Shairo: I'm glad my story puts a smile on your face. I always look forward to your reviews. How was your vacation? I'm excited for Castle Oblivion. It will be interesting when Riku and Sora find her there and of course with Namine, it will be very exciting.
Dyingoffeels: Lots of friendship coming. Also, yes, Sora, Riku, and Namine in Castle Oblivion. I am not giving anything away. Just be prepared for feels and emotions.
A/N: Hey guys. Shaylex here with another chapter. We are going to be spending quite a bit of time with Roxas and then the next chapter... Castle Oblivion. Thank you again for all of the love and support for this story. I didn't expect this story that my brain decided to create would become so popular. It has put me in touch with so many amazing people. All of them you'll meet at one point or another in this story. Anyway, enough with the ramblings. You're here to read a chapter XD
"Hey, Keval. I'm glad I caught you before you had to meet with your union."
"Same Ash."
"I just wanted to say thank you for last night. And for the necklace too."
"Well, if anything happens to me today, I want you to have something to remember me by. I mean, you still have time to join the Dandelions with Cetus and Ray?"
"Yeah. But I'm going to fight. My heart is telling me to do that. You know."
"I understand. Meet you on the battlefield?"
"You know it. If something happens and we fall... I want to say..."
"Yes?"
"See you in the next life."
"I'll be waiting."
Shaylex looked at her cards. She was sat around the poker table with Luxord, Axel, Xigbar, Demyx, Marluxia, and Zexion. Larxene was sat off to the side watching the intense game with a large grin on her face. She looked around at everyone, they all had amazing poker faces. But Shaylex felt good about her hand. She looked back down at it. She needed one specific card to get a straight flush, which would hopefully secure a victory against Luxord. But she wasn't thinking of winning right now. Her head was still replaying the conversation she had with Xemnas and Saïx earlier regarding Roxas.
"What?!" Shaylex exclaimed.
"For the next 4 days, you will be going with Roxas on missions to Twilight Town. There, you are to show him the true power of the keyblade." Saix explained to her.
"But I thought we agreed that we wouldn't be put together on missions!" Shaylex shouted. Yet another punishment she had to endure.
"YOU expressed that, we made no such agreement. We want all of our keyblade wielders to be able to carry out their tasks to the highest standard. The progress you have made these last couple of months has been outstanding. Your control over your element and the keyblade is admiring. We need that same amount of power and skill from Roxas. And seeing as you are the only other wielder right now, that is your job." The bluenette explained, his tone cold as ever.
"But..." Shaylex began to say but Xemnas cut her off.
"No buts Shaylex. These are your orders!" Her silver-haired superior announced. Shaylex knew it was useless to fight back, especially when Xemnas had the last word.
"Fine. But don't expect me to babysit him all the time." Shaylex muttered as she calmed down.
"You will only be with him until you leave for Castle Oblivion. When you return, you won't have to work with Roxas if you don't want to." Saix added. Shaylex guessed she was okay with that arrangement.
"Fair enough. Am I dismissed now?" She asked looking back up to Xemnas. He nodded.
"You are."
Shaylex stared at her hand. She had a 10, 9, 8, 7 and 2 of spades. She needed a 6 to be in with a chance of winning. She placed the two down in the middle. Luxord dealt her one card. She picked it up, wishing that is was the card she wanted. 6 of Spades. She kept her face straight, she had her conversation with Xemnas and Saïx to thank for that. Everyone had now had their turn in changing their cards. Luxord was the first to move, he pushed all of his coins and munny into the middle. "All in." He said, his face not giving anything away. But Shaylex knew she had him. Xigbar and Axel were the first to throw their hands onto the table.
"Nope, can't compete today," Xigbar said, sighing.
"Same." Axel sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Marluxia followed suit. Zexion and Demyx waited a bit, they were still deciding. Shaylex pushed all of her coins and munny into the middle to join Luxord's pile.
"Count me in." She said, her face not changing. Everyone's mouths hung open, including Larxene's. Demyx then threw his hand down.
"Yep, I'm not taking my chances." He whined. Zexion nodded and placed his cards down on the table gently.
"I agree. Good luck Shaylex." He said softly. Shaylex still kept her face monotone. Not giving anything away, but deep down inside, she hoped that her gut was correct. Luxord smiled.
"Well, Shaylex. Do you feel lucky?" He asked. "I will give you one chance to back out now." He offered, raising an eyebrow. Shaylex placed her cards face down, took her necklace and bracelet off, and threw them onto the pile.
"We shall see." She said softly as she picked her cards up. She was hoping that this risk was worth it. Everyone else around the table were now on the edge of their seats at what was occurring. Luxord nodded.
"Very well." He said as he laid down his cards. A straight flush of hearts. Shaylex's gamble paid off. She looked at her cards and sighed a defeated sigh. Luxord chuckled.
"You have been playing in the poker league for some time Shaylex. You should've known better." Luxord said as he began to collect all of his winnings when Shaylex spoke up.
"Have you ever lost a game of poker Luxord?" She asked softly. Luxord chuckled.
"Once or twice but not amongst these guys." He gloated. "No one can beat me." He added chuckling again. Shaylex smiled as she placed her cards face up to reveal her straight flush of spades.
"How about now?" She said smiling widely. Luxord's face went from proud to shocked. As did everyone else in the room.
"Did... did you just beat Luxord in Poker?" Demyx exclaimed. Shaylex smiled and leans back on her chair.
"I think I did. Spades beat Hearts in terms of suits am I correct?" She asked smugly. Luxord looked at Shaylex and his face changed from shocked to a smile.
"Well, well, well. It seems you have played the game very well. You have me fooled. Congratulations Shaylex." He said standing up and bowing gracefully. Shaylex smiled as she grabbed her necklace and bracelet and put them on again. She then scooped up the coins and munny into her little purse which surprisingly held a lot of coins and was still lightweight despite all of her winnings. Xigbar and Zexion stood up and patted her on the shoulder.
"Good job sweetheart. You haven't been here long and already, you're beating the master at poker" Xigbar commented smiling at her.
"Well done Shaylex. You did get lucky tonight." Zexion added as the two of them bid their goodnights and left. Marluxia and Larxene just said goodnight and left, both looking slightly jealous at Shaylex. Demyx sat back in his chair and played on his sitar for a while as Axel began asking all sorts of questions to Shaylex while Luxord cleaned up.
"So how did you do it? How did you manage to keep such a straight poker face? I even believed that you had thrown everything away but wow. I have never seen you so serious. How did you know that you were going to beat him?" He kept asking. Shaylex smiled.
"I just trusted in my luck," Shaylex responded, smiling at Luxord. Axel sighed, stretched and got up.
"Well, I guess I better get going too. Got a busy day tomorrow." He expressed, saying goodnight to the others and leaving. Demyx followed shortly afterward. Shaylex got up to leave before turning to Luxord.
"You missed a coin." She said. Luxord raised an eyebrow. "I can tell when you're bluffing. You throw all your coins but one into the middle, one stray coin goes up your sleeve. Hand it over." She explained, holding out her hand. Luxord smiled and withdrew a coin from his left sleeve and placed it into her hand.
"You've been observing me. I must commend you. Well done." Luxord commented, smiling. Shaylex smiled back.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But this will also mean that I won't take part anymore in the poker league. I'll watch though." She explained. Luxord nodded.
"Well, with half of you guys going to Castle Oblivion in a few days, this is the last poker league for a while. But you will always be welcome to watch Shaylex. We have enjoyed your company here thus far." Luxord explained as Shaylex smiled.
"I'm glad. Well, good night Luxord." She said. Luxord wished her good night and Shaylex headed off to her room. She sat on her bed for a while, thinking about the day's events. She still had to tell Tenebrae about her upcoming trip to Castle Oblivion. And with her upcoming missions with Roxas. It probably wasn't going to be easy to get away from the guy long enough to seek him out. She held onto the necklace lightly and looked up at Kingdom Hearts. Since Roxas had joined, the heart-shaped moon that was Kingdom Hearts had been filling up rapidly to the point that it was almost full. Shaylex smiled. Maybe when she returned from Castle Oblivion, she might be able to get her heart back. She had already told Axel that she was going to Castle Oblivion with him and the others. He wasn't as confused about that as she was when she found out. Maybe he knew something that she didn't about the mission. Shaylex took her coat off and made herself comfy in the bed, she looked over at the flowers. They brightened up the room. She sighed as she closed her eyes and drifted off into sleep.
Shaylex awoke the next morning and went about her usual morning routine. The moment of having to spend a few days babysitting Roxas grew ever closer. She eventually made her way to the lounge area where she waited for a few minutes before Roxas showed up. He checked in with Saïx before walking over to Shaylex.
"So... Shaylex. Saïx said I'm going to be with you for the next few days?" He said. Shaylex nodded.
"Yeah. Come on, Twilight Town awaits." Shaylex responded as she opened a corridor and stepped through, not waiting for Roxas. The quicker these missions were over and done with, the better. That emerged outside of the train station moments later. Shaylex smiled and sighed. She turned to Roxas. "Do you remember our mission today?" She asked. Roxas nodded.
"Yes. We are to take out the heartless, especially a strong heartless sighted in this world." Roxas recalled back to her. Shaylex nodded and turned her back to him.
"Yes. It would be easier if we split up. You check this area and I'll check the market town and forest." Shaylex explained as she began to walk off.
"But, shouldn't we work together? You need me to defeat the heartless and get the hearts for Kingdom Hearts?" Roxas asked. Shaylex sighed.
"I don't care about working with you. I can handle some dumb heartless. Weren't you listening at all during briefings? Do you think you're the only one who can wield a keyblade?" She said turning back to face him. Did this guy not know that she could also wield a keyblade?
"Well... for the first week after my creation, I barely remember much," Roxas explained, his facial expressions were similar to Sora's. Shaylex sighed and turned her head away.
"Whatever. We have our mission. If I need your help, I'll call out for you but I think I can handle it. Meet back here once our respective areas are cleared." She ordered. She heard Roxas attempt to make a sound as if he wanted to fight back. But he just agreed, nodding as he did so. Shaylex nodded and began to leave the area.
"I get the feeling that you don't like me? I barely even know you." Roxas blurted out suddenly. Shaylex sighed.
"We're Nobodies. I don't have to like you and I'm not thrilled that I have to babysit you over these next few days. I just want to get these next few days over with. No more questions." She explained and ran off towards the tram common. If she could keep things like this for the next few days then it would make things easier for her. She entered the tram common and walked among the shops. As if on cue, heartless began to appear. Shaylex summoned Promise and began to fight, cutting through the heartless quite nicely. She cleared the entire tram common of heartless quite quickly, fulfilling the basic quota. But she still had to check the forest for the bigger heartless. She gripped her keyblade and headed towards the forest with the abandoned mansion. As she walked towards the mansion, more heartless began appearing and Shaylex kept cutting through them. She even ran towards a tree and backflipped off it, sending heartless slamming right into the trunk which took out a chunk of their health. Shaylex smiled as she slashed back through them. She was going to miss this at Castle Oblivion. She carried on making her way through the dim forest towards the mansion where she felt the darkness growing stronger. She reached the clearing area where she first woke up as a Nobody, clutching her keyblade tightly, she began to scan the area. She heard a noise coming from above her and as she looked up, a shadow was cast over her, she flipped out of the way just in time as the heartless landed on the grass. Shaylex stood back up and spun her keyblade around, she looked at the heartless. It was big and covered in metallic armor. Its body was divided into several pieces: a body, a head, two arms, and two legs. None of which were directly connected to each other. The Armored Torso was vaguely hourglass-shaped, violet with a lilac, diamond pattern around its waist, and had light black additives on it. An emblem was emblazoned on the center of the armor. Its head was violet, spherical, and sported three silver spikes and a silver faceplate with several holes in it. Both of the arms were violet with wide wrists and three lilac, segmented fingers. The legs were short, violet, and ends in large, hammer-like, black feet. All of the pieces of this heartless seemed to be hollow. Shaylex prepared to attack. First, she shot a fireball straight at the heartless' face. She then took the opportunity to start hitting away at the feet of the heartless and after a few well-aimed blows, the legs disintegrated. Shaylex knew that she had to take out the other body parts to destroy it. She aimed for the arms next, she used her wind glide technique to circle him and get a better chance at hitting his arms. But every once in awhile, he would spin them around his body in an attempt to knock Shaylex to the ground, but Shaylex knew better, she jumped up a little higher to get out of the way and then glided back down and kept hitting it until they too, disintegrated. She jumped backward to regain some breath and to recover some of her mana. She then sprinted forward and swung her keyblade around, hitting the heartless right in his head, sending a loud clanging sound out into the world. This made the heartless angry. It began to spin its whole body around the area. Shaylex did her best to dodge it but it was too fast and she was thrown back, her keyblade flying out of her hand as she slammed her back into a tree. She cried out and fell to the floor. She tried to move but she felt so weak. It must have taken a good chunk of her health. But she was still trying to recover her mama and she forgot to stock up on potions. She looked up at the large heartless as it prepared to attack. Shaylex tried to move towards where Promise had landed. But the heartless was quick and began to charge at her. Shayelx screamed as she shielded her eyes. She thought of Keval as she waited for the final blow, but it didn't instead, she heard a shout and the sound of something cutting the heartless in half. She looked up to see Roxas standing there, the heartless disintegrating before him, its heart being released and up into the sky. Roxas dismisses his keyblade and turned to Shaylex, holding out his hand.
"Are you okay, Shaylex?" He asked. Shaylex took his hand and stood up.
"I'm fine, thanks." She said as she looked at her keyblade, laying on the grass and called it back to her hand. Roxas' eyes widened.
"So, you can wield a keyblade too?" He asked. Shaylex chuckled.
"Yeah. Weren't you aware?" She asked sarcastically.
"No, I didn't. But now it makes sense when you suggested we split up. And I thought it was because you didn't like me." He joked, his smile was so sincere. Just like Sora's. Shaylex turned her head away and surveyed the area.
"Well, I think that was the heartless we had to take care of so I say mission accomplished," Shaylex said. Roxas saved her. He defied her instructions and came to save her. Maybe, he was different from Sora.
"Yeah. I guess it's time to RTC then?" Roxas asked. Shaylex nodded.
"Yeah," Shaylex whispered as she placed a hand over her chest. She couldn't believe what she was going to say next. "Hey, Roxas." She begun to say as Roxas turned to face her. "It's about what I said earlier. The reason why I was so distant to you all this time. You remind me of someone. A friend." She began to explain.
"Oh, what happened to them?" Roxas asked curiously.
"They almost fell to the darkness. I wanted to protect them, but I couldn't. I made a promise to him and some other friends." She explained. She wanted to be as vague as possible. She knew that Roxas didn't have any of Sora's memories and it was better if it remained that way.
"Are they okay now?" Roxas asked, he sounded concerned. Shaylex smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, he managed to save himself and our other friends. But I realize now that you guys are not as alike as I thought. I was mistaken and I'm sorry. Can we start again?" She explained walking over to Roxas and holding out her hand. "I'm Shaylex, number 13. Nice to meet you, Roxas." She said. Roxas smiled and took her hand.
"And I'm Roxas, number 14." He said as they shook hands and let go. "Hey, are you doing anything now?" Roxas asked. Shaylex thought for a second, she still had to go and find Tenebrae. But that could wait until later.
"No, why?" She asked. Roxas smiled.
"Want to join Axel and I for ice cream? He calls it the..." Roxas excitedly said. Shaylexknew what he was going to say next so she finished his sentence for him.
"Icing on the cake? He did that with me when I first joined the organization." She explained chuckling lightly. Roxas looked at her.
"He did? How long ago was that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"About 4 months now." Shaylex thought. She had been a member of Organization XIII for 4 months now. Man how time flies.
"You've been in the organization that long? How long have you been wielding a keyblade?" Roxas then asked. Shaylex chuckled. He was just as curious as Sora.
"Just a little bit longer. Although, I might have been wielding one longer than that I think." Shaylex said, thinking carefully.
"You think?" Roxas asked, obviously confused.
"Before I lost my heart, I spent a year in another world. But before that, I have no memories of my past." Shaylex explained, looking up at the sky.
"None at all?" Roxas asked. SHaylex nodded but smiled.
"I have been having help from someone from my past. Or at least I think he's from my past." Shaylex explained, clutching her necklace.
"I wish I knew about my past. I can't remember anything." Roxas explained, looking down at the ground.
"Trust me, it might be better for you. Memories are complicated things. I guess that's why you're extra special." Shaylex explained. Maybe it was better if Roxas didn't know the truth. "Come on, I'll buy the ice cream. As a thank you for having my back!" She added as she began to walk back to the tram common. Roxas smiled and followed behind. 'Just one ice cream for saving my ass. I'm not going to make this a habit.' Shaylex thought as they made their way to the ice cream place and brought three sea salt ice creams. They then made their way to the top of the clock tower, passing Axel on the way up there.
"Hey, Shaylex! Glad to see you here today. And with Roxas?" He said sounding surprised.
"We've been saddled together on missions for the next few days. He saved my ass so I'm repaying the favor." Shaylex explained as they reached the top and all sat down and ate their ice cream in silence. Axel filled Shaylex and Roxas in on his day and they returned the conversation. After a while, Shaylex took her leave to go back to the castle while Axel and Roxas stayed a little longer. Shaylex returned to the castle and went about her usual evening routine. She also began to pack and prepare herself for Castle Oblivion. There was a witch called Namine there and she had to help find a room called the Chamber of Waking. But why her? What was so important about her that required her to go to Castle Oblivion in the first place. She tried to not think too much on it as she climbed into bed and fell asleep looking at Kingdom Hearts.
The next three days stayed uneventful. Shaylex and Roxas decided to work together instead of splitting up and the two of them made quite the pair. Shaylex even taught Roxas some new techniques and helped him control his limit break. They would then go and have ice cream with Axel. Shaylex was beginning to like spending time with Roxas. The more she did, the more she realized that Roxas wasn't anything like Sora. It was like he was a completely different person. 'Damn Saïx for doing this.' She thought as they finished their last mission together. The next day, Shaylex was off early to Castle Oblivion with the others. They made their way up to the clock tower, ice creams in hand where Axel joined them shortly afterward. They sat there for a while before Axel finally spoke up.
"I'm gonna miss this ice cream thing we do." He expressed. Roxas looked at him.
"Huh?" He asked curiously.
"Gonna be away for a while... starting tomorrow," Axel explained. Shaylex looked down at her ice cream bar.
"Really," Roxas asked curiously, Shaylex nodded.
"Same I'm afraid." She added. Roxas looked at her confused.
"Where are you guys going?" He asked. He sounded sad.
"I can fill you in since we're friends. We're going to be at Castle Oblivion." Axel explained. Shaylex nodded.
"Castle Oblivion?" Roxas asked softly.
"The organization's got a second castle in the world between worlds. It's called Castle Oblivion. Got it memorized?" Axel explained, pointing at his temple.
"I wish somebody told me these things," Roxas said looking down at his ice cream.
"I only just found out the other day that I was going to Castle Oblivion. I still don't know why. But, it's what the superior wants." Shaylex explained, placing a hand on Roxas' shoulder as Axel stood up.
"Well, I gotta head back and get ready. Nothing but fun, fun, fun..." He said as he left the tower. Shaylex stayed a while longer before standing up. She still had to seek out Tenebrae and fill him in. She hadn't had a chance yet.
"I've got to go to Roxas. Something I need to do. Don't worry, we'll be back and we'll go for ice cream again." She said, attempting to cheer Roxas up. Roxas just nodded slowly. Shaylex sighed as she descended the tower, she felt for Tenebrae's light and followed it towards Sunset Hill, another part of the world that Shaylex hadn't explored yet. She saw Tenebrae sitting on top of the hill, watching the sunset. She sighed as she approached him. "Hey, Tenebrae!" She called out. Tenebrae turned his head around. He didn't seem too happy.
"Shaylex." He muttered, he wasn't happy with her right now.
"I'm glad I found you. Sorry, it's taken me this long." She apologized. Tenebrae scoffed.
"Whatever." He said, turning his head back away from her.
"Listen. I'm sorry for running off the other day. Saïx showed up out of the blue and demanded that I return to the castle immediately. I wanted to tell you but he was persistent." She explained, walking up and standing beside him.
"I kind of figured. So what happened?" Tenebrae asked, still sounding angry at her.
Well, I'm being sent on a secret mission to the organization's other research castle. I leave tomorrow." Shaylex explained looking ut at the sunset. Tenebrae stood up and faced her.
"They have another castle?" He asked her. Shaylex nodded.
"Yeah. I have no idea why I'm being sent there. But I have to go." Shaylex explained softly turning towards Tenebrae.
"That's fine." He said bluntly as he turned himself back towards the sunset. Shaylex sighed.
"Is, everything okay?" She asked him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah." He expressed, brushing her hand off his shoulder.
"You know, you can tell me, we're friends right?" She asked carefully. Tenebrae turned to her, she could see the anger in his eyes.
"Friends. Is that why you waited all this time to tell me? You could've found me the other day but you seemed too preoccupied with your organization buddies!" Tenebrae shouted at her. Shaylex held up her arms.
"I wanted to find you and tell you. But I had to stay with Roxas. I'm already not trusted in the organization. I'm trying to get back in their good books." She tried to explain, raising her voice slightly as she spoke.
"And yet, they're sending you to this castle!" He shouted, waving his arms about. Shaylex took a step back.
"I have no choice. Trust me, I fought to stay. But with me gone, it's up to Roxas to take down the heartless hence why I was saddled with him these last few days. I had to make sure he was prepared. Who knows what is going to happen. I'm sorry." Shaylex explained. She looked down at her feet as she finished. Tenebrae just turned his back to her. Still upset. "Look, I am sorry. Things have been hectic. My mind has been all over the place recently. First with Keval and then, this stupid mission and Roxas. But I had to let you know. I couldn't leave without telling you. Okay?" She explained. Tenebrae sighed, he had calmed down.
"Yeah." He said softly.
"You are sure you're going to be okay, without me?" Shaylex asked softly. Tenebrae nodded.
"I'll be fine. I was on my own for a long time before I met you. I've found some other people that I can keep myself busy with while you're gone." He explained turning back to her.
"That's good. Are we still friends?" Shaylex asked, she didn't want to leave for Castle Oblivion tomorrow without at least being on good terms with Tenebrae. He was her only friend outside of the organization.
"I guess. Sorry for being distant." Tenebrae apologized. Shaylex shook her head.
"No, you have every right. I have to go now. But, when I get back, we'll swap stories!" She said smiling. Tenebrae smiled back.
"I wonder whose story is going to be more eventful?" He asked sarcastically. Shaylex chuckled.
"I guess we'll find out. I'll see you around Tenebrae!" Shaylex said turning around and heading back to the castle through a dark corridor. She entered her room, packed her bag with clothes and her journal and went to bed, setting her alarm for a lot earlier than her normal time. They were setting off super early. Maybe she'll find out tomorrow why she's going to Castle Oblivion. She just hoped things would be smooth sailing while she was there.
A/N: And there we have it. We will be jumping right into Re:Chain of Memories in the next chapter. Thank you again to Knightmare1618 for allowing me to use Tenebrae in my story and if you haven't checked out his story. Please do! Thank you again for all the love and support and I'll catch you in the next chapter!