A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol
Organization XIII Style

Sora sat in front of the crackling fire on Christmas Eve. Kairi carefully strung popcorn on a thread with Tifa and Aerith. Leon and Coud were currently untangling the mess of lights on the floor, Cid was tightening the screws on the trunk of the tree, and Riku was wrapping some last minute gifts. Yuffie came barreling into the room with a small novel in her hands. “CID!!! ARE YOU GONNA TELL US THE STORY THIS YEAR?!”

Cid looked up from his place under the tree, brushing pine needles from his knees. “I don’t know what…”

“The book Cid! Like last year! A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens!”

“Oh, right… I think I’ll pass squirt.”

Yuffie pouted. “I’m not a squirt! I’m the Great Ninja Yuffie!” Leon rolled his eyes at this statement. “Yuff, Cid tells the story every year… why not pick something new.”

“NO! Besides, Sora, Riku, and Kairi are here this year! Cid tells the story so well, I want him to tell it at least one more year!”

Cid sighed and grabbed the book from Yuffie’s hands. “Alright. But just this once, ok?”

“Okee-dokee!” Yuffie said, taking her favorite spot. The younger members of the house sat around Cid who opened the book and began:

~@~

Xemnas sat at his counting desk with his door open so he could see his assistant, Demyx, writing totals and other important crap. Demyx watched the clock’s minute hand slowly drag by.  His hand glided over the page like it was water. Xemnas returned to his counting. 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999…

He heard a soft cough from over his desk. There stood Demyx with his papers in hand. “Excuse me Mr. Xemnas… I’m finished for today,” he mumbled. “And I was wondering if maybe I could have tomorrow off since it is Christmas…”

“Christmas, like that all matters,” he said, rising from his chair and leaning twords Demyx until they were nose to nose. “You will be here at seven o’clock tomorrow morning with NO exceptions. Maybe if you work hard enough, I’ll let you out early.” He dropped a few coins in Demyx’s outstretched hand and shooed him away.  Demyx gathered up his worn coat and stepped out the door. Xemnas slowly slipped into his chair and put his hands on his head. Christmas… Bah Humbug.

Xemnas heard a light knock on the door. He opened it slowly and saw a man with short blonde hair and a goatee. “Good evening Sir,” he said, tipping his hat. “I’m here to collect money for the poor. Would you be so kind as to donate?”

If there was something he hated more than Christmas, Xemnas hated collectors. He despised giving out his money for any reason. But he always had a good comeback. “Now, now Sir. If I gave you money for the poor they wouldn’t be poor, and you would be out of a job. I wouldn’t want to put such a good man like you out of a job now would I?”

“But Sir!”

“Have a Merry Christmas,” he sneered, closing the door in his face. Xemnas returned to his counting desk, to be interrupted by a loud bang. That could only mean one thing…

“MERRY CHRISTMAS UNCLE XEMNAS!!!” Xigbar shouted, throwing the door open.

“Hello Xigbar,” he grumbled. Xigbar entered his counting room and sat on the desk, spilling coins all over the floor. “Um… Oops?” he said. “Look Uncle Xemnas, some friends of mine are planning a huge Christmas feast for tomorrow! And I wanted you to come Uncle! So what’ll it be?”

Xemnas stared Xigbar straight in the eye. “If you think for any reason I’m going to ‘enjoy’ Christmas with ‘family and friends’, you thought wrong!” Xemnas yelled. He grabbed his coat from the hook, and placed his hat on his head. Xigbar followed him out the door whining, “Why not Uncle? You might get into the Christmas spirit!”

“Bah Humbug.”

“Uncle! You always say that! Come on! Just come with me!”

“I said NO! Now if you don’t mind, I’m going home for some peace and quiet. SO GO AWAY!”

Xigbar hung his head. “Yes Uncle Xemnas,” he said sadly and walked in the opposite direction on the sidewalk.

~@~

When Xemnas opened his door, he felt an eerie feeling. It was almost like he was being followed. He turned around to see there was no one there. He entered his house and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. Behind him, he heard a creak on the stairs. He turned around, but no one was there.

Xemnas opened his bedroom door and slumped down into his armchair. “I’m imagining things,” he told himself. But he wasn’t imagining things. He heard a faint rattling of chains behind him. “Xemnas… Xemnas…”

Xemnas peeked over the edge of his armchair and emitted a shriek. There glided a figure dressed in a white robe. His hair was a light transparent pink. He was draped in chains laden with heavy objects… and flowers. But this man was dead! “M-Marly?”

Marly smiled. “So you remember your old partner Xemnas. I’m glad.”

Xemmas burrowed further into his chair. “B-but… YOU’RE DEAD!”

Marly laughed. “I know.”

“But, why are you dressed in chains?”

Marly frowned and replied, “I was a terrible man Xemnas. I was cruel, heartless, greedy… much like you Xemnas. Therefore, I was laden with chains, and all those things I cared about, I wear on my chains…”

Xemnas noticed the objects on Marly’s chains all involved money. Cash boxes weighed down his arms, and a safe was dragged behind him by his ankle. “Marly… will this happen to me?”

“Yes Xemnas. Unless you change your ways… Tonight, you will be visited by three spirits. The first will arrive at 8 o’clock sharp. You still have time Xemnas… You still have time…” he said, disappearing.

“Wait! Marly! I still have so many questions! Marly!!!”

Xemnas sunk back into his chair. “8 o’clock…”

~@~

Xemnas rose from his bed, wearing his nightshirt. He looked at the clock… 7:59. Xemnas lay back on his bed. It was just a dream.

A light tinkling noise came from the area to his left he opened up the bed curtains to see a man with small blue fairy wings attached to his back, and his long blonde hair falling at his shoulders. He was clad in a white suit. “Xemnas?” he asked in a strangely high voice for a male.

“Who- What are you?”

He smirked. “I am the ghost of Christmas Past.”

Xemnas toppled off his bed. “You’re… you’re the spirit Marly foretold?”

“You know Marly? Oh, he’s the cutest! His hair is just so sexy!” Xemnas gave him a strange look, and the spirit coughed. “Erm… yeah, I’m that spirit. Please, call me Vexen.”

Xemnas raised an eyebrow. “Alright Vexen. Where are we going?”

“Follow me,” he said, pulling Xemnas to the window.

Xemnas pulled away, “What are you crazy! I can’t just walk out the window! I’ll fall!”

“Just touch my suit, and you will be safe, just wipe your hands, I just got this dry cleaned…”

Xemnas reached out to touch his sleeve, and as soon as he did, he was standing on an empty road. In front of him was a familiar building. “Why, I know this place! This is where Xaldin worked. And there was a Christmas party here! And Saix!” he stopped. Saix…

Vexen put a hand on his shoulder. “Come, let’s go closer,” he said. Xemnas reluctantly stepped up to the window. There, he saw Xaldin and a couple of other men drinking and laughing. In the corner, he saw himself, sitting alone. And in the center of the dance floor stood Saix. His blue hair tied back for the occasion. He saw himself approach Saix, kiss his hand, and ask if he wanted to dance. Saix nodded, and the two danced and laughed. “We were so happy…” he said. “Spirit… I think I’ve seen enough…”

Vexen shook his head. “We’ve only just begun Xemnas. Follow me once more.

Xemas touched his sleeve to find them in his counting house. Xemnas looked at himself and saw him counting away. Marly sat where Demyx now sat. The door swung open to reveal Saix, entering the counting house. “Merry Christmas Marluxia,” he said politely. Marly curtly nodded and led Saix to his office. “Merry Christmas Xemmy,” he said. Xemnas only grunted. “I just came by to ask if there was anything you wanted.” Xemnas grunted again. Saix shook violently. “You’re an asshole! I come by every day because I hoped that maybe after three years you would ask me to marry you! But all I get are grunts! It seems like you love your money more than me!”

Xemnas rose from his desk. “I’d much rather be with money than you. All you ever do is nag me! Hell, I’d even marry Marly! But you? Never!”

Tears fell from Saix’s eyes. “You bastard! You greedy bastard! I hope you burn in hell!” He ran crying from Xemnas’s counting house. Marly stood up to open the door for him, but he only pushed him away, flinging the door open, and slamming it behind her. Marly only looked at Xemnas who was slowly returned to his counting, red faced.

“Spirit…”

“Vexen,” he said dreamily, drooling at the sight of the pink haired man.

“Vexen, I can’t take it any more! Take me home!”

“Vexen shook his head. “We still have one more stop.”  Xemnas fearfully touched his robe, and they were standing in the counting house once more. This time, Marly’s seat was empty. Xemnas was sitting in his seat, counting a considerably large pile of gold. Demyx threw open the door and said, “Mr. Xemnas, I’m very sorry I’m late, but I couldn’t leave my children without watching them open their presents. There weren’t many, so I guessed I wouldn’t be to late…”

Xemnas sneered, “You thought wrong! Late is late. I expect extra hours tomorrow.”

“But Sir! It’s Christmas! A time for family! Zexion would be heartbroken!”

Xemnas shook his head. “Christmas is just an insignificant day. I expect double the work today Demyx.”

Demyx nodded. “Yes Sir. I’ll get right on it.”

“Vexen please! Take me home!” Xemnas cried.

Vexen nodded. With a soft touch of Vexen’s robe, Xemnas reappeared in his bed. In a faint whisper, the spirit said, “The next Spirit will arrive at 10 o’clock, sharp.”

~@~

Xemnas awoke in his bed to the sound of church bells ringing outside his window. He scoffed and pulled back his bed curtains. But to his astonishment, no one was there…

He noticed a blaze of light poking from under his door. He opened it slowly to see a giant man, wearing a green robe and a wreath of holly in his curly red hair. He carried a large red and black torch, glowing brightly. The tall man took notice of Xemnas and rose with a cheerful smile on his face. “Come, Come Xemnas! Do not be afraid!”

Xemnas inched into the room, stuttering, “Who- Who-?”

“I’m the ghost of Christmas Present, but you can call be Lexeaus,” he said.

“You’re so tall… and that torch…”

“It’s light pours into the homes of the rich and the poor!”

“Take me where you may Lexeaus… I wish to profit by it…”

“Then touch my robe and we shall be on our way!”

Xemnas slowly extended a hand and touched the soft fabric of Lexeaus’s green robe. One second they were standing in Xemnas’s bedroom, the next, they stood outside a frosted window. Lexeaus wiped the frost off the window, and revealed a family. “Lexeaus… Who are these people?”

“Why, they’re the family of your clerk, Demyx.”

A small, thin man with indigo bangs that fell in front of his face stood at the stove, while several young children raced between and around his legs. Demyx entered the room, followed by a small boy with indigo hair like his “mother’s”, and a cross between Demyx’s and his “mother’s” hairstyle. The boy limped on a small crutch that looked almost hand made. Xemnas felt small tears well in his eyes. The poor boy… Demyx gave his “wife” a small kiss on his cheek. “How was your day dear?”

He smiled. “It was good. The children behaved themselves rather nicely. Namine came today and took good care of them!” He motioned to a girl, no older than 15, sitting on a chair cradling a small child in her arms. Namine looked up and smiled. “It’s nothing at all! I’m just glad to be home!” Namine turned to he father. “Are you hungry Father? Mother did an excellent job of preparing the dinner!”

Demyx smiled and said, “I’m pretty hungry, but the children need food more than I do.”

The small boy that had been following Demyx pulled on the bottom of Demyx’s coat. “Daddy! You need to think about yourself! Everyone needs to be happy!” Demyx gave the boy a hug and said, “Oh Zemyx, you care too much. You need to eat more than I do so you can strengthen yourself! One day, we’ll be able to afford a surgery. Mr. Xemnas is so kind as to pay me as much as he does.”

Zexion snorted. “Xemnas barely pays you anything you’re bloody worth! He gives you all of 15 shillings a week, and that’s NOTHING! Mr. Xemnas has enough bloody money to give you 1500 shillings a week, and he gives you a mere crumb! I hope he’s having a nice Christmas, because he sure isn’t helping yours!”

Demyx placed a finger on Zexion’s lips. “Dear, the children. They’re happy! It’s all that matters.”

Zexion sighed. “But what about Zemyx. Don’t you want him to be able to play with all the other boys?”

Demyx lowered his head. “I have no doubt Mr. Xemnas will eventually help us out.”

Zexion kissed Demyx lightly on his chapped lips. “You always put faith in people. That’s why I love you so much.”

While the family served their food and sat down at the table, Xemnas turned to the spirit. “Lexeaus, how does the family manage to survive?”

Lexeaus answered grimly, “They do everything they can. They try to survive off the money you give them, but they barely make it. Zexion stays home with the kids while Demyx slaves away in your counting house.”

Xemnas felt tears run down his cheeks, and he turned back to the house to see the family sitting at the table with their almost empty plates. Demyx turned to Zemyx and asked, “Would you like to say the prayer?”

Zemyx nodded and bowed his head. “Dear God, Thank you for the food we are about to eat. Thanks for keeping us all together and happy. And bless Mr. Xemnas, I know he doesn’t give us much, but what he gives us is just enough. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive him. Bless us as we eat this meal. Bless us every one. Amen.”

“Amen,” rang the chorus of voices around the table. Xemnas felt his tears running even faster. “Spirit… What’s going to happen to Zemyx?”

Lexeaus turned away. “I see a lonely crutch sitting in the corner; it’s master no longer there…”

“No, NO!” Xemnas shrieked. Spirit you mustn’t say that! Please don’t let it be true!”

“I’m afraid I have no control over that. My time here is done… There is one more spirit to go…” Lexeaus said, disappearing into the darkness.

Xemnas slumped into the bushes. What had he done? A shadow crossed over him as he saw a figure dressed all in black, with a black hood over its face. It extended a long fingered hand, and Xemnas only scooted back. “Who, who are you?” he asked.

In a feminine voice it said, “I am the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Touch my cloak, and I’ll take you where you need to go…”

Xemnas reluctantly held onto her cloak, and they appeared in a graveyard. Xemnas shrieked, “WHERE THE HELL ARE WE! LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!” The spirit pointed a long finger twords a hill. There stood a large family, a familiar family. Demyx held Zexion in his arms, while Namine held the children’s hands. Namine led the children away from the hill with Zexion in tow, leaving Demyx behind. Demyx wiped away his tears and placed a homemade wooden crutch against the tombstone. He let out a soft whimper, and followed his family. “Spirit, please don’t let that be… is that…” The spirit led him to the hill, and a spark erupted from her fingertips. In the light of the spark, Xemnas read, “Zemyx Crachit: Age 7: God Bless His Soul”.

“No, NO, NO! Spirit! Don’t let it be true! It can’t-“ Xemnas heard laughter behind him. Two men were filling a grave. One, a short blonde, said, “Do you reckon we’re done?”

The second, a man with vibrant red spikes, replied, “Heh, he ain’t going nowhere. Lets just go.” He spit into the grave, and dropped his shovel on the ground. The shorter man followed suit and followed the second man to a tree. The man with vibrant red spikes pinned the blonde to the tree, kissing every inch of exposed skin. “Spirit?” Xemnas asked, somewhat disgusted. “Who’s grave is that?”

The spirit removed her hood, revealing short blonde hair with some strange antennae bangs. Her piercing green eyes seemed to bore into his soul. “Why Xemnas… It’s yours.”

Xemnas saw a lighting bolt crash down in front of the abandoned grave. On the headstone was written “Xemnas, May he and his money rest in peace.”

Xemnas peered into the grave, his lip tremling. The spirit placed a slender hand on Xemnas’s back and pushed him down to the bottomless pit below…

“You still have time Xemnas. You can change your fate…”

~@~

Xemnas opened his eyes to see the feather-light snow falling on the ground. His room was filled with light that poured from his window.

“You still have time Xemnas.”

Xemnas rose from his bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The clock read 8:00 am.

“You can change your fate…”

Xemnas sprung from his bed. “Christmas! It’s Christmas! A time of joy!” Xemnas pulled his coat, not bothering with the fact he was still dressed in his nightshirt. He wrapped his scarf around his neck and slipped into his slippers. “There’s so much to do and so little time!” he laughed, and raced out the front door with pockets loaded with gold.

When he reached the street, he crashed into a carriage. Xigbar jumped from his seat and said, “Hey Uncle Xemnas! You look cheerful today.”

Xemnas pulled Xigbar into a bone-crushing hug. “Of course! I’m as chipper as a chickadee! And I plan on coming to your feast tonight.”

Xigbar wriggled out of Xemnas’s reach and exclaimed, “That’s great Uncle! But if you don’t mind, I can’t breathe!”

Xemnas pulled away from Xigbar, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. “I’ll be seeing you then m’boy!” he said, scurrying down the street.

~@~

Demyx watched his children sit around the fire, trying to keep themselves warm. Zexion put a hand on his arm and whispered, “You’d better get going dear. You don’t want Xemnas to throw a fit again do you?”

Demyx shook his head and kissed Zexion on his cheek. “No, but I’m so worried about the children…”

Namine gave Demyx a small smile and replied, “Don’t fret Father. Mother and I can handle them while you’re gone.”

With a loud bang, Xemnas threw open the door, carrying a large brown bag. He boomed, “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!” He gave Zexion a light kiss on the hand to be polite, and kneeled down to the children’s level. “Hello children! I’ve brought you gifts!” he exclaimed, opening the brown bag to reveal an array of toys. The children raced, or in Zemyx’s case hobbled, to the bag, pulling out everything from trains to dolls to teddies. Xemnas approached Demyx and Zexion, pulling out a check. “Demyx, I decided to give you the day off, seeing that it’s Christmas. And I’d like to offer you a raise… and I want you to be my partner.”

Zexion pulled Demyx into a tight squeeze. “OH! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” he screamed. Demyx kissed his lover on the top of his head and extended a hand twords Xemnas. “I accept! Thank you! You don’t know how much this means to-“

Xemnas gave him a harsh glare. “But I expect you back tomorrow at nine sharp.” Demyx kept his goofy grin plastered on his face. “Of course! Mr. Xemnas, would you like to join us for breakfast? Our treat!”

Xemnas smiled warmly. “I would love to join you.”

Little Zemyx tugged on Xemnas’s overcoat. “Mr. Xemnas. Would you like to say the blessing?”

Xemnas paled, but smiled. “I would like nothing better.” Zemyx led Xemnas to a place at the foot of the table. He bowed his head and began the blessing. It wasn’t much, but every word that rolled off of his tongue was full of beauty.

“Amen,” he ended.

“Amen,” many voices echoed. Zemyx giggled and hugged Xemnas’s neck. “God bless us every one!”

~@~

Cid closed the book with a dramatic flair. Kairi rested her head on Sora’s shoulder, who rested his on Riku who leaned against the couch. Leon and Cloud continued untangling the lights, with new smiles on their faces. Aerith and Tifa softly applauded, while Yuffie exclaimed, “That was great Cid!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!”

Cid only shrugged, putting the book on the table. “It was nothing squirt.”

Yuffie pouted, but was interrupted from yelling when the door swung open to reveal two dark haired men. “Merry Christmas guys! We brought good tidings of Christmas Cookies and Beer!” the first, a man who would have been Cloud’s twin if he had blonde hair, exclaimed. The second, a man with shaggy black hair and a long red cloak, did nothing but stand as still as a statue. Yuffie raced forward to hug both men. “Zack! Vincent! We haven’t seen you in ages!”

Vincent shrugged. “Been busy.”

Yuffie jumped up and down, ignoring his comments. “Hey guys! Do you wanna hear a story? Cid always tells it so good…”

“YUFFIE!!!”