"..And to them all I would sing thee…dance thee water, dance….-"

"OH! Hello there….and who might you be?"

"OH really? A traveler? Looking for room and place to rest your head?...WELL! Here in Twilight Town we've nothing but the best to lay you weights down, and sooth you with feast and company!"

"Oh who am I? By the hearts of Old, I am Demyx the water chiding Sitar player…dedicated to keeping this city and her spirits up with song and merriment! A bit of a traveler myself you might say, Hmmm? Feeling hungry? Well here at Aerith's Sunlight Inn, you'll find nothing at the best from Sea salt ice cream to-…Oh? What is? …..Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh….I see you question as to why Squall is speaking with Luxord there…..he being a nobody and Squall having a heart. Well we used to have animosity towards each other indeed, and what a wretched-wretched time it was. The likes of me couldn't be found ten paces from an Inn run by Heartulettes. Hmmmmm, you wish me to tell you how it all changed? Oh no, you are weary, you have no need for such a grim story such as-…..oh you fancy that? Well…it is my leisure to pleasure guests here at the Inn and…who am I to refuse our newest traveler a tune of his choosing?"

"Well….where to begin….perhaps, at the beginning?"

PROGLOGUE

"Two households, both alike in dignity, different in heart. In the fair land of Twilight Town we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil hearts makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whole misadventured piteous overthrows, Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove, is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend…."

Chapter 1.

Scene 1.

Hayner and Pence walked down the streets of Twilight Town, Heyner was talking to him of how the famed Struggle aftermath ball was coming up in a matter of days. Every year there was a struggle tournament, there would be a Ball held by the first Lord of the house of Nobodies, Xemnas. Now the head of the House was the Graceful assassin Marluxia who had over thrown him.

Hayner had commented on how he planned to be in the Organization that ran that city, Organization 13. The Org was an elite group/family that had grown since their founding by Xemnas. They were Nobodies who protected the rights and opinions of their race and relations throughout the city, and were obviously bitter enemies with their rival family, the Heartulettes. Hayner said if Ienzo could graduate from the University of Naught and be a full Organization Nobody, so could he. Pence shook his head,

"But Hayner, you've got to remember, he was in that frame of mind from the start, it was a shoe in he get picked, I mean we all went to school with Ienzo, we saw how much of a prodigy he was. I mean I'm skilled in computers, but not heart magic, psychics of Light and Darkness, or Heart matter like he is."

Hayner shook his head at Pence, "Do you have too always do that?" Pence shrugged, "Sorry, just trying to be a realist…-what? What is it?"

Pence now noticed that Hayner's attention was gotten by something in front of them. Looking in his direction Pence saw Olette across the street picking out a top from one of the Mage vendors. Pence smirked, "You still haven't told her yet have you?"

Hayner snapped himself out of his stupor, then looked at Pence "Oh come on…you know she likes Seifer..."

Pence leaned an arm on Heyners shoulder, "You mean Siefers the only one who's actually hit on her publicly…" Hayner rolled his shoulders to get Pence's arm off.

"If she didn't like him she'd of said..." He said downcast. Pence shook his head again, "Dude if she'd agreed to it, she'd of said she did, she's probably just being polite…and what's the worst that could happen? No I'm going to the Ball with someone else as my date, that's the worst she could say."

Hayner looked annoyed at Pence, as well as the point he was making. Suddenly he saw someone…they weren't in Nobody apparel, they didn't even look Nobody. Not only that, but they were looking at Olette, Hayner's eyes narrowed. Pence tugged at his arm, "Hayner get one of the Org guards, don't-" But undaunted Heyner pushed passed his grasp and walked over to the clothes stand.

At the clothes stand, Olette was putting a tank top up to her and looking at the mirror that hung from the venders stand roof. She sighed, no one had come along she'd really wanted to go with to the ball, all her friends were, she'd even get to see Yuffi there, she hadn't met her since she went Org, and joined as a nurse made for Lord Marluxia's daughter. She looked at the mages big yellow eyes peeking out from under its hat. She smiled to put off any suspicion of her real mood. "I think I'll just take…" she saw a bracelet that hung from a peg on one of the stands posts; it resembled the pattern on Siefers coat. The guy she'd heard to be a jerk, still he was the neighborhood bad boy, and a jock, which she couldn't lie having a thing for, and everyone's a little jerky at times right? He was always really nice to her anyway.

"I'll take that" she pointed to the bracelet and grinned. At least she knew he would have gumption enough to ask her out….or want to…

She tried it on after paying her Muney, than looked in the mirror again to see what it looked like on her wrist. She could see in the mirror someone tall was behind her, and that the mage was now climbing down off his stool and was closing up his stand. She turned around slowly, putting her hands behind her back. She looked up to see a shape of a heart with a cross down the middle, a Heartulette. She looked up to see a very muscular looking man with silver hair despite his young features; he had a strange device on his arm, metal and sharp. Behind him was a red headed Heartulett, looked like a soldier…great, they as a rule thought they owned everyone…well so did Nobody Org guards but, Heartulettes were ALL bad, she just hoped they didn't prove why right now….

"Hey…" the big one said looking down at her, "Nice bracelet…" She looked at it and then hid it behind her back.

"Thank you…" she said as politely and unafraid as she could muster. The on behind him happened to come more to the front besides him, "I've seen its make somewhere before…"

This Heartulette wore a Red coat, matching the dark red that made up the rest of his vest, pants, and gloves, his own head was of almost red brown hair that came down past hi ears…everything about him said Vain, unafraid of the consequences.

"I do too…" The big one said not taking his eyes off her…she could now hear the wheels of the Mages stand creak as he pulled his stand back, obviously to get his goods away from anything that might ensue. The Red haired one put his arm out to catch one of its posts to prevent it from pulling it any further…

"Easy bright eyes, we know she had to have bought that from somewhere…" the red haired one said grinning.

She couldn't see the mages face, but could see the tip of its pointed hat behind the stand shaking fearfully. She looked fearfully around herself to see if anyone was doing anything about it, not many were, this was mid square ground, a part of the city that was not quite Heartulette, not quite Nobody. No one was doing anything but going about their business, or even worse staring to see what would happen next with trying to be noticed.

"…Looks like a coat one of the struggle players wore in last week's game…" the big one continued.

Great…Struggle tournament zealots, obviously wanting revenge for their loss to the Nobody's team. Wait a minute, "it matched a coat", that meant it was…oh no…

"Seifer…" the red haired one said still holding the wooden post firmly.

"That's what he said his name was, funny he said we shouldn't forget it Genesis."

She rolled her eyes...the sad thing is she knew that Seifer probably WOULD say something along the lines of something that arrogant in a confrontation. The one apparently named Genesis let go of the stand but stood near it to cut off escape possibilities.

"So…you know who we're talking about…" He said smiling slightly.

Her eyes widened seeing her mistake of giving herself away. She began to take steps back, but the big one was fast with a big arm leaning on the wall to cut off her escape.

"He hit on my girlfriend you see…" he said.

"Loz doesn't like that…" Genesis chirped behind him at the Mage as if he were some kind of translator.

Loz grinned, "So to return the favor of embarrassment…mind if we take your coat?"

Before Olette could react, his firm hand was on her new coat in a death grip, but she was already screaming, "Let me go!"

"LET HER GO!" a voice came from behind them all.

Everyone turned to see a boy about her height…a bit taller maybe standing there with a struggle bat. She recognized his spiky hair, it was that boy who sat behind her in…wait...wasn't he the one who took half her classes with her. She'd always seen him, never really paid him much mind though, too quite around her to notice beyond that. But now he was mad and looking up at the two Heartulettes.

Genesis stepped in front of him cutting him from her view, "You're talking to us Nobody?" he asked putting his hands on his hips.

The wheels of the vending stand were now creaking again, for the Mage had taken the opportunity to make his getaway again, this time without resistance.

"She didn't do anything to you…don't you have something better to do? Like an orphanage to burn? Whatever you Heartulettes do…"

As brave as this guy was he was out of his mind, these two guys could crush them both with their fists, and she didn't want to know what the metal device on the one called Loz' arm was. But Loz did let go, he now turned around to face her odd little savior,

"You mean like your struggle champion? Sephiroth?" Loz asked.

The voice of the boy came from behind the two Heartuletts angrier than before, "He's a war hero, don't talk about him like that!" He began moving around Genesis to apparently get to Olette.

Loz wasn't preventing him, seeing this she ran from under his arm to go behind the spiky haired boy.

Loz was continuing, "You a friend of Seifers too?" he began stroking the device on his arm as he spoke, it made both Olette and the boy step back involuntarily.

"Who's asking…" the boy said trying to hide his nervousness.

"We asked you a question boy…" Genesis put in stepping forward too.

The boy took another step back, making Olette have to do the same thing, she put a hand on his shoulder, which made him stop backing up and take a step boldly forward.

"My names Hayner, and no I don't like him…but at least he isn't a Heartulett..."

Loz smiled at Genesis then smiled at something behind the two of them. Olette looked around to notice people around them were looking out their windows, and some were stopping what they were doing to see. She and Hayner looked behind them, and saw…more Heartulettes coming, great….

Hayner now positioned himself in front of Olette more, putting up his Struggle bat threateningly. It was a real one, so it would hurt, but then again the odds were not exactly in their favor. The new Heartuletts along with the two that had been staring them down before now seemed to be circling them. Oh she didn't want this Hayner to get hurt for her…and she knew that was exactly what was about to happen as the cracked their knuckles and touched the hilts of their weapons.

"There a problem…." Came a voice from behind them. They all looked around behind them to see a silhouette of someone in a hood leaning up against a wall in the shadows.

"What are getting at Nobody?" Genesis said putting his hand on the hilt of his sword, which until now Olette hadn't seen from behind his long red coat.

The Nobody stepped out, rolling his shoulders, he was lanky, but had a strong upper body bellow his hooded head. They could tell by his dark leather hood he was an Organization 13 guard, "Whatever your issue is with these kids, you're still filthy Heartulettes breathing my air..." He said in his slow manner of speaking,

"That means there's a problem…that's what I'm getting at…" He took off his hood to reveal an elaborate long head of spiked red hair… "Got it memorized?"

"AXEL!" someone said, Olette and Hayner couldn't tell who had said it, but it was what everyone was thinking. Axel was # 8 in the Organization high guard, feared throughout by Heartulette and Nobody alike in fighting, and ferociousness there in. His forte was mercilessness in combat, matched only by the skill he possessed. His smirk now curled over his lips as he saw the reactions of the Heartulette ruffians, relishing their intimidation at him.

"Gentlemen you have 3 seconds to surrender and leave…" They shuffled a little but didn't move.

"Unfortunately…" Axel continued almost immediately, "I took me 7 seconds to say that…"

Everyone began bracing themselves, even backing away some. Hayner and Olette meanwhile both had rushed out from the middle Heartulettes circle to hide behind a barrel and watch.

The one named Loz stepped forward. He took out his arm with the device on it and clicked something on it. It whirred and hummed, and something on it snapped then re-snapped, Axel eyed it unamused.

"Ain't no…Nobody…piece of trash…gonna tell me….what to do…or where to go-…"

Suddenly Loz was blown back by an explosion of fire, which sent him careening over the heads of his comrades, and Hayner and Olette, into a shop window, to fall right next to them with a large burn imprint and mark on the side of his neck. One of the long haired Heartulettes ran now waving their weapon at Axel. Axel smirked and the wild deadly look in his green eyes burned like the fire that was now engulfing his hands, "Let's dance…." He said, crouching low with his hands out like a scare crow. The Heartulett ran in the air it seemed to bring his staff down on Axels head, Axel grabbed the weapon and spun his body around in a back heel-kick sending the man back flying through the air like Loz. He now held the metal pipe in his hand spinning it behind his back and it grew hotter and hotter as he did so. Two more Heartlulettes from the band now jumped at him, one dove for his legs, swiping at them with his sword blade, another with a gun blade trying to swipe at his head. Axel dodged the gun blade, and spun out of the way of sword side stepping it. The pipe in his hand was now red from heat and neatly cut into the sword, then brought it down on the back of Heartulett on the ground. He cried out in pain, Hayner looked wide eyed, to mesmerized to cheer the Org guard on. Axel swung the pipe now and it sizzled against the gun blade of the second heartulette, while the first one lay on the ground trying to put himself out. He brought it down the blade of the gun until it cut through the hilt guard hitting the Heartulettes knuckles. He of course let go in pain. Axel spun it around his back again and was about to bring it down on his head again…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH" came a roar from above, he looked up in time to the see the Heartulette named Genesis coming down at him from the air with a very long, very large sword, as red as his cape and coat. Axel blocked the blade but let it go instinctively as it was cloven in two by the red, almost glowing saber of Genesis. Axel spun in the air and back flipped off one hand, as Genesis swung out with his sword again, lashing at him in fury. This Heartulette soldier was no mere lug like his accomplices were, nor was Axel….

He smirked at Genesis and looked at the ground where he was standing, both arms still stretched out. Suddenly the flames around his fingers began to grow then turn in circles, burning around his gloved hands until they made wheels of fire. Hayner and Olette, as well as all in Twilight Town knew what this meant. Axel's flames spun until finally the stopped in an explosion of fire revealing two large metal Chakram, spiked with tips that were catching the last of the fire as it went out.

His head came up, "Don't go dying on my Heartulette…" he hissed with a slight smile.

Genesis growled and dug the tip of his blade into the coble stone ground then ran at Axel head down, his sword sending sparks flying from the sword as he ran. Axel crouched more, and Olette held Hayner's hand out of reflex. Genesis jumped in the air bringing the sword over his head, and as he did it glowed red, then brought it down with the full force of his body down on Axel. It clashed down against the two flaming Chakram Axel put up to shield the impact, and although it resounded across the street with a clang, it did not penetrate them. Axel smirked from behind his weapons at Genesis who hissed and back flipped off of him, Axel was quicker then lighting and was now spinning around and threw the Chakram from his left hand at him as he back flipped. Genesis blocked the Chakram with his sword just in time as he landed to his feet, the Chakram made a detour in the air before returning to Axels hand like a boomerang. Suddenly a "Vroom…vroom" of a motor cycle engine sounded down the block.
Axel looked to the side annoyed, Genesis glanced to the right as well, and surprisingly also looked annoyed. "Ahhhh not now!" He said under his breath.

Hayner and Olette peeked from behind their barrel at the motorcycles coming down the street in the distance; they were on their corner in seconds from their speed, and skidded to a stop.

"Lord Cloud…." Genesis said more out of formality then welcome, "This Nobody wretch was attacking my companions, he pointed at Axel with his long sword.

Cloud, or Lord Cloud took off his helmet, and the two children gasped, it was indeed Lord of the entire house of Heartulettes here in Mid-ground Twilight Town. Behind him holding onto him firmly on the passenger portion of the bike was who they could only guess was the fabled Lady Heartulett: Tifa Strife, she had long flowing dark hair and a fierce look like her husband's.

She got off the bike first, "…And he still stands?" she asked, "Why haven't you put this…Nobody down yet Genesis?" The other Heartulett riders got off their bikes or made motions so.

Axel growled a little under his breath seeing who he was up against now, it would be more of an unfair fight, this time not in his favor.

Suddenly a little voice chimed out "There they ar- oh…."

It was Pence!

Hayner looked over the barrel at Pence who was just coming around the corner sounding winded, Cloud looked at him with little regard, "Get the boy out of here…" he said in his low, short sentenced way, "We've a Nobody to see too…"

"Beat it kid…" Axel said standing his ground and twirling his Chakram on his fingers, Pence was stunned to see Axel for he was looking all that time the groaning Heartuletts, smoking on the ground.

"But Axel…" he said nervously "I brought the guar-" He was cut off by a –WOOSH- noise from the roof top of the building behind Axel.

Cloud and the rest looked up to see the last of a dark aura disappearing off of Nobody in a hood looking down at them.

"Do as he says boy…" the voice said, "Much blood will be spilt this day…"

Suddenly with more –Whoosh- noises, more Org members appeared on the roofs edge in dark smoke. Pence looked up at the guard with grin, then heard a growl from one of the Heartulettes on a bike. This one had long dark hair, but his face was hidden behind a robe and mask of Crimson, leaving only his equally red eyes to peer at him with annoyance. Pence scurried over to where Hayner and Olette were in fright.

"This is why I don't like kids…" the Heartulett barked under his breath.

"Easy Vincent…" Another Heartulett rider said to him. "We got plenty of Nobody's to take that sour mood of yours out on."

This Heartulette was smaller than the rest had long brown spiky hair, it stuck out in all directions. His cloths were all a commotion with Zippers and pockets, as most Heartulette clothes were, but this one went overboard.

The one named Vincent looked back at him, "Alright Sora…just remember to save some for me…I'm stressed out as it is…" He tapped his sharp clawed metallic glove on the handle bars.

Hayner looked at Pence when he hid with them behind the barrel after seeing them there.

"Where were you!" Hayner said, "Well I had to find someone to help…" Pence said breathlessly.

Hayner looked at Olette and saw she was still wide eyed and tremblingly clutching his hand.

"Come on…" Hayner said, and took them inside the shop they were in front of to watch from a window.

Doing so they nearly tripped over Loz' motionless body. They all peeked out the window now.

"Marluxia….."

Cloud said, sitting up straighter, "our paths meet sooner than expected…"

One of the hooded guard stepped out from behind Axel, though how he'd gotten there Pence and Hayner didn't know. The voice that was clearly belonged to Marluxia came out of the dark hood. "Indeed…"

Marluxia's other title was Lord Nobody and like Cloud was to the Heartulettes, was head of the entire Nobody family that lived within twilight and beyond. He took off his hood as magenta toned pedals fell from the motion of doing so, his hair now flowed down to his shoulders. His eyes pierced Clouds as they stared in a death glare.

"Organization 13!"

Marluxia barked. The rest of the org leapt from the building's roof, and landed next to their Lord. Axels smirk now returned to his face. Hayner thought we was seeing a war story before his eyes in the making, for as all the org members took off their hoods, he recognized them: Larxene, the lady Nobody who was married to Marluxia. Lexaeus the silent hero, Xibar the Org's sharp shooter, he took out his Shard pistols next. Vexen with is ice shield, and Siax his second in command, he took out his fabled Lunar Claymore and it clanged on ground making vibrations. And lastly, Inzeo, his long hair and bored expression was unmistakable.

"You found Inzeo?"

Hayner said surprised, Pence nodded not taking his eyes off of the standoff,

"Oh his names Zexion now…" he corrected, "He made sure I remembered that."

Hayner remembered that every recruit into the Org guard was given a new name compiled of their own initials and the letter X. He had hoped for Rhaxyne, but that would be up to the Org if he got in.

"Down with the Nobodies!" Genesis yelled raising his saber.

"Down with the Heartulettes!" Lexaeus cried raising his Tomahawk.

Lord Cloud turned to his wife behind him, "Tifa…my long sword…"