The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 32: Spooks of Halloween Town
"The ingredients for a heart: Pulse. Emotion. ... Fear. Hope and despair. Mix them all together, and we have a heart!"
The World That Never Was: Grey Area ( Aqua's POV )
- Days 75-79: Inseparable -
Business for myself returned to normal once I gathered my belongings and returned to mission duty. To my surprise there was much that was happening with my jobs since it just involved looking around worlds for heartless, finding out where this DiZ person could be, and mainly becoming stronger like my superior suggested to wield my true weapon again. Demyx still annoyed me when we visited Beast's Castle, and yet he did play a nice song for Belle which she loved to hear.
The past few days went on by with nothing major happening until I heard about Xion disappearing from this world. I figured she might have gone on a mission, but Saix told me about Roxas and Axel going out to look for her which meant it was more serious than I believed.
'What could have happened to her?' The questions went through my head since I never had the opportunity to learn more about her due to my leave with Marluxia's party. Hopefully, that can be fixed once she comes back here, but I had to ask my friend Axel about what's been going on with her lately. That leads to now where I'm thinking to myself how boring today has been dealing with Xaldin's complaining.
"I don't know what your issue is dear. We've managed to locate a new source of heartless activity for our keyblade warrior to harvest, so why aren't you thrilled we are closer to completing Kingdom Hearts!"
"It really is a hollow victory much like ourselves. While we have located a new nest of heartless, the fact remains that port could be attacked by those creatures."
"You're actually worried about those filthy pirates? They would sooner steal from us rather than help out our cause!"
"We were somebodies once, and we strive to become like that again! This lack of emotions made me realize how much I've been losing my humanity which is something I can't allow..."
"While I believe having compassion can be a useful asset you can't let your strength falter because of that feeling." Yes, I know that already Xaldin, but I'm not some mindless animal like the heartless. Being a nobody is living on the edge of life and death while as a heartless you could only wish to just fade away...
"Xaldin, I have no intention of becoming weak however that does not mean I approve of other people losing their hearts or becoming just like us. That's the whole reason we want hearts gathered to ensure nobodies will not have to exist anymore." I wouldn't wish this life on my worst enemy including Xehanort. My partner for the day just shrugged his shoulders leaving me in the room by myself.
I sat down in one of the empty chairs now with the rest of the day all to myself. I didn't know where Roxas or Xion had gone, but I hoped Axel would meet me here like he said earlier. My eyes went over to the Moogle in the black coat simply waiting for someone to buy items for certain missions.
"Do you agree with Xaldin's idea of the strong outlasting the weak?!" I didn't know why I felt like asking that question considering it refused to answer me, the fact is could acknowledge your existence would be a feat in of itself. Shaking my head I wondered if I should ask more simple questions instead to our Moogle.
"Do you have anyone here like yourself? Are you just one Moogle or are there others like you who...do have a heart?"
The creature nodded its head confirming something while saying nothing to me. So much for starting a conversation which means I'm back to just waiting around for Axel to come here. Instead of the flame-head, Xion was now looking in my direction which I wasn't expecting. Her hood was covering her face again, and I couldn't see her expression under the black uniform.
"Auxaq, you wished to see me today?" Her voice was hollow without any kind of friendly voices like Axel or even Larxene had despite lacking emotions. I stood up trying to get a good shot of her face, so I could see it again like before I left this castle.
"Yes, I know that we haven't seen each other in some time, but I wanted to find you or Roxas today in a way to get to know each other better." I gave her a smile trying to regain her trust while she just looked down at the floor.
"Aren't you already finished with a mission today, sir?"
"We don't have to go on some mission you know, the both of us can head out to Twilight Town or even bring Axel and Roxas with us!"
Nothing came out as a reply which made me frustrated since I already got ignored once today. Moving down I tried to look her in the eye, but she moved away a few feet looking more nervous.
"Why? We don't need to understand each other that well do we? Don't you have Larxene...oh."
"Yes...I was fortune enough to make it back from that situation, but she wouldn't want me to act depressed well not like I can really be that way. That is why I'm hoping to earn back your trust to let me in Xion." I said with a hopeful tone trying to ease the tension that grew in the room. Xion looked away not saying anything which was starting to irritate me despite my attempts to connect with her.
"Do you want to be my friend? Are you just trying to observe me like the others here..."
"No! I have no reason to think of you as some Dusk Xion, you are part of this organization. I might be a senior member, but that doesn't mean that we can't get along as more than partners...right?" She was silent once more as I put out my black glove moving the hand for her to shake in agreement. I wanted her to return the gesture however that would depend on what she thought about me. If she didn't want to shake my hand I could not blame her for that response. Suddenly I felt a hand come down on my shoulder belonging to Saix.
"I'm afraid you have performed a mission for today, the rules can't allow you to perform two in one day. You have been assigned to go visit Halloween Town with Roxas and Xion tomorrow." I thought Saix was replaced by someone else considering he just granted me what I desired, but this likely was the decision of the Superior and not his choice. With a nod, I left Xion to complete her assignment for today meaning I need to find something else to do before the day was finished. Waving her goodbye I entered a portal of darkness looking for that other person I've been trying to find Axel.
While wondering the many pathways I stumbled into Luxord who was playing another one of his gambling games with a nobody subordinate. Apparently, the games usually ended in the time master's favor which made him rather bored.
"Another bloody victory, the odds seems to love making my victories uninteresting." Before I could say a word our Gambler of Fate sent his nobody away quickly calling me over to him to play a quick game. While I didn't want to lose to him compared to Xigbar and Xaldin he actually looked pleased that I managed to come back here in one piece. Before I knew it his words managed to convince me to accept his one round of Triple Triad.
"You don't know how lucky I am to have you back love, the lack of competition in these kinds of matches made things rather dull around this castle."
"I'm sure you just wanted to beat me at another one of your games Luxord." I could already tell from the hand I was dealt this game was not going to end well for me. Risking another loss I just followed the rules Luxord taught me hoping luck could be on my side for once. As the cards were dealt on the floor I felt at peace when I was enjoying these kinds of actions, and while Luxord and myself are not buddies I could at least find something to enjoy doing with him besides missions.
"Believe me dear the chances always will be 50/50 just like the odds ended up in your favor. It was luck that allowed you to come back from that massacre with your non-life."
I wouldn't say that had anything to do with luck more like circumstances gave me the chance to escape from that situation. Looking at the current set of cards I was actually doing much better than before when Luxord took me down in only 5 turns. Placing down another card I decided to change the conversation towards Roxas and Xion wondering if he knew anything of interest.
"Oh those two lads have been acting rather chummy lately, but I can't say for certain what's been going on with Xion besides the fact she appears to have returned to us. Roxas is quite the lively nobody compared to his first days here, and I can say with honestly the only nobody I could even consider a fellow mate."
"Mate?" What did he mean by that exactly like a friend mate or...
"You know friend, buddy, companion, and or comrade although he's been invested more with Axel these days since he's come back." I figured that would be the case, and even before we left he got along with that particular nobody very well. Seeing them so happy made me forget for a moment they were emotionless beings that were born from nothing. Suddenly Luxord calls out his victory while I was distracted with my own thoughts.
"Perhaps you should consider practice before playing another round love. Still, I must commend your effort in accepting defeat unlike the other players like Zexion." He won't have to worry about that since he's no longer a player in this game, but I gave the game master his cards back taking note of some other cards that were in his collection. I never saw those kinds of cards before which made Luxord laugh.
"Oh you never did see this pair of cards before, the answer is they were not meant for games. These are Tarot Cards which can be used to predict a future or play a unique kind of game. This particular deck I've managed to pick up during a mission in Traverse Town." The images certainly looked strange to me since I was not familiar with these cards. Luxord suddenly took out his deck, cracking the cards up, and shuffled them around placing three down on the floor.
"Go ahead and pick one of the cards Auxaq."
Hesitating for a while to decide my choice I lifted up the card in the middle revealing the image of a woman with black and white pillars behind her. When I showed my card to Luxord he lips curved into a smirk.
"So, you picked the II Major Arcana, The High Priestess: a veiled woman with a closed book, a symbol of hidden knowledge, wisdom, female history and magic. A rather fitting card for your character Auxaq." I had to agree with a description like that; the card showed a happy woman which didn't match my apathetic nature.
"When you think about it most if not all the members have some Arcana which matches their personalities, ideas, and nature much like that card really describes yourself." Suddenly he revealed the images of the other two cards left facing down. The first one on the left had the symbol of a woman standing above a lion. According to Luxord, it represented the superiority of self-control, gentleness, inner courage, and virtue over simple force.
"VIII The Strength Arcana. This sounds a lot like your first friend Axel doesn't it?" Nodding I looked at the card on the right side which looked more ominous than the rest. A knight with no skin on his body, riding a pale horse with a black flag in hand.
"XIII The Death Arcana. Often considered the unluckiest number of unavoidable death, but I see it more as a sign of change in life. Beginning anew from the ashes of ruin which can lead into a new cycle of existence. I can't think of anyone else who fits this card better than Roxas."
Huh lucky number XIII just like the name of our group was it ironic fate that deemed such a circumstance? While this wasn't the person I'd hoped to speak with this experience certainly felt enlightening to think about as I said goodbye to Luxord for today. Deciding to call it a day I went to my room only to find the very person I've been looking for was leaning against the wall. His face lacked his usual grin of confidence which meant he was pretty serious about being here.
"So, it seems that you've been assigned for the mission in Halloween Town over me." Halloween Town? That was the place me and Demyx visited although we only went to the Hinterlands for our mission. Axel was actually giving me a nasty glare before huffing and moving pretty close to me.
"Now that you've lost your pal in the castle you wanna shack up with my friend. As if that was not enough you also wanna hang around Xion as well. While I don't mind you working with them...what exactly is your game here?"
"I just want people that I can get along with, and without Larxene that list has gotten shorter Axel."
"Did you pick up any habits that she had like her snarky nature, cruelty, and sadism by any chance?"
"What's gotten into you? I'm not like her and you know it!"
"I hope so because this is not a game, the only reason you made it out of Castle Oblivion was because of me, and you better remember that you should push yourself on people like that. If they want to reach out to you then fine, however, you need to remember that lady."
"You're one to talk consider you let Zexion get absorbed by that replica, manipulated everyone in that place, and could have destroyed me like I was a traitor despite not having real proof!" I got up in his face giving everything he dished out right back at him. This was a side of Axel that myself and others never saw before, while his element was dancing flames I've never seen him sound or act so agitated like this. He was acting more obsessive, more controlling of Roxas and Xion's time which concerned me.
"Look I know that it sounds like I'm acting like a prick, but I can't just let Roxas or Xion end up in a situation they might not be able to handle. The goal is just to find this trio of kids, and stop them from reviving this guy called Oogie Boogie." My lips curled down as I never heard that name before or why Xemnas wants to stop this person from coming back.
"He was one of Maleficent's subordinates, and he tried assuming command over the heartless. Naturally, the last thing we want is someone trying to control the creatures we need to complete Kingdom Hearts, and we certainly don't want one of Maleficent's followers trying to revive her."
That name...Maleficent it was someone I met before with Terra and Ventus. She was also trying to use me for her own ends like she did with Terra in the Enchanted Domain. The reports also detailed her scheme to use the seven Princess of Heart which also involved Ansem, Xehanort, and or whatever that being called itself.
"Axell, I know you care about Roxas and Xion, which means I will ensure their safety during the mission. If Castle Oblivion couldn't take me down no guy called Oogie Boogie will do that!" My lips formed a grin trying to earn back his trust and confidence in me over these next few days. His green eyes lightened up as I went to enter my room for some well-needed rest after that ranting.
"I know you won't hurt either of them, so please don't get them into danger..." That's my intention Axel considering I will be the eldest member during our operation tomorrow. In a way time made me grow into a role-model for the newest nobodies among the ranks since almost half of the Organization is now gone. It would be up to the likes of myself, Xaldin, Axel, Luxord, Saix, Xigbar, and yes even Demyx to watch over our youngest nobodies. I felt happy my desire could finally be granted and hopefully, this will bridge the gap between me and Roxas along with Xion.
The World That Never Was: Naught's Skyway
After getting the mission briefing from Saix I let Roxas and Xion know to come here before we made out leave. Out of all the different places in this castle, this was one of my favorite locations, the sky while mostly empty put my mind at ease whenever I gazed upward. I remembered an old tale about the sky being filled with the lights from several worlds, and each of the stars in the sky representing one. The only kind of light in this world was from the artificial Kingdom Hearts, which slowly but surely was becoming more bright each day.
The two figures that were my partners for this operation came behind me which means it is time to head out. Before that, however, I needed to clear the air of tension with Axel's friends.
"I know you both want to get this over with quickly, and yet I want to explain something to the both of you." Roxas and Xion felt confused not away of my conversation with the third part of their trio last night. Hopefully, he won't be more upset with me for explaining myself to his comrades...not mine.
"Today we will be working together to further our cause, but I wish to do more than complete the mission. I left you some time ago for a tenure in Castle Oblivion however that experience made me realize something. We are on the same side, fighting for the same cause, and that means I wish to become more than just a mentor for both of you. If you feel that you can't place your trust in me that is just fine. Hopefully after these next few days that will start to change!"
Roxas and Xion didn't give a vocal response simply nodded their heads in agreement. They still felt unsure about my intentions yet they would put the mission first before their personal opinions. Such is a benefit and curse of being a hollow shell of yourself.
Halloween Town: Guillotine Plaza
With help from my visit here along with Axel's direction, we managed to find ourselves right in the center of this world. Unlike the snowy area of Christmas Town, this place felt more gothic in design and style. The guillotines decorating the area certainly felt ominous yet I doubted such tools could remove our heads. Several black bats suddenly flew past us along with some white phantoms murmuring about us.
"New visitors have come for a fright..."
"I wonder if they will be dead at the end of tonight..."
"Jack would feel delighted meeting these visitors from the light."
"You fool they clearly are dark in personality."
"Now we're not even rhyming anymore ohhh~"
That was yeah...My eyes began looking around for the Jack they referred to that walking pair of bones I met with Demyx during my first visit here. I doubted Roxas or Xion knew who that was, so I decided to find someone who could help us look for the man...or deadman whatever you call a living skeleton. Looking at a certain building I asking Roxas and Xion to investigate while I looked for any sign of the kids.
"Lock, Shock, and Barrel, the little kids who are trying to bring back Oogie Boogie." From what my superiors have explained about the man he sounded like some annoying bug pestering everyone around him, the fact he really was just a bug in a sheet of cloth surrounded by other bugs only drove the point home. My leg suddenly had a fuzzy creature rubbing itself on me which resembled a black cat.
"Oh dear, that cat being in your path can only mean bad luck..." The gentle voice belonged to a woman holding strange flowers in her hands. I was shocked when I noticed some parts of her body looked stitched together, which could mean she was in some horrible accident. The stitches on her mouth made her smile look rather unnerving.
"I suppose Luxord would have said the same thing if he was here. Anyway, I believe that you don't know me so I'll introduce myself. I'm Aqu...Auxaq, you might not know me, but I've been here before and met Jack Skellington."
"Wait a minute did you say, Jack? He told me about people who helped me meet Sandy Claws or Santa Claws. Oh, forgive me I forgot to tell you my name. You can call me Sally a friend of Jack."
"I think his name was Santa Claus actually. Listen me and my comrades are looking for Jack because he might know where Oogie Boogie's little friends could be hiding." She quickly gasped once I spoke the name Oogie Boogie, her hands almost dropping the flowers in her hands. She began to act frightened; her stitched-together body was suddenly shivering in fear.
"Oogie Boogie?! He tried to control the heartless, and wanted to hurt Jack...why do you want to find those kids?" Thankfully there was no reason to hide my mission considering Jack already knows me.
"My superiors believe there is an attempt being made to revive him. If you can help us find him then we will make sure that won't happen."
I withheld the information about the heartless since it might complicate matters. Sally asked me to go where my friends went which happened to be her home. The owner Dr. Finklestein was actually busy doing a new experiment for Jack. It was supposed to begin the start of a new holiday "Sawmas" which was based off "Christmas" from Santa's hometown. Honestly, the idea of someone climbing into your house, leaving behinds either gifts or coal, and taking some cookies and milk was not something I approved. Then again my feelings could still be like this due to not getting on Santa's nice list.
Suddenly I saw Roxas and Xion getting strapped onto a cold table with a bunch of saws, screwdrivers, and other horrible tools at disposal. Jack and someone a wheelchair gripping his black medical gloves with a sinister smile forming. Wasting no time I jumped in holding my weapon right above his huge skull, and ready to slice it open the second he tries cutting up my allies. The stand-off went on for a few seconds as Sally tried calming down the situation.
"Sally! Grab this girl's weapon, this research could use a third test subject..."
"How about you let them go now before I cut you open!"
"Doctor! Please, I don't think you want to make her mad!"
"Nonsense Jack, the whole idea of studying these people was your idea, to begin with after we learned they have no hearts." Their words didn't affect my hand which still was hovering above the giant brain of the doctor when Sally ran over to him putting a hand up to make me stand down.
"Wait! I'll talk to Finklestein, but please don't hurt him..."
"Sally! Remember that I am your creator and I can handle this without your help." Sally is his creation? Then she's not really a living person right or is she different from us nobodies. My hand disarmed Monsoon while Jack helped free Roxas and Xion from their bonds on the examination table. They looked disappointed about this happening.
"Forgive me Auxaq, they just started asking certain questions and I couldn't lie about our mission to stop our targets."
"I shouldn't have left you on your own in a strange world by yourselves, so if anything I am the one at fault Xion." How could I be so reckless while they were not helpless they certainly never experienced being on their own often. It was fortunate they were not in a more dire situation otherwise my current being would have ended up de-evolving into a Dusk.
"Well, I'm certainly glad to see you again! I didn't want to really harm your friends, the research was simply trying to understand how they lack hearts."
"That's nothing special I mean no offense, but I doubt you contain one yourself, Jack."
"That may be true however I'm still the Pumpkin King heart or no heart! That is also why I have to get the preparations started for Sawmas, but it will require some help. I could really appreciate you and your friends helping us out with the decorations and toys!" What? I don't even know how we can even help this event considering I don't know anything about making gifts, sending them out according to some list, and most of all doing it during one night a year.
Sally quickly explained to Jack our reason to be here which managed to make him more understanding to why we can't stick around here. That's when he slapping his hand on his head before running over to the window in the laboratory.
"Of course! They were rumors about some kids running around, stealing things, and causing some pranks like stealing the eyes from Rick Grimes the zombie. I should have pieced together the culprits as Lock, Shock, and Barrel..."
"Those loathsome brats also tried stealing some of my beakers from storage. What I give to have the chance of slicing up their bodies like my Sally." Or liked you tried doing with my comrades jerk...Xion's eyes suddenly lit up brightly as she walked over to me , and whispered something in my ear. I grinned once I understand what she suggested while complimenting her mind for thinking up such an idea.
"Jack, there might be a way to both get what we want. I wish to create a trap for capturing these children, and in return, we can explain why we each lack a heart."
"Ohh that doesn't sound like anything that can help get Sawmas up and running."
"Well, maybe you don't need to work so hard about that right now. It is almost time for Halloween, the festival requires a lot of work already, and if Oogie's children do more pranks along with bringing back their master it could mean problems for everyone." That was a pretty good argument which even her creator agreed with along with Roxas and Xion. Suddenly the skeleton took Sally's arm, which began a small dance between them which looked both romantic and macabre at the same time.
"Oh, you always know just what to say! I do need to focus on making Halloween just as frightening as usual Sally!"
"I don't know if that's really true but thank you, Jack."
"Auxaq, how are we going to lure the children into a trap?" Roxas tilted his head unsure about this plan while I decided to learn more about this Oogie Boogie from the "good " doctor. Apparently, he tried using a heart created by him and Jack with Sora's help to control the heartless of this world. Then inspiration hit me as I knew how to make the right bait...
Halloween Town: Mayor's Office
It required effort from both the citizens of this town, Jack's friends, and of course us nobodies, however, we finally had created the trap for Oogie's children: First, we got ball rolling when rumors spread about a "heartless bug generator" being made by Jack and Finkelstein, next Roxas and Xion helped draw some heartless into the town with the keyblade making the perfect crowd controller, and lastly I helped in building the cages which would hold all three of the troublemakers.
'This took a few hours to get together however the work should be worth this much trouble.' In a way, I felt good knowing we were helping out people even if the effort was mainly for the sake of our organization. Suddenly I felt a claw on my shoulder along with seeing a huge beast in fur standing above me, the sharp fangs peeked out from his mouth as he spoke.
"The children are coming here shortly miss!" His voice sounded much higher than how he looked yet he did what I asked of him serving as my eyes. With a nod I thanked the werewolf asking him to stay out of the way so he would not get hurt. A green-skinned witch opened the door as some ghoul-designed heartless were following behind her.
"The brats are coming, and so are the heartless!" I knew it was risky having those beasts come here which is why I asked all of the civilian monsters to stay out of the way while this scheme was happening. A few batman were flying around awaiting my next orders while I put the finishing touches on the cages.
"Go tell all the civilians to stay indoors until I give the signal to come back out!"
"You got it darling."
"No, I'll tell everyone like she told me!"
"Why do you want to hog the spotlight?!"
"Because she asked me not you two nitwits!"
"Enough! I'm telling all of you to leave and warn everyone else now!" They quickly flew once my voice got raised. I completed the cages while getting into position behind the podium in the middle of the room, which let me see the Wight Knight heartless strolling into the room as Roxas and Xion were drawing them right into the perfect spot. There were also a few Gargoyles floating in the room as the trap was now set, but I was not out to draw the children into the cages...they were for the heartless.
The doctor pulled the level which brought down the nets and cages for the creatures sealing them up for the moment. Jack didn't know why I wanted to ensnare the heartless and not the children instead. I told him they would likely escape only to cause more antics later, but if you want to get them to stop they needed to get scared to death. What better way than monsters born from pure darkness! Now for the prey...
"Trick!"
"Or!"
"Treat!"
On cue, the three children in costume and masks arrived at the front door as me and the other nobodies went into hiding while Jack and Finkelstein were awaiting them. The outfits resembled a devil, witch, and skeleton which were not out of place in this world.
"Hey! What's the big idea here?!"
"Yeah, we thought there was a new heart we could steal for Oogie Boogie's return!"
"Barrel you dummy! They were not supposed to hear that!"
"I already know about that children. Nothing gets past Jack the Pumpkin King! Still, if you want a heart why not get what you're looking for isn't that right doctor?"
"Oh yes, Jack! We don't have one heart rather several ones, but the thing is they happen to be inside of a few creatures you might call the Heartless!" With the level pulled the winged heartless came down writhing in their nets, and the mummy-styled heartless grasped the bars of the cages. As expected the children were shaking in fear just by the sight of the heartless being so close to them.
"Wait a minute! You wouldn't set them free on us Mister Jack! We're just kids..."
"Yeah, Lock! We are just nice little children who might do some pranks..."
"I don't wanna lose my heart Shock!"
"Oh believe me I don't want such children like yourselves to end up like me, but these cages are not exactly secure...and could break soon. Even so, I believe we can let you off easy if you just...put Oogie Boogie behind you."
"What! We can't just betray Master-" Shock's voice went quiet as one of the heartless rammed into the cage making a loud enough noise making her jump. I couldn't help chuckling at this sight while Xion and Roxas seemed more concerned about the heartless breaking free.
"Well is Oogie Boogie here to help you now? Would he even help you out if he was here?" Jack's words, the banging from the heartless, and the doctor moving behind them to lock the door were enough to break the children's loyalty as they all jumped through an open window running off in a hurry.
"That was such a brilliant scare Auxaq! I never thought you had it in yourself to pull off such a prank like that!"
"Jack, that was not meant as just a prank it was more like a scare tactic. If they do come back at least it won't be during your Halloween ceremony."
"Still you and your friends really helped us out by scaring them away! I wouldn't mind if you can stick around to help out with the preparation for Halloween." I had no reply for now as I watched Roxas eliminate the heartless in the room which was easy for him since they were stuck in their cages. Xion, on the other hand, looked at Jack with a wondering look in her eyes.
"Why do you celebrate Halloween?" Her quiet voice asked while the doctor went off to find Sally in the town. Jack's bone finger scratched his skull while I also began thinking about that answer.
"Believe it or not that's a long story involving the history of this town, and even I don't know all the details. We just celebrate that day because it represents who we are, and why we live to scare people and make them scream in terror! While I don't have a real heart this old pile of bones can't think of never celebrating such a wonderful day!" Even without a heart, he acted like a normal somebody.
"You can feel that way despite not having a soul?" Roxas asked once he was done removing all the heartless in the room. By all accounts, Jack should be like us nobodies in being unable to truly feel such emotions like joy. Suddenly I wanted to understand more about this man along with my teammates for this particular mission.
"Yeah I can't explain why I feel like this, but there is no way I'm gonna complain about being the inspiration for terror and fear on such a holiday."
"Jack, I believe we might be willing to help out with the festivities after all..." That and learning more about this new hope you might have given us for our hollow existence.
[ This is kind of a fluff chapter, but I still have elements of the main story going on here. This is also my gift for this year's spookiest time. Hope you all enjoy Halloween just don't eat too much candy or get too scared. Before I leave we should go over the Arcana ranks for each member since they will tie into the story soon.
0/XXII - The Fool: Xigbar
I - The Magician: Xemnas
II - The High Priestess: Auxaq
III - The Empress : Larxene
IV - The Emperor: Marluxia
V - The Hierophant: Vexen
VI - The Lovers: Zexion
VII - The Chariot: Xaldin
VIII - Strength: Axel
IX - The Hermit: Lexaeus
X - The Wheel of Fortune: Luxord
XI - Justice: Saix
XII - The Hanged Man: Demyx
XIII - Death: Roxas
XIV: - Temperance: Xion
You can disagree with this list in the review comments, however, I think this these Arcana ranks fit each character and define them. As far as the question about Aqua's blade as you read last time she can hold it, however, she can't use it just yet. Believe me, this ties into this current arc so stay tuned in and thanks for reading. ]