Ho, snap! I actually got some reviews! Really nice ones, at that! I'd like to thank you all who actually bothered to give me feedback. I wasn't going to post this until Sunday, but y'all put me in such I good mood, I decided I'd speed it up for you.

Chapter 4—The Devil's Dealings

It drew them.

In pairs, in threes, or by themselves, the church drew them.

The closer they got, the farther away the resurrected Nobodies wanted to be—evil emanated from the building, suffocating them, crushing their lungs and throats. And still, they came closer. Once inside, the strangling feeling intensified, and against their will, they assembled in a circle in the middle of the church. No one spoke or made eye contact, no one touched, no one knew what they were doing or why. Enemies and friends stood side by side, helplessly frozen in place by a force that resonated deep within their bones. Without warning, a red-tinted light hit them in an almost tangible blast.

"About time you fuckers woke up." A child was standing calmly in the middle of the circle, white funeral dress bloodstained and torn. She cast a condescending glance around her, taking them in one by one. "You're even sorrier than I expected. You'd better be worth the energy I expended to call you here."

Xemnas snorted, indignation overpowering his bewilderment. "Child," he said, displeasure saturating his tone, "I don't know what kind of game you think you're playing or who you think you are, but we—"

"Are Nobodies. Nothing. I already know, and believe me, you're nothing to be concerned about. You're the bunch of pussies that got your asses handed to you by a fifteen-year-old with a fucking key. As for who I am…" The girl snapped her fingers, and the power that had drawn them to the church came crashing down violently on them. The Nobodies crumpled and hit the floor, writhing under the force of her will.

"I'm God, here. But you can call me Christabella. And this is Silent Hill." The horrible pressure abated and the demon-child smiled sweetly. "I suppose you're wondering what this place is, what I am, and why you're here. Well…" Sitting down cross-legged, she rested her cheek on one palm and rolled her eyes to the ceiling, a corrupted image of childish whimsy.

"I guess I'll start with Silent Hill. A long time ago, longer than all the time I've been dead, Silent Hill was overrun with life— happy, disgusting, pathetic lives. It was a romantic getaway, a good place to bring the kids. A place that made you think of Jimmy Stewart and angels and how wonderful life could be. Jesus. Fortunately, some people who called themselves 'The Order' fixed all that. They made it into my kind of town, a hell-spawned nightmare filled with monsters and demons and death…oh my!" She giggled and changed positions, leaning back and stretching her arms out behind her.

"And me? I'm dead. Obviously. I was killed here in Silent Hill by a man who did terrible things to me and never even got busted for it. Can you believe that shit? Anyway, I came back— it doesn't matter how— and ever since then, I've been kicking serious ass. I took out Whately and The Order, my big sister Lauryn, and I almost had that little bitch Alessa out of the way too, but she's no longer an issue. A few years ago, I made a deal with King Mickey. I did a favor for him, and he was supposed to help get complete control over Silent Hill. I held up my end of the bargain, but that bastard rodent tricked me—he helped me take power, then sealed me in. I guess he thought I'd attack his worlds. I wasn't going to, but whatever."

"Now, why you're here. I used my magic to bring you back for one purpose and one purpose only—you're going to help me escape and bring destruction and horror to all the worlds under King Mickey's protection. Do this for me, and in return, I'll give you all the one thing you want most."

There was a collective intake of breath, and the Nobodies leaned forward in anticipation. Christabella smirked. "That's right—I'll give you hearts. But you have to follow the conditions— and there's only one, really. I'm the boss. I say 'Kill this person', you say, 'How slowly?' got it? So, what do you say? Will you help me? Pretty please with sugar on top?"

Larxene was the first to break the silence. "So…you're saying we're only subordinate to you? No one else?"

"Pretty much."

Larxene's eyes brightened. She stared at Xemnas for a moment before taking an eager step towards Christabella. "I'm in."

"If we do this…you'll really give us hearts?" Demyx looked doubtful.

"Hey, a deal's a deal. You help me, I help you."

The Nocturne thought for a moment, then took a shaky step forward. He was followed quickly by Xigbar. One by one, they all stepped up to Christabella, until only Axel remained. He'd been staring pensively at the floor the entire time. He looked up and locked eyes with the child.

"What exactly does helping you involve?"

Christabella smirked. "Not much, really. I'm sealed in, but you're free to come and go as you please— provided I let you— the bind-spell will have no effect on you. All you have to do is go where I can't, and spread Silent Hill to the other worlds. And help me escape, of course."

Axel was quiet for a moment. "Can I talk to you privately?"

The dead girl snorted and crossed her arms. "I'm a busy girl. Make it snappy." She and Axel walked off to the side. Axel whispered something in her ear, and Christabella considered, then nodded.

"Sure, sure. That'll be easy. But you'll have to do something special to earn it."

"Anything."

Christabella smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that. Now, hold out your hand."

Axel did so, albeit mistrustfully.

Walking quickly over to the church altar and back, Christabella returned with a small, rusty dagger. Axel started, but before he could pull his hand back, Christabella had slit a long line across his palm. Grabbing his arm, she put her lips to the wound and began sucking at it greedily. The Flurry shuddered in disgust…then convulsed in pain. It felt like something was forcing it's way through his blood stream. He watched with a distant fascination as something seemed to crawl around under his skin. When Christabella pulled back, he felt more alive than ever.

"You've probably noticed by now that haven't been able to summon your weapons and elements properly. That's because I hadn't yet resurrected you fully— try it now." She commanded.

Axel obediently flicked his wrist, trying for only a small fire. What he got was a white-hot jet of flame that sent a blast of scorching heat into the air. Axel flinched, quickly extinguishing it and feeling his face, expecting it to be blistered and burnt. He felt nothing—his eyebrows weren't even singed.

Christabella gave a self-satisfied smile. "If you're going to work for me, you're going to have to be tough enough to handle a lot more than a child with a blunt object. So, I'm upping the ante, increasing your elemental powers and your resistance to them."

Larxene, awed by Axel's little display, quickly strode up to Christabella. "Me, next!" She demanded.

Marluxia looked uncomfortable, and made as if to hold her back, but quickly thought better of it. He watched with growing unease as his constant companion shoved Axel aside and held her palm out to the tiny child in front of her. The procedure was repeated, and as soon as it ended, Larxene bolted—literally. The Nymph actually became her element, living lightning flashing through the church with blinding speed and intensity before finally coming to a halt at Christabella's feet. Larxene, once again flesh and bone, knelt in front of the girl, panting hard with a look of exhilaration and genuine gratitude shining on her face. "Marluxia, you have got to try this!"

"Hey, do I get to do that?" Axel questioned, clearly jealous.

Christabella rolled her eyes. "Try it and find out, dummy."

Axel tried, and succeeded rather remarkably. "Yeah! Burn, baby! You guys have to call me the Human Torch from now on! Human Torch, got it memorized? Flame on! Whoo!"

Marluxia frowned. "Most impressive, Christabella. How are you doing it?"

"All I'm doing is letting you tap into an unlimited power source— Silent Hill."

"Which you control. I can only assume that letting this power enhance us gives you some measure of influence over us, as well?" Lexaeus rumbled, putting a protective hand on Zexion's shoulder. The dead girl merely shrugged, smiling innocently.

"Call it insurance. Can't have you double-crossing me like Mickey, now, can I?"

Lexaeus stared coldly at her, and Marluxia gave a thin smile, clearly un-amused. Demyx stood on tip-toe and peered over Xigbar's shoulder.

"Hey, this enhancey-stuff…will it hurt?"

Christabella grinned. "Oh, my yes. Terribly."

Demyx gulped and quickly darted back behind Xigbar, who patted his shoulder comfortingly.

Saix stepped forward, now, face dark and defiant.

"And what if we refuse to recognize you as our leader?"

"Oh, that's easy! I'll end you, shit-head. Slowly and painfully. I'm very good at that— I've had a lot of practice, y'know. There was this one guy? I kept him alive, awake, aware, and screaming for, like, six weeks. Cross me, and I'll see if I can break my own record."

Saix held her gaze for a long moment, then glanced at Xemnas, who gave his head a small shake. Reluctantly, the Luna Diviner backed down. Xaldin, who was standing next to him, cocked his head, looking curious, impressed, and skeptical, all at the same time.

"How exactly did you manage to do that? How does a kid like you—albeit, a powerful kid—do something like what you just described?"

Christabella smiled darkly. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure you'll get to see me and Silent Hill in action soon enough. Then you'll understand. Now, are we done with the Q&A, or do you have thirty-thousand other fucking questions you wanna ask me?" Her query was met with silence, which seemed to please her.

"Well then, boys and girls, step right up."

--

Minutes later, all twelve Nobodies were infected with Christabella's Darkness, and the church fell into chaos as several of them tested their powers at once. Demyx was happily melting into puddles of water and splashing Xigbar, who was distracting himself by levitating objects, then taking them apart and re-shaping them as if they were Rubix cubes. The building shook and rocked as Xaldin generated multiple tornados around the perimeter. Axel was experimenting with a flame so hot it was blue, and Larxene was leaping from wall to wall, performing acrobatics at dizzying speeds and flashing in and out of a state of pure electric being.

"This is pretty freakin' sweet!" Exclaimed Xigbar, who had just molded a chair into a miniature surfboard.

"I know, right? I'm all sloshy!"

"Look! I've never burned this hot before!"

"I've never been this fast before!"

Xaldin simply nodded, too enthralled with watching his cyclones rage outside the stained glass windows to speak.

Zexion, meanwhile, had taken to using his illusions to change their setting, gleefully flipping through scenes as though he were a little boy with a remote control. "Lexaeus, look at this! It's truly remarkable—she's enhanced my illusions to the point where I can almost fool myself. They even smell real."

Which was true—the Schemer was currently projecting a beach scene, and Lexaeus could smell the salt air and feel splashes of sea spray dot his skin. The roar of the ocean and the way his boots sunk into the sand completed the illusion. Zexion snapped his fingers, and the scene disappeared. "Try your element, now."

Lexeaus shook his head. "Some of the others and myself feel that it would be prudent to wait before experimenting. Perhaps when we are…in better company." The large man's eyes quickly flicked to Christabella and back.

Zexion saw, and nodded. "Yes, on second thought, maybe that would be best." Vexen, Xemnas, Saix, Marluxia, and, surprisingly enough, Luxord, were all standing back, not at all participating in the frenzied play of the other six. Zexion, who was curious by nature, spoke to Luxord quietly. "I would have thought you'd be joining in the fun. You were always one to enjoy playtime…"

Luxord shook his head. "This isn't playtime, despite what that little girl may want you to think. This is deadly serious. I don't know what game she's playing, but I don't like or understand it, and you never play a game if you don't know the rules."

Larxene skidded to a stop next to Luxord, apparently having overheard him even while racing manically to and fro. "What are you talking about, Lux? We know the rules—obey Christabella. That's it. That's all we have to do."

Luxord shook his head, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Oh, no, there's more to it. There's always more. Trust me on this."

Larxene rolled her eyes. "Whatever. And Marluxia? What about you? I expect this from them, but you? Standing to the side like some wall-flower is so beneath you. Come and play!"

Marluxia's jaw tightened. "Thank you, Larxene, but I'm afraid I must pass this time. I believe Lexaeus' judgement in this case is quite sound—I will wait until we are unobserved by prying eyes." He glared venomously at Christabella, who curtsied and giggled.

"All this fuss over lil' ol' me? You're gonna make me blush. And as for as waiting 'till you're alone goes—you can scrap those plans, Pinky. You're never alone. Not here."

"Don't worry about them. They're just not used to taking orders from a girl." Larxene paused, smirking. "Especially Vexen. He's always had problems with admitting others' superiority."

Axel snorted. "Got that right. Hey, Vexen, why don't you lighten up a little, pal? I'll even play a game with you. Here, catch!" So saying, Axel tossed a tiny fireball in the scientist's general direction. It fizzled out harmlessly and quickly, causing no one any harm.

Unfortunately for Axel, the Chilly Academic still had his own recent death-by-immolation fresh in mind, and overreacted slightly by summoning his shield and sending out a blast of ice so powerful that it actually froze the red head solid. If not for Axel's internal furnace, the man would have been killed instantly by the cold.

A collective gasp rose from the assembly—not out of concern for Axel, but from the sight of Vexen's shield. The weapon had been altered radically. No longer blue and white, the massive shield was now the color of dried blood and rust, and the spikes that adorned the edges were of jagged, blackened metal and significantly larger than before. Immediately, every single Nobody (with the exception of Axel, who was trying desperately to melt the ice he was encased in) summoned their weapons. Theirs, too, were altered in much the same manner.

Demyx was particularly horrified to find that his sitar strings seemed to be made out of human hair. The pages and cover of Zexion's lexicon were of what was apparently dried, leathery flesh, and Luxord's cards now displayed images of brutality and violence so disturbing that he could not bear to look at them.

The only ones who seemed pleased with this turn of events were Larxene, who proclaimed that she very much liked the color scheme and the fact that her kunai now slightly resembled scalpels, and Xigbar, who was quite happy to be wielding a shotgun and a baretta, neither of which were purple. The group's study of their weapons was interrupted by a loud and chattery "F-F-F-FUCK!" from Axel, who had partially freed himself from his sub-zero prison. For the next ten minutes while he thawed, Axel would frequently repeat this sentiment and nothing else.

Larxene smirked and turned to Vexen. "Not bad, old man. Nice to finally see that you have a pair."

"Hold your tongue, insolent girl!" The older blond clenched his fists in fury.

The sadist huffed and tossed her head. "Calm down, ancient one! I was only complimenting you! Just because you're higher in the Organization doesn't mean you can take offense to any little thing you—" She stopped in mid sentence, eyes widening. Quickly, she turned to Christabella. "Hey, if you're our boss now, that means the Organization structure is no longer in effect, right? Which means none of them are my superiors anymore? And I can do whatever the hell I want, and they can't stop me?"

"Yes, yes, and yes. You only take orders from me, and as long as you don't kill each other, I don't care how you fuckers interact."

A countenance of awe and wonder came across Larxene's face. Hand over her mouth, she took a slow look around her, glancing over all of her fellow Organization members. She appeared joyfully overwhelmed, like a little girl who just got the pony she'd always asked for, and an odd faraway expression came into her eyes. One could almost see the wheels turning in her head—and when she finally smiled, no one in the room, not even Marluxia, liked the look of it.

--

After a bit more playtime, Christabella finally called her new thralls to order. "Alright, everybody shut the fuck up and listen. Those outfits you're wearing are totally faggy, and I'm frankly ashamed of you for wearing them. Your first order is to go to the mall and get some decent fucking clothes. It's not far from here, and I've already given my monsters the order to leave you unharmed. Now get going, and seriously, if you fail this mission? I will stuff your mouths full of your own intestines. Now, get the fuck out."

--

The Starlight Cantina was particularly lively tonight—Riku couldn't help but wonder if Sora and Kairi had known it would be. They were forever trying to coax him into social situations, despite the fact that they were all he really needed. He sighed as Sora dragged him onto the dance floor.

"Look, look! I see her!" The brunette pointed to the glass of the DJ booth, where Kairi was busily pounding out a truly infectious beat and waving enthusiastically at them. "C'mon, let's go over and hang out!"

Riku's arm was nearly jerked out of its socket as Sora tugged him along like an over-excited puppy.

I would so much rather be at home right—

She's done it. She's made the deal.

Riku tripped over his own feet, smacking into several club goers and bloodying his own nose.

What?! Dammit, Sasha, how many times do I have to tell you, give me some warning! I—

She's done it, she's got her pawns in place, the pieces are in place she's making her move she's coming soon SHE'S COMING

Oh, no, this again? Look, you still haven't made it clear who or what is coming. Who's—

"Hey, Riku, you okay?"

"What? I…yeah, Sora, I'm fine, I just—"

COMING TO GET HER SHE'S COMING TO GET HER

"I just-"

SHE WANTS THE GOD-CHILD SHE WANTS YOU SHE WANTS THE KEY-BEARER ALL

"Riku?! Hey, Riku! Snap out of it! What's wrong?"

I'LL KEEP YOU ALL SAFE

"Sora I—I have to go!" Sasha, wait 'till I'm alone! Riku bolted headlong for the bathroom, crashing through a stall and crumpling to the floor. The Chaos in his mind was overwhelming.

The vision hit him hard.

Even from behind, he could tell the child was evil—the angelic white dress didn't fool him—he could feel her bad intentions, her hate, her hurt, her rage. Her Darkness, so very unlike his own. She was standing in a church of most unholy nature, talking to a group of shadowy figures that couldn't be made out clearly. Long black hair, white dress. Heengraved the image into his memory, knowing somehow that he would need to remember this. Is this her? The one who's coming for us? Is she Silent Hill? He could feel Sasha reeling in his mind, doing her best to collect herself, to be orderly despite the pain it caused her.

SHE'S COMING TO KILL YOU ALL

WON'T LET IT HAPPEN

PROTECT YOU PROTECT THE GOD-CHILD PROTECT THE KEY-BEARER

--

Kairi snuggled close between Riku and Sora (it was her turn to be in the middle tonight) and furrowed her brow, concerned. After Riku's little freak-out, Sora had found him collapsed in a bathroom stall, and he and Kairi decided that it was time to take their friend home. Riku insisted he was fine and just needed sleep, and the three immediately went to bed, though Kairi was not at all sleepy. She supposed it didn't matter—she'd fall asleep just fine anyway.

--

"Namine?"

"…Yes?"

"Do you know where we are?"

The two girls stood holding hands in the middle of an abandoned, fog-covered street. Ash rained gently from above, and a siren wailed in the distance. Namine turned and looked at Kairi with a pair of eyes exactly the same as her own.

"…I think we're home, Kairi."

A/N-For those of you who are confused: Sasha is the name Riku gave to his Darkness. The Darkness itself is neither male nor female, but Riku percieves it as being feminine, and Sasha doesn't seem to mind.