10.

Jack was right. The door opposite them did lead to the entrance hall. Jack and Sephiroth exited the castle into the night air.

"So what now?" Sephiroth asked. Jack sat on a patch of grass and thought.

"I guess we can go back to Hollow Bastion. You can get together with Cloud and I…I'll remain unseen." Jack said, toying with his sword.

"There has to be some way of going unseen…" Jack said. He stood up and clenched his eyes shut in thought.

'Invisible, invisible…just disappear…c'mon…'

Jack opened his eyes and looked down. He could see his feet. He looked over to Sephiroth.

"You're still there." He said, folding his arms.

'Oh c'mon…there has to be a way…if only I could…I dunno…phase out of sight or something…'

"Jack…?"

"I'm thinking, hold on…"

"Um…Jack?"

"What, what, what?"

"Where are you?"

Jack looked up. He was right where he had been. He looked at his hands and nearly fainted. They where there, but kind of not there. They looked slightly transparent. Jack could almost see the ground through them.

"Am I gone?" Jack asked stupidly.

"Yes…I can…tell you are talking, and somehow know that you are saying, but I can't hear you or see you…" Sephiroth said, looking bewildered. Jack took a step forward and reached for Sephiroths arm. His hand went through it like air, but Sephiroth stared abruptly at where Jack had touched his arm.

"That is very strange…" the tall man said.

"Oh man…" Jack said.

He figured it out after about an hour of frantic thinking. He had 'phased out', or so he called it. Jack decided he could 'phase' out of existence. It meant he was alive, but he existed differently. He was invisible, silent and could pass through solid, liquid and gaseous matter at will. Suddenly his science teacher's words broke into his mind.

"I got it…" Jack said, now fully solid again. Sephiroth looked up.

"Right…we know everyone exists as matter. Now, a theory says that at the same time, we exist as energy. Now…If I where to shift my physical being away from the light and energy spectrum, I'd exist, just not as most humans. If I shifted by ninety degrees to the spectrum we all know, I'd be invisible, silent and unaffected by the worlds matter. Since it works at will, I think I can control what I touch and who hears or sees me…but that means that if my energy signature is ninety degrees out, my molecules will be the opposite of normal matter…" Jack concluded, drawing on his old obsession with science.

"And that means…?" Sephiroth enquired.

"It means…my body is no longer comprised of electrons, protons and neutrons. It's made of CDM…Cold Dark Matter. It's the name given to nothingness. It's the stuff that people believe shadows are made of. In the absence of light, darkness and nothingness are formed."

Jack opened a portal to Hollow Bastion and stepped through with Sephiroth, leaving Castle Oblivion behind. The air was crisp and cold; a refreshing change from the stale air of the castle.

"Go to where we fought. I will bring Cloud there and you two can…make up." Jack said, watching the stars flicker in the sky.

"Hmmm…I will try not to kill him." Sephiroth said. He pulled out Jacks pistol and handed it back to him. "As always, it has been a pleasure."

"The pleasure was mine." Jack said. Sephiroth vanished. Jack reached into is pack and pulled out something to eat. He'd need something in his stomach. Swallowing, he jumped of the high wall he had been standing on, cloak billowing in the wind. Hitting the floor, Jack smirked.

"But first…"

The portal closed as Jack stepped once more into Deep Jungle. The night was just as cold as before. Jack really didn't feel like waiting around.

"Spooks! Gunners! Grunts!" Jack called. In a flash, thirty Nobodies appeared, ten of each kind. They all stood to attention.

"I wan you all to go out and find Donald Duck and Goofy. Start with this world. When you have retrieved them, relocate them to Hollow Bastion. Remove their memories concerning their rescue. Dismissed." Jack ordered. The Nobodies vanished. Jack stood, admiring the view of the moon, but became distracted when a Grunt appeared. Jack felt the creatures thoughts; its way of communicating.

'Mission accomplished Sir!'

"That was fast…" Jack said.

'Sir, yes Sir!'

"Very well…dismissed."

Jack stepped through the portal to Hollow Bastion, suddenly enjoying having his own Nobodies.

The house was occupied. Jack could tell from the lights and music. The group was having a party. Jack longed to go in, smile, drink and laugh with his friends. Instead he phased out, becoming less than nothing. He walked through the door to a joyous scene; Leon, Cloud, Cid, Sora, Donald, Goofy, Aerith, Tiffa, Merlin and even King Mickey where all at the small house, the table covered in food and drink. Jack almost died at the sight of Leon smiling. Everyone was having a good time, as the laughing and dancing attested to.

"So what happened?" Sora asked, grabbing a beer.

"I don't know! All I remember is walking out of the darkness into the street out there…I don't even remember what happened while I was away!" Donald said, flapping about.

"Sure was spooky…" Goofy admitted. Sora pulled them both into a hug.

"I'm just glad you're back!"

The happiness in the room was enough to warm even the coldest of hearts. Only one thing stood out.

Yuffie had been lying on Jacks bed. The bed Jack and her had made love in. The music downstairs sounded fun. The laughter sounded nice. But how could they be so happy without Jack? She stood and decided to see if she could cheer up a bit. Descending the stairs, she let out a sigh. King Mickey noticed her through his large, cute eyes and smiled. She nodded and went for a drink.

She never noticed Jack in the corner, but then again, how could she, when he wasn't really there.

"Hay Yuffie…it's about time. C'mon and have a good time!" Tiffa said, dancing with an obviously drunk Merlin.

"I'm trying…I just…have you all forgotten about Jack? I don't think I can be happy knowing somehow he's not."

Suddenly the room was quiet, bar the music. People looked over at Yuffie with a mixture of pity and unease. Everyone knew about Yuffie and Jack, that much was obvious. Jack pushed off the wall. He spoke, letting his voice be heard, rather than fall on deaf ears.

"Then be happy Yuffie. I know I am."

Everyone in the room reacted. Cloud dropped his glass, Tiffa squeaked, Cid screamed like a girl and jumped behind the sofa.

"Did everyone hear that?" Yuffie asked.

"You better believe they did." Jack said.

"Jack…where are you?" Leon asked, looking round.

"Yuffie…don't wait for me. Don't cry for me. Don't forget me and most of all don't stop thinking of me." Jack said, searching for more words to instil some hope in her. He found none.

"Jack? Jack? Are you there?"

Jack remained silent. The house remained silent. Jack moved over to Cloud, his hand passing through Yuffie's as he passed her. She gasped and looked at her hand. With a stifled cry she fled to Jacks room.

Jack spoke to Cloud, letting only him hear his words.

"Cloud, don't look around, don't say anything. Pick up your glass." Jack said. Cloud did so.

"Cloud, listen to me closely. Go upstairs and change your shirt, you have beer down that one. I am going to take you to Sephiroth. He is waiting. I'll explain on the way, now go."

Cloud put down his glass and excused himself. Jack followed him upstairs and entered his own room. Yuffie was on the bed once again. Jack closed in on her and leaned in close, brushing his nonexistent lips against her cheek. He turned to leave.

"Jack…" Yuffie sobbed. Jack froze and looked over his shoulder.

"I know you can't hear me…but please come back to me…I need you." Yuffie chocked out, finally breaking down into a full on sob.

Jack thought for a second before smiling slightly. He pulled out a pen from his pack and silently picked up a piece of paper from the desk. He wrote his message and put away the pen. Balling up the paper, he tossed it at Yuffie and left the room.

Yuffie sat bolt upright when the object hit her. She fumbled for the light. Blinking in the sudden abundance of light, Yuffie found a small ball of paper on her pillow, having bounced off her head. She unfolded it and nearly fainted.

'I'll be back Yuffie. It's a promise.'

Back on the landing, Cloud emerged with a fresh white shirt on. Jack noted he had put on fresh aftershave.

"Jack?" he whispered to no one.

"Outside." Jack said back. He followed Cloud out into the night.

"To the canyon..." Jack said as they got outside.

"Where are you?" Cloud asked, setting off.

"I'm right beside you. Keep walking and listen. I met Sephiroth while I was away and explained everything to him regarding you. I believe he is willing to love you in return. I know this is going to be very weird, but remember how alike you are. Remember what you said to me about needing him. I know he needs you too."

Cloud nodded, hopping off a cobbled path to a rock edge.

"Why can't you show yourself?" Cloud asked, looking around.

"I just…I can't. I'm not me anymore. I'm not the boy I was when I left." Jack said, wanting to punch something.

"Jack…you where never a boy to anyone." Cloud said laughing.

"I'm not human anymore Cloud. I've become the thing you and the others kill on a daily basis."

"But you are still you." Cloud said, stopping and leaning against a wall. "And I want to see my friend."

"You are one stubborn jackass, you know that?" Jack said. Cloud nodded, smiling as Jack phased into sight. Then the smile dropped, and Jack saw.

"I told you. I'm a Nobody now…my heart is in my sword." Jack said. He started to phase out again, but was stopped when a pair of strong arms wrapped around him and his face was pulled into a mane of blonde hair. Cloud embraced him, and Jack instinctively hugged him back.

"You are still you Jack, regardless of what you are. I don't care what you look like…you are my friend, got it?" Cloud said. Jack nodded and pulled away from Cloud.

"C'mon…you boyfriend is waiting." Jack said.

Sephiroth was right where Jack had told him to be. He was stood exactly like when Jack had first met him. Cloud looked anxious. He looked to Jack, who just nodded. Cloud slowly made his way over to the taller man.

"Sephiroth…" Cloud said, metres away. The One Winged Angel turned at look at the former SOLDIER.

"Cloud…" Sephiroth said, not a hint of malice in his voice. He actually sounded relieved.

Cloud clammed up. He found himself unable to speak. Somehow, the distance between himself and Sephiroth had closed. He was mere centimetres from the other man.

"Seph…"

"Allow me…" Sephiroth cut in, pressing his lips to Clouds.

Jack watched from the cave as the two fighters came together. His friends. He let them have some time. They talked, they whispered, they kissed. Hell, they even held hands.

Jack was suddenly distracted by the apparition behind him. Jack turned and almost passed out. The Spooks where back.

They stood as attention, looking worse for ware. They had been in battle, as the scars and slash marks attested.

"Did you find it?" Jack asked, suddenly dry mouthed. One of the Spooks saluted and cupped his silver hands. In a shimmer of light and sound, a golden Heart appeared, floating in the Spook's hands. Jack was suddenly breathless as he held out his hand and received the Heart. It was warm. Jack knew it was Ann's. He just knew.

"God, I hope this works…" Jack said, summoning his sword. With a final prayer, Jack pressed the heart against the flat of the blade. It sunk into the blade and disappeared. Jack thought he had failed, until he felt Ann's presence close to his own Heart within the blade. Jack could only just utter the only thing that came to mind.

"Good job lads…dismissed…go get patched up."

The Spook's disappeared. Jack's job was half done.

Jack walked out, interrupting Cloud and Sephiroth.

"Excuse me guys, but I think I'm done here. I want you both to know that…I have just found Ann's heart." Jack said, smiling. They both looked at each other for a second before pulling him into a hug. Jack didn't mind. He was on the verge of tears himself.

Jack made up his mind. He would return to life at Hollow Bastion. As much as he had his own job to do, his world was still in Darkness. He needed Sora to complete his quest first, and return the worlds to normal. Then there was the problem of actually getting home.

Jack, now phased into existence, walked back to the place he called home with Cloud and Sephiroth.

"Cloud…don't tell anyone you saw me. Don't tell them I am here. I'll be around, but only in the shadows. It's better this way." Jack said, looking to the ground. He expected Cloud to argue.

"I understand. Thanks, Jack." Cloud said, resting his hand on Jack's shoulder.

"I'll be there when you need me." Jack said, phasing out and moving away, watching Sephiroth and Cloud make their way into the house. Jack shrugged and pulled out his pistol. He fired off a grapple and ascended the tall wall surrounding the town. Is destination was clear. The dark castle past the swarms of Heartless. A dark place, for an even darker being.

"Okay…what is it with castles?" Jack asked aloud to no one as he cleaved the hundredth Shadow in two, clearing the entrance hall. The castle was deserted, bar the countless Heartless he fought to get in. Closing the doors, he looked over the hall. Smashed flower pots, crumbling pillars, cracked floor. One of the walls bore a scorch mark; Jack could almost feel the energy blast that caused it. Jack headed up the grand stairs. He could almost sense the past presence of a great Dark force. Jack continued through the maze of corridors and elevators until he came to a room like no other. The circular room was where Sora had sealed Hollow Bastions keyhole. Sora had told Jack all about this place. Jack stood before the artificial Keyhole and pondered its creation. Or so he tried.

"Who the hell are you?" a voice demanded. Jack spun round and found someone walking towards him from the doorway, past the holding capsules set in the wall. The figure reached the railing and jumped high over Jack. Jack pulled out his gun and held it in front of the newcomer's face the moment he landed. Jack noticed the stranger was dressed in a long black coat, with a hood covering his face.

"You first." Jack said, cocking the gun.

"I am…" the figure haltered. He lowered his hood. Jack saw the silvery hair. He saw the blindfold bandana.

"Riku…" Jack said, the name coming from memory.