Chapter 3
Inside the castle library Kairi was already busy working on writing in her dream journal Ansem the Wise had instructed her to work on. She had already managed to fill out a few pages and was doing great filling more in the last hour, but now she was hitting a writing block. She tapped the edge of the notebook with her pen trying desperately to remember more about what she dreamt about the night before. After a few more frustrating minutes, Kairi snapped out of her thoughts when the pen she was now chewing on hit a sensitive spot on her teeth.
"Ouch...!" she pulled back the pen staring at it and realizing all the hard dents she had created from biting on it so hard.
"I really got to calm down. It's not like I'm getting answers today." The girl sighed to herself. Noticing through the window that the sun was beginning to set. She closed her notepad and decided to end her writing for the night knowing it would be dinner soon. The Princess then jumped from her perch by the stain glass window and headed towards her room so she could put her journal away. As she made her way down towards the castle rooms, she started to hear voices before she spotted the three familiar figures down the hall.
"Now this Pence, is our sleeping quarters. You'll probably notice that each room door is numbered. Ansem The Wise is number 1, Dilans number 3, Even number 4, Aeleus number 5, number 6 is my room and..."
"Oh, wait Ienzo, what about door number 2, you skipped that room?" Pence interrupted.
"That room is strictly off limits until we have finished renovating it. Unfortunately, a former member of our ranks had left us with quite a dangerous mess to clean up after."
"Bet it can't be as messy as my friends Hayner's room. His place is always a mess ha-ha.
"I highly doubt that. For you see the reason this room is so dangerous is because there's a worm hole on the other side of this door."
"A what? You're kidding me, right?"
"I'm afraid not, thankfully we have found a way to conceal it off from the rest of the castle, but until we know more about how to extinguish it. We must keep this door closed at all costs."
"Yikes, I hear ya there. So, on that note which rooms will be mine?"
"Pence hey, you finally made it!" Kairi called out running over to greet the newcomer to the castle.
"Hey Kairi!" Pence waved with a big grin on his face. "How's it go...?" Before pence even had the chance to finish his question Kairi ran and gave him a big hug.
"It's going alright, I'm still getting used to the castle life, but everyone here has been really nice ever sense I started staying here." Kairi commented while sharing an exchanging smile over towards Ienzo who returned the friendly gesture back. "How goes everyone at Twilight Town? I bet Hayner and Olette are getting ready for the struggle tournaments real soon."
"Yeah, they said it's going to be a tuff one this summer, but they are going to train really hard to win the trophy this year."
"Nice, are Roxas and Xion going to help them out. I heard they went to live in Twilight Town after the war?"
"Yeah, it's been great having them around town. As for the struggle tournament, I'm not sure to be honest. Roxas and Xion left about a week ago for a mission with Axel. I do remember Roxas mentioning he was thinking about it though, but I never did get to hear what his final answer was before he left. The next time I see him though, I'm going to ask him to see if he'd team up with the gang. I mean I fight fine and all, but Roxas is a force of nature with the way he fights. With him on their side I bet they'd destroy the competition."
"Ha-ha do they allow you to dual with two struggle bats? Cause if so then Roxas really would slay."
"I don't know, but that would be totally boss if you could."
"Ahem, it would appear you two need some catching up time. Young Master Ienzo, I must return to my post. Were shall I place the boy's bag?" Aeleus asked, breaking the conversation for the moment.
"Of course you are excused, thank you Aeleus. Go ahead and have Pence's bag placed in front of door 7." Aeleus bowed his head and followed suit to Ienzo's commands.
"A Pleasure serving you both. I will see you all later at seven for dinner tonight." With that said the guard turned and went on his way without another word.
"On that note, I better be off as well. I must make sure the dinner preparations are going according to plan. As for your room, Pence, you'll find a clean set of sheets on your bed. Along with a set of towels for the showers and baths. If you need anything else be sure to let me know." Pence thanked his mentor for his hospitality before the scientist happily took his leave.
"So, door number 7, that's great Pence looks like we are going to be neighbors. I'm bunking in room 8. It used to be Axel's room when he lived here, but when he heard I was staying here. He insisted I take his old room."
"Oh, is he still trying to make up for that time he kidnapped you from us in Twilight Town?"
"Ha-ha gosh I hope not. I've already forgiven him countless times for that incident. I honestly think it was just his way of being nice. I admit I was nervous when I was making the decision to come stay at the castle or not. Despite my Princess status I really don't know much about this world. And I worried I would disappoint so many when they found out I didn't show any interest in staying here forever. I did after all grow up on the Destiny Islands, in a way that's my real home. Thankfully Axel was understanding, he really made it easy for me to make this adjustment. After all I still don't have memories of my past living here, and I'm still getting used to the fact that everyone at the castle seems to still remember me back when I was a little girl living here. Don't get me wrong, Ansem the Wise, Ienzo, and all the others are great. But I don't think they fully know exactly how hard it's been for me to come back. Returning and living in a world I don't know how to rule and people I don't even remember from my past; it just makes me kind of sad for myself and everyone involved. I've gotten better at coping with it all, but a part of me wonders if I'm really hurting all of them when I say I can't remember when they say things like I used to carry you on my shoulders or, I was there at your bed side when you were sick, of even small things like this was your favorite flower around this time of season." Kairi took a pause for a moment. "Sorry I'm just rambling now; you probably are tired from your journey and want to go unpack.
"It's ok Kairi I think I understand where you're coming from. I mean just look at me. I gave my whole summer off just to travel to another world for study purposes. And just like you, I barely know anyone here. Well other than you, I got to say it's nice to have a familiar face living here. Means I won't also be the only teenager around here either."
"Ha-ha thanks Pence, and same here. Well, I better not hold you any longer than I have. Now go on, and make yourself at home." Pence thanked the girl with a wave as she entered her own room.
"Right then, room 7 it is ummf." Pence grunted lifting his heavy backpack to his back.
He was about to open the door, but something felt off about the weight and pressure he put into pushing the handle through. The boy glanced up giving one hard push but then something heavy fell from the top of the door.
"WOAHH! Pence cried out, catching something in his arms just in the nick of time. Recovering from the sudden shock. Pence opened his eyes wide to find he caught a bucket filled with water. "What the?" he thought to himself.
"Oh, beans not again." Pence heard a complaining whisper, before suddenly he spotted a head of a guy with a mullet hair cut peeking out from a dark corridor.
"Pence are you alright?" Kairi called out.
"Pst buddy don't tell her it was me." The guy from the corridor whispered back.
"Oh um, it's ok Kairi it was just a just a um. A spider, a really really big spider." Pence said, thinking as fast as he could. As the guy from the corridor of darkness was waving two thumbs up of approval.
"A spider? You want me to Squoosh it for you or you got it?"
"Naw I totally got this Kairi, but thanks." Pence called back, before he closed the door behind him.
"Wow your amazing dude. You really saved my butt back there. Thanks for not telling the Princess about me. I wouldn't want old zex to know I was attempting that prank again. Been trying to pull it off all day and still haven't been able to get it to work."
"Trying all day really? But this is like the easiest prank in the book."
"Oh man rubbing it in aren't ya now buddy." The mullet hair guy said.
"No, no I didn't mean to insult. I think you almost have it down, but your off on a few calculations."
"Ha calculations, hhm... you know that's a big word calculations. You must be very smart like Zexion I-I mean Ienzo. Do you think you'd care to share your knowledge on how to properly do this little joke? I'm all ears." The stranger said leaning in with a hand over his ear.
"Sure, for starters you shouldn't fill the bucket all the way to the top. Since it makes the bucket too heavy when you open the door. Second you should probably line up the bucket to the door right about here." Pence said pointing up against his door to show the exact spot he was referring to."
"Oh cool beans, thanks dude!"
"Don't mention it, I'm Pence by the way. Ienzo's new apprentice."
"I'm Demyx the castle's one and only special agent Nobody." Or at least I was while the whole Xehanort apocalypse was going down. I admit I've kind of been a little bored just doing small things around here."
"Is that why you were trying to pull that prank?"
"Ha-ha ya, oh hey hey is that a Dog Street shirt!" Demyx asked distracted and pointing to the black and white shirt Pence was wearing.
"Y-yeah it is, they are my favorite band."
"No kidding, they are my favorite too. Well ok after my own music, but a good close second! I got like all their albums including the limited edition."
"No way, I heard that was super hard to get, how did you get a copy? I heard you had to like camp out overnight waiting in line just to get a chance to snag one."
"Let's just say, being a Nobody with teleporting abilities has its advantages." Demyx then opened two corridors of darkness across the room and walked through to pop out on the other end to show as a demonstration. "See no need to wait in a line for a disc when you can just cut ahead of the line." Demyx said proudly before his stomach interrupted his performance letting out a growl.
"Oh here, I got snacks." Pence offered opening his backpack and tossing the nobody a bag of chips."
"Wow thanks, you just made this nobody extremely happy. I'm starving." Demyx said taking now mouthfuls of the bag's contents.
"No problem anything to support a fellow fan. Here have a monster Co drink too." Pence said passing Demyx a yellow can.
"Monster Co drink, what's that?"
"It's an energy drink. I ordered it online using the Twilight Town master computer. I learned I could order take out from other worlds and have them transported to the mansion using the transporter terminal. I got these from a world called Monstropolis. It's a whole world filled with monsters, and they collect laughs in these yellow capsules that look like this. Pence describes showing Demyx the graphic printed on the can.
"That's sounds strange why would they need to collect laughter anyways?"
"From my understanding laughter is used as their source of electricity. It's such a big part of their world that they designed their energy drink cans off their energy capsules. And boy do they give you energy. I drink these now all the time, especially whenever I have a test at school coming up. Go ahead give it a try." With a shrug of his shoulder Demyx cracked the Monster Co can open and took a big swing.
"Whoa, dude! This taste amazing! It's like a burst of amazing, delightful electrical energy coursing through my bod. Ha-ha this must be what Larxene felt like on a regular basis. No wonder she was always so confident."
"L-larx, Larx who?"
"Oh, nobody you would know of. I just can't believe how energized I feel right now. Like, like I could fly to the moon and back. Oh man, now this must be the best beverage I think I have ever had in my nobody lifetime."
"Really, you like it that much? Well then have a few cans for yourself." Pence said happily pulling 5 cans from his bag out.
"What, are you sure, I can't just take your stash dude?"
"It's no problem really, I still have extra for myself. Plus, I can always order more from the computers here. Besides, I don't mind sharing with friends.
"You consider me your friend, even after I tried dropping that bucket on your head?"
"Yeah, it was just a small prank, and I can handle a practical joke myself from time to time. Besides we both like Dog Street and Monster Co drinks. I think that warrants an invitation for friendship; don't you think?" Demyx took a loud slurp from his Monster Co can.
"Ya can't argue with that logic. I'll tell you what, for telling me te secret to that prank and introducing me to Monster Co. I'll give you my limit edition Dog Street album."
"Really that would be so cool thank you Demyx!"
"No problem, besides I have a few copies already so it won't be missed."
Knock knock knock. "Hey Pence, are you ready to head to dinner!" Kairi's voiced called out from behind the door.
"Oh, ya coming Kairi be right there. You coming to Demyx? Pence asked before leaving the room.
"No no, you go off with the Princess I'm going to skip dinner tonight. After all I've got everything I need, right here." Demyx said picking up his bounty of Monster Co. "I'll catch you later Pence. Good luck on the apprentice ship thing." Demyx waved before disappearing through a dark corridor.
Kairi led Pence through the castle to where the dining hall was. When there, they happily enjoyed themselves at the table.
"Everything here looks wonderful Dilan. Thank you for this fantastic feast." Ienzo said glancing over the long table that had been covered in an assortment of cooked food."
"Thank you, young master." Dilan replied while wiping his brow with a napkin.
"Yeah, thank you Dilan." Both Pence and Kairi said in unison while loading their plates with food.
"My pleasure kids… But wait a minute." The guard squinted and scanned the room with his violet eyes. "Where is Demyx!?" He growled. Pence nearly choked on his food at the question.
"Not sure, which is strange he usually never misses a meal?" Kairi said.
"Well, he should be here. I didn't cook extra today just for him to wander off.
"Calm yourself Dilan. I sense he's wondering around the castle somewhere."
"Ienzo you really need to have a talk with him. He's really starting to get on my nerves with his unreliable tendencies."
"I understand your concerns Dilan. Once I find him, I will be sure we have a chat on the matter."
"Oh oh I can go find him!" Kairi said standing up from her chair and summoning her keyblade."
"Princess put that away. You're at the dinner table, there is no need for weapons here." Aeleus's commanding voice boomed, shocking everyone sitting to hear the silent hero speak up so suddenly.
"Aeleus is right Kairi, please dematerialize your keyblade."
"opps sorry Ienzo." Kairi dismissed her weapon and slid back down into her chair a little embarrassed.
"Oh come now Ienzo, let the Princess take a wack at that nobodies head. It might knock some sense into him."
"Oh Dilan I wasn't going to hurt him with the key..." Kairi tried to explain.
"I understand you want to see Demyx punish Dilan for missing your meal, but that is still no reason for drastic discipline. However, I will agree he has been a little mischievous running about pranking people a lot lately. Especially after today's little bucket prank. I will be sure to have a talk with him. Now with that said let us all drop this talk on Demyx and enjoy the rest of dinner." Everyone agreed and returned to eating in silence.
"Just for the record I wasn't going to hurt Demyx." Kairi couldn't help but call out.
"Kairi, Ienzo said no more talk about Demyx ha-ha." Pence teased, bumping the girl in the shoulder gently.
"What I'm just saying, you guys this keyblade sometimes has a mind of its own." Everyone in the room simply just laughed.
"Ha maybe it's got a grudge or something from Demyx's past life." Dilan joked.
"I'm serious, I swear it's like possess or something." Kairi joked in to join the laughter.
After all that everyone ended up enjoying the rest of their evening together. Even Dilan loosened up by the end of the day.
Once dinner was over Ienzo showed Pence around the castle a little more so he would know his way around better. This included the library, Ansem's office, and the entrance to the lab. After the tour was complete the two returned to their sleeping quarters for the night.
"So, for tomorrow, Pence, we'll start your training at 7:00 am. I will be working early in the lab before then. Meaning I won't be there to wake you up. So be sure you set your alarm clock on your phone so you're not late. Also, here's a map for you in case you need a little extra guidance navigating your way around the castle. Pence nodded and thanked his mentor and then returned to his room for the night. Ienzo also followed suit and returned to his own room. With a long-exhausted yawn the young scientist stretched his arms out and removed his lab coat and hung it up neatly on his coat hanger. "Welp, you made it through the first day Ienzo, and nothing entirely went wrong today. Well other than a few minor things. Still not a terrible start." He thought to himself. He was about to kick his boots off next until there was a sudden thumping of feet coming from the hallway. Curious to see who would be walking around this time of night, he peered his head out his door. But there was no one there but a strange smell.
Finding it suspicious, Ienzo stepped out of his room for a moment to investigate.
"Hello, anyone out here still?" he called out. But no one answered. Looking back and forth from the front and end of the hallway with no sight of anyone around. Inezo shrugged it off thinking it was his imagination and returned to his room. If only he had been more observant he may have noticed his lab coat had suddenly gone missing from his hanger, but unbeknownst to him he was to tired to take notice.
(author note: Kairi is really happy to have a friend join her at the castle. Pence is finally settled in. FYI I'm not sure what the logo Dog street on Pence's shirt is actually supposed to mean. I think its just an easter egg for another Square Enix Game. But here I thought it would be fun if it was a band name. Demyx has discover Monster Co (the equivalent of a Monster drink) and Ienzo is staying pretty calm on his first day as head Master of the castle. Lets hope he can keep it that way. What could possibly be lurking in the castle so late at night?)