A/N: Hey everyone! I know it's been a while again, but that's only because writing is like fine wine; the longer you let it sit, the better it gets. Well, to me, at least.
I intentionally made this chapter short, just because I had really important news for you. This is the second to last chapter of Koa. Next chapter, 26, is going to be the last. But to make it sweeter for you, I'm going to make the ending the longest chapter I've written yet.

Thank you so much for sticking with me! Don't worry, I haven't ever given up on this story. :]

With one hand on my hip and the other at my chin, I stared at my empty bed, thinking of what I'd need for my mission. I needed to know how to get there, what I'd face when I was there, and how to overcome it and get Axel and Xigbar.

Who could I ask to answer my questions? I couldn't ask Xemnas. Asking him would be like asking the prison warden where the prisoner was. Maybe Demyx? But I know he'd tell me to not do it, and keep an eye on me, effectively barring me from finding anything out. Or what if he went as far as to tell on me? No… Xaldin? Nope. Pretty sure he hates me, but that's okay, the feeling is mutual.

I pondered why he had something against me. I mean, I sure as heck hadn't known him before all of this. At least not that I knew of. Did I remind him of an annoying child, or a naggy mother or something? I mean seriously, what had I done to make him mad? Maybe I'd experiment in the future and find out why he was so upset with me.

Experiment… Vexen.

I knew it! I would go ask Vexen! He did say that he owed me for helping him, hadn't he? He wouldn't tell on me if I told him to… I'm owed this. I know I am.

I quickly changed into a simple, easy to move in outfit of jeans and a tank top. I was out the door and down the hall, ready to start.

I felt like a secret agent of some sort. I was on my way to bust my friends out of jail, in a sense. Only now, as I thought that, did I start to feel a twinge of fear. Like, what if I got caught? What would my alibi be?

I took a second to think about that. Well, that would have to be something I'd have to think up. I'm sure I could come up with something, though, if someone decided to stop me.

Luckily I remembered the way to Vexen's office. I opened the door lightly and peeked into the waiting room. There was no one in there, but the lights were on. I checked behind me before slipping into the room. I walked up to the desk and looked through the glass into the office.

From what I could see, he wasn't in there. I cleared my throat and glanced around again. "Vexen?" I waited for an answer but none came. I tried a little louder. "Vexen?" I waited… and still nothing. I pursed my lips and then found a bell. I tapped it and let the note ring out. You know, it kind of reminded me of a whistled note. I put my hand over my necklace, pressing it closer to me.

I wondered about how it was made, where it came from. Why I had it. Why Xigbar gave it to me, instead of keeping it himself. It was so cool, why not keep it?

"Arii? Is that you?" I glanced up quickly. It was him.

"Vexen!" I said with a sigh of relief. "Good. I wanted to ask you something."

He came closer to the window. "Are you feeling all right? Have you decided to finally donate some blood?" He pushed a clipboard to me while giving me a wink. "Aha, see, that was a joke. I know you won't give me any blood now anyways."

I quickly signed my name, conforming to his little game. "Yes, I'm fine; no, I don't want to donate blood. I want to talk to you."

He took the clipboard back while keeping his eyes on me. "To talk? To me?" I nodded. "Hmm. All right, well, one moment." I waited patiently until he opened the door slowly. "Right this way."

I followed him to a vacant room where he closed the door behind us. "All right, what seems to be the problem?"

I got right to the point. "I'm going to bust Axel and Xiggy out of confinement, and I need your help."

He blinked twice and then laughed. "Haha, good one, Arii. You're quite the jokester, you are. So what is the problem, then? Is your throat hurting again?"

I frowned. "Vexen. I need to get them out of there. I know for a fact that Xigbar didn't beat up Lexal. That isn't him. He was simply protecting me. I need them so I can figure out the truth."

The color had drained from Vexen's face. "Oh dear. You weren't joking, were you? You really want to break them out of confinement…" He sat down heavily and a chair and stared at the wall.

I took the seat next to him. "Xigbar didn't do it. And… And I'm second guessing myself as to if Axel started that fire, too. I can't do this alone, Vexen. I need someone to help me. I need someone who knows the castle. I need you."

He put his hand over his eyes and slid it down, stretching his face a bit. He looked at me from over his hand. "Do you know how crazy that would be? Xemnas would have your head, for one, and for two, no one has ever broken anyone out of confinement. No need to! Yeah we're all friends, but it's kind of a dog-eat-dog world out here. Even if you did manage to get in there and break them out, what would you do afterwards? Where would you hide them so Xemnas didn't find them? What would you do when he went to let them out of confinement, and oh, they aren't there?"

I patted his leg. "That's why I need your help, Vex. I don't know this castle—you do. You know its ins and outs better than anyone, I'm sure."

He gave me a calculating look, as if he were considering it, but then his eyes lost their shine. I knew I was losing him. But if I wanted to break my friends out of confinement, I had to bring out the heavy artillery. I sighed. "If you help me, Vexen, I'll give you what you want. You… you can take my blood."

At once, his eyes fired right back up. He slowly sat up, and I could tell he was trying to hide his excitement. "Really?"

I slowly nodded once, then quickly nodded. "Really. I really need your help."

He looked away and rubbed his chin. "Map… you'd need a map. You'd need to know where you were going." He talked more to himself than me. "And the defenses, you'd need to know about those… the locks and doors. The exits…" He looked at me again. "Of course, if Xemnas found out… he'd toss us both in confinement, Arii. No matter how tantalizing your blood may be, I don't know if I could risk that much with the possible consequence of Xemnas hating me. I've only just recently gotten onto his good side. I'm kind of a newer member, really."

I was starting to get desperate. If he kept flip-flopping his mind like this, I'd be back at square one and have to fight my way alone. "Please, Vexen. You won't even have to go with me. Just let me know the details. 'Accidentally' leave out the plans, and I'll just happen to spot them. Leave them out, just tell him I stole them or something. Anything. Please, Vexen, I need my friends!"

He looked concerned. "You're… dead set on breaking them out, aren't you?"

I stared at him. "I need to find the truth."

He sighed and stood up slowly, his hands on his knees. He straightened up and then looked at me. I was afraid that he was going to tell me no deal, but to my surprise, and I think even to his, he held his hand out to me.

I let out a sigh of relief and shook his outstretched hand. "Thank you, Vexen. You don't know how much this means to me. I promise that you won't be sorry. You are such a fantastic—"

He waved me off. "Come on, come on. You're wasting time. If you want to get them out, we have to do it soon."

I nodded resolutely. "Right."

"Time is of the essence!" he cried, striding out of the room with me in tow. "I'll bring out the information at once!"

I clenched and unclenched my fist, looking at the band-aid Vexen had just applied to the crook of my arm. Giving blood wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and he really didn't take as much as I thought he would. He only took a few vials-full; here I thought he was going to take a pint or something.

I stood up from the chair and then held my hand out to him. "Thank you, Vexen. For everything."

He grinned and shook my hand back. "No, Arii. Thank you."

I turned to leave, but as I passed through the threshold, he called, "And good luck to you! I hope you find your friends!"

I smiled. "They're your friends, too, Vexen."

"Ah. Well, I hope you find them all the same."

Shaking my head, I started the trek to my room. My head was buzzing with maps and information. I had soaked up everything Vexen told me like a sponge. I was only slightly worried that I would forget something he had told or shown me, but I was too set on my goal to forget anything about it.

The only thing left to do now, was get ready.

Yup, that's right. I planned my breakout for tonight. I would change into stealthier, easier to move in clothing before doing it. I was actually going to go through with it and do it…

I clenched my fist again. No, I couldn't let my fears start to sink in. I had been scared before, but I wouldn't let myself be afraid this time. I had to help my friends; they needed to be let out. This operation was needed, and I would save them!

Arii and I, we're both rolling up our sleeves for the journey ahead.

You've stuck with us this long; just wait till the next one comes out!

See you soon! :]