Chapter 5

Ienzo ran as fast as his legs could carry him as he sprinted to the sleeping quarters hall to tend to the castle's leaking water problem. The situation itself was concerning hearing from what Dilan had described it sounded like the amount of leakage in the communal bathrooms was going to cost a lot of damage and some very high maintenance repairs. It was only his first full day of having the castle under his leadership and already things were breaking. Ienzo's mind couldn't help but wonder what Ansem or Even would be telling him if they found out. He could just picture them in his mind. Ansem shaking his head in a disapproving way and saying.

"I'm disappointed in you little Ienzo. I thought you were ready to take on such a heavy responsibility. It would appear I have been mistaken."

"You see master, I told you, he wasn't ready. We should have asked someone more responsible watching over the castle." Even would say waving his hands all up in the air furiously.

Ienzo blinked his eyes shut, no he shouldn't be thinking these negative thoughts as they would only cause distraction. He needed to stay focused. It's not like the castle was underwater or anything of sorts. At least not yet he gulped.

Finally, he made it to the bathroom door and with ease he entered. To his surprise though, there was no water on the floor to be found.

"That's right guys keep it up!" a chipper voice calls out.

"Demyx ar-are you in here?"

"Oh hey Ienzo buddy. Don't mind us, we are just fixing up this here toilet stall is all. Don't ask how it happened because we don't know. We are just nobly fixing up the place for ya. Ha-ha." Demyx said while he directed his water clones and dancer nobodies around making finishing repairs.

"Yes of course nobly?" Ienzo eyes fell to the floor in deep thought. He already knew how the bathroom was destroyed but if anything, he was just shocked at how clean everything was being resolved. Demyx the known lazy nobody found not once but twice today doing castle work on his own without anyone telling him to do it. The bathroom floor wasn't flooding, and as a bonus the bedroom hall was no longer down a toilet.

"Right then I'll leave the rest to you guys now. After all the excitement this morning I'm ready for a nice long nap." Demyx says while letting out a big stretch and yawn.

Then again perhaps Ienzo thought too soon.

"Wait a minute Demyx!" Ienzo called out to the nobody.

"Thanks for picking up the slack see ya." The nobody ignored with a wave of his hand.

"Wait not so fast."

Sorry to tired, need sleep now." The nobody yawned out. But before he even had the chance to summon up a dark corridor his hand was grabbed and pulled forcefully.

"What the-, hey what's the meaning of this… Let go!" Without a single word from the scientist the next thing Demyx knew was that he was being pulled out of the bathroom and down the castle hallways.

Ienzo had no clue what took over him but despite all Demyx's protests He continued to lead the nobody down the halls at high speed.

"Ienzo please listen what happened wasn't my fault I swear really, I was just trying to, ouch! You're squeezing my hand too hard can you at least let go. I think your cutting off my blood circulation."

"Oh I'm sorry Demyx I didn't mean to.." Ienzo began to apologize after releasing his capture.

"Your darn right dude. Man, this is my sitar playing hand." Demyx pouted while rubbing his injured hand before finally letting out a long sigh and asking. "So, what is it you need from me that was so important you nearly took my hand off?"

"I again, apologize for hurting your hand, that was rude of me. I just wanted to get somewhere where we could talk without distractions."

"Sigh, well I suppose I earned it anyways. After you know, what happened this morning with the apron, water, Aeleus. Yo speaking of that brute. Does we still want to kill me by the way? Please tell me you talked him out of it?"

"Don't worry I have. He's part of the reason I wanted to talk with you. You see instead of merely punishing you I wish to instead promote you by offering you a job."

"Look I already told your buddy Even I'm not interested in being a scientist if that's what you're thinking."

"Actual I was thinking you'd be a better fit for filling the role as a guard."

"A guard, you want me to be a guard like Aeleus and Dilan? You have seen them, right? They are like completely jacked in comparison to me."

"Well yes, I agree you aren't as strong as they are?"

"Ah hurtful, I see that Even has rubbed off on you. You clearly are as honest as he is. Just strike me down now.

"Well yes you are correct... well at least about the strength part. But you do still possess your full nobody water powers and if there is anything that this morning's display has told me, it's that you could be a great asset to us as a guard. With those water powers you could be just as strong as the other guards. You just need some proper training."

"Training huh, and who will be training me. It can't be you cause like you're already training that Pence guy?"

"That's simple, Aeleus will be training you."

"WHAT! Aeleus, are you kidding me right now Ienzo?"

"He has already agreed to train, so long as you agree to join the guards willingly."

"I don't know Zo- Zo, Aeleus is kinda scary and."

"you know, If you're on the guards you'll earn his respect and therefore he will no longer want to hit you with his axe."

"Deal I'll take the job!"

"Very good I'm glad you agree. I will inform him of your interest. You start today but first, your going to need a new uniform. There should be a spare guard uniform in the laundry room."


At the castle's laundry room Ienzo was once more shocked to find yet another one of Demyx's dancing nobody happily working in the laundry facility.

"Um Demyx what is one of your nobodies doing here?

"Isn't it obvious Zo-Zo- he's doing the laundry of course. What, did you honestly think it's been me this whole time that's been helping with the laundry around here? That's my little buddy Dasher, he's a little bit of a neat freak so I sent him here to keep him busy. Which of course I don't mind as it means less work for me to do. Hey Dasher my dude over here! Demyx happily called out. This caught the dancer's attention as it happily danced over to greet his fellow master with a gift. "Hey, you cleaned my socks, thanks little dude you're the best!" The dancer let out a happy chirp as he gracefully did a back flip towards an ironing board and began to press out more clean socks. leaving Ienzo completely shocked at the grace of this creature in comparison to the ones he met this morning.

"See he's super helpful. Isn't he great? Ienzo, you're not mad at me for keeping this a secret, are you? He can stay, right? Demyx hesitantly asked. Ienzo was still speechless by the looks of the room itself he had to admit Dasher really was keeping up on laundry quite nicely. As there were piles of neatly folded cloths. Baskets sorted by color and even delicate clothes air drying on hangers. He had to admit the facility never did look better. Perhaps this secret could stay secret at least until he could convince Master Ansem to keep Dasher on as full-time laundry maintenance.

. "Um Ienzo, is it ok if Dasher stays?"

"What oh yes of course he can stay. I'm just flabbergasted by the creature's organization skills. Not to worry, I'll see to it Dasher gets to keep his job. Now then, about that uniform. There should be a closet we kept them in right over. Ah there it is." Ienzo opened the closet and shuffled through the rack of perfectly sealed dry-cleaned clothes until he finally pulled out the guard uniform he was looking for.

"Here Demyx, this uniform should fit you. It used to belong to Braig's before he left our ranks."

"You mean old Xigbar used to wear this, gross. No way dude, I draw the line at sharing any sort of clothing from that traitor."

"Relax its just a spare, I doubt he ever did wear it much. After all, all the guards had spare clothing tailored to them. And Braig's is the closest fit we have to your size for now until we can get you a new uniform."

"Mmm fine, but I refuse to wear the red scarf. It's not my color."

"That is fine by me. Now go change, I'll message Aeleus that you will be meeting with him at the castle entrance."

Demyx couldn't help but lift an eyebrow up at this demand. All this fuss over what he wore and yet here Ienzo was out of uniform himself giving him demands.

"So, like are you also in need of uniform or something too?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Forgive me for noticing but don't you usually wear a lab coat like Even and Ansem?"

"Oh, you noticed my bathrobe. Yes, I usually wear a lab coat, I just haven't found it yet. I thought I hung it up in my room last night, but it wasn't there this morning."

"What did it grow legs and walk away?" Demyx joked.

"No of course not, that's silly. I must of simply left it hanging in the lab last night. Which would make sense considering I left Ansem's check in the coat pocket. Must have left it there so I could process it once I got things settled with Pence.

"That or maybe..hhmm." Demyx glanced around the room and noticed the washing machine was already running a wash cycle. "Or maybe not, Ah-oh." Dasher you didn't have anything to do about this did you?" Dasher's head fell limp from guilt. "I told you. hanging items are not meant for washing!" Demyx quickly opened the washer lid to see what was inside. "Oh thank goodness it was only bed sheets few for a second I thought you washed Ienzo's coat." It was all making sense to Ienzo now. It must have been Dasher who was running down the halls last night. He didn't realize the scent he smelled belonged to a dancer nobody. Still, he was a little worried now about what had become of his coat after it was taken.

"Dasher, if it truly was you who took my coat I'd really like it back now please?"

Dasher understood and walked past the washing machine and opened the dryer machine that stood next to it to pull out Ienzo's now perfectly cleaned lab coat. "Oh frosting! Dasher nooo, so you did clean it. Demyx wailed while practically sliding off the machine into a puddle of shame. Ienzo stared concerned as he received his coat back from the creature. The coat had indeed been washed and was even still warm from the dryer but what of the money that was left behind in the pocket. Ienzo began to search each pocket but there was no sign of the check. Panic started to build in Ienzo's gut.

"Demyx its not here. Where is it?"

Demyx released a nervous hiss from his lips before glancing over at Dasher with pleading eyes.

"Dasher please please tell me you checked the pockets before the wash. Ienzo needs that money that was in that coat. Do you have any idea where it could be?"

This Dasher understood and nodded its head up and down before leaving for a basket to bring over. Both Ienzo and Demyx glance inside. There was a toy yo-yo, lots of lint and tissue and.

"Oh thank goodness the envelope!" Ienzo cried out, reaching into the basket to pull out Ansem's check. "I'm so grateful you saved this Dasher thank you."

"I'll say, way to go Dasher you also found my missing yo-yo. Demyx happily cheered. Ienzo rolled his eyes as he switched out his robe for his coat. "And of course, ha-ha, really glad you found the check too Zo-Zo, but this is a limited-edition woody yo-yo, you just don't see these anymore."

"Sigh, well at least everyone is happy. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

"Whoa wait up I'm coming with you." Demyx called out in a hustle.

"No, Demyx you're going to meet up with Aeleus at the entrance. He's already waiting for you and.

"Yeah I know I know, but at least let me escort you to the lab. After all, got to make a good impression for the master of the castle."

"Sigh, very well then just get changed and we can go."

"Tah dah, what do you think? Does the uniform look ok?"

"Actually, the uniform looks to fit you well." Ienzo commented in approval.

"Great then let's go little master, to the lab!"

"Sigh, to the lab."


Pence looked forward to his first day. He even wore his favorite headband just for the occasion. Pence left his room clicking the door shut.

"Oh, hey Pence, did you sleep well last night?" It was Kairi who called out and was walking towards him.

"Hey Kairi! Sure, did and I'm all ready for my first day. Oh wait, I forgot my notebook from my bag. One sec. I'll just be a moment."

"Ha-ha your fine Pence, I need to get something from my room too." Then we can both head down to the labs together. I'm sure Ienzo is looking forward to giving you a tour.".

"Sounds great, be right back." It only took Pence a few seconds to grab his notebook before he was finally ready for the day.

"All set Pence?" Kairi asked holding what looked like to be her own notebook.

"Yup I'm all set, let's get going."

"Right."

The two made a quick stop at the kitchen first to grab Pence something to eat before they finally reached Ansem the Wise's office where Ienzo was waiting.

"Morning Pence, Kairi, Ienzo formally greeted while organizing some files for Ansem at his desk.

"Morning Ienzo, I'm all ready to get started today, I even brought my own notebook to take notes. Wow this is a big office, look at all those codes on the wall." Pence said looking around and taking it all in. He also noticed Demyx, the nobody he met yesterday, was also here and was playing with a wooden yo-yo with his back up against the wall.

"Hey there teachers' pet slash new best friend, check out this cool trick. I'm walking the dog."

"Nice, cool trick." Pence replied politely waving a thumbs up of approval.

"Well now that you're all here let me show you around the lab. Follow me we'll start with the computer lab." Everyone in the room followed Ienzo including Demyx who put his yo-yo back in his pocket.

"WOW just look at the size of this place!" Pence was amazed at the room before him. He noticed the room from all his face time session with Ienzo through the computer but seeing the room in person was a whole new level.

"Impressed, are you?" Ienzo asked

"More than impressed just look at the size of this computer its twice the size of Ansem's back at the old mansion. I bet this baby can run software and code in seconds."

"If you think that's impressive then I think you'll especially get along well with the computer's residence too?"

"Residence?" Pence asked.

Suddenly the computer screen turned on in a flash and a face of a teal-colored man wearing a glowing circuitry styled suit appeared on the screen.

"Greetings new fellow user." The man's metallic voice happily echoes throughout the lab.

"Whoa, the computer, Its talking?"

"Though I may live in the computer dataspace I am my own program. My name is Tron. I helped Sora on his journeys in defeating the heartless. And now I serve Ansem the Wise, Ienzo and the other apprentices by running the security of Radiant Garden and helping them with their data collection. It will be a pleasure to also be serving you, user Pence. And of course you too Kairi, It's so good to see you again Princess. Before Master Ansem left, he had mention you would be awakened from your sleep in his time of absence."

"It's good to be awake, at least for now till Ansem gets back. I still have hopes that we may still be able to find some clues about where Sora could be."

"Knowing my master and the rest of the apprentices I'm sure we'll be seeing more clues soon. In the meantime, if your ever looking for an escape feel free to come visit the mainframe. The game grid here has become more user friendly and has become more dedicated for fun gameplay if you ever want to try your hand at riding our light cycles. Same goes for you too Pence your all always welcome. I'm sure User Ienzo will gladly show you how to access the mainframe." Ienzo nodded in agreement.

"Mmhm and if you're ever going to go to the mainframe you're going to need a password." Ienzo said.

"Yup and the password is simple, its. Sora, Donald, and Goofy." Kairi finished remembering from the time Ansem was giving her first tour of the lab when she arrived at the castle.

"Mainframe password, Sora, Donald and Goofy, got it!" Pence repeated it while writing it down in his notebook. "Whoa this is so cool, having a best friend whose is a computer program. It will be a honor working with you Tron. I look forward to visiting your world soon. Those light cycles sound like a lot of fun.

"Same, it could be fun to try and beat Sora's high score on the game grid." Kairi chimed in.

"Great I look forward to your visit fellow users. I will leave you now for Ienzo to complete his tour. Oh and one more thing. If you ever need my assistance in the lab, feel free to speak up. Master Ansem had installed a device that allows me to speak with all users within the lab. There is also an app you can download on your phone in case you need me portable."

Both teenagers thanked one more time before Tron's image turned off from the computer screen.

"So then what else does all this stuff do Ienzo? Pence asked while looking at all the heavy machinery, buttons and switches."

"It can do many things, it's our computer hub for Radiant garden's full security system. Tron and the restoration committee made sure to improve its security ever since Sora defeated most of the heartless. It also stores a lot of our research and programs we use here at the lab. For example, this is what we've been using to collect data on Kairi's heart We use the big laser scanner behind you to collect the data and then conduct our analysis from the results."

"Wow that amazing, does it hurt at all Kairi, you know to get your heart scanned?"

"No, I'm put to sleep during the exam. Which allows Ienzo and the others to scan the deepest parts of my heart, so I don't feel a single thing."

"Would you be interested in trying it out for yourself?" Ienzo asked and with a click of his heel he activated a floor panel which made a recliner exam chair emerge from the floor.

"Me, get my heart scanned? But what would that do? Theres no way my hearts like Kairi's, you know being a heart of pure light and all, it's really nothing special?"

"That's just it, your heart doesn't need to be pure or special for a scan. The scans' purpose is to seek your heart's truest emotions both being what makes your heart light and what makes your heart dark. we may not be diving nearly as deep as when we scan Kairi's heart. But we can still be able to collect data just by scanning the surface of your heart. In simpler terms your heart contains many different flows and waves of emotions. The scan we do will simply be like an oversize mood detector."

"Well in that case I guess I could try." Pence started to say before he was interrupted by a buzzing sound from one the monitors that lay among the wall of machinery.

"What's that buzzer for Ienzo?" Pence asked as both he and Kairi walked over to see what the machine was doing.

"It's one of Dilan's machines. The buzzer is just letting us know what the weather report will be like tomorrow. Dilan always had an interest in meteorology. So, he set up his own weather detector" Ienzo responded while examining the machine's data. "And judging by the looks of it, we are in for quite a storm tomorrow. I'd advise everyone to plan any outdoor activity early as it looks like the storm's going to hit hard late evening.

"Ha well that would example why Dilan or should I say Xaldin at the time of the organization had wind powers." Demyx who had been surprisingly silent till this point commented."

"Indeed, Xaldin had every right to earn the nickname the Whirlwind lancer as his wind

powers were back then tornado level powerful."

"I mean he still has quite the wind power. I mean did you see him this morning. He was a real category five if you know what I mean." Ienzo shot Demyx a very disapproving glare for Demyx's attempt at potty humor.

"In that case it's a very good thing your on-guard duty today to substitute in his place. Speaking of which, I do believe I have things covered here now. So, if you will Demyx. Go meet with Aeleus like we discussed earlier."

Demyx was about to protest but Ienzo's very passive aggressive smile was enough to convince him he overstepped and needed to obey the order.

"Alright I'm going I'm going." Demyx then snapped his fingers and teleported via dark portal out of the room.

"Alright Pence back to business, go ahead and take a seat on the chair I'll go ahead and set up the laser." Pence did as he was told but not without a slight bit of hesitation.

"I know I asked this before but, it still won't hurt right?" He asked Kairi who stood by.

"I promise it won't."

"Right then, won't feel a thing got it." Despite the reassurance Pence flinched a smidge as the laser started charging up above his head.

"Ok the lasers ready. Now Pence, what's going to happen is you'll be put under a sleep spell in order to block out any intruding emotions. This is so that the laser will be able to get the clearest scan possible. Once you're completely under I'll begin the scan. Since this is a quick scan, it should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Once we capture the scan of your heart, we will wake you up and show you the results."

"Ok that sounds simple enough I guess." Pence said

"If it makes you feel any better, I can put you under the sleep spell myself. Of course, only if it's alright with Ienzo first." Kairi offered, turning her head towards the young scientist for permission.

"Very well I suppose this can also be a good training experience for you too Kairi. After all you have been trained by Merlin himself. Would that be alright with you Pence, if she casts the spell? She has developed a good hand full of magic skills.

"That works for me." Pence agreed while adjusting his head band to absorb the beads of sweat forming on his forehead."

"Very good then let us begin. Kairi if you would." Kairi nodded and summoned her keyblade. Pence watched as she gently raised the keyblade over him. There was a gently welcoming glow that emitted from the end of the blade till suddenly it was nothing but dark.


"Pence, Pence you can wake up now." It was Kairi's voice he heard.

"Wha already, how long was I out for?"

"For just about 12 minutes, you did great. We were able to do a complete scan of your heart. I'm pulling up the scans right now" Ienzo answered.

"Wow you weren't kidding that was fast." Pence said while almost slipping out of the chair before Kairi caught him in time.

"Carful Pence, your still groggy from the spell."

"As what Ansem the wise would say, take it nice and slow. You'll feel better in a few moments. Ienzo said while he monitored his apprentice to make sure he recovered fully.

With Pence back to normal, after about a minute Pence regained himself. Ienzo then reviewed over the scan results from his tablet. Pence was surprised to see that the scan itself wasn't what he expected at all. Just a lot of straight lines forming a grid shaped heart that made it look almost crystal like. Ienzo explained to him though how each line on the scan represented a different emotion. A few noticeable ones from the scan were anxiousness, happiness, and nervousness. The last one no doubt probably from being Pence's first time under the laser. Which was common for newcomers.

"And that's just some facts on the heart. Theres still so much more we will teach you but for now these are some basics. I'll give you a binder with more details to study over later. Also, if you have any questions or need help studying. Kairi can also help you. She also has had a run down on our heart research too. She is the Princess of heart after all."

"Yeah, it was one of Ansem's ideas. He thought it would be a good idea for me to understand my Princess title more. I'll be honest though, I'm still not entirely sure about this Princess stuff. However, Ienzo is right I do know quite a bit about hearts now. So, if you need any help with your studies, I'd be happy to help.

"So now that you have some facts on the heart, how bought we show you more of the lab in the basement."

Sounds good, I'm feeling well enough now, lets go. Pence says.

Ienzo entered a code on the main computer keyboard that open the hidden sliding door at the side of the lab. The three were just about to enter when Ienzo's phone began to ring from his pocket.

"Oh, dear not another interruption." Clearly this was not Ienzo's best day. But it didn't matter right now a phone call could wait just a bit longer.

"Hey Ienzo if you want, I can show Pence around the lab if you need to take that call." Kairi offered.

"Thanks Kairi but it can wait." Whoever was on the line would just have to wait for him to call them back. Ienzo let the phone go to voice mail.

"But what if its for something important?"

"I'm sure it will be fine Kairi." Ienzo's words were once more washed away as once more the sound of his phone's ringer rang off.

"I don't know Ienzo that sounds pretty important."

"Sigh very well." Ienzo pulled his gummi phone out and answered the call.

"Hello, Ienzo are you there, this is important. the voice rang out from the phone's speaker.

"Is that Axel? See I told you Ienzo." Kairi said in a slight teasing tone before running over to see Axel's face on the small phone screen. "Hi Axel!" she called out over Ienzo's shoulder. Pence also joined in and said his hellos.

"Yo Kairi, Pence nice seeing you both. Are the two of you helping at the lab today?

"Sure are, Pence started an apprenticeship here for the summer. Ienzo and I were just showing him around."

"The whole summer Pence. Guess that means your out of the struggle tournament this year."

"Ya, but I don't mind stepping down this summer. Hayner and Olette will be competing though. How's Roxas and Xion Doing? Are they around? I didn't get the chance to tell em I'd be away before you guys left for your mission."

"Roxas and Xion are doing fine we just took a little trip to our old stomping grounds at the Castle That Never Was. Trying to dig up some old memories and stuff. Right now, the two are out exploring what remains of the castle. But we'll be back in a few days if you ever want to stop by or call.

"That's good maybe if I get the chance I'll give them a call."

"I'm sure Roxas and Xion would like that. Now for the reason I called. Ienzo I need your help with something. The castle here is in disarray from the heartless and things don't quite look like what they used to. I was wondering if perhaps you had the worlds map files in the Castle That Never Was Archive."

"Yes, I do believe we still do. I can send it to your phone right now, it will just take me a moment to dig up the files. Kairi, go ahead and start showing Pence the basement. As soon as I'm done with Lea here, I'll be right down to finish the tour."

"Ok, nice seeing you Axel."

"Bye Axel!"

"See ya kids."

"Come on Pence, I'll show you around. The basement has a lot of neat stuff. Even's even got this shelf of nothing but animals and heartless in jars."

"Gross sounds like my 9th grade biology class. Let's check it out." As the two teens happily left to explore the basement Ienzo turned his attention to the computer to pull up the maps.

"So Lea, judging by your reaction from when I answered the phone. I suppose this isn't what was so important that you needed to call me twice for, is that correct?"

"Well, the castle really is falling apart here, a map will be helpful. But you called me out, that is only half the truth. The real reason I called is because I need to warn you about something. But first, mind if I ask if Even is in the room with you or even at the castle for that matter?"

"No, Even's away with Ansem the Wise on business. It's just me in charge around here till they get back."

"Good, glad to hear that old timer is still on the side of good."

"Why, what has happened Lea?"

"Sigh, Isa's missing. He left without a word and has been gone for 3 weeks now and, I'm starting to worry it's happening again."

Author's Note: Finally, this has been a long introductory to the story. Now that the characters are more settle, we will be seeing more action in the coming up chapters. This one just took the longest to write do to trying to stick with the KH lore as close as possible. Also, for those waiting patiently to see Roxas and Xion. Don't worry they will eventually be making an appearance in the story later. It just might take a few chapters more to get there. But I'm really looking forward to writing them in when the time comes. In the meantime, I'm hoping you are enjoying the story so far and I look forward to the next chapter.