Four
The sound of the train passing over the Usual Spot could be heard. Olette stood in front of Ryon, Pence and Hayner. Arms crossed and very distraught over the upcoming project for school. "Only three days left of summer vacation-so don't even mention that assignment!" Hayner exclaimed.
"But we agreed to finish it today!"
Roxas had been quiet all the while. His mind still focused on he and Ryon falling from the Clock Tower. "Yesterday…we fell off the tower didn't we?"
"You guys wouldn't be here if you did!" Hayner responded leaning in close.
Ryon shoots Roxas a concerned look. Wishing he knew more as to why all these bizarre events were happening as of late. "Stop changing the subject!" Olette shouted, her hands on her hips.
"Okay, already! You win. We'll do the homework. Stupid independent study. So, anybody got any bright ideas for a topic?" Hayner grumbled.
"Yeah," Ryon began leaning back in his chair in lazy fashion. "How about we find out the weird things that've been happening to Roxas and I lately."
The strange, white creatures that appear to be fixated on them. Axel. The guy with the bandages on his face. Namine. And that equally weird other voice Ryon heard in his head last night…after Roxas told him about his experience with the voices it made him a little bit better knowing perhaps he wasn't as crazy like he assumed he was prior.
"Forget it."
"Why?" Roxas asked. "This isn't…normal. What's been going on."
"You know, things have been weird with you and the town since the photos were stolen, right?" Hayner responded.
"Well, tomorrow, we're all gonna search the town and find out what's been going on." Pence added.
"Lots of people are helping out." Olette finished with a smile of assurance.
"All that for us?"
It's official: We really do have the best friends in the world Ryon and Roxas both smiled in return. Roxas slipping his hand into his. "I'll go get some ice cream!" With that he got up and left the Usual Spot only to find Ryon being 'badgered' by Olette and the guys about his relationship with Roxas.
"So what's the deal with you guys?" Olette asked, sitting on his right with Hayner on his left. A playful grin etched over her face resting her hand on her chin.
"Yeah you've been making googly eyes for each other since…you first met."
"We have not!" Ryon rolled his eyes with a huff. Crossing his arms over his chest in a very Roxas like manner. "I've just been concerned for Roxas lately. That's all."
Pence grinned, resting his hands on his knees. "You know. Call me weird but I think you and Roxas were destined to meet. I mean, you guys clicked like that when you first met. Normally that stuff takes time. Years even."
"…You think so?"
Destiny related things were typically what Ryon tried to avoid not believing in such. But he was beginning to take Pence's words into some thought at the least he realized, when Roxas returned with their traditional Sea Salt ice cream. Pence…Maybe you aren't so far off after all Ryon thought with a grin.
"There's this strange rumor going around. Wanna hear it? You know the stone steps at Sunset Station? We use 'em all the time, without even thinking about it. But-and this is the weird part-the steps count different going up and down!" Pence exclaimed some moments later.
"Seriously?!" Hayner asked with curious eyes.
"And there are six other weird stories like that. It's like...the seven wonders of Twilight Town." Pence continued attempting to make his voice creepy.
Ryon shook his head. "Or it could be all bogus."
"We should investigate those for our school project! Pence, you're a genius!" Hayner stood up along with Roxas and Olette. Ryon hung his head.
Why do I even bother?
"There might be other rumors going around, too. Let's split up! I'm gonna look for the seven wonders..."
"Olette and I will look for new rumors!" Hayner stated.
"That leaves you and Ryon, Roxas."
"Let's try the train first. To the station!"
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Ryon and Roxas met up with Pence moments later at the 'mysterious steps' that had led to the train station. "So are those the steps you were talking about? The ones that count differently?" Roxas questioned Pence.
Pence rubbed the back of his neck. "Umm...actually, it's the stupidest thing ever, but..."
"But what?"
"Rai's the one who counted. He's like, "Every time I count, it's different, Y'KNOW?" Ha ha ha ha!"
Ryon and Roxas smiled. Rai wasn't the brightest of bulbs around that much they all knew. After Pence shows them a map of the Seven Wonder areas, Ryon nodded looking it over. "I'll check out Friend From Beyond the Wall and the Animated Bag. I'll meet with you guys to watch for the Ghost Train."
He arrived at a dead end wall which a ball comes forth from. "Whoa!" He exclaims as one white ball barely strikes him in the face ducking just in time. More balls soon appear taking out his struggle sword, dodging any that appear. Yet when he places a hand on the brick wall there is nothing.
No hole. No magic. No apparition.
"That…wasn't weird at all." Ryon muttered, making his way out of the alley slightly disappointed.
Pence saw the ball flying out as his friend walks out of the area. "Oh, it's just you Ryon. Were you throwing a ball? That ball flew out of nowhere and totally startled me. Hey, I know! This explains one of those seven wonders!"
Sunset Hill was his next area. Just as Pence claimed a bag began moving around on its own. Ryon climbed on it quick grabbing hold until it stopped revealing a brown and white dog. "Well that's another mystery solved." He said in between laughs as the dog licks his face before walking off.
"This explains one of those seven wonders!" Pence exclaimed skidding to a halt with Roxas-a white creature vanishing without them noticing.
"You know...that last wonder wasn't exactly wonderful." Roxas replied helping Ryon back on his feet.
"I understand, say no more. But this next one's gonna be really great! Wonder number Six!"
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"If the rumors are true, it'll be here any minute..."
The five friends were looking out over Sunset Hill waiting the arrival of the mysterious Ghost Train known throughout Twilight Town. "For they say the train is empty. No driver, no conductor, no passengers... NO RETURN." Olette rolled her eyes knowing Pence was only trying to scare her.
"Please. I've heard scarier stories than that."
"Name one."
Ryon grinned, resting his head on his arms. Eyes glinting with delight as they all stare at him with curiosity. "You guys ever hear of Kuchisake Onna? "It's about a woman who's face was mutilated by her husband. Because of what he had done she returned as a malicious spirit. If you run into her she'll ask you 'Am I Pretty'? If you say yes, she'll take her mask off asking 'How about now'? Revealing her mutilated face. If you respond with 'no' you're dead. If you say yes again she'll make your mouth to be just like yours."
"So….You're screwed either way?" Hayner gulped, although on the outside he was feigning fear.
"There's a twist. If you say 'You're average' or 'I'm not sure' she'll be confused and that'll give you enough time to get the heck outta there. Another route is to say you have an engagement or you've already had one. She'll apologize and leave you be. In some other tales fruit or candles can be served as distractions."
Roxas cringed. "That's…not disturbing at all."
"It's just a story. Although she has been sighted in some places but those are just rumors."
"Good afternoon slackers."
The group mentally groans hearing Seifer's familiar voice. "What are you doing out here?"
"Why do you care?" Grumbled Hayner.
"I don't. Tell me anyway."
"We're waiting for the Ghost Train." Pence answered.
Seifer let out a laugh that caused a low growl to rumble in Ryon's throat. "Waiting for the ghost train!" Roxas stood up with an annoyed aura about him staring Seifer down. "Why does looking at you always tick me off?"
"I dunno. Maybe it's destiny." Roxas answered with a glare.
"Destiny... In that case, let's be friends. I don't feel like cooperating with destiny." Seifer turned his back looking towards the sunset.
Ryon shook his head when he finally left when Roxas called out. "Look!" A mysterious blue and gold train with a magician's hat decorated on top goes through the under pass. Ryon's eyes light up as he and Roxas take the lead going back towards the station. The train is still there when they skid to a halt.
"Let's go in!" said Roxas. Ryon nods in agreement but before they do Hayner grabs his arm. "What?"
"Um...you'll get hurt" explained Hayner letting go of Roxas.
"Huh?"
An original train soon pulls up to the station. Roxas and Ryon share a disappointed expression as Hayner pushes them onto the other train.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
With the train having since vanished Roxas and Ryon found new hope of the last Seventh Wonder-the mansion in the woods. "Well, they say there's a girl who appears at the second floor window even though no one's lived here for years." Pence explained after Hayner asked him.
Ryon looked in the window like Roxas had. A strange feeling surfaced as everything began to shift. He soon finds himself in a white room with a bed and a few drawings.
"Hello Ryon."
Namine was standing by the window, turning around fully to face him. "Hello….What am I doing here?"
"Don't you wish to know of your real identity?"
"How could anyone know more about me then me?"
The girl all but smiles at his response nodding to a picture on the wall beside him. Four figures were on it. "You know who they are?"
"Sora, Aryon, Donald and Goofy. They've been in my dreams like with Roxas."
Namine began her story seating herself at the end of the bed. Blue eyes unblinking as she speaks. "About a year ago, some things…happened so I had to 're write' Aryon's heart. I'm fixing it now though like Sora's but the process is taking longer than expected. Due to this, it has been affecting you and Roxas."
"So those dreams then…"
"Precisely. They are connected. You and Aryon…In order for him to be full again he needs you, Ryon."
"Me?"
Namine nodded. "Yes you. You are half of Aryon. An important piece to his heart."
Ryon sat himself on the floor feeling dizzy suddenly. "Naminé...who are you?"
"I'm a witch. Although that's what DiZ calls me: But I don't know why I have this power...I just do. I'm not even sure there's a right way for me to use it." She gave a weary sigh.
"I don't get this. I feel like I don't even exist."
"You and Roxas…You weren't supposed to."
"How can you say that?"
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Ansem found DiZ sitting in the old room looking out the window at the teenagers whom had now just left. "Why did you show them the train?"
"Because they missed their trip to the beach."
"Hmph...That's almost kind of you."
DiZ chuckles softly before looking over his shoulder. "Now...what about you? Are the holes in your memory starting to fill in?" asked Diz.
"Yes. The haze is clearing."
"The same thing is happening to everyone who had ties to Sora and Aryon. Very soon, to them they will be like good friends to you who've gone away for a year."
Ansem sits in an opposite chair, "I've waited, and now I want to know. What is it that you want?" asked Ansem.
"Revenge."
"Revenge?"
"Now, for the finishing touches. First, we must dispose of Naminé. She did a splendid job with Sora and Aryon, but it's high time she disappeared. Roxas wasn't the only one who was not meant to be…"
