Jessica's Point of View
I went to my closet and grabbed the same backpack that I took on my first adventure. I grabbed a sleeping Luna and my music box from Aqua. I almost left when I remembered the locket my mother had given me. I still hadn't opened it after all these years. I was saving that moment for when I needed it the most. I think now is that moment. I opened it. Inside was a picture of Mom and Master Eraqus. Why did she give this to me? There must be a reason. At least now I know where I'm going. I opened a dark corridor to The Land of Departure, which is what we now call Castle Oblivion. I went in. I didn't notice that Axel and Zexion were there until it was too late. They saw me.
"Jess, what are you doing here?" Axel asked. "This is where I come when I want to be alone. What are you doing here?" I demanded. "A mission. You're not supposed to be here if you weren't sent here." Axel said. I ignored him and walked to the door. A hand grabbed my wrist before I could enter. I whirled around, expecting it to be Axel, but it was Zexion.?
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you. This place isn't called Castle Oblivion for nothing." Zexion advised. "Jess, go home or I'll have to make you go home." Axel stated. I rolled my eyes.
"Well aren't you loyal to the Organization." I grumbled. "It's just... you're not supposed to be here and we don't want you to get hurt because you get caught breaking the rules." Zexion explained. "I'm not breaking any rules." I huffed. I tried to pull my arm away from him, but he's stronger than I am. "But we aren't supposed to be here unless we have a mission. This is the Organization's castle used only for the Organization's goals. If Xemnas finds out-" Zexion started. "This was my home." I interrupted. Zexion let go of my wrist in shock.
"How is that even possible?" Axel asked. " It's none of your business." I grumbled. Before I knew what was happening, Axel had me pinned to the wall. I struggled to get free.
"Answer me!" Axel seethed. Zexion tried to get him off of me, but he wouldn't budge. His finger nails dug into my skin.
"Axel, stop! You're hurting me!" I gasped. Luna is also probably getting crushed in my backpack.
"Answer me!" Axel repeated. Zexion finally got him off of me and worked at calming Axel down. I ran into the room. Master Eraqus was there. I ran into his open arms.
"Jessica, what is the matter?" He asked. "Master, how did you know my mother?" I asked. "I knew her mother quite well." Master Eraqus replied. I pulled away.
"Don't lie to me! It was more than that?! How did you know my mother?!" I yelled. I am sick of being lied to. But then, something made my break far more than any lie ever could. Master Eraqus was crying.
"M-Master? I'm really sorry. I should know better than to-" I apologized. I looked away, not being able to stomach the sight of Master Eraqus crying, knowing that I was the one who made him cry. I started to walk away.
"Wait." Master Eraqus said. I stopped and turned towards him. He wiped his tears away and hugged me. I was in tears sobbing. Zexion came in.
"Jess, are you alright?" He asked. "Who's this?" Master Eraqus questioned, letting go of me. "Zexion, get out. This room is private." I snapped. He looked around.
"But Jess, there's nothing here." He said. "Get out." I growled. He ran to me and touched my head. That's right. He can see what I see because his element is illusion and illusion is just changing what people see. I try to pull away, but I'm too late. He looks directly at Master Eraqus. I wonder if he will be able to see Master Eraqus permanently.
"Not an imaginary friend?" He asked. At least it's only Zexion. He's cool with my crazy. Not that I've told him much, but he knows that weird stuff happens with me.
"Can he see me?" Master Eraqus gasped. "Master, this is my friend, Zexion. That boy I told you about. Zexion, this is my master from before I met you." I introduced. "Nice to meet you Sir." Zexion smiled. "But you- and I- and she-" Master Eraqus stuttered. "Just roll with it." I advised. "Wait... Zexion... isn't he that boy that your always gushing over?" Master Eraqus asked. "No! Master, with all due respect, you're thinking of someone else and really need to stop talking right now." I glared. "No, I'm pretty sure it was Zexion..." Master Eraqus mused. "She gushes over me?" Ienzo blushed. "All the time! You're almost always all she ever talks about!" Master Eraqus exclaimed. I felt my face grow really hot.
"Zex, I was talking to him about something privately, so why don't you go out there and I'll explain later." I growled. "Yes, of course. Thank you Sir. It was nice meeting you. I'll just be... in the other room." Zexion muttered as he left. Master Eraqus crossed his arms.
"You have some explaining to do young lady." He stated. "Yes, of course. But you first." I insisted. "Fair enough. Well, you see, the thing is, Jessica, is that your mother is my daughter." Master Eraqus explained. "Wait, so you're my grandfather?" I gasped. He looked away.
"Wow... okay... I'll just process this later. I'll explain about Zexion. He has power over illusion and he also has the ability to see things the way others see them." I explained. "No, I mean who is he as a boy?" Master Eraqus demanded. "Oh... that. We're friends. He's the only person in the Organization that's around my age so we're pretty close. You'll like him. I'll bring him with me next time and-" Then it hit me. Master Eraqus is my grandfather. Why is everyone so intent on keeping secrets from me? Even Master Eraqus.
"I should go." I stated. Maybe I can run away to Neverland.
"Jessica." He sighed. I gave him a quick hug.
"I'll be back, I just..." I ran out of the room straight into Zexion. Axel was tied up in rope. It probably is just one of Zexion's illusions, but Zexion's illusions feel very real, so they would be strong enough to hold against Axel's struggling.
"Why did you let him tie you up?" I scoffed. "Because if anyone asked, I have an alibi for why I didn't make you leave the castle. How did you know I let him?" Axel smirked. "You could have used your fire to burn the rope." I stated. "Jess, are you..." Zexion trailed off. I hugged him. He hugged me back. He pulled away.
"Jess, you really do need to leave for now." Zexion said. "No. This is my home. You are the ones trespassing. Be grateful that I'm letting you be here." I smirked. "Jess, this is serious." Ienzo pleaded. Cards formed in my hand.
"So am I." I stated. I held a card up to the door and went in.
No, this is not during Chain of Memories.
Samantha: Yep. Part of my unfinished business.