior, after all, even if they are both of the Original Six, and he knows that Xigbar could kick his ass anytime. This only causes Xigbar to smirk.

Xemnas sighs and nods to the next member who sheds his hood. He is the tallest of the eight and is covered in muscles. The guy probably has muscles on his eyeballs, too. He has short auburn hair, styled into squiggled spikes; his eyebrows are furrowed and his arms are crossed across his chest; he has an angular face and blue eyes.

"This is Number V, the Silent Hero Lexaeus. He is one of our stronger and strategic members. His element is of the ground. He is not as quiet as he might seem… after you get to know him a bit."

Another removes their hood, slowly and coolly. As of current, he is the shortest amongst the Organization, standing at roughly five-foot-five. He has a rather interesting haircut—long, feathered bangs in the front to cover the right portion of his face and short, choppy layers in the back. His visible eye is a beautiful bright ocean blue, his facial expression unreadable. His right elbow is propped upon his left hand, whilst his right hand is hiding his mouth as he looks Axel over.

"Ah, and here we have our most valued and youngest strategist of all—Zexion, the Cloaked Schemer. Highly intelligent, cunning, and a valued researcher. He is manipulative, enigmatic, and has always been quite a contribution to the Organization, especially since he has a way with food. He prepares so many delicacies."

The shorter male almost forms a smile; maybe the corner of his mouth just twitched. "He smells naturally of cinnamon, charcoal, and trouble, and has a strong odor of AXE cologne lingering about him."

Axel wonders to himself, [What in the hell is this guy talking about?]

Xemnas smirks. "I figured as such." He now directs his attention to the last member who still has his hood on. "Saïx, remove your hood, if you will."

The figure nods and removes his hood, and brushes his long azure hair onto his shoulders. He has piercing bright yellow eyes like Xigbar's lone, a large and intimidating 'X' shaped scar in the middle of his face, and pierced pointed ears. He looks down at Axel.

"I am Saïx, Number VII. I harness the power of the moon."

"Yes. Saïx is the Lunar Diviner and has incredible fighting skills, thanks to both Xigbar and Xaldin for their exceptional training," Xemnas comments before fixing his gaze upon Axel for the last time. "Axel, now that you officially know everyone here, you should probably go settle in, or perhaps get something to eat—we have plenty for you to choose from. You should make your way to bed soon, however; you have a long day ahead of you."

Axel sighs with a nod. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I'll be seeing you guys in the morning, then, huh?" And on that note, the redhead vanished into darkness, wisps of fading darkness being emitted.

Xemnas lets out a deep sigh. "Oh my gods, he is going to put me through hell."

Xigbar pouts. "I can't believe you're making me train a rookie like him…"

Xaldin rolls his eyes. "Get over it, you'll be fine. Once he gets good, I might help you out."

In the same way as Axel had, Vexen portals out of the room as does Lexaeus and Saïx.

"Well," Zexion starts, removing his hand from his face, "this should be quite interesting. Aren't we to be expecting a certain Demyx soon?"

"Yes… He should be joining us before long, actually," the Superior replies.

"How far from now are we talking?" Zexion crosses his arms.

"In roughly a week."

"Really? Hmn… May I speak with you in private when this is over?"

Xemnas looks almost surprised to hear such a request coming from the Cloaked Schemer. "Of course."

Xigbar looks from the Superior to Zexion. "Oh really now? Another so soon? You should let your higher up in on that information, yanno."

Zexion turns to the Freeshooter, giving an almost teasing glare. "You know I can't do that. I collect the information and you hang from the ceiling. We all have our places here."

Xigbar only smirks. "Ya wanna know what it's like to hang upside down? I can help ya with that…"

"Nice try, but I don't think so."

"Ugh. You're no fun," Xigbar states bluntly. He sighs and turns to Xaldin, "Well, guess we should get some practice in, eh?"

"I don't get a say in this, do I?" Xaldin questions.

"Nope." The Freeshooter then vanishes before Xaldin could say anything more. Xaldin follows after with a heavy sigh.

Xemnas looks around, seeing as how only he and Zexion were the only members remaining, then turns to him. "Well, I suppose this could be considered to be 'in private', so what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Zexion eyes the room to confirm their isolation from the other members before turning back to Xemnas. "Yes… I wanted to talk to you about Demyx."

Xemnas' eyes widen only the slightest bit, but the rest of him is unfazed by the choice of topic. "…Continue."

"For his training… Well, he might be a little difficult. He has a one-track mind and is easily distracted. What I wanted to know was if perhaps I could be the one to train him?"

Xemnas grins. "I won't question you as to why you would want to, but I suppose that would be acceptable. Keep in mind that I will expect you to keep a record of his progress."

Zexion nods with poise, "Yes, Sir. Thank you." He then portals off to his room to review Demyx's report.

Xemnas sighs and closes his eyes. "That is one enigmatic boy," he states before vanishing as well, the room filled with empty High Chairs.