Disclaimer: Square-Enix, Disney, you must hate copyright laws right now for everything legal I have made your characters do. Too freaking bad. Millions will die if I don't continue.

I'm sorry it's taken so long! My flash drive hates me and it took a while to get this muthaf—kin' snake off this muthatf—king' plane!

And yes…I did go see that last weekend.

Welcome to Chapter 6. People have been wondering how long this fic is going to be. Do you want the honest answer? Alright, drum roll…………I have no idea. There.

And I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful and…intriguing reviews that you send! I love replying to as many as possible (AMAP!) Plus, some of you guys write the best stuff, I swear.

And I'd like to thank the Top Reviewers (although you all mean a lot to me :P):

sonicchica

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Sonic and Elias have been with me since AfTeRlIfE. I love you guys so much -sobs-.

So I encourage you, leave feedback and forever be in my heart! Wow, that sounded corny.

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They didn't really fit into this world either. Big surprise. Even after Demyx suggested they go to buy the frilly and stiff clothes in the tailor's shop to look a little less suspicious, Auron replied with "If it's not mandatory like those damned fins, I'm not doing it." And once Larxene took a peek at what a corset was, she lost her lung strength by just looking at it.

Now they were sitting at a rickety wooden table in a rowdy pub where there were at least four separate drunk fights. Xaldin had ordered himself two pints of beer and was now leaning against the wall on his barstool, mumbling about how Levitation didn't look like Leviathan or Legislature or Liberation.

"Hey Xaldin, can I have a sip of that? I'm thirsty!" Demyx whined.

"I am not letting you have any alcohol while I'm around you. Never." Auron shook his head and scooted the pitcher to the lancer's drunken stupor.

"It's bad enough that we don't have any leads, or signals, or fateful incidents where we meet our certain allies or certain enemies according to basic storyline guidelines!" Larxene sighed. "That's it, Xaldin, I'm stealing your beer!" She snatched it from his clutches and gulped the rest of it down. "Barkeep, another one!"

They heard the cheering of a crowd of men when a surprisingly sober man hopped onto the counter of the bar. He was chubby, balding, and screaming, like almost everyone in the pub that night.

"Speak of the devil," Larxene added with a gurgle.

"The Siren, Buck, tell them about the Siren!" a tall skinny man said as he dropped his pint on the ground in sheer excitement. Larxene blinked in surprise.

"Well, didn't see that one comin'."

The balding man had hushed everyone around him. Demyx had become interested in this Siren, which he was hoping was more than just an annoying alarm that woke him up on the weekdays. He walked up from the table and mashed himself into the storyteller's audience. "Buck" was coughing out his phlegm and reading to tell all on the Siren.

"They say on the Isla de la Diosa," he said in a chilling voice "there is a woman with long flowing hair and the voice of an angel. But every time a boat gets too close to the island—"

"What? What happens?" an anxious tavern wench asked.

"Every time a boat gets too close, it crashes into the rocks and could kill the whole crew. An anyone that doesn't die on the spot is never seen again because they've been hypnotized by the Siren's beautiful songs!" Everyone had gasped at this threatening goddess, while Demyx smirked and squirmed back to his comrades at the table.

"Good news, we got a lead!" he said, throwing his arms in the air. "We need to get a ship and sail to Isla de la Diosa, or something like that."

"Amazing. You can only pronounce things in different languages but it took over sixteen hours to say Leviathan. Great. And how are we going to get a ship?" Auron demanded. He saw that glint in Demyx's eyes again. "If you're suggesting I dress up as a pirate, you're a moron."

"No, but I know someone else that would make a great distraction…" he laughed and set his eyes on the other two ex-Organization members, now clanking beer mugs against the wall. "Larxene, are you drunk already?"

"It takes me about twelve beers to get loaded and I'm only on four. Why?" she asked with gradually blushing cheeks.

"Can you pretend to be drunk?"

"Pretend? Kid, I'm the future winner of Best Drunk at an awards ceremony! I could be drunker than this guy!" she exclaimed, pointing to Xaldin, who was now…singing…some shanty about rum and a pirate's life. Xaldin hated himself when he was drunk.

"Good, because we're going to need your help for a little distraction!"

The H.M.S. Invincible was the largest ship in the docks that foggy night. Its decks and exteriors made of the finest oaks and pines, while below two guards were going to fall onto their faces from pure exhaustion. Both so stiff and tired in their red coats, privates McArthur and Windfellow were simply chatting about the recent events.

"And how does letting that bloody Sparrow go help our duties any?" Windfellow ranted. "We're expected to guard the ports and now we're 'ere waiting to get our throats slit!"

"Exactly! Pirates are supposed to help our jobs any! Bullocks!" McArthur agreed.

"And the governor's daughter helped 'im! What kind of world can a…what are you looking at?"

Private McArthur's unexpressive face turned to a laugh. "Look at those two up ahead! Bloody drunks!" Staggering along the path in front of them was a couple, both giggling and swerving with pints still in their hands. They were both in wet black cloaks and were singing a different tune on pirates and most of all, rum. The blonde woman was waving to the guards and whistling while the braided man…with a bright blue bonnet on…kept singing and splashing himself in beer.

They approached the guards even further, who were now so backed away that one step more would send them over the pier. "Ne, soldier, you wanna have a bath with us?" Larxene asked in her best slurred voice.

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates' life fer me!" Xaldin blurted and wrapped his arms around Private Windfellow. He shrieked and tried to push the man off of him. "Wha, never had a good pal hug ya before?"

Larxene was currently working her way onto McArthur, who was petrified when she smooched him on the lips. "Come on big boy, you've gotta be brave! You've fought off pirates and pirates!" She took her glass and poured onto his head. "Here, it'll make it better!"

She looked up and saw the true plans set in motion and tugged Xaldin off of the other soldier. "Come on you drunk bastard, our work here is done!" They were swallowed whole by a black shadow and disappeared from the guards' eyes.

"What…was that?" Windfellow stuttered.

"I…don't really know." McArthur replied, equally bewildered. They heard a loud noise behind them, where the waves were crashing and a cloth would be fluttering in the wind. They both looked back and saw the horror that was the H.M.S. Invincible leaving the dock. Screams filled the night and on board, the boozehounds teleported on board.

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"I swear, the next time you need a distraction or any other idiotic patsy, you two are doing it!" Larxene scowled as she threw Xaldin into a small cabin where he landed half on a crate and half on a chaise lounge. Demyx was attempting to read a map that was left in the cabin quarters, even if it was upside down, until Auron snatched it away from him.

"I am not distracting anyone again." Auron said. "After what he made me do in Radiant Garden I'll happily make you do the dirty work. We're sailing westward for maybe a few hours, so I expect that you two will help keep us on course. Demyx, o find a compass or something."

"Aye aye, captain!" he replied, saluting his guardian and ventured to the downstairs area. And then he came back up, saying there was only rum and dynamite there, and went into the other large cabin.

Larxene stayed with the self-acclaimed captain and snatched the map to flip around and see all the landmarks.

"Why are you here?" she blurted out.

"What are you talking about?"

"You had the choice to stay wherever you're from, and you certainly didn't have to get stuck with Demyx out of anyone, so why are you traveling with the Nobodies that could've destroyed the universe?"

"That's like asking why you didn't kill the flour sack so you could have Halloween Town for yourself," he coldly remarked.

"Well at least I know who those guys are! Why would some normal guy like you want to hang around the annoying little rocker, the drunk and ungrateful dragoon and someone who is asking all these questions because she obviously doesn't approve of you? Huh? Answer me!" she pouted.

Auron actually had to think about it for a minute while he balanced the ship from veering east. Sure, Demyx was possibly a talented summoner who did have a greater purpose, but anyone could have told him that. He didn't hate him, but he didn't like him either and his companions were huge eyesores. Why was he there? Not out of…pure kindness, was it?

"He reminds me of someone from my past life," was all he could say. But it was true. Demyx had an air about him just like…him. Extremely determined, optimistic, annoying, and had no idea where he really stood in the world.

Just like Tidus was.

"And you don't have any suspicions whatsoever?"

"About what? The three of you are practically harmless," he scoffed.

"Sure, whatever. Just don't say anything about not having hearts around Demyx or he might have yours. That was what he wanted after all!" she sighed.

"What does that mean? Did he—" Auron stopped himself when Demyx walked back on deck.

The musician ran from the cabin, clutching a leather compass box with golden edges.

"You should see what they have in there! There's really nice furniture, a bunch of books, and even a whole roasted pig in there! You've gotta take a break to check it out! And Xaldin is sleeping on the long chair thing right now, so don't worry about him."

"Eh? A whole pig! Screw this navigation, I'm going inside!" Larxene cheered as she went to eat dinner. Demyx took up the map so carelessly thrown on the floor and turned it right side up this time. Auron was still trying to figure out what she meant by "he'd have yours." The kid was a horrible fighter, and too big of a dimwit to cause anyone harm, but had he actually…

"Demyx, may ask you a question?"

"Sure Captain, whaddaya need?" he joyfully replied. No, he was just too happy. Unless it was all some act…maybe it was a myth. No heartless creature could act like him. But what if…

"You won't get mad if I do?"

"Yeah, whatever, just say it!"

"Do Nobodies have hearts or not?"

Demyx froze. His head hung lower and he tried to plaster another smile on his face. "O-of c-course we do…I-it's just th-that…" His fingers twitched as his hands crushed the map's edges and his nails tore through the delicate paper. "We just…" he tried to continue, but he was remembering them again. Those things just kept flashing in his mind, over and over! Why, why were these things coming back to him after so long? What did he ever do?

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"Demyx, this has gone out of hand!"

"You'll keep hurting yourself if this happens! Stop it for your own good!"

"It doesn't have to be like this!"

"If I can't have a heart, then why should anyone else? Answer THAT, why don't you?"

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"No…" he whimpered as those memories flooded his mind. That image of him, one that was so unlike himself, so contorted and ugly that filled himself with disgust. That rage that he didn't want to come back made his breathing go out of sync and his head throb in pain. The fires around his world that was slowly crumbling. That desire that couldn't be granted, no matter how hard he tried.

Larxene was right. Any more an his undead heart would be dripping on the plywood.

"Forget that I asked," the guardian finally said. "It's obviously something that hurts you, so just forget it." It made him feel bad even, to toy with his emotions.

"Thanks," Demyx wheezed as he tried to get himself back. "I don't think I could talk about it right now." He looked up with aqua eyes almost to the brink of tears and that ridiculous grin was on him again. That was the other thing that bothered Auron. No heartless could feel pain. There must be something to it. He had no friends, no memories of his other life, and a screwed past.

What a blessing to have Sir Auron at his side, Auron sarcastically thought.

Something caught his eye one the horizon. Another boat, just as big as theirs, was heading in the opposite direction. Another detail caught his eye, near the mainsail. A black flag waved in a phantom wind, with a skull and crossbones. The drawing had a unique style to it, like one that he had seen on a tourist's shirt in Luca. Why would something like that be around here?

"Auron, Demyx, this isn't good!" they heard Larxene shout from the cabin with cheeks stuffed with swine. She came out with a chunk in her hand and wide eyes. She swallowed, then continued. "That's a pirate ship you numb nuts! Steer away!"

"What would they want with us? I don't see any danger." Auron coldly retorted.

"No, no, you don't understand. I saw them loading up cannons and lighting barrels on fire from the cabin. They want our boat."

If there was an animal called the sea cricket, it would be chirping.

"What are we supposed to do!" Demyx panicked.

"Calm down halfwit, I've got an idea."

"Yeah, like steering away from the boat!" Larxene shouted at the swordsman.

"No, we'll work this out."

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Apparently, fighting an army of over a hundred well-trained hijacking pirates wasn't such a good idea.

The four were brought into the H.M.S. Invincible's large cabin and were tied to each other by the waist and their hands tied together with thick and splintery rope. Xaldin was awake by now, and extremely hung over.

"What the hell is going on? Don't tell me I drank that much," he groaned.

"Quiet you!" one of the slimy pirates commanded him. "Th' captain wants to see you now!"

They focused their attention to a chair turned backwards behind the desk where Demyx found the compass. Not a single hair stuck out from the chair, and he greeted them with a smooth, deep voice that obviously wanted nothing more than to taunt them.

"By now you must be asking yourselves, 'why do these strange pirates want our ship, where are we heading, an most importantly, who are you?' Well let me start off with the first two and a half. Just call my little gang of mischief makers and thieves the Aurochs for now!"

"What?" Auron yelled. No. No. Aurochs in another world completely out of range. No.

"I said the Aurochs, you crazy old man!" the captain shouted back.

"Look, I'm sorry, but if I have to spell it out for you…I don't know."

"What does the word 'Auroch' have to do with anything here?" Auron still asked, frustrated.

"Alright, you obviously don't get it, so here: A-U-R, O-C-H-S! Got it memorized?"

The three Nobodies glanced to each other. No sane pirate would have such a uncouth catchphrase and such an unusual accent, so there was no way they didn't know who he was.

"Axel?" Larxene asked.

"What?" he said, turning his chair thinking a crew member mused him. How wrong he was, in seeing his three past co-workers tied with the irritable man.

"No way, how did you make it out alive? I thought I was the only one!" he smiled. Axel was a very unique Nobody. Even if he hated almost all of Organization XIII, he would still be nice to you. Besides, the only ones Axel truly despised were Xemnas, Xigbar, Saïx and Marluxia, and…okay, everyone except Roxas, occasionally Demyx and occasionally Larxene. And he, like the rest of them, didn't bother to change his fiery red mane and his black cloak. "So tell me, how did you guys end up here?"

"Um, believe it or not, it'd kind of help if you untied us!" Larxene screeched.

"Oh yeah, sorry about that! My first mate thought that this ship would take us to Isla de la Diosa faster, so it wasn't my call." Demyx went wide-eyed at the name of the island. Axel took out his small knife and cut the ropes loose. They sagged off of them and the four were able to stand up and discuss…business.

"Did you say the Isla de la Diosa? That's where the Siren is!" Demyx exclaimed.

"No way, you're on the hunt for it too? What for?"

"It's an aeon!"

"A whoza-whatsit? What have you been doing this whole time?" Axel questioned as he reached for the pipe that sent messages to the lower decks. "You know, I don't even know what it is, but it sounds pricy. Tell you what; my partner in crime knows more about it than I do. Otherwise, tell me what I've missed. WAKKA, GET IN THE MAIN CABIN NOW OR I'LL SWITCH YOU TO DECK SWABBING!" he cried into the communicator.

Auron was now in a state of shock. Luca skull, Aurochs, everything connected! But why the hell was that moron plundering ships and helping a Nobody? Maybe it was a coincidence. Meanwhile Demyx was explaining the summoning and aeon necessities, misspelling Sin which had become Shins.

"And you think the Siren can bring magical whatever to all of us. Sure, sure, I believe you. And you hooked those three into it?"

"I didn't hook them in, they followed us! Me and Auron, that is. Xaldin was stalking that furry thing and the princess and Larxene was getting her brains eaten out by a sack full of bugs!" the summoner pouted. Axel chuckled at the thought of his comrades getting rescued by Demyx of all people, and this little world of giant creatures that will eat you in a split second if you haven't mastered them.

"Kid, it's nice to know you've got something to do now!" he assured, ruffling his sandy blonde hair into a mohawk mess. He grabbed the loudspeaker again. "WAKKA, I SAID GET IN HERE!"

"I'm here, I'm here!"

Through the door a redheaded pirate came through with a barrel from the lower decks. His hair was a fire orange that stood on end like Demyx's with a blue bandana tied around it. His whole left arm was covered in bracers and bands and he was dressed in bright yellow pants and what could barely be called an orange tank. He also had a muscular build, barely greater than Auron's, and a well-done tan. That tan faded away when he saw his past co-guardian in shock.

"Oh crap," was all he could utter at Auron's sight.

"Wakka, what the hell are you doing around here?" the swordsman roared at first mate Wakka. "You're supposed to be on some stupid island looking over the blonde moron! Can I leave nothing to you people?"

"Look, look, you the Heartless, ya? Well they tore apart the islands and once we were able to go back, I tried to keep everything chill with blitzball, but I couldn't do it!" he said, sweating. "I thought you passed on anyway! Is this my punishment for leaving, hauntings?"

"He's not haunting anybody!" Demyx said as he came between the two men. "He's helping me become a summoner, thank you very much!"

"A…you don't mean that he's—"

"Sadly, he can find them everywhere. Obligations are a pain."

Wakka paused and crossed his arms. "Well I'm not going through another pilgrimage after that last one, so why should we be worried if there's no Sin?"

"That's what I want to know!" Axel cheered, jumping onto the desk. "Look, this pirating thing, it's not good for me. I'll make you a deal: find us that Siren and I might just join for good, got it memorized? I say we think it over dinner and we find her before the other pirates do!"

"Aye aye, Captain Axel!" Larxene saluted. Xaldin gave a half-hearted sarcastic salute, then continued to clutch his head.

"But Captain," stuttered Wakka.

"Oh, just steer if you're not going to have dinner. We don't want them getting ahead of us!"

"Who's them?" Demyx questioned.

"Ah, just some other pirate crew that's after Siren. Their pretty good, but we need to be ahead of them, you know? That Jack Sparrow nutcase can't beat me this time!"

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Nothing to say. Just read the preview.

Chapter 7: Mesmerize

The hunt is on for Siren! Why would the infamous Jack Sparrow want this aeon, and will he fight our anti-heroes for it? If Wakka's mind is set on staying in Port Royal, does that mean Axel will stay too? And with his past haunting Demyx, can Auron find some way to figure out what he has done? Find out next time!

PS: Wakka actually has his mind EXTRA set. He's not joining. Four's company, five's a decent summoning party, and six is just a pain in the ass for a writer. So there.