Hello everybody! Here's a new chapter to this story. Amazingly, I managed to get this out after spending four hours just to complete one chapter on my computer homework. If I follow that line of logic, then that would mean that I have to spend eight hours to finish two chapters. And since I still have ten more to finish in three days, that means twelve hours of nonstop work for it. If this proves anything to all of you, that is to never procrastinate with your work or end up dying trying to get it all done.

Anyway, that's enough of my little rant. Seeing as I can't do most of my work in class, twelve hours is a moot point. So I might as well do as much as I can while trying to write this story. I hope that you all enjoy the effort I put into this story.

Oh, and just to say, I made a change from the name of Ecouter to foudre in the last chapter. That's because I made a little boo boo from it, and foudre is still french but for lightning.

Until the next update on this or any of my stories everybody!

Chapter 6: Who is Scotch on the Rox?

When Sora had entered the bank after returning from his quick escapade to the Twilight Tow Consulate where he practically made a fool of himself, he knew that he was going to be in trouble. The reason being was because lunch break was already over a few minutes ago, and Xemnas would no doubt be angry at him returning late. It was just his luck that the bus route happened to cross paths with a funeral procession that just happened to take more than five minutes to pass through. Too bad the old man did not care what happened on the way back; the only thing he can see is that somebody was late.

In order to try and minimize the damage he knew that was coming up, he began speed walking through the bank. What made things take a bit longer to return to his office was that it was all the way towards the back of the building and down a set of stairs. And being that it was getting close to Christmas, lots of people were inside withdrawing money so they could buy gifts for their loved ones. He had to make his way through this crowd of Christmas shoppers and ended up taking more of whatever time he had left to get back to his station.

When he had finally made it to the back of the bank, he practically ran down the set of marble stairs in front of him two at a time without holding onto the wooden railing. This nearly caused him to fall to his doom when he accidentally made a misstep halfway through. There was less foot traffic in this part of the building, but there were still office workers walking to and from the area. He simply sped walked around these people; he even ignored the friendly hello he received from the security guard that was situated behind a metal desk just beyond the entrance to the office area where all the bank's international transactions were made.

"You're late," the spiky haired teen heard the words that he knew he was going to hear. However, they did not come from the person he was expecting them to come from. "What in the world happened?"

"Don't ask, Riku!" the teen responded hastily as he walked past his best friend who happened to have been making his way to the water dispenser. Once he reached his desk, he hastily took off his jacket and sat down on his chair before opening his drawer and taking out the files he had quickly stuffed in there earlier.

"I wouldn't worry too much about Xemnas if I were you," the silver haired teen spoke in a reassuring tone as he came back with a cup of hot water in his hands. "I managed to cover for you by saying you had an upset stomach and might be in the bathroom for a while."

"Did he really fall for that?" the other asked as he finally calmed down and looked at his best friend with raised eyebrows. "He doesn't look like the kind of guy who would fall for something so simple as that."

"Well, I did promise him that you should be back at your desk no later than five minutes after lunch break was over. I'm just happy you barely made it, or he would have been down both of our throats."

"Thanks, Riku; I really owe you one for that."

"I think you really owe me two," the other corrected Sora for no good reason. In the next second, he opened his drawer and pulled out something wrapped in white paper and looking suspiciously like half of a sub sandwich. "I had a feeling that you really weren't going out for lunch by the way you just blasted out of here. So I figured you might be hungry and bought you half a sandwich."

"Damn, you really know too well, you know that?" Sora responded with a big smile as he happily took the sandwich and unwrapped half of it before taking a huge chunk out of it. He then said with his mouth full, "Remind me to pay you back big time for all of these lifesaving things one day."

"Just don't talk with your mouth full, and that will be enough payment for me today," Riku said with a look of disgust on his face before turning to concentrate on his work. "And make sure that Xemnas doesn't catch you gulping down that sandwich like a starving maniac. You know how he doesn't like us eating outside of break time."

Instead of answering him, the teenager simply continued to destroy the sandwich at an insanely fast rate. Within a matter of minutes, the sandwich was gone, and the only signs that it ever existed was the white wrapping it came in and the various crumbs on the desk. He crumpled the paper and collected the crumbs before throwing them in a small trash can next to his desk before leaning back in his chair with a content sigh.

"And how are you feeling this afternoon, Mr. Hikari?" the teen suddenly heard the voice of his boss asking him from behind his chair. "I heard from Riku just a few minutes ago that you weren't feeling all that well just before lunch ended. If you want, I can send you home early so you can take a break. It wouldn't do for you to work with stomach pains constantly granting you unpleasant distractions."

"Thank you, sir, but I'm alright now," Sora answered the older man without bothering to stand up. He tried not to stutter so as to not raise any suspicion upon himself. "I think someone at the sandwich shop thought it funny to put something weird in my lunch. I'll make sure to take it easy so I don't end up aggravating my stomach."

"Well, just make sure that you don't overexert yourself because of it," Xemnas warned before he was seen moving off towards his right and checking up on the other workers. "I don't want to have one of my best workers keeling over with pain."

"I honestly can't tell sometimes if he worries about me or is just out to get me," the teen responded with a roll of his eyes before returning to his work. "It's like he has a split personality or something like that."

"Just be happy that he didn't figure out that you were just late coming back from lunch," Riku stated with a light chuckle and an amused shake of his head. He then asked with some suspicion running through his voice, "And speaking of lunch, just where did you end up going that caused you to be late?"

"I-I just rushed down to…to the mall to get something!" the spiky haired teen quickly said as he thought up of a plausible excuse. "Christmas is almost here after all, and I was trying to look for things to give a certain somebody."

"Yeah, sure," the silver haired man simply replied in a nonbelieving tone. However, he did not choose to pursue that matter further and continued to silently work on his work. The other soon chose to do the same thing.

And for the next six or so hours, they both completed their work only to be introduced with more to finish. There were times when Sora had finished his transaction and was engaged in conversation with his bank friends. He managed to sneak in a quick hello and status report of how he was doing before quickly terminating their conversation. He felt bad that he had to so abruptly cut off his friends, but he figured that they would understand.

When six forty-five came around, the dismissal bell rang on schedule. And just like clockwork, every worker shut down their computers and prepared to leave for the night. And just like last night, the spiky haired teen made no move to try and get ready to leave. Naturally, this caught Riku's attention and picked at his curiosity.

"Don't tell me you're planning on staying late again tonight," he stated more than asked as he put on his black winter jacket. "You haven't been acting like yourself since Aerith left. Is there something that you want to tell me?"

"Well," the teen simply said with a sheepish smile. It looked like he was going to have to come up with another suitable excuse that would hopefully last more than just one night. "Uh, you know how my landlord is about tenant safety and all that?"

"Of course I know. I used to be a tenant of his when I left the orphanage. I'm telling you; the guy probably has a soft spot for orphans kicked out of the system."

"Hey, you never told me about that," Sora said with a smirk on his face that served more as a way to stall for more time. "So that's probably why you were able to land me that apartment with him as easily as you did. I should've figured that you two had some kind of history with each other.

"Anyway, he said that…that he was going to be putting in a new security system on the outer gate. Because of that, he's thinking about raising everybody's rent a bit. So I was thinking that maybe I could work my way up to a raise or even promotion if I prove to the boss that I'm a real hard worker."

"How much is he planning to raise your rent?"

"Uh, I don't think he really said how much he was going to be raising it," the teen responded with a shrug. He was only half-lying when he said that because there really was no set amount to the raise yet. "He said he was going to tell us once he got the price for both buying the new system and the installation. He did say that he's just buying a newer version of the same system, so it should be only a small raise that will only last until he recuperates what he put into the installation."

"Hmm, from what I remember about him, Cid's a pretty reasonable guy when it comes to things like this. Although this is a good alternative than trying to talk him out of it and then having to face the wrath of his colorful mouth. Anyway, good luck with all this," Riku added before picking up his briefcase and following the crowd to the exit.

"As if I need any luck to get myself through this, but thanks for that. And I'll make sure to go home and sleep instead of staying here all night," he added while the other simply waved a hand as an answer and left.

A couple of minutes after their conversation, the spiky haired teen was all alone in the office again. Even Xemnas had left the area without bothering him about staying late. He was probably afraid to do so after last night's hysterics show he put on. At least he did not have to think of another excuse for him. That saved him a lot of time and aggravation.

Just ten more minutes before Rox starts talking again, Sora thought with a sigh as he suddenly remembered what he had to go through back at the Twilight Town Consulate after winding down from a long days' worth of work. He then continued on as he signed himself onto the secure proxy server to prepare himself, I'm going to make sure he doesn't hear the end of it when he talks about it.

And just like it was with last night, seven came around and was sounded off with words popping up onto the screen.

So how did it go, Sora? Rox typed in with apparent eagerness that was possibly equal to that of a child receiving a Christmas present. Did you manage to get my message to the people at the consulate?

Oh, I got the message to them alright, Sora responded with a huff of his breath in annoyance. Just what was the big idea, anyway? You said that they would understand what I was talking about when I asked for Department X and told them about the thing with the cats. All I did was make a fool out of myself because they said that there was no such thing! Mind explaining it to me?

But that doesn't make sense, the other person responded with apparent confusion laced in his words after a slight pause. The people at the consulate should've clearly understood what you were saying. Did you do exactly what I told you to do?

I went to the secretary's desk and asked for Department X. She then called someone down, and that person said that there was no such thing.

Who exactly did you end up talking to?

I'm not sure on his first name, but his last name was Hakujou, the teen typed after a slight pause to remember the old man's name. He was an old guy who looked like he had a bad back. Anyway, he seemed a bit confused when I mentioned your screen name and thought I was talking about something to drink.

Strange, Xehanort was the best person you could've spoken to about all this, Rox responded, his confusion quickly growing with each word typed. Something definitely isn't right about this.

Do you know what's not right about all this? It's having you making me do all these weird things without telling me why I'm doing it! Sora typed as he made sure his annoyance at everything was being portrayed in his words. Don't you think it's time that you told me just what's going on here that you're forcing me to sound like an idiot to some of the most important people on Destiny Island? Until you give me a good enough reason as to why I'm doing all this for you, I'm not helping you out again. And don't even think about lying to me, because you know that I can catch it!

For a few seconds, everything was quiet on the other person's end of things. Apparently, the teen had struck a chord somewhere and was forcing the other to think about what he had just said. He did feel a bit guilty at sounding angry at somebody who sounded sincere about everything, but that was quickly squashed down when he remembered how ridiculous he felt and how he almost got in trouble for being late back to work.

I suppose it's fair that you know what's going on here, the other finally typed with a sigh in his words. Were you somebody who didn't know how to read emotions through electronic communication, I would say that you'd have a hard time believing what I'm about to tell you.

Why don't you try me? the teen retorted with a snort of his breath.

You can choose whether to believe it or not, but I'm a secret intelligence agent, Rox bluntly stated while seemingly ignoring the sarcastic remark from earlier. I work for the TIB, otherwise known as the Twilitian Intelligence Bureau.

For a moment, Sora was completely taken aback at what the other had just typed in. He reread the short sentence to see if the other was simply pulling his leg, but he could not sense any kind of sarcasm or even a hint of a lie from it all. He then decided to type in once the shock had dissipated somewhat, You're not pulling my leg here, are you? You really work for the Twilitian Intelligence Bureau?

That's what I just said, Rox responded as he could just imagine the other one giving off a confirming nod of his head. I was on assignment over here and about to return home when I discovered that I couldn't. That was when I decided to contact someone through this proxy, and that's how I came to you for help.

But if you're really a secret intelligence agent for Twilight Town, then why are you asking me to help you get home? the teen asked with raised eyebrows and deciding that the other really was telling the truth about who he really was. Why don't you just contact the consulate yourself and spare me the embarrassment?

I'm really sorry that you felt embarrassed because of this, but I already tried to contact them myself. For some reason, I couldn't connect with anybody. That's why I had to turn to someone else for help. And before you ask, I picked Destiny Island because I just happen to live there, so that particular consulate should know who I am.

You know, I think there was something strange about my conversation with Xehanort when I think back to it, Sora typed in as he suddenly remembered how the old man had reacted at certain parts of the conversation. It was kind of hard to tell, but he seemed to have been surprised when I said the thing about the cats and then your screen name. He hid it well by sounding like I was just talking nonsense, but I kind of got the feeling that he did know what I was talking about.

I wouldn't be surprise if he held back because you're just a regular person in his eyes. It's not everyday someone normal like you knows secret agent codes.

But then wouldn't he have held me back and asked me why I know something like that? the spiky haired teen asked with raised eyebrows. He wouldn't have just let me leave without asking anything. Even I would've done that if I heard someone told me a secret code that they shouldn't be able to know.

That's also what's confusing me here, Rox responded with worry now combining with his confusion. Anyway, it's clear now that the consulate won't be of much help in getting me out of here. It seems like you really are the only one I can trust to help get me back home now.

Hey, now that I know who you really are and that you're not lying, I'll be more than happy to help you out, the teen responded happily as he suddenly felt compelled to help the other person to the best of his ability. You can call him too trustworthy with people, but he always had a knack to tell when people had good or bad intentions; and he could only sense the good with the TIB agent. He then typed in a sort of enthusiastic fashion, So what is it that you want me to do next?

Why can I just imagine you having a big smile on your face right now as you're typing this? the other asked in what felt like to have been a chuckle. Anyway, I do have another plan to get me home. Don't worry; you won't have to go to the consulate again, he added just as the teen made a scowl. All you have to do is to go to my house and get something for me.

Are you giving me permission to break into your house? Wow, I never thought that I'd hear someone telling me to do that anytime soon.

Legally, it's not breaking and entering if the owner of the place gives you permission to enter. But in this case where I'm not around, I do suggest that you be careful not to be caught. I'm obviously not in a position to help you get out of trouble. I hope that you're good with at least some stealth.

Even if I weren't, I don't think either of us have any choice in the process. Anyway, what is it that you want me to get at your house? Sora continued to type as he began to grow more excited at the thought of getting something for a special agent. Is it some kind of super sophisticated cell phone that will activate something on your end, or is it something that will send a plane over to where you are from here?

I don't work for a super spy agency where their members have a license to kill, Rox responded with the feeling of an amused chuckle. What I want you to get is something a lot less sophisticated than a cell phone or anything like that. I want you to go and get a cast iron frying pan from my kitchen. It's the only one there, so you can't miss it.

Are you serious? the teen asked after rereading the request a couple of times. Under normal circumstance, he would have figured this to be just a sick joke. You want me to risk getting caught by someone and being thrown in jail for breaking into your house for a simple frying pan? That had better be some kind of special pan if you really want me to get it.

You don't know how special it is. It happens to have the names and phone numbers of four of the contacts that I have spread out all over the world of Destiny Island. They're lightly stenciled onto the bottom of the pan, and they can't be seen unless filled in with dust and wiped off.

And you want me to contact them one by one and see who would be able to help you get out of Twilight Town, the teen finished off as he finally realized just where the other person was getting at with the pan filled with names. I'm guessing you can't contact them yourself because you don't want the conversation monitored. That and they probably won't respond to anybody talking to them through an unknown server.

You catch on pretty quickly, the other person responded. He then sent out some instructions. My apartment is just beyond the outskirts of the downtown area. It's close to the port that takes people to the Secluded Islands. It's really the only apartment complex within that general area. I have a key that's hidden within a fire hydrant just outside the entrance. All you have to do is unscrew the cap and take it with you. You know what to do after all that.

At least this sounds like a better plan than reciting spy messages to somebody inside the consulate. Seriously though, who came up with something embarrassing as that to say when you find yourself in trouble? Isn't it kind of clichéd? If you happened to talk to the wrong person, then you just blew your cover.

Hey, I'm not the one who created the rules here. I just follow them. I guess, though, that us teenagers think alike, huh?

What do you mean by "us teenagers?" Sora typed with an eyebrow raised in confusion after reading that strange comment.

Sorry, I was just thinking out loud there, Rox responded in a sort of flustered fashion. Anyway, could you possibly make your way to my apartment tonight? The sooner I can help me get out of here, the better off I'll be. And just as a word of warning, I suggest that you take a taxi there. The nearest bus stop is about ten blocks away, and I don't think you want to walk around with a frying pan in your hand and looking like an idiot.

We haven't even talked for a week, and you already know how I like to operate, the teen responded with a chuckle and a shake of his head. Yeah, I can make a side trip to your house before going home myself. Do you think that any of them would be awake by the time I get home and call?

I can think of a couple who probably would be. Never know unless you try though, right? Look, I have to go right now. It's just past midnight on my end, and I need to get my sleep if I want to go shopping for food tomorrow. Can't be half asleep and then end up getting caught by the enemy.

Yeah, make sure you don't end up getting yourself killed, the teen typed back with concern as soon as he heard the thought of being captured by the enemy. And I really mean what I said there.

I know you do. You be careful in getting my list of contacts, too. I'll talk to you again tomorrow at the same time. Until then, Sora!

Same with you, Rox, he typed with a sigh as he leaned back in his chair. Now he knew what he was supposed to do next, and it was less embarrassing than just wandering into a consulate and repeat some kind of stupid phrase. But this was simply exchanged with something that could possibly land him in jail if he were caught by somebody.

Ha, like I'm the one who should be worried about this, he thought with a huff of his breath. Rox is risking his life talking to me just so he can get out of Twilight Town alive. I'll just get jail time if I'm caught, but he'd probably be killed the first chance his enemies get. God, I hope he'll be alright tomorrow.

And with a small sigh, Sora got turned off his computer and got off of his chair. He then put his papers back into his drawer before putting on his jacket and his backpack. He then made his way to the exit with his next destination in mind, Rox's apartment.

Actually, his next destination should be his bank's ATM machine, because he just remembered he only had enough money for the bus fare to bring him home. He definitely needed to dip into his savings a bit if he wanted to make the trip there and back by cab. So now he was off to the ATM to withdraw more money before heading off to the guy's apartment in search for a frying pan filled with names and phone numbers.

Well, Sora now knows that Rox is really a member of the Twilight Town Intelligence Bureau. How many of you saw that coming? Come on, don't be bashful to say that you didn't.

Anyway, Sora is also starting to show a bit of concern for Rox. To be perfectly honest, that little bit was something I decided to add at the last minute. I'm not sure if I'll expand more on that part, but I'm kind of feeling it happening.

Well, I'll put down the small bio again. That's because we've got an update to a few of the characters.

Xehanort Hakujou: 65 (An old man from the Twilight Town Consulate who does know Rox, but seems to deny it to Sora)

Rox: ? (Somebody from Twilight Town who has revealed himself to be a Twilitian Intelligence Bureau [TIB] agent unable to get home)

Well, that's it for this wonderful chapter. I hope that you all enjoyed this story as much as I had creating it. Until the next update to this or any one of my other stories everybody!