Chapter 35: "I'm Going Ghost!"

Guess what?! You're halfway through!! :D

Your POV

You sit next to Sora, listening to music. Since the next world is Halloween Town, you're still in your pajama pants and a t-shirt. You wonder what your costume will be like. Hopefully really awesome. Nothing stupid like a zombie cheerleader or Dracula's bride. You'd rather be like Emily from the Corpse Bride

Sora lands the ship, so you stop your music and look out the window. It's all dark!!

"Kira, you go on ahead," Sora says. "There's something I need to do before I go. You'll be fine, right?"

"Uh-huh!" you exclaim, nodding. You jump up and jog to your room to put your Ipod away. Then you head outside. You look down at your hands, and nothing seems too special. All you can really tell is that you're wearing black and your gloves are black. Big whoop. You run over to a well of water and peer down at your reflection. Whoa...

Sora's POV

You step into Halloween Town, looking around. Kira isn't around here. You start to worry a little. After what happened yesterday, you can't help it. You let out a sigh and try to think positively. She should be around here somewhere. Heck, maybe she's already met Jack. Or Sally. Or...or...SANTA CLAUS!! You jog off, keeping your eyes open, since she probably doesn't look the same. Still it shouldn't be too hard to find her.

Suddenly you see someone standing in the graveyard. Whoever it is, they're singing. You don't recognize this stranger, but after taking a step forward, you realize it's a girl. But you've never met her... She has an awesome voice, though!

"I sense there's something in the wind," she sings, spinning around with her arms outstretched. Her short, black skirt follows her. "That feels like tragedy's at hand. And though I'd like to stand by him, can't shake this feeling that I have. The worst is just around the bend, and does he notice my feelings for him? And will he see how much he means to me? I think it's not to be."

The girl steps in time with her song, her black combat boots clunking along. She slowly makes her way up through the graveyard.

"What will become of my dear friend? Where will his actions lead us then?" she sings, walking up the hill. You cautiously step into the pumpkin patch, not taking your eyes off of this mysterious singer. She doesn't notice you and continues. "Although I'd like to join the crowd in their enthusiastic cloud, try as I may it doesn't last......And will we ever end up together...?" Her song slows as she stops at the top of the hill. She lowers her head, closing her eyes. You take the chance to get closer, when suddenly she sings a little more.

"No, I think not," she sings quietly and slowly. "It's never to become...for I am not...the one..."

You take another step forward, stepping on a branch. The girl hears the noise and whips her head around to look at you. Her emerald-green eyes meet yours, and she smirks in a sad sort of way.

"Kira?" you murmur. She smiles and nods. You laugh nervously. "I didn't even recognize you."

"It's okay," she says, grinning. "To tell you the truth..." She runs down to where you are standing. "...I didn't even recognize myself!"

Your POV

It's true. When you had looked into your reflection, your only recognizable qualities were your gloves, your sword, your key necklace, and your eyes. Everything else is completely different. Your hair is now black and pulled back into a wispy ponytail. Your skin glows a ghostly white, and you and Sora have matching fangs. You are wearing a black tank top with a criss-cross pattern at the top, and a black ballerina skirt with matching x's. Two black, bat-like wings are on your back. Black combat boots are the finishing touch. You call it your "gothic fairy" look.

Sora, of course, is sporting his typical Halloween Town costume. His bright sapphire eyes-or at least the one that's showing-stands out more in person than they ever did in the game.

"What do we do now?" you ask, shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

"Well, let's find the keyhole and get that taken care of before we have to fight," he says, smiling a little. You pout.

"But I like fighting!" you insist, crossing your arms. For some odd reason, you find yourself resembling Millenia--look it up!--and Yuffie in your actions. Weird.

"Too bad. It's a pain. And I'm in charge. So there."

"But it's your job."

Sora opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again.

"You have me there," he says finally, laughing. "But I want to get it out of the way so I don't forget or so that nothing bad happens, okay?"

"...Fine," you say.

"Hey, don't worry. We'll do plenty of fighting in Never Land. Captain Hook is like that."

You smile and nod.

"Good. Now let's go," you command, spinning Sora around by his shoulders and shoving him forward. He laughs and runs off. You follow him closely.

A few minutes later, Sora stops suddenly, and you skid to a halt.

"What's going on, Sora?" you ask, standing at his side.

"Looks like some sort of party," he replies, walking toward the crowd. You eagerly follow. Maybe Santa Claus is there!

"Well I don't care if you can't find her!" a voice says. "Look harder! She has to be here for-"

"Jack!" Sora shouts, pushing his way through the crowd. You follow, holding onto his jacket so you don't get left behind.

"Sora?" Jack says, smiling. "What are you doing here, of all people?"

"Why am I always here, Jack?" Sora replies, grinning.

Jack laughs, then holds out a bony hand to you. "Jack Skellington!"

"Kira!" you say, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you!"

"Hey, you said you're looking for someone, right? Who?" Sora asks.

"Sally. She's been gone all day, and our Halloween celebration is about to begin," Jack replies, a trace of worry in his voice. He then smiles hopefully at you and Sora. "Do you think you could find her for me, maybe? Possibly?"

"Of course!" Sora says. "Then we'll stay for the celebration, right, Kira?"

"Yup!" you exclaim. "Leave it to the experts, Jack!"

"Thank you both, and have a frightful time!"

"We will!" you and Sora shout as you run off. Neither of you talk until a few minutes later.

"Kira, since we're so close to the keyhole, let me-"

Sora is interrupted by a scream.

"Sally!" you cry, running towards the noise. Sora follows you. Sure enough, Sally is standing there, surrounded by Heartless.

"Please help!" she shrieks.

You pull out your sword while slide-tackling a few shadows. Sora slices his way through a cluster of those annoying creeper plants. Good riddance to them! They deserve it after Wonderland! When the Heartless on the ground are gone, you begin to attack the gargoyles. Unfortunately, they get smart and fly up high so you and Sora can't reach them. But like that'll stop you! You run up behind Sora, push him down, jump onto his shoulders, and point your sword at the Heartless.

"THUNDER!" you cry. Bolts of lightning stream down from the sky, destroying the last of the Heartless. Wow, magic is FUN!! It's like an adrenaline rush, only better! You lower your sword, and, sheathing it, you jump down from Sora's shoulders. He grins a little at you. You simply shrug.

"You okay?" you ask Sally, approaching her.

"Yes, thank you both," she replies, smiling sincerely.

"Do you need an escort to the party?" Sora asks.

"No, thank you, though. I'll be fine."

"Well, okay." Sora then turns to you. "Let's continue, shall we?"

You giggle and nod, following Sora away.

Fast Forward

Sora's POV

You and Kira make your way back to the party. You're really looking forward to this, considering last time you weren't there for it, and the year before it didn't happen at all.

"Kira, have you ever been to a Halloween party before?" you ask.

"Sure! Loads of times!" she replies, grinning. "I loved Halloween because me and my friends would get so much candy. I swear, it would last us 'til Christmas. Dressing up was always a blast, too." She laughs. "I remember one year me and my friends went to a costume party as beach bums. It's funny...when we get home, I'll be a beach bum for real."

You stop walking. "So you're not going back to your home?"

"Huh?" Kira stops and turns around.

"You're not going back to your world after this?"

"Are you crazy? Heck no! There's no reason I'd want to go back there. And besides, you guys are my friends. I wouldn't just leave." She narrows her eyes and lowers her head. "Unless...you didn't want me to stay...?"

"No!" you say quickly. "No, don't leave! You're our friend, too!" You place a hand on her shoulder. "...Kira?"

A tear rolls down her cheek. Oh, great, now you feel bad...

"Kira, don't cry..."

Suddenly she smiles and throws her arms around you.

"Thank you, Sora," she whispers, hugging you tightly. You smile a little and hug her back. She slowly pulls away, wiping her eyes. "Let's go."

You nod and lead the way to the party. From what you can see, they've only just begun.

"Sora! Come up here!" Jack shouts, dragging you up onto a platform. You grab Kira's arm and pull her up, laughing. She grins and follows you up.

"You all remember Sora, right?" Jack shouts. Everyone cheers. Yes!

Your POV

You watch in amusement as everyone cheers for Sora. He grins at you, then winks. You grin as your heart skips a beat. He. Winked. At. YOU!!!

"Well, tonight, he and his friend, Kira, are going to help us celebrate!"

Another round of cheering and applause.

"We are?" you hear Sora ask.

"Yep!"

Jack drags you off to the side.

"I want you two to sing something," he says.

"WHAT?!" you and Sora shout.

"Well, one of you needs to! We need a musical act."

"Kira, you should!" Sora says.

"What? No! I don't want to!" you screech.

"Come on! You're great!" Your heart speeds up. "Please?"

"Ohhh...fine..."

You run up on stage and sit on a stool that's sitting there. A song pops into your head as Jack introduces you, and a devious smile curls your lips.

"Everybody wants me to be their angel," you sing. "Everybody wants something they can cradle. Oh! They don't know I burn! They don't know I burn! They don't know I burn! They don't know I burn!" You jump up and start dancing around, then suddenly Jack shoves a microphone into your hands. You grin. YES! "Maybe there's a devil! Or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Or something like inside of me! Devil or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Somewhere really deep inside me! Devil! Inside of me! Jealous angel inside of me! You don't know cuz you're too busy reading labels. You're missing all the action underneath my table. I'm waiting for my turn! Waiting for my turn! Just waiting for my turn! Just waiting for my turn! Maybe there's a devil! Or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Or something like it inside of me! Devil or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Somewhere really deep inside me! Devil! Inside of me! Jealous angel deep inside me!" You strut around, swinging your hips, really getting into it. It seems like the crowd is, too, but you can't really tell through the music in your head. "Ooohh! Ooooohh! Time to make it burn! This is how I burn! Maybe there's a devil! Or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Or something like it inside of me! Devil or something like it inside! Maybe there's a devil! Somewhere really deep inside me! Jealous angel deep inside me!!!"

Before you know it, the song is over, and the whole crowd is cheering. You killed! They loved it!!

You take a modest bow, then turn to see Sora smirking and clapping. You grin and hand the mic back to Jack.

"THANK YOU!" you shout before running offstage into Sora's arms.

"That was awesome!" Sora says, twirling you around a little. You grin. *No, this is awesome.*

"Thanks," you reply when he sets you down, smiling sweetly. You're about to say something else when suddenly you hear voices.

"Yeah, you were good!" one says.

"But when you were talking about a devil, were you talking about me?" the second says.

"Shut up, you two!"

You cringe. You'd recognize that version of Kath Soucie's voice any day. Sure enough, out run Lock, Shock, and Barrel.

"Great," you hear Sora mutter.

"Hey, you stupid boy! Sora!" Shock shouts. "Thanks for what you did to Oogie Boogie!"

"Are...you serious?" Sora says, raising an eyebrow.

"NO!" they all shout, then they start laughing. Sora growls. You shake your head and hold Sora by the arm.

"Follow my lead," you mutter out of the corner of your mouth. As soon as Sora nods, you release his arm and crouch down to the three annoying brats in front of you.

"I'm soooo glad you liked my song!" you say in your sweetest voice. "What're your names?"

"Lock!"

"Shock!"

"And Barrel!"

"Okay! I'm Kira. Hey, why don't we play a game?"

Sora's POV

A game? What is Kira getting at?

"HIDE N' SEEK!" the three terrors shout.

"Perfect!" Kira says, smiling.

"You two hide first," Lock demands.

"That's fine, but count to three hundred, and NO SKIPPING NUMBERS!! Stay here, too, until you're done counting. Got it?"

Kira then grabs your arm and drags you away.

"I'm assuming you have some sort of plan?" you say.

"Like I said," she says, winking, "there's a devil, or something like it, inside of me."