Thirteenth Flush [Open to Org. Members]

[Nothingness]

Luxord stood in a small, circular room, warming his hands on a two-dimensional fire that resided in a two-dimensional fireplace that lay flat against the curved surface of the room's wall. To be fair, circular isn't a good descriptive phrase for the room. A more fitting description would be a cylindrical room that extends upward for what appears to be infinity, whose infinity is only in appearance, that is covered with various pictures frames, mantles, windows, shelves, et cet era, all of which were two-dimensional in nature. All of the plants and furniture in the room were just as flat as everything else, like sheets of paper stuck to the floor, except these may as well have been a part of the floor.

Luxord laughed to himself. "I wonder how many will join the game. A full house is always more fun than a pair" He received a mission that ordered him to go and defeat a Heartless known as the "Crimson Prankster." It was recommended that he bring a partner with him. Of course, Luxord, being one to stack the deck in his favor every now and then, felt that it would be best to have a little fun with such a mission. So, he did what every good card player does: he tried to make all of them call his bet. Looking back on it, he felt rather proud of himself, really. "Asking them not to tell one another about the mission was quite brilliant. Whittling away my chips and betting it all on the perfect hand. Not something I prefer to do, but it worked." Of course, he also added that next time any of them gambled together he'd stack the deck in their favor so they'd come out richer than any of the others, outside of himself. He didn't care whether or not they took that, since he'd just stack the deck in his favor anyway.

He also felt that it would be fun to have them scamper around this mad world that he always found to be so intriguing. It was such a strange and surreal world that anyone without a clue of what's going on would surely become confused upon entering. It was like bringing a bunch of friends to play a card game with rules that only you know, ever-changing rules, and a stacked deck. You may walk through a doorway and find yourself in one room, and your partner walks into that same door and winds up in a completely different place. Figuring that he would get a better reaction from them if he showed up last, Luxord transformed summoned a card behind himself and stepped into it. He felt flat onto the floor and shrunk his size, laying on the arm of one of the two-dimensional couches on the ground. He had a rather smug look on his face as he patiently waited. Even if only one showed up, at least he'd have fun...

[Fate]

The First Player Enters
Welcome to Wonderland

A Corridor of Darkness sounded in the somewhat circular room, Zexion walking out of it. From what he was told, Luxord was given a mission to defeat a Heartless and asked for assistance. The Schemer willingly obliged with this, as he did with any mission that was given to him. Aside from that, the fact that a Heartless was in this world was a good thing for the Organization, especially considering their rarity. Hopefully, it would not take as long to find this Heartless as it did in Halloween Town; it also had better not be a Heartless that attacked through eating its opponents.

However, when he embarked on this world, he was alone. He raised an eyebrow to this, looking around. Luxord's scent was certainly here, though he seemed to not be in sight-- how peculiar. Though, it was certainly not beyond the Gambler to play games, leading Zexion to think he had hid himself perhaps in an attempt to surprise him. He let a slight grin sneak onto his features, still glancing around.

"I wonder where Number Ten could be," he said, a sarcastic tone in his voice. "Surely he is not hiding in an attempt to avoid completing his mission?" He doubted that avoiding the mission was what Luxord was attempting to do here, considering that sort of thing was typically left to Demyx. Though, the Schemer's natural tendencies to suspect others caused him to think; why would Luxord firstly ask him not to tell another about this mission, something he had no issue doing of course, and then hide once he reached the mission? It was rather peculiar of him, that was certain. Either way, the Gambler most likely was aware of his presence now and would undoubtedly appear shortly.

[/size]

[Matt]

Much Needed Supervision

Stepping out of the dark corridor he had summoned, Vexen looked around the circular room he was now standing in with distaste. This entire world was so mind-numbingly ridiculous. It was as if the moment one entered it, they couldn't help but feeling like they had taken some sort of hallucinogen. Each and everything in it was completely illogical and unrealistic. Simply being in the so called "Wonderland" probably caused one's IQ to steadily drop. Not to mention, the situation itself seemed oddly suspicious, what with the puzzling note the Gambler had left him. Vexen wasn't even entirely sure why he had complied with the request in the first place, seeing as he had never been particularly fond of Number Ten. Still, he figured he could handle all of Luxord's mischief today. In fact, it was actually for the best that he was here, to make sure that the fool completed his assignment correctly.

It was then that he noticed something in the room that shouldn't have been there. Standing several feet to his left was another Organization member: Zexion. Vexen starred at him for a moment, wordlessly, before asking with a clear hint of annoyance. "Why exactly are you here?" May not have been the most polite way to express his confusion, but such was irrelevant. And even more peculiar than the fact that the Schemer was there, was the fact that the Nobody that should have been there wasn't. Reaching into his cloak, he whipped out the small note he had received earlier. "I don't suppose this is your doing, is it?"

[Nothingness]

Welcome to Madness

Luxord felt that now would be the best time to reveal himself. After all, the two main players he wanted to show were here anyway. The card on the ground between them enlarged, and Luxord rose out of it before it seemed to vanish into nothingness. "Welcome gentleman. Yes, Mr. Academic, I did indeed call you both here. The mission at hand requires one of your superior talents, as well as your own, my dear Schemer." Taking a few steps towards the arched hallway that lead to the bizarre room, he stopped and turned around in front of it. "There were reports of Heartless activity rapidly fluctuating in this world with no explanation. I have my suspicions as to the cause...which is why I asked you here."

Spreading his arms wide, gesturing to the entirety of the world, he said quite proudly, "So, with the formalities over and done with, allow me to properly welcome you to Wonderland. Let this be a test of your scholarly minds, for in this world, nothing follows the laws of science or nature. Up will become down, a single door will lead to two different places, and if we are lucky, we shall meet one of the most intelligent felines you shall ever have the misfortune of meeting." Smiling wide, he looked at Vexen and Zexion and turned to his side, gesturing a hand down the hall. "Now, take your first steps into this world, and hope that we are together at the end of it."

[Fate]

The Things That Stand Out Are Often the Oddities
Except in this world, which is an oddity by itself

Another Corridor of Darkness sounded, Vexen walking through it. That was certainly odd, considering Luxord had given the mission card to him and not Number Four. The same question Vexen asked was on his mind, though he naturally did not put it quite as rudely; though, he never did know how to put things nicely even if he tried. Without fail, he then proceeded to try and blame the Schemer for dragging him out here since Luxord was seemingly not present; his scent was though, of course. Zexion shook his head to this, wondering exactly what sort of game Luxord was playing here by putting the two together.

The card that he had not noticed on the floor before enlarged itself and became Luxord, telling them that he had indeed call both of them here. A sarcastic comment came to mind when Luxord voiced that he needed Vexen's talents, the Schemer not seeing any relevant ones. However, that was being crude; Vexen was very intelligent when he chose not to be so hasty. Zexion kept his eyes on Luxord as he explained why he called the two of them, the world seemingly experiencing fluctuating Heartless activity without explanation.

The other reason for bringing them here was explained in his introduction to Wonderland; it did not follow the laws of science or nature, laws that the both of them knew well and expected in almost every world. This world defied those laws. Luxord planned to mess with the two of them surely, trying to get their "scholarly minds" to the test and mess with them. He was up to this challenge that the Gambler was putting them up to; surely it could not be that difficult to find a Heartless in a world such as this.

Let us see what this world has to offer then, shall we?" Zexion asked, a slight grin on his face. He nodded to Luxord and walked down the hall, opening the door that was at the end of it. The door led to another room that was quite... small to say the least. Even with the Schemer's height considered, the room was cramped. There was a table, chair, and other things, though the most interesting items were bottles on the table. One was blue and one was orange. Zexion picked up the blue one and studied it. If they were going to get anywhere, they needed to become smaller. Blue could be attributed to ice, which caused things to shrink... he handed the bottle to Vexen.

"Care to test it?" he asked, "I don't believe we'll be able to go anywhere when we're this size." The fact that they had left a room that had normal height ratios and then came into this one where they were giants was a bit puzzling, though. Then again, this was Wonderland, a world that defied normal laws.

[/size]

[Administrator]

I believe this hand would be called "two pair".

Another Corridor opened up, and through stepped the newest member of Organization XIII, Nyxar. He had a grin on his face, which quickly left as he saw there was two others--not including Luxord--there. "Ah, so you wanted additional members, not just an additional member. I must have misread that part in the note." The Nobody shook his head, the grin returning.

"Oh well. I suppose spending time together could be healthy, right?" Well, for most of them it would be. For Vexen, it could be hazardous to his health. Walking over to the rest of the gathered members, Nyxar looked at the bottle held out to Vexen. He sure as hell wasn't going to try it. After all, this was Wonderland, and it could do any number of things. Of course, Vexen could try it...yes, that might work well.

"But, this being Wonderland..." Nyxar commented, speaking to Zexion, "It could easily be reversed. I say we hand him both bottles, just in case drinking the blue causes him to do the reverse of shrink, so that he might be able to stop the aggravated growth before he gains too much height and injures himself on the ceiling."

Or would it be a three of a kind with a high Vexen?

[Matt]

Wonderful, Another Liability Arrives

Zexion merely shook his head in response to Vexen's inquiry. Well if the Schemer wasn't behind this nonsense, then perhaps it was the Gambler. Trying to play one of his little "games" as usual. But, as things still stood, Number Ten was still nowhere to be seen. This complication was soon removed, when a card that lay on the floor began to grow in size, and from it came Luxord. Why he felt the need to merge himself into playing cards so often made absolutely no sense to the Academic. Then again, he should have known better to expect much sense when he chose to visit a world of such insanity.

He greeted his two superiors, welcoming them to Wonderland. While he said the rapid fluctuation of the heartless there was the reason for the invitations, the real purpose of the mission still seemed extremely vague. Not only that, but in talking about the many strange features of the world, the Gambler clearly showed that he was aware of the problem with conducting any sort of experiment in Wonderland: it couldn't be done. Such research required logic, and this was a world without logic. Of course, neither of the other nobodies seemed to be catching this very evident point. And before Vexen could attempt to explain it, Zexion set off down the nearby hall, Luxord right behind him.

Now in the very justly named "Bizzare" Room, the trio moved over to the small white table that sat in it's center. Two bottles sat on top of it, one blue and one orange. The Schemer picked up the former, holding it out to Vexen. Oh, like he was actually going to accept an offer to drink the mysterious bottle of the unknown liquid. He crossed his arms, wordlessly rejecting the offer. It was then that another nuisance showed up. And he didn't waste any time before beginning with his obnoxious comments. Chances were, healthy was one thing this mission wouldn't be. Especially for Number Eleven. Especially if he didn't watch his impudent mouth.

"If you want to test it, drink it yourself Zexion." he replied, seeing as there appeared to be a confusion that he actually intended to test the stuff. As Number Four, he was the one in charge of this little operation, whether he fully understood what it was or not. If anyone should have to take the stuff, it was obvious who it was. "Or better yet," he began, glancing at Nyxar. "perhaps our newest member should be the test subject. That would only be fair, now wouldn't it?" The idea should make Nyxar happy. This way, he would actually be able to somewhat contribute, instead of merely being an annoyance.

[Nothingness]

Learning By Example

Watching as Zexion and Vexen entered the Bizarre Room, he was about to follow when he saw the newest member of the Organization, Nyxar, come out of a Corridor of Darkness. "Ah, the more the merrier, I always say. Come on in--partake of the fun." Entering the room last, he watched as the two scientists bickered about trying the blue bottle. He sighed in mock disappointment. If they were going to even make it through this world, they would have to understand that you needed to take chances.

Hearing Vexen suggest that Nyxar try the drink seemed like a good idea to Luxord, but he felt that he should try to break Vexen's mind that experimentation is the key to success. "Oh, nonsense. My dear Academic, you needn't turn every little thing into an experiment. If you're going to "understand" this world, you need to take chances." Gingerly taking the bottle from Zexion, he spun it in a circular fashion beneath his hand, then slightly held it up in the air. "Cheers!" He took a quick swig of the liquid, smacked his lips and set the bottle on the table. Before he knew it, he had shrunk down to a mere six or seven inches tall, and was standing on the table. "It doesn't taste bad at all. Now go on--I've tried it, it should hold no fear for the rest of you."

While he said that, he was looking up at the other members, although his eyes were focusing elsewhere. The two chandeliers on the ceiling were the focus of his attention. Now, how to get up there. This world had most likely changed in some way since his last visits. Maybe a stroll through the forest would prove enlightening...or perhaps the Cheshire Cat would grace their presence with a little riddle. "Oh, the possibilities..."

[Fate]

A Small Accomplishment

Well, at least Zexion accomplished something quickly; Vexen was at least slightly annoyed with him now. Nyxar entered the scene as well, which would make things a little more interesting. The Schemer's eyes watched as Luxord took the bottle from him and drank it, shrinking in size and finding himself on the table. His assumption that blue meant shrinking was correct then. The three now had to decide who would shrink next, though he doubted Vexen would be willing to. He picked up the bottle, gave it another quizzical look before taking a swig of it himself and putting it back on the table. He found himself next to Luxord and around the same size; though, he was still slightly shorter.

"You are going to have to work diligently to stop his mind from working the way it does," he told Luxord with a slight smirk, referring to Vexen and looking up at him. He and Nyxar were giants compared to the two standing on the table. Zexion guessed that Nyxar would be the one to go next and take a chance; this was going to be an interesting mission for Vexen as well as himself. This was, after all, only the beginning and the Schemer was not one to jump in and take chances unless said chance was proven safe first.

He glanced around the room a bit, walking around on the table a bit to gain a further view of his surroundings. There was a door a bit aways from them that they would have to jump off of the table to get to. Was he seeing things, or did the door have eyes? If it did, they seemed to be closed as the door was snoozing. It was a good thing that it wasn't their only exit out of this room, for another exit was farther to the door's left. He kept his eyes on it for the time being, waiting for the other two to shrink as well.

[/size]

[Administrator]

So, what's next? Hookah smoking caterpillars, perhaps?

The newest member to the Organization grinned. It was so funny that Vexen thought he could talk about him as if he wasn't there. Of course, it was also rather funny that Zexion and Luxord were now small enough to fit into his pocket. "Have either of you seen the gingerbread man? He's about as tall as you are, and he can most likely run faster than either of you. He likes to say so, at least," Nyxar said sarcastically, making light of their situation in the wonderful world of Wonderland.

"Well, looks like the third time's the charm," the Nobody quipped, drinking the potion with a single gulp and shrinking to stand beside Zexion and Luxord, proportionally the same height in comparison to them as he would be normally. Of course, that wasn't all he had said. No, as he was shrinking, he had muttered to himself, "Honey, I shrunk the kids."

And in case you were wondering if I could make fun of any other popular--as well as quite outdated--media, I could. However, I cut myself off at this point, for now. Nyxar, being completely clueless as to the fourth wall being prodded over his shoulder, and quite possibly being outright broken, stood there, with a bored expression on his face, waiting for Vexen to take a drink of the bottle.

[Matt]

Might As Well Get This Over With

Vexen sighed at Luxord's words. Perhaps he would do well to actually start approaching this as more of an experiment, and less of a childish game. After all, it was science that allowed for progress, while foolish antics such as his contributed nothing to anyone. Without experiments, humanity couldn't accomplish anything; they were unquestionably a good thing. Granted, it was also this quest for knowledge that had led to the creation of the heartless and the loss of their hearts. But unfortunate and unforeseeable consequences sometimes arose. Despite what the Gambler seemed to think, the Academic was quite familiar with the concept of taking risks. "As it so happens, I enjoy taking chances." he informed him plainly. "And having Nyxar here drop dead from poisoning seemed like an acceptable one to go with."

But evidently that wasn't going to be necessary, since Luxord seemed to be volunteering to test the strange mixture. Right before their eyes, he began to shrink, decreasing to approximately a tenth of his normal height. He commented on the taste-- as if that was of any real importance-- and insisted that the others now follow in his example. Zexion was the next to take a drink, followed by Nyxar, who must have been trying quite hard to come up with things as absurd as the nonsense that were coming out of his mouth. Resisting the urge to step on at least one of his miniature associates, he snatched the blue bottle off the table, and took a sip of it. Soon he was almost as small as the other three, although still noticeably the tallest.

"Well, if your done with your mindless ramblings," he said, mostly to Number Eleven, even though it could apply to Number Ten as well. "I suggest we begin this mission." Of course, there was still the question of what exactly the mission was. "Whatever it may be." With that, he set off (not particularly quickly) towards a small doorway in the left corner, across from where they had entered from. The much larger door to it's right might have looked like a better route to take, but it was Vexen's understanding that it didn't open for just anyone. Besides, it talked. That was another thing that he hated about this world: things that spoke, that shouldn't.

[Nothingness]

At Last, a Glimmer of Insight...(wait, that's Vexen's line!)

Luxord applauded Vexen as the Academic stalked off towards the doorway. "Wonderful! You're finally taking the initiative! Strolling right into what could be certain doom." Luxord hopped off the table and overtook the Academic, walking straight through the doorway. He would have loved to let Vexen go first, but, as Number Four would most likely say, 'Little steps for little minds.' Maybe once they started defying the laws of gravity he'd let Vexen really take over.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking through a dark passage, he finally stepped into the light of a small courtyard that was trimmed with red rose bushes and high hedges that acted as walls. There were four paths to choose from--forward, back, left, and right. None of them were guarded by the Card Soldiers, thankfully, and Luxord figured now would be a good time to show them that you can through three doors and end up in the same place.

After everyone had entered the courtyard, he turned around and said, "I feel that it's best we split up. Fear not, I feel that the patron saint of this world, Lady Luck, shall see us all reconvene on common ground shortly. Well,perhaps common walls or ceilings, too. Maybe even the sky. But, we shall see one another soon." Walking back through the way they came, Luxord merrily strolled (as merrily as a Nobody could) through that same door, but this time found himself in the Lotus Forest, standing right on top of one of the branches of a large, talking tree. "Well, this should be fun, wouldn't you agree?" To what or who he said this to wasn't really certain. But he could swear that he saw a disembodied smile in the corner of his eye.

[Fate]

To Rule Over This Land of Wonder... No Thank You

To Zexion's surprise, Vexen was the first to jump off of the table and start heading toward the doorway. Though, one could say that he was simply doing that so he would have to spend too much time around Luxord or Nyxar. The Schemer waited a moment, watching the two of them start walking before looking down. He was never fond of heights as a whole, though the amount of pain he would feel from falling could be considered negligible. He glanced at Nyxar for a minute, not entirely sure what he was rambling about, and jumped off the table.

The fall was fortunately not too far and he made his way over to Vexen and Luxord quickly enough with Nyxar following him. All four of them entered a courtyard area of sorts with four different paths to take. Luxord explained that it would be best for them all to split up. This was a logical idea in Zexion's mind, though why Luxord went backwards was beyond him. He raised an eyebrow to this, though did not question it; though, what confused him is where Luxord's scent ended up. In fact, he did not doubt his sensing abilities would be even more confused once they split up.

"I will take this one," he said, referring to the path opposite the one Luxord chose. Without waiting to hear what the others had to say, he went straight forward and followed the path. It seemed to lead to a throne room of sorts, hedges still the main feature. Whoever ruled over this land was currently not present, leading Zexion to walk over to the throne and examine it. The ruler of Wonderland had to be rather... rotund; the chair could fit possibly two of himself in it. In fact... he chose to sit in the throne himself. Indeed, this would fit two of himself in it. The king, or queen, would be easy to spot then if he managed to find him or her.

Not wanting to waste anymore time, he stood up and got out of the throne and went to the only other doorway of sorts in this room. He found himself in the middle of a rather large forest, stopping short in the entrance way to turn his head a couple of times to examine his surroundings. There were a few rather large flowers here and there, though he was not about to go near them without knowing what they were. Luxord's scent seemed to be here... somewhere... Another scent was also present, though figuring out what that was would take a little more work than he cared to put out at the moment.

[/size]

[Administrator]

Leftovers...damn.

Nyxar watched the rest of them--excepting Vexen--walk off in different directions. "Okay, I'll take this door then!" he shouted after the two, justifying his leftovers--as he saw it, not considering Vexen's choice to be important--to himself, if only slightly. His pride was hurt, if not really, then metaphorically. Walking through the door, he found himself...

...falling through a flower's head. Now, that was rather odd, the Nobody thought, as he landed near where Zexion was walking. "Erm, hello again, Six," Nyxar said somewhat cheerily, if a bit perturbed from his most recent venture. He brushed himself off as he recovered from his journey through the center of the plant, which may or may not have been traumatizing.

"So, did I miss anything in the six or so seconds I have been gone? Wait," Eleven waved his hands, "don't answer that. I'll assume it's a no and save you the trouble." He walked over to rejoin his fellow as he found himself starting to think about his master--or rather, as he was now thinking about him, his FORMER master. Marluxia was not that great to serve under, and the Organization had a bunch of perks to go along with the job. Including a great insurance plan*!

_{*Only available on certain policies, validity subject to change.}

[Matt]

Lost in the Madness

The Academic rolled his eyes rather drastically as the Gambler passed by him, not at all bothering to attempt to move back in front. It was not as if anyone was likely to be strolling into any uncertain doom in the nearby future. But-- then again, if someone was to be taking that chance it might as well be Luxord. Better him than Vexen. Though, if he was actually going to choose, he would still obviously pick Nyxar for that role. But he supposed he would just have to take what he get. Of course, once again, he doubted there would be much doom anyway. Unfortunately, he wasn't typically that fortunate.

Once they finally emerged from the dark passageway, the group found themselves in a small squarish room, with four entrances. They were surrounded by tall, neatly kept rose bushes, that appeared to resemble the walls of some sort of hedge maze. However the most peculiar part of the room was the sky. Not that it was actually a sky at all, but instead a ceiling, that was painted to look like a sky. Which could only make one wonder where any sort of lighting was coming from... Luxord suddenly declared that it would be best if they were all to split up. This wasn't an idea that Vexen found any objections with, though he couldn't honestly say he understood what the other Nobody was talking about. The world's insanity must have been getting to him.

Number Ten then turned back around, and went back through the door they had come in. Something that Vexen didn't even feel like questioning at that point. Zexion was the next to go, taking the door opposite from the one they had entered from. Finally, Nyxar deciding which of the two remaining paths he would be taking, and heading through it. Well, it didn't look like he would have to pick a direction at all. "Not exactly what I would call fun." he murmured to himself, though in a late response to an earlier asked question. Having nowhere better to go, he strode through the last available doorway.

Walking into the next area, Vexen found himself in a space very similar to the one he had just come from. In fact-- quite identical to the one he had just come from. Almost as if he were in the same room he had started in. Sighing, he shook his head. Wonderland was simply trying to wear thin on his nerves, wasn't it? If he believed in such nonsense, he might thing the world was out to get. But that was a preposterous idea. Not even sure which door they had come in from at this point, he merely chose the first random path his eyes glanced at, and went through it.

At least this time, he ended up somewhere different. He was now standing in some sort of forest. Glancing around, he took note of some abnormally large mushrooms nearby. It was then that he heard a not so distant familiar voice. After contemplating whether or not to head towards it or in the opposite direction for moment, Vexen followed to sound a sort distance to find Nyxar and Zexion. "Where is Luxord?" he asked dully, in a voice that didn't suggest he much cared for the answer.