Welcome to Gaia! ::

Everyone scrambled for support as the ground around them shook violently. The timing was impeccable as they were all just preparing themselves to charge after the nobodies in pursuit. Michelle clung to James to hold herself up as the determined male made sure to stand firm. Amy fell over clumsily along with several others. Noelle planted herself firmly to the ground with her spear and looked around trying to see in anyone needed help.

As the tremors slowly drifted away, finishing with one massive boom, the group stood up regaining their balance, “What was that?” seemed to be the universal question leaving everyone’s mouths.

“I don’t think it matters.” James said, wrapping his arm around Michelle holding her closer, “One way or another, this place is looking more and more unsafe. We need to choose one of the paths and get going.”

“Like that’s going to be better? Hey everyone? I’ve got an idea! Who wants to be the first to go down the dark hallway while there are freaking EARTHQUAKES?!” The complaint came from Timmy, who seemed to be still shaking from Larxene’s attack, “I don’t know about you, but this seems allot nicer to me. At least I can move out of the way of falling blocks and ceiling tiles here, in there, I’d be crushed if ANYTHING came caving in. I’m sorry, I already got crushed once and was saved by some sheer miracle… I don’t want to try my luck again.”

“Dear lord, I thought we went over this… we won’t be any better off staying here. Look, our chances are the same here as they are in there… besides, this place seems really stable, it survived that earthquake well enough, and that was pretty rough. So I think it will be fine.”

Timmy didn’t say anything, only frowned with displeasure and looked away, Kirstin stood up and spoke up, continuing the conversation along a productive path, “Alright… what door?”

“What door?” a moment of confusion, then flashbacks, before he turned around and noticed that there were in fact five doors, not one like he thought, “Ooops, well, I guess we’ll have to-“

“DON’T SAY IT…” Amy said slowly, holding a very serious tone, “DON’T say split up. You know what happens when you split up? Hmm? We go down our separate hallways, then bit by bit we’re picked off, until none of us are left… like a horror movie!”

“This isn’t a horror movie.” James said, trying to calm her nerves, “Besides, I wasn’t going to say that.”

“Then what do you suggest, James?” Mckenna asked, standing next to Amy, his loyalties obviously lying with the person he’d known the longest and come to trust.

James thought about it and turned around, letting go of Michelle for a moment, “We’ll start with the left most path. If it’s a dead end, we’ll just come back, and do the next in line.”

As there were several nods and whispers of acceptance, James walked forward towards the path, “Alright, so… who’s coming? Let’s get a show of hands.”

As most everyone raised their hands, a couple hesitated and thought before answering. Their answers finally came until only one person stood with her hand down.

“Rae, what’s wrong?” Michelle asked, frowning, a bit worried about the white mage, she’d been quiet for awhile.

“I’m worried about Maggie. Maggie and anyone that might have shown up after we left… something might have happened… what if they show up and choose the wrong turn?”

“Then one of us stay behind.” Mckenna said, looking around.

“Not again… we already left one behind.” Amy spouted her rejection to the idea.

“I’ll do it.” Rae sighed, biting her lip slightly, looking away from the many gazes now on her.

“You can’t.” Ben pointed out but was interrupted by Rae as she spoke up again and locked eyes with him.

“I can! I will! I can take care of myself! I don’t need your permission!” Rae stomped her foot in his direction and summoned her boomerang, “Wanna test me?”

“I don’t think that’s what he meant Rae.” James sighed, trying to put out the flames before they turned into a forest fire, “You’re too valuable to leave behind. We need our healer.”

“You have Amy.” Rae said, turning away.

“Amy doesn’t have nearly the same level of experience as you. You’ve healed way more wounds than she has, and you’ve seen more battle.”

“Hey!” Amy objected, but James continued anyway.

“Besides… her white magic lies more in offensive abilities. You can’t expect her to have your skill. We’ll just have to trust that they’ll find their way.” James stood by the opening, waiting for some reply. Finally, after a long inner debate, the white mage sighed and looked back at the gunner.

“Fine. I’ll go.” Rae didn’t seem pleased with the situation, but she swallowed her pride… for the moment.

James smiled and nodded, “Alright then, Everyone! MOVE OUT!” James turned and took Michelle’s hand before walking himself and her down the first hallway. Then, surprising everyone, just as he passed through the threshold, there was a shimmering light that flashed across the entrance.

“Wh-What was that?” Rae stammered, not moving from her place towards the door.

“It…” James started to answer, pushing against an invisible wall between James, Michelle, and the rest of the group, “A barrier?”

“So that’s how Kefka wants to play this huh? Forget this…” Timmy sighed and walked forward, blowing off the rest of the group before walking down the next hallway in the succession, the same form of barrier.

“Timmy!” Mckenna yelled after him, chasing blindly down the hallway.

“Wait! Hold on!” James yelled helplessly from his end of the barrier, “Don’t rush! Let’s think this through!”

“Too late for that.” Ben sighed and shook his head, then smiled, “Well, whoever’s comin’ with me, I’ll take the next path!” Then Ben marched forward and down the middle hallway.

Kirstin then followed Amy, who both walked down the next hallway without a word, ignoring James’ objections, “Stop! Hey! Is anyone listening?!”

Noelle looked at Rae and tilted her head towards the final exit. Then, with an acknowledging nod from Rae, the two made their way over to the last door. Noelle stopped before the exit and yelled over to James, “I’m sorry! It’s nothing against you… but we’ve had enough of losing our leaders, “Take care of yourself. We’ll see each other when this is over.”

“HEEEY!” He yelled out to the two trying desperately to get them to stop. He however stopped when he felt the soft touch of his lover on his cheek. He turned slowly as her touch drew his gaze.

“It’s alright. They’ll be fine.” Michelle smiled and encouraged her fiancé, “You only need worry out us. Ok?”

James surrendered to her gaze and sighed, “I guess you’re right. Not much I can do now.”

“Hey…” She said, drawing up his gaze again, meeting his eyes with hers, “You did the best you could. I know this… you know this… they know it… that’s all you can do. Come on… let’s go.” With that, Michelle convinced James to move away from the barrier and head down the dark hallway, into the unknown.



[[Outside The Tower]]

Mathy stood over Kyle’s unconscious body, his expressionless mask reflecting the darkness around them. The clawed fighter, hesitated, contemplating finishing off the Holy Knight right there. He had much reason to, but something still remained in his heart that stopped him from going beyond that point. His voice emanated from behind the mask to Kyle, “Because Dawn trusted you… for some reason… I’ll let you live now… but if I ever see you again… I’ll destroy you.”

Mathy then turned away and stalked off towards the tower, following the long, lone, straight path to the tower and whatever awaited him within.





[[Inside The Tower]]


[[Cue: Music]]


Every footstep bounced off the walls, echoing endlessly up the staircases. Evan strolled on, ignoring everything, and simply walking, even with his eyes closed at times. He had a feeling something was waiting for him up ahead, but he wasn’t able to determine what. How many were left in this tournament, he wondered. He asked himself over and over how many more of these battles he could take, even if between them he was trying so hard to conserve energy. Up ahead, he could hear a change in the echo, a change in the surroundings. He opened his eyes just as he saw a dim light up ahead. He continued until he reached the light and stepped into a massive circular room. At the other end of the room, was another entrance, or perhaps exit. In front of the other door, stood another individual clothed in dark garments. The figure strolled forward, a flashed emitting behind he and Evan as barriers blocked the exits, “Looks like we’ve been given no choice. Kefka really does have a way without words.”

Evan took a step back, summoning his sword, “Who are you?” He watched as the man strolled forward in a nonchalant manner.

“I’m no one really. Just a traveler dragged into this mess, and yourself? It doesn’t show good manners to ask a name without giving one yourself.”

“Evan…” He stated slowly, eyeing the man as he paced back and forth in front of him, eyeing him with a curious smirk.

“So Evan… what’s your meaning for being here?” he asked.

“You still haven’t given me your name.” Evan asked getting irritated, gripping his sword tighter.

“Ah, sorry. I’m Louis. It’s a pleasure, really. Though… I don’t really think you care who I am do you? What is it… you really want?” Louis continued pacing, keeping eye contact the entire time.

Evan shook his head, it feeling a bit clouded watching the pacing man, “What… I want?”

“Yes… it’s a simple question really. What do you want… maybe… I can help?”

“I… want…” Evan began then stomped his foot shaking his head several times before looking up, “First off, mind your own business what I want! Second, have you seen Bobbi?”

“Now that… I can help with.” Louis stopped pacing in the middle of the room, “Bobbi you say?”

Evan perked up, his response intriguing him, “You know her?”

“You could say that…” Louis smiled, “You could say… she and I have become… quite… close, recently.”

“Then you know where she is?!” Evan yelled out, his voice full of excitement, and a hint of relief, “Can you bring me to her?”

“Well… yes, and no.” Louis sighed, “I can bring her to you… but bringing you to her, that’s another story…”

“What do you mean?” Evan froze for a moment before burning up again, “Enough games! If you can bring her here, do so now!”

Louis turned away and looked over his shoulder with a smile, “As you wish.”

“Fine, ju-“ Evan stopped short, staring out. Where the man had stood a moment before, there was nothing but darkness, a dark abyss that engulfed half of the giant room, “Hey! Where’d you go?!”

He heard a cracking, a sharp screech, almost metallic as a large crystal of ice blasted out of the ground and solidified before him. He blinked. Louis was again in front of him, next to the slab of ice. He watched as the darkness slowly seeped away, and filtered into the crystal of ice, “H-Hey! What are you doing?!”

Louis didn’t say anything, only watched and waited as the darkness completely filled the crystal and solidified, turning the clear ice into a purple tinted black, “Come… see the result of your endeavors… and savor the spoils… for once this is over…” Louis’s eyes cut to Evan’s, locking instantly, the malice in his eyes sending a chill up even Evan’s spine, “Your life… is forfeit.”

[[Cue: Music]]

“What’s that supposed to mea-“ Evan raised his tone to yell, but shut up the moment a burst of darkness formed above Louis’ open palm. The darkness flowed continuously into this tiny point, until it burst out, and revealed a dimly glowing heart.

Evan’s heart stopped on sight. His face paled. He stared at this heart that appeared from the darkness and could only imagine what this had to do with Bobbi. Louis took the heart, and held it out to Evan, Louis’ eyes now pale, and showing little emotion at all, polar opposite to what he’d felt a moment before. Then, he thrust the heart into the ice crystal, and the crystal began to shake. Louis backed away, and bowed graciously as darkness enveloped him and he vanished. Fog fell on the arena, and Evan froze. He stared out as the silhouette of the crystal slowly broke down, small pieces falling off and shattering on the floor. Soon, the crystal itself began to move on its own, and come to life. Evan took another few steps back, holding his breath, “He couldn’t mean…”

“Come… see the fruits of your endeavors. Reap the seeds you’ve sewn. Show her the strength of your resolve, and strike her down by your own hand. End her suffering. Show her the mercy she’d have shown you!”

“No…” Evan backed away dropping his sword to the ground, it dismissing in a whirl of fire, “No… this… this isn’t what I wanted at all…”

“Is that it? Pathetic. You’re not even worth pitying. Lower than low… are you so cruel you would not show her mercy?”

“How is this… HOW IS THIS MERCY?!” Evan covered his eyes and gripped his hair. The fog lifted revealing a featureless black-ice form of Bobbi, holding to a dark replica of her weapon.

“She loved you, you know… her heart… spoke to me… this is what she wanted… but she can’t be free until you’ve freed her. Don’t deny her this last request…”

“I don’t need you to tell me that…”
“Do it…” …movement…
“No…”
“Fight her.” … scratching of ice…
“Quiet…”
“End her suffering…” … screeching strain of a bowstring…
“I said quiet…”
“Release her.” A finite twitch…
“Shut up…”
“SAVE HER!” The snap of release!
“SHUT UP!!!”

Evan threw his arms down to his sides and roared to the roof, fire bursting out around him, the roar of a powerful dragon shaking the floor alongside him. The arrow vaporized before it could even reach his chest. As he relaxed his body, the flames died down. He looked up to meet the empty gaze of the dark-ice reincarnation of Bobbi, “I don’t… need anyone to tell me what to do…” Evan summoned his sword again, and raised it to a ready position, “I’ll kill you for this.”

[[Cue: Music]]

There came no reply but the scratch of Bobbi’s bow string once more. Evan raised his sword and prepared for her next shot. Evan spun to the side, dodging the arrow as it whizzed by his shoulder. As his gaze returned to the ice archer, his blood ran cold, coming face to face with Bobbi. Her blank eyes stared unfaltering. Suddenly he bit his tongue as her knee went into his chin, his body lifted up off the ground. His toes stretched out to feel the ground, and relief coursed through him as he did. His relief came too soon however as Bobbi continued to strike, her bow struck him in the right side, then again from the left. Then a heavy blow from her foot knocked him backwards gasping for breath. Then his body was sent careening several yards till it skid to a stop several feet beyond that.

Evan stood to his feet staring down at the arrow of ice sticking out of his chest. Evan struggled to move his arm over to the arrow, as it was covered in ice, now growing to his shoulder. With some effort, the fire berserker managed to pull the arrow from his chest. He knew time was not on his side, he could hear her bowstring readying another shot. He looked down, the ice around the wound was still crawling, but that was the least of his worries, he felt the rest of his body slowing down.

As her arrow flew, his body burned. Fire engulfed his body and ridded him of the infectious ice. Evan ducked underneath the arrow, and rushed forward, readying his blade once more. He swung the blade across her torso but watched her bend backwards and dip right under his blade. The archer kicked off the ground and spun over, smacking a leg against the flat of his blade before it even reached a point he could recover for another attack. Her body changed direction on contact and like a break-dancer she spun her legs around above her head. Evan felt a foot smash against his face and knock him into a spin. Bobbi immediately put herself upright and shot another shot into him point black in his side, knocking him sideways. Before he touched down, another arrow rushed by and stuck into the ground a bit ahead, then another, and another. As he passed over, with perfect calculation, each detonated and released giant crystals of ice that smashed into him thwarting any attempt at recovery. One after another hit him until he hit the last one, the tallest of the series.

As Evan fell on the other side of the crystal staircase, Bobbi pulled back a massive arrow and let it fly. The arrow pierced the ice crystals, shattering their forms in succession sending their destructive debris forward. As the arrow passed through the last crystal, Evan passed through the path of the arrow, striking him and changing his course to an entirely horizontal one once more. Evan flew until, from the side, he spotted a blur that flew at him then wrapped itself across his leg. Evan felt his lunch try to return as his direction reversed.

As Evan flew backwards, he passed right through the shrapnel that continued in its original direction. The shards imbedded into his skin, and froze over instantaneously. Evan gritted his teeth, unable to concentrate on the fight. Instead, he dug deep into his mind, trying his best to dredge up some hint of negative emotion aside what he felt then. The fire he conjured in his heart betrayed him, his emotions running cold. His drive, his reasons for living, were attached to his leg and throwing him like a play thing. Bobbi, the love of his life, was no longer… and here she was… trying to kill him… but he couldn’t fight… couldn’t ignite his anger to light the flame that fueled his spells and power.

As the berserker smashed into the floor, he felt his body dragged along the ground, his mind still drawing blanks, his heart still cold as ice. The grip on his leg let loose and he rolled limp, until flopping to a stop. Evan slowly struggled to his feet holding his chest and stumbling a bit, finding no heart to stand. Bobbi didn’t let up in pity, only readied herself for a kill. Bobbi’s bow integrated itself into her arm, and then on the other side spawned another bow, half fused at the base of her wrist. Both bows glowed and reshaped, her hands retreating into the new creations. A moment later, at her wrists were crossbow-like weapons, integrated into the length of her arms.

Bobbi fired a shot off with a twitch of her arm, then another a moment later upwards to the roof. The first arrow stuck in the ground at Evan’s feet, blasting up another crystal pillar. The berserker, found no fight in him to dodge. The arrow fired upwards returned after bouncing off the roof, striking him on the neck, sending him into a stationary backwards flip. Another two arrows bounced off opposite walls at the same time, flying in just in time to hit him on opposite shoulders and spin him like a top. Then another broke through the crystal, hitting the ground, and then bounced up to hit him under the jaw. He flew up, just as Bobbi prepared for her finishing attack.

The frozen archer ran forward and jumped into the air. Then, mid flip, she fired off countless arrows, ricocheting them off the floor, walls and roof. They bounced all over, many narrowly missing Evan as he continued with his lack of fighting spirit. The room became a deathtrap of bouncing arrows crisscrossing throughout the room. Finally, they all came in, simultaneously on his position from every direction.

So that’s it? What happened to that fighting spirit, all that burning passion? What a disappointment.

I…

There are more fires in a person’s heart than one. A deep callous voice echoed in Evan’s head, You’ve only forgotten, because you’ve been angry for so long.

Forgotten…

You’ve forgotten your fires of love.

Evan blinked, suddenly feeling a surge of fire engulf his body. The fires wrapped around him, then spread outward, vaporizing all the incoming projectiles as well as the ice on him. Evan heated the air around him, the heat so intense, steam rose from the floor around him. Two great wings of fire spread out behind him, “I realized now… I don’t hate you… Bobbi… because… because I love you… I promise… to free you!”

Much better.

Evan flew forward, the wings aflame behind him. He clashed with Bobbi as she resumed her dodging tactics. Evan swung his sword over her head, the blade already burning a bright white. Even in close proximity to the blade, cracks appeared on her surface. Bobbi jumped back and fired off a barrage of shots. The shots no longer reached him as he covered himself with his wings. The fire turned the ice to harmless water almost instantly, then vapor a second later. As he opened his wings once more, a gust of superheated wind blew forward into her, knocking her back several feet as she attempted to regain balance. Evan stabbed his sword into the ground, followed by a wall of fire behind Bobbi, halting her retreat. Evan jumped onto the hilt of his sword and pushed off, launched higher with a beat of his wings. Evan threw his hands out before him, and streams of fire streaked out of the body of fire behind him, and struck the archer several times, obliterating portions of her body.

Evan called his blade to him, then, he braced himself. A superheated blast of air rocketed him forward, quite literally. Evan slammed into Bobbi, and skewered her through with his sword. His sword stuck into the earth after passing through her, resulting in pillars of fire erupting all around them.

After a moment of intense heat, the fires died down, slowly, but surely, until they were but charred spots, with a few flames still present throughout the circular room. Evan, watched Bobbi’s deformed shape, missing an arm and leg, lie there, cracks spreading throughout the body. Tears welled up in Evan’s eyes as he tried to swallow them down. Bobbi’s remaining hand, lifted up slowly. At first, Evan was startled, afraid she might still have some fight left in her, but his fears subsided like his flames, as her cold hand caressed his face.

[[Cue: Music]]

The sword vanished from its place, allowing the archer to fall flat, but Evan caught her in his arms, “Bobbi…” He managed to say through choked words. The ice soldier’s expressionless face, showed no reaction, but what might be interpreted as a tear rolled down the side. Evan held her, and pulled her to himself, hugging her tightly, letting go off all his frustration in the mix of a cry and roar. Bobbi let her hand fall and lay softly on the ground.

As the cracks swiftly spread, her body shattered bit by bit, disintegrating into darkness, a voice slowly managed to seep out of Bobbi, broken and quiet, but still a voice. It spoke, trying to say something, but Evan struggled to understand it, “Come on Bobbi! Speak louder! Speak! I-I can barely hear you! You have to speak up!”

More of the archer continued to vanish, as the voice prattled on in hushed tones and Evan became more desperate, “Come on Bobbi! Come back! I know you can! Pull you yourself together! Don’t leave me again!”

Evan held her all the way till the end, when in one final crash, and a heart rising up, her body vanished from his grip. In his hand, remained a small memento, a frozen dragon pendant that once hung from her neck.

About a minute passed as he kneeled there, holding the pendant and staring at it, still in shock. He heard steps behind him slowly approaching until stopping a short bit away, “She wanted it to be you. That’s what she tried to say. She wouldn’t have let anyone else do it. Not even me. She wanted you to end her sorrow.”

Evan sat there, speechless, not replying to the dark-walker.

“I was a little worried about you for a bit there. Unsure if you had it in you. But you did good… seemed she still had something to fight for though… she looked like she gave you a hard time… but… it’s obvious she didn’t really want to kill you or she would have done so right in the beginning. But it seems to me like you must have done something to really piss her off at some point… but in the end she just wanted you to end her suffering apparently. You did so… so I’m sure she’s happy.”

“She’s not happy…”

“Of course she is… you’ve released her from all mortal pain. What else could she ever desire?”

“You don’t understand anything… now… we’ll never be together.” Evan slid the pendant into a jacket pocket where it would be safe.

“Of course you’ll be together. Together forever. Don’t be silly.”

“Idiot!” Evan stood up and spun around, immediately locking eyes with Louis, “I’ll never see her again because she’s dead! Don’t you get it?! She’s gone!”

[[Cue: Music]]

Louis smiled warmly, a huge offset for the berserker, especially considering what followed out of his mouth, “Well course she’s dead. That’s the point. And, if you’re finished… you will be here soon as well.”

Evan’s mouth almost dropped, stunned how this man could say that with a look on his face so… innocent, “Over my dead body!”

“Hahahaha!” Louis burst out into sudden laughter, “You’re pretty funny! You still don’t get it!” Louis’ face drifted to one of seriousness, dismissing the cheer it held a second before, “Let me fill you in.” Louis vanished, reappearing out of a portal above Evan yelling out to him, “That’s the POINT!!!”

Evan immediately jumped back avoiding the strike from above. The berserker spun around carrying a wave of fire behind his sword and struck out against Louis. Louis back stepped away from the sword and cut a path through the fire. Evan kept right on coming at him with another strike, cleaving down with a spread of fire emanating out from the impact point on the ground. Louis leaped into the air and teleported again with his portal, reappearing a bit higher, but scanned the ground for Evan, finding no sign of him. His eyes tilted upwards just in time to raise his rapier against the berserker’s strike. The blow carried with it all of the accompanied commodities, flames burning away at his sides until at the end of the blow as the blade continued past, an aftershock of wind and flame shot Louis at the ground.

Louis entered another portal before connecting with the ground, and flew out at another angle, this time more shallow, allowing him to skid on his feet to a stop. He looked up again as Evan struck the earth around him with fire as he flew in for a kill. Louis pulled his sword arm back, darkness coating every inch, then, he released the arm like a spring and let loose a barrage of blade strikes and waves of darkness that managed to push back the berserker. Evan landed a bit away, but the attacks weren’t over yet. Louis closed the distance between them, striking from several directions at once, vanishing and reappearing via dark portals traveling between them instantaneously. Evan felt cut after cut slice into him all over but couldn’t do a thing about it with his massive and slow weapon. Finally, Evan released a burst of flame all around, knocking the shadowmancer from his portals and away from Evan so he could regain his composure.

As Louis stopped himself with some ease, Evan brought his arms over his head, drawing fire to his blade. Louis didn’t want to give him a chance to finish. He ran as fast as his feet would carry him, getting right up on Evan just as his sword came down. The resulting explosion of flame, threw Louis straight across the arena and into the wall. His body flattened against it, Should have seen that coming…

Suddenly, a wall of fire closed in on Louis, who dropped to his feet on the floor. The fire about reached him as he brushed off his clothes as he spoke out loud, “Alright… enough fun.”

In a solitary second, the entire room became dark, even the fire gave no illumination to the surroundings. As the fire impacted Louis’ intended position, the fire warped, and them blasted outward from its center, continuing all the way to the source at Evan’s fingertips. A frightening chill ran through him. His eyes took in what he saw before him. The whole portion of the room before him lay covered in sheets of ice, all several inches thick. Darkness radiated outward from a point, that point, being the Ambassador of Darkness, Prince of Ice, Louis, Avatar of Corruption. The armored male now held a large Naginata, Kokytos, its blade made of ice as well.

[[Cue: Music]]

Evan stepped forward, ready to charge forward, despite the growing worry in his heart, “You can do it… he can’t be that strong.” He told himself as he set out.

Louis grinned, then charged forward, trailing ice behind him. As the two clashed, fire met ice, canceling forces, returning it all to water. Louis raced around, sending wave after wave of ice at the Berzerker who simply returned with fire of his own. Louis reeled back and launched his Naginata forward, behind it trailing a whirlwind of frozen water. Evan brought his arms across his chest, and brought up a shield of fire to defend himself. The whirlwind passed over him harmlessly, but his guard was broken and he was carried away by the gust as Louis struck from the side. Louis armed himself with blades of ice, grown right off his arms. Several sheets of ice caught up in the flow acted as platform’s for Louis as he continued to make passes within the flow, striking Evan mid-flight over and over again.

Eventually, Evan hit the wall, and Louis warped away to safety. Evan struggled as the remainder of the flow’s aftermath carrying a sandstorm of tiny ice particles crashed against him. When it finally let up, he spotted Louis already at work with something new. Two ice crystals shot out of the earth at Louis’ sides. Into them, he thrust two black hearts. His eyes widened in fear, actually afraid of what might come next should there be more like Bobbi. His fears were put to rest as they formed Louis’ generic Ice soldiers. All 3 charged at Evan, but the two soldiers vanished into the floor, gliding underneath the surface of the water, flattening themselves into the thickness of a sheet of paper.

One soldier, leaped out at Evan, who cleaved it cleanly in half, then continued his momentum to spin then bring his blade down on Louis. Louis pressed his feet and froze them to the ground, holding his ground against the heavy strike. The other soldier came up behind Evan and struck him from behind. Evan gasped out in pain, his pressure dropping against Louis’ Naginata. His opponent used the opportunity and pushed up, knocking Evan off balance, then before he could recover, Louis grabbed hold of Evan, his gauntlet gripping Evan entirely around his face. Louis lifted him off the ground, the glyph on his stomach glowing a deep purple, “You have no idea… who you’re dealing with.”

Louis turned and tossed Evan with inhuman strength, throwing him to the center of the circle rotunda. Evan stood up just as six pillars rose up around him. They were made of ice, but metallic in color, and rippled as water dripped from the roof onto its surface. Louis, drew back his arm over his shoulder, growing a small spike from his palm. The glaciermancer threw the small blade into one of the pillars. In response they all rippled, then, cracked. With a snap of his finger, Louis shattered the pillars into thousands of airborne shards. Evan raised his sword to the ready to charge, but paused as a shard passed by the corner of his eye. He stared at it, viewing his reflection, when it suddenly hit him.

Just in time, Evan summoned a dome of fire over himself, as the shards flashed, and shot out a cloud of daggers identical to the one Louis threw in. The avatar was grinning to himself underneath his helmet, as daggers impacted him as well, but absorbed into his armor like nothing was ever there.

When it was all over, Evan dropped his guard, and winced at a shard that managed to make it through had stuck itself in his ankle. All was calm for a moment, then, a single drop, struck the floor, followed by a downpour. Evan stared across the distance to the armored opponent, staring right into the dark, emotionless purple eyes of the helmet. Time seemed to slow as the droplets raised down around him and Louis opened up his arms, dismissing his naginata. The expression seemed to scream, “Come get me.”

The Berserker was all too willing to take the invitation, but found he couldn’t. Time still seemed to be moving slow, but as he came to realize, it wasn’t time, but the rain that slowed. He looked at the floor, it suddenly reflecting the roof. His eyes rose to observe Louis, his mind baffled at what he saw. The air itself seemed to be freezing. Every molecule of water down to the microscopic level froze in place, and his vision clouded over. Then, everything was dark.




[[Cue: Music]]


Evan hung in darkness, floating in nothingness, his mind, perfectly clear. In the distance, growing closer, he could hear a voice, “Who’s there? What do you want?” He called out meekly.

A warm voice, familiar to him, called out in return, “You’re not supposed to be here. Silly.”

Evan dropped his head, “ What do you mean… If I’m not meant to be here… then where?”

The voice replied, closer this time, “Your place is in the light. Where the warmth is. That burning heart doesn’t deserve this darkness.”

“I don’t… understand.” Evan closed his eyes tight and tried to block out the negative thoughts coming to him.

“It’s ok dear. You’ll understand one day… but not now… now, you have something more important to do.” The voice sounded serious, but yet, still had that honey-sweet tone that gave the man a rush of warmth in his chest.

“More… important?” He asked, trying to remember something important he may have forgotten.

“Yeah you moron!” the voice yelled out from right in front of him. Evan opened his eyes, just as light poured into his dark world, seeing the face of his love. The both stood at the edge of a giant lake. The sky above them brighter than ever with images of their lost stars. Bobbi took his hands and stood there, looking up at the sky, “Beautiful aren’t they? Our memories together? Each star, a different event that brought me joy.”

“How can there be so many?” He asked, looking down from the sky and into her eyes.

“One… for every second I spent with you.” The girl sighed with satisfaction.

Evan stared at her, with eyes as soft and as calm as the lake’s surface. Suddenly, Bobbi pulled away from his hands, and smiled. She waved whimsically then bent forward placing a kiss on his lips, and finished, “Go get ‘em dragon boy.”

“B-Bobbi!!!” He yelled, reaching out to grab her, but she was already out of reach.

“You can do it! I’m rooting for you!”

“Bobbi!!!”




[[Cue: Music]]


Louis waved a hand, letting loose the downpour of, now hail. As it rained down, Louis turned away from his defeated foe, sighing, “Well, that’s one more down. He was a tough one. I was worried there for a bit. . . What’s that Mateus? . . . Oh, you have a point. Perhaps having him fight his girlfriend before fighting me was dumb considering his power. . . Hey now, how was I supposed to know he’d get stronger the longer I fought him? . . . Yeah yeah, whatever, I’m just glad that’s over with. One more heart released from this hell. . . Finish him? I already did though. There’s no way anyone could survive Judecca.”

Louis went to leave through the entrance Evan came through, but found the barrier still in place, “What? Strange… the barrier is still here… even though I defeated the opponent. . . Maybe you’re right, I guess there’s no harm in destroying the body to make sure. Same though… would have been a nice omen for anyone possibly following behi-“

Louis stopped short in words and breath, the massive crystal that encompassed Evan… was cracking! Louis just stood there, unable to move or understand how this could happen. Then, suddenly, as the man inside glowed bright white, the entire crystal shattered, and vaporized.

Louis stumbled back with the force of the blast, trying his hardest to stay on his feet. His hair whipped around in the torrent air, hot and cold fronts clashing, creating whirlwinds all over inside the rotunda, “How?! How are you still alive?! You should be dead!”

“Because… I have something you don’t…” Evan said, floating with white wings of fire, and a long scorching tail in the same color.

“What the hell could you have capable of breaking you out of that attack?!”

“I’d tell you… but you wouldn’t understand.” Evan said, his wings beating and stirring up more storms.

“Try me…”

“Over my dead body…” Evan responded grimacing at the glaciermancer, “You’ll never understand… your heart is too cold!”

[[Cue: Music]]

Louis roared in frustration, and launched himself forward by summoning a pillar underneath him.

Evan raised his sword and blocked a mad barrage of strikes from the enraged avatar, his wings beat once as he flew higher, but Louis stuck to him continuing the attack into the air. Lightning struck within the arena, forming from the air itself as energy built up between the conflicting elements and temperatures.

Louis pushed of only for a second, summoning six swords to hover behind him made of ice, then, opening a dark portal, he reappeared from below and struck out with, now, all seven weapons. Evan swiped several with a wing, whipping them out, leaving them without a trace of existence. The others collided with his sword, which expanded outward via flames and guarded him efficiently against the onslaught. Evan pulled back with his free, wing, and shifted himself to the side in one quick motion. Louis was left swinging at nothing as he rearranged himself mid air. His movements were not meant for aerial combat, and he was quickly out maneuvered.

Evan rushed by with a pump of his wings, flying by with his sword and slicing across Louis’ torso. Louis gripped his side, and cursed under his breath. His words however were lost to the sound of thunder, the lighting striking again, this time closer to Louis, making him all the more uncomfortable. Evan came in again, but was blocked this time as more swords spawned around Louis and Louis himself brought up his naginata for defense.

The two flew down until they collided with the floor. The moment Louis touched the ground, spikes like the maw of a beast ripped through the ground and curled around at Evan. Even pulled back just in time not to get skewered from every angle. He flew high up, every beat sending a shockwave down on Louis. Louis, fired endless shards of ice at the berserker, countless that Evan’s view of the floor became a warped image through the sheet of jagged ice heading in his direction. The berserker however never felt any of them, as they melted and turned to vapor the moment they may have gotten close enough to strike.

Evan opened his arms wide, the fire of his wings spreading out ten-fold, covering the entirety of the roof. His counterpart, did the same, the floor rippling, then several gigantic mouths of ice opened up facing Evan at their center point. Both thrust their arms forward and the attacks collided, Evan’s Fire combined with the roof, turned almost entirely to magma flowed down onto continuous beams of ice shot forth from Louis’ cannons.

Lighting struck all over the arena now, their conflicting forces causing havok. Suddenly, there was a breakthrough. Evan’s fire cut through Louis’ attack, and flowed down onto the Avatar of Corruption. In that moment, Louis was slammed against the floor, flattened unable to move as streams of fire continued to press against him and burn away at his last defenses.

Luck however was on Louis’ side, the floor gave way, opening up to a deep cylindrical tunnel going straight down, lined with tons of mechanical contraptions that were apparently what made the tower rise to begin with.

Louis fell down, quickly given chase by Evan. Louis’ glyph glowed as he spun around, dismissing his armor and going into his cloth clothing for easier movement. Louis waved his arms around as they fell, ice blasting out of the walls, all attempting to crush or halt the berserker’s path. Neither of which occurred. Evan just continued by cutting them down with his sword.

Louis suddenly halted mid far, chains of darkness extending outwards to the walls holding him suspended in the air, and in the dark chasm, the chains remained almost invisible. Evan charged forward, running into several chains summoned along his path. The first caught him by surprise, smacking him cross the side as he flew past, knocking him a bit off balance. Then, he threw his sword ablaze down into the tunnel, fire streaming around making it look almost like a solid circle of white in flight.

The sword cut right through all the chains, dropping Louis back into freefall. Louis re-summoned his naginata as Evan summoned his weapon back to his hand. Evan closed the gap finally, and began striking Louis with vicious attacks, each one loosening the avatar’s grip on his weapon. Finally, to Louis’ dismay, his weapon was knocked away and stuck into the wall. Before he could recall it, he felt a heavy blow to his gut, then an extreme burn.

Light suddenly returned behind Louis, as the bottom of this pit came into view. Louis struggled to concentrate with the pain running through his body. The naginata finally reappeared in his hand, then with one final heave, he took both arms, and stabbed down into Evan’s back.

The attack never reached its destination. Louis’ naginata flew from his grip, and slid across the floor, then burst into darkness. Louis gasped for breath, his back against the ground, the burning sword against his gut, “No… way…”

Fire burst out in every direction from Evan with a surplus like never before. The fire climbed upwards, and at the top of the tunnel, the fire blasted out as being fired from a canon. Louis, vanished in a cloud of darkness, Evan, left kneeling where his body should have lain. At first, Evan took deep breaths, then, held it in for a few seconds, and finally released a ferocious roar synchronized with that of his dragon…

[[Chapter 14 – End…]]

This whole fiction is turning serious tense- but i LOOOOOVE it like that!
Again, such a great update! It's obvious you have something AWESOME in mind!

*has got chills*

Your heart shines brighter than any star.
Your warmth burns hotter than any fire.
Your smile brings joy to my darkest memories.
Now till forever…
In sickness and in health…
Till death do us part…

The couple stood at the center of a large dome, scanning their surroundings with a cautious eye. Their exits were blocked off by shimmering barriers, obviously there was something in this room that had some importance otherwise Kefka wouldn’t put up something like that to block their path.

“So… what? Is going to try and starve us to death? What gives?” Michelle said, tapping her foot impatiently.

“I don’t think Kefka would do something that… simple.” James ended awkwardly with a shrug, glancing at Michelle with a smile, “Whatever it is, we’ll be fine. I’ll protect you.”

Michelle laughed, “Yeah, sure… you do that. But I’m sure I’ll be the one protecting you.”

“Hey! That’s not fair.” James said in a playful whine, “I wanted to be the hero.”

“This isn’t Cinderella. I can handle myself. But thanks, it’s the thought that counts.” Michelle chuckled before bumping James with her hip, “Hey, cheer up. After all, it’s your imperfections that make you all the more lovable.” James laughed looking away, attempting to hide the redness on his face, a failed attempt because Michelle immediately started laughing again. James sighed as she placed a hand on his shoulder and spun him around to look him in the eye.

The two stood there for a bit, locking in eye contact, only for a loud voice to break up their tender moment, “So sorry to interrupt, but I do believe it’s time we get started with our little game, hmm?”

James spun around, looking franticly for the source of the voice. The room was completely empty, but he knew the voice that was for sure, “Get out here Luxord!”

Suddenly, the white floor moved like it was alive, shifting and bending like a swarm of insects. Then, in a flurry of paper, cards, that had covered the floor disguised as tiles flipped up and clouded their view. When the cards cleared, directly in front of them stood the Gambler of Fate, “How ‘bout a game?”

“We’re not interested in your games. Let us pass, or I’ll be forced to destroy you.” James summoned his gun and pointed it at the nobody.

“Not a gambler I see? Well, it doesn’t matter… you see… whether you like it or not, you’re playing the game either way, so let’s cut to the chase. The game, is simple really, you manage to beat me in a game of cards, you can pass. If I win…” Luxord raised an arm and pointed a finger at Michelle, “I get to keep the girl.”

“Wait… Michelle?! Forget it! You’re not going to lay a finger on her!” James pulled the trigger of his gun, a bullet skimming past Luxord’s face, who didn’t even flinch.

“Not very sportsman like of you to take a shot before the game has even begun.” Luxord shook his finger at James, “But, I’ll take it that you accept, unless you forfeit, in which case, I win by default.”

James growled, clenching his free fist. Michelle took his hand, drawing his attention away from Luxord, “It’s alright. I know you can’t lose.”

“But…” James’ worries were written on his face and expressed through his eyes, “I never want to gamble with you… you’re too important to me.”

Michelle stood there for a moment, pondering a thought then spoke, “Alright then. How ‘bout this… you make a promise to me.”

“A promise?” James replied not taking his eyes off of her for a moment to even blink.

“Promise… that you’ll be there for me… to have and to hold… through the good times and in bad…” Michelle took both his hands in hers, “For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health… till death do us part?” There was a heavy silence, not even Luxord spoke up to break it, though his face showed obvious annoyance. James smiled and tightened his grip on her hands as he said…



[[Chapter 15~ “I do.”]]



[[Cue: MUSIC!!!]]



The silence was broken there after by a snap of Luxord’s fingers. The flow of cards returned, breaking the two off from one another. James yelled out to Michelle, but his words were lost into the overwhelming noise of the cards that completely filled the air between them. James stared at the minute glimpses of her between passes by the cards. Then, suddenly she was gone, and the cards retreated, scattering to every wall.

Luxord chuckled darkly, “Let’s begin. Rules are thus, fight until the other can’t move, but careful, one of these cards has your girl friend’s heart in it.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’d never hit her.”

“Oh? How do you know?”

“Because she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Ouch, harsh, after all that she isn’t your girl?”

“Of course not. She’s my wife! Now give her back!” James aimed his hexagun and fired the shot to begin it all.

Luxord immediately pulled up several cards from the floor, deflecting his shot, then sent them spiraling like buzz saws at the Corsair.

“Normal bullets don’t work.” James ducked underneath one card and rolled to the side dodging another while summoning a few cards of his own. A picture of fire, ice, lightning, and wind covered each. They immediately vanished and his gun glowed bright in response. His finger pulled the trigger, and fired off several successive shots, each imbued with a different element. Luxord spun out of the way of one caught on fire, waving his hand towards himself. The cards returned at James’ back.

James didn’t see them coming, and was struck in the back and sides knocking him over. He rolled with it and fired off several shots again as he tumbled. The shots missed, but not by much as Luxord flung his arms out scattering hundreds of small poker tokens into the air. The coins shimmered then shot forward like a barrage of flat bullets.

James summoned six fire cards and inserted them into his gun. He pulled the trigger and fired a massive fireball from the barrel flew out and engulfed the oncoming barrage. The fire scorched all the cards in its path, careening towards the gambler. Luxord jumped to dodge, carrying two more cards into the air with him. He spun, throwing them, along with a wave of tokens at James.

James aimed up, and fired off two more fire shots, burning through the two cards and striking Luxord mid flight. The tokens however flew in and pelted James, leaving knots and bruises where solid impacts were present. James raised his arms to block his face until the strikes subsided. He looked up and saw Luxord, once more standing in the place he started, “Looks like you have some skills kid. Too bad that doesn’t help you in a game of luck. Look at all these cards you burnt to a crisp. You could have already torched her. Such a cruel fate.”

“No, she’s fine. I can still feel her.” He brought his hand to his chest, “In here. Something you wouldn’t know about!”

“Well, sorry to say, but it’s about time you lost this game. Because you see… I’ve got an ace up my sleeve!” Luxord brought his hand to his chin and grinned, then flung his arms forward, spawning a dozen cards from his sleeves and shooting them forward.

“Enough with the stupid puns!” James yelled, firing several shots into the cards as they flew at him.

Several flew past his sides, obviously not aimed accurately to hit him. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a figure flying towards him. He spun quickly, and fired off a shot, blasting a gambler nobody through the chest. Multiple generic grunt nobodies spawned around him and closed in for a kill.

“Fenrir!” He yelled, firing a shot into the closest to him. Another attacked from behind, but out of a dark portal, the purple and black wolf burst forth and mauled the assailant. James spun around and shot the Gambler that threatened to strike the wolf at his side. Then Fenrir once more returned the favor biting and flinging one into another by James.

“Nice situation you called me into.” The wolf spoke, as he bit into another nobody.

More spawned as countless cards flipped up around them and released the enemy concealed underneath, “Well, you know… I just thought you enjoyed these kinds of things.”

“I wasn’t complaining.” Fenrir added to the end when he slammed the closest nobody into another a bit away like a bowling ball.

“We need to get closer!” James yelled, his gun suddenly changing from a pistol to a two handed Gatling-gun. A flow of cards spun around him continually feeding the gun with random elements, mowing down each and every gambler that spawned in his way, “He’s too agile to hit at this range!”

“You got it!” Fenrir jumped and kicked off one nobody, and landed behind James. Grabbing him by the back of his shirt, he flung the gunner over his head and onto his back in one fluid motion. James gripped his fur with one hand as he accelerated at intense speeds. As James corrected his balance and got used to the wolf’s gait, he aimed his gun and continued firing off bullet after bullet into spawning nobodies.

Fenrir plowed through a group of gamblers then lunged to the side as several cards clumped together blasted upwards like geysers. Several of these popped up all over, enemies flinging themselves from them in order to cut off the assailants.

Luxord thrashed his arms around, throwing card after card at the oncoming wolf and rider. Fenrir gave one last push off the ground and careened towards Luxord. The Gamber of Fate brought his hand up, and gripped the air. A flow of cards came up from the floor and engulfed Fenrir and James. The wolf saw it coming, and flipped, throwing James forward like a slingshot.

James flew, while Fenrir vanished into thin air, his gun aimed directly at the Nobody’s chest with only few feet between them. James glowed white all over, and pulled the trigger.

A gigantic flow of pure white engulfed the area before him, and James flew back with the force of the blast. A flow of cards took him from behind, but Luxord was left facing the blast. The gambler threw his arm out in front of him, a flash of light revealing Michelle’s card. The light engulfed both the card and Luxord. There was no flashy explosion, no boom from an impact, only a slow dimming.

James struggled to his feet, stumbling a bit to the side. The masses of cards vanished, and Luxord stood with a look of shock on his face, “But… But how? This is MY game. I make the rules. How… did you win?” In front of him, Michelle’s card remained untouched.

“I told you. There was no way I’d hit her. I love her. And I’ll spend the rest of my life fighting to defend her if I have to, and I’ll go through bad guys a hell of a lot worse than you to do it!”

Luxord laughed as darkness started to stream off his body, “Heh… you cheated. Oh well… you win. Take your prize.” With that, Luxord vaporized and ceased to exist.

The card holding Michelle’s heart flashed, and released the girl from the nobody’s spell. Michelle stumbled a bit, and almost fell, but was caught by James, who took her into his arms, “James… what happened?”

“Doesn’t matter, what’s important is that you’re safe... and I kept my promise.” James said, holding her close as she regained her strength and stood on her own.

“You… can let go now.” She said, pushing away enough to look at his face, “I’m fine.”

“No… I’ll never let you go. Never again. I made that mistake once… I’m never letting it happen again. As long as I’m alive, I’ll never leave your side.”

“Jeez,” Michelle said, blushing, “You’re such a dork. Ah-“ She stopped mid sentence as he kissed her gently on the lips, where he stayed for some time.

Finally, James pulled back, and said in the warmest tone, “I love you Michelle. You are mine, and I am yours… forever.”

“James…” Michelle spoke, truly touched by her husband’s words, “James… JAMES!” Michelle panicked as her husband collapsed in her arms and almost fell to the floor, “James! Are you alright! James!”

“Calm down. He just over exerted himself.” A voice suddenly came from behind Michelle, surprising her and causing her to jump out of her skin.

“Who’s t- Oh.” Michelle stared for a moment, surprised to find someone she definitely didn’t expect to see.

The man swung is heavy blade over his shoulder, holding his finger tight to the trigger of the gun-blade, “The name’s Leon. I’m here to help… but… it would seem you didn’t need it after all.”



[[Chapter 15~ End]]


((Author's Comments:

If it isn't obvious... I'd like to dedicate this chapter to James and Michelle. May you have a long, healthy, happy marriage! I wish you the best! Congratulations! You're both awesome!))

D'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW.

AWESOMELY SWEET, HRIKO X333. *HUGGLES*. LOVED LEON'S ENTRANCE AT THE END XDDD.

AND CONGRATS, MICHIE AND JAYJAY biggrin DDDD. I WISH YOU GUYS A LONG, HEALTHY, HAPPY, LOVE-FILLED MARRIAGE! MAY YOU HAVE MANY, MANY, MANY HAPPY RETURNS X3333. CONGRATS!!! YOU BOTH ROCK!!!!

[[Chapter 16 : Phantasmal Orchestra]]

A single instrument makes a sound
A sound makes up a note
Many notes make a string
Many strings make a song
What then do you get...
When many instruments play as one?

There was a heavy silence in the air, the mood thick enough to cut with a knife. Mckenna walked quietly in line with Timmy, who seemed deeply bothered by something. Kyle opened his mouth to say something, but found no words of meaning to speak. He let his mouth shut slowly, and looked down at his feet, the repetitive scene passing by again and again as the identical steps of the staircase entered and exited his view. Up ahead there as light pouring through a doorway. Kyle and Timmy both quickened their pace to reach it.

Their eyes adjusted to the light and looked around an identical rotunda to that which they had seen a bit before facing the nobodies. They both gave a heavy sigh when they recognized who was standing in front of them. The savage nymph immediately summoned her daggers, “Oh look! It’s the loser and his little friend. This is going to be such a bore. Why couldn’t I get someone interesting. Oh well… I’ll enjoy making you scream.”


[[Cue: Sing]]


Kyle and Timmy braced themselves as the nobody took her first step. It seemed harmless enough at first… but then she disappeared, then reappeared striking Timmy from the side. Timmy was ready this time though, a stream of electricity pouring from his shield collected onto her dagger. The charge built up and pushed her back while Kyle ran forward, slicing with both blades across her side, but she broke off from her attack on Timmy and vanished from her place. The blades of the katars scraped across each other sparking and causing an eruption of earth rippling in a straight line along their path.

Larxene flew in from the left of Kyle kicking and striking with blades from every direction. Her shock came as he returned blow for blow, not hesitating of pausing like she expected from her static shocks. Her eyes drifted down to his feet where he had stone grounding him to the floor and protecting him from the majority of the shock. Larxene was about to change strategies when a shield bashed her in the side of the face, rolling her over on her side.

Timmy and Kyle stood side by side, grins on both their faces, “God that felt good.” Timmy stared, smacking his shields together sparks shooting off from his hands.

The savage nymph flew in striking again, this time, reappearing between the two. One foot went into the katar user’s face, the other into the ready shields of Timmy. Kyle’s feet broke away from the rock on the floor but Timmy stood his ground and slid back a short bit before returning to attack. The look on Larxene looked almost lazy, her eyes slits, even a yawn as he struck at her. She leaned back underneath a shield, then brought her heal up into Timmy’s chin. She then followed through, tearing apart Timmy, bit by bit, his electricity shooting off attempting to hold her off. She only seemed to grow stronger with each moment, till finally an uppercut knocked Timmy on his back. She jumped onto Timmy and laughed out loud, her eyes gleaming with joy. Her form suddenly went flying to the left, as a pillar of rock burst out of the ground next to Timmy and sent her flying. Kyle ran up the slanted pillar and launched himself off of an extension.

He caught up with Larxene and struck her across the torso, knocking her towards the floor. Another pillar blasted out behind her and sent her back into him. He smacked her back like a tennis ball and the process repeated itself. He struck again but Larxene adapted and bent out of his way. He spun around to block her but found her no longer within melee range. Larxene was closer to the room now, her daggers drawn. She threw them out, surrounding Kyle with another laugh. Kyle twisted out of the way pulling up a slab of earth from the floor just in time to jump out of the way as the autonomous daggers shot out beams of lighting towards where he was a moment before. The daggers pursued as he summoned stepping stone after stepping stone, each time looking back to Larxene who just floated in place high above.

She screeched as Timmy suddenly struck her with a thrown shield. She turned her attention to him, drawing the daggers away. Mckenna stopped on a summoned pillar, looking up at Larxene with all her attention on Timmy. Kyle pulled down with his gripped fist and a pillar shot out to strike her in the back, sending her to the ground. The daggers vanished and Timmy moved into position. As she stood up, both Timmy and Kyle struck her from two directions, spinning her like a top. Kyle spun, dragging his katar across the floor as he did. Larxene was knocked into the air by a rippling crevice that blasted forward and erupted with stone and steal of the tower. The attack continued, passing underneath Timmy, only with Timmy, he stood ready. The rocks shot up and launched him into the air. He passed Larxene, just long enough to close-line her with his shield. He met up with Kyle, who grabbed hold of his arm and flipped around only to reverse Timmy’s direction.

Timmy closed in on Larxene again, sending out a strike of lighting, and using it like a lasso. She rocketed back at him and he towards her, and a heavy fist decked her spinning her into a back flip. Timmy landed and skidded to a stop on his feet, looking back, first a Larxene in flight, then Kyle who positioned himself underneath her. He stabbed his katars into the floor, and when he drew them back up, two giant katars molded from the floor and crisscrossed each other with Larxene in the middle. The impact exploded, stone, tile, steal and many other minerals flew out from the impact point.

The dust was all over now, visibility was near zero. Timmy coughed a moment and blinked to get the dust out of his eyes. As it cleared, Larxene was nowhere to be found. An assumed victory, a false assumption. Larxene was up by the roof again, her daggers spread out evenly over it’s surface. Charges shot out from her to all the daggers, a glow emitted from all of them, then, everything was white. A thunder crack shook the entire tower as all of the beams from each dagger formed into one that engulfed the entire room.


[[Cue: Resonance]]


After several seconds, Timmy rose to his feet, limping to the side trying desperately to stand, “Damn it… why am I so useless?”

“Well I can tell you that.” Larxene responded to his rhetorical question sadistically, “You’re worthless, weak, dumb, and… useless. That’s just how the world works. Sucks for you, don’t it?”

“I wasn’t talking to you!” Timmy yelled, his eyes glancing over to Mckenna, “Damn it… if I wasn’t so weak… I need more power.”

Larxene strolled forward, stepping with an almost skip in her step, if one weren’t aware she had no real emotion, one would think she was even… giddy, “Don’t we all? Oh well! Time for you do go!” Larxene drew her daggers, and threw them all at once. Timmy guarded himself, retreating into his mind to escape the oncoming pain. But no pain arrived.

“No… I’m not powerless. I’ve just been close minded. I have power I never touched.” Timmy let his guard drop and opened his eyes, “If I’m going to need power, there’s no faster way that with darkness.” A giant ethereal shield floated before Timmy, darkness engulfed it like a flame, behind him, a massive black dragon roared loudly before bursting into block bolts of lighting and flowing into Timmy.

Larxene laughed, “So you think a little darkness is enough to save you from me?” Larxene seemed to spark a little, her temper rising, “I don’t think so!”

Larxene shot in with the speed of a bullet, attacking Timmy with a intense ferocity. Timmy summoned his shields and blocked her blows, then thrust forward with the blunt force of his shield. The thrust at first only knocked Larxene back, much to her displeasure, however the aftershock blasted her backwards into the ground, skidding along and tearing tiles from the floor.

Timmy threw his shields out to his sides, each took a position by his shoulders. They spun in place, gathering up a static charge. The shields and Timmy sparked with white and black electricity, bolts of both color occasionally sparking off of them and into the floor.

Larxene stood up, rolling her shoulder, “You’ll pay for th-“ Her speech was cut short, Timmy fired off a barrage of mixed lightning bolts, each one struck her over and over, plowing her into the ground and driving her farther along the floor until she impacted the wall, where his barrage continued.

When the attack slowed to a halt, she tried to move again, this time, Timmy’s shield flew in like a Frisbee powered with a magnetic charge. With a tug of his hand, she was pulled and laughed across the room. Timmy sidestepped as she flew past him and crashed against the opposite wall. He threw his other shield, charging her again. Then he dragged her up the wall, across the ceiling and into the floor in the center of the room. Timmy jumped into the air, spinning and floating there as if levitating, sparks of black lighting shooting off into the surroundings. He summoned both shields, and let go. They spun around him as he spun perpendicular to the ground. The shields formed spheres of black electricity around them, acting as wrecking balls as he whipped them around. The shields came around and crashed into Larxene, over and over and over, each time smashing into her, then dragging her a bit more through the floor tiles, making a short path through the rubble.

Finally, Timmy stopped, floating in the air, his shields floating at his sides. Larxene floated into the air, sparks of black lightning sparking off of her, keeping her in place as Timmy’s final attack took place. The room seemed to dim, flickering as the dark bolts spawned off of every surface. The floor and walls began disintegrating on the surface, burning away into dust particles, only to also become charged by the haunting energy form. All that energy seemed to gather into two points, one directly above, the other directly below Larxene.

There was a momentary calm, then a gigantic lightning bolt, pitch black, struck onto Larxene, engulfing her entire form inside. It expanded outward, until it filled most of the rotunda’s center. At this point it split, the ends spreading out the points from which they extended from the room’s surfaces breaking up into hundreds of points all over the roof, walls, and floor, all with Larxene as the center point for the beams. This continued for another couple seconds, then both fell to the floor.

Timmy, stood to his feet, his body shaking all the way down to his fingertips, every ounce of his energy leaving him. He’d done it, he’d proved her wrong, and defeated her… destroyed her… annihilated her… and it felt good. Timmy started laughing to himself quietly, looking at Larxene’s form lying on the floor, burning darkness off at the edges.

“What… do you think… is so funny?”

Timmy froze.

“Did you really think… that you could defeat me… with my own element? You think you’d defeat me? A little runt like you?” Larxene stood up, showing a glimpse of weakness as she stumbled a bit.

Timmy dropped his shields, and they disappeared.

“That’s right… I’m not done yet. But by the looks of things, you are. You-“ Larxene stopped short, staring out to something beyond Timmy, “No… but… you can’t be here. This wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Plans change.” A dark blur flew past Timmy and immediately following, through Larxene. Riku stood behind Larxene, holding Road to Dawn with both hands.

“But… I can’t lose… not again…” Larxene held her gut with one hand, and outstretched the other towards Timmy, “I can’t lose… to the likes of you… not…” With that, Larxene returned to darkness, vanishing from existence.

Riku turned back to Timmy, sighing at the sight. Timmy had already collapsed and was unconscious. Mckeena was a good distance away, also unconscious. Somehow, Timmy’s attack completely avoided him and left him unharmed, “Jeez… why do I always get stuck with the difficult jobs. I hope you’re happy Your Majesty.”





[[Cue: Hiro No Tsuki]]

A wall of light and a wall of darkness extended infinitely upwards and down at each side of Louis. He floated there, staring out at the two opposites raging and colliding with one another. Each eye took in a different color so that his mind could not distinguish their borders. Louis closed his eyes, finding no reprieve from the light, nor an escape from the darkness. Louis didn’t know how he got there, only that he was there. He felt a rush a wind, a breath of life, gravity, the sense of falling, then a heavy impact…

“We got another one…”

“In soviet Russia, prisoners imprison themselves.”

“Haha, I guess this is soviet Russia then.”

Louis opened his eyes slowly, coughing a bit tasting the thick air again, his lungs opening up after feeling all of it thrust out of him only a moment before, “Ungh…” Louis groaned, “Where… am I? Is this hell?”

“Right about now… I’m not sure if it’d be nicer there.” A small female voice came from a distance.

“Oh! It’s Louis! Hold on, let me through.” A familiar voice entered the dark room as Louis opened his eyes. He was on his back, looking up at a slew of unfamiliar, yet, nostalgic faces. The one closest and most distinguished now was Kichi who has a big smile on his face, “Louis!”

Louis stared, almost stunned at the cheerful reception, “Uhhh… Hi Kichi.”

Kichi pulled back out of his face and helped Louis sit up. Louis groaned again, holding the bruise on his stomach that engulfed most of his torso.

“Will Hriko be alright?” Rio said, scooting in close to the newcomer.

“Will who be ok?” Louis said now holding his head, “You’re a strange little girl, you know that?”

“Why thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.” The little girl puffed out her chest proudly only to have Maggie poke her in the side, causing a sudden exhale and giggle, “Hey!”

“Carefull, all that hot air will make your head blow up like a balloon.” Maggie said, flicking her head playfully.

Louis seemed distant, his mind in the clouds, but he drifted his gaze to each of them slowly, I should be dead… I was given… a second chance? He looked at Maggie, linger with his gaze, something seemed so familiar about her, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Oh! Sorry Louis, I forgot to introduce you… these are my friends. Maggie, Rio, that girl over in the corner is Alice, and this is John.” Louis looked at the guy standing up next to Kichi, the young man giving a small wave and hello, aided by a goofy grin. Kichi continued, changing the subject suddenly, “By the way, how did you end up here John?”

John shrugged, “Well, from what I heard from Maggie, I thought originally I was attacked from behind by Noelle. I trusted her, and swore she wouldn’t keep attacking if I put my hands up for a truce, but she kept attacking. Apparently it was actually her replica.”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Kichi nodded wisely, “Noelle is too nice to attack her friends. I mean, I haven’t spoken to her that much, but she seemed the nice enough type to hold off if someone didn’t attack her first.”

Louis, while they were having their discussion, worked his way to his feet. He stumbled, but held himself on the wall.

“Hey… you don’t need to stand. We have time. Relax.” Kichi said, standing up himself and putting his hand forward as a gesture of caution.

Louis stubbornly took a few more steps, trying to keep his independence, “I’ll be fine.” Louis tripped up and fell forward, only to be caught in the arms of an unexpected savior.

Maggie held a hand behind his back and kneeled, her face dangerously close to his, “You should really listen to him. Unless you like being saved by girls allot. Not that I mind… a boy like you isn’t a BAD catch.”

Louis’ face turned blood red as he scrambled to his feet, “I’m good… thanks.” He about fell over in his clumsy rush, but caught himself again with the wall again.

A laugh left just about everyone there in the prison except for Louis, emphasizing he awkwardness. Finally, Maggie spoke up, “I must say, you’re wrong on one part Kichi, we don’t have allot of time. Our time is simply undefined. We should get moving as soon as possible.”

Alice agreed, as did Rio, but Kichi was hesitant, “But…”

“Come on Kichi.” John put a hand on Kichi’s shoulder, “She has a point. If we stay here… we’ll be just marking ourselves off as helpless. We need to work together and get out of here.”

“If there even is a way out.” Louis spoke up, but his words were dismissed by John as nothing to be worried about.

Maggie grinned, “Alright then! Let’s get going! No time to waste!” She led the march right out of the door to the prison, barely waiting up for anyone to pull themselves together. They followed her right out the door and to the right, down the dark hallways into the unknown.

Louis all the while, couldn't shake an overwhelming unease in his heart that felt as though it was tearing him apart from the inside out.






[[Elsewhere…]]



[[Cue: Serenata]]


Only the sound of footsteps gave life to the empty, dark world around the pair that walked towards their destination. A young flutist and small boy strolled along single file up the stairs. Up ahead, they could see light pouring in from a doorway. The two stepped through, squinting a bit as their eyes became accustomed to the bright room. At the other end, a man stood leaning against the wall, his eyes only barely rising to glance through his messy hair. Jenny recognized him right away, but she couldn’t believe it.

“C-Cory?!” She tried to step back through the door where she came but was blocked by the barrier. Her eyes opened wide as he lifted his head entirely, causing whatever little doubt left to scatter leaving her with the demoralizing realization.

“I was called that at one time… wasn’t I? Yeah… that’s right… they called by Cory. They were always yelling it… angry… as I caused them so much trouble and agony. It was fun… at least… I think it was.” Cory left the wall and took a few steps forward, swinging the blade over his shoulder, “How about I make you scream too… just like back then.”

“Cory you jerk! You shouldn’t be here! You’re dead!” Jenny was trembling, but she put on a strong front, just as she had against Mac.

“So I am.” Cory dismissed his blade and lifted his hands up, shrugging as he did so in a sarcastic fashion, “I never would have noticed. Good job!” Cory chuckled in a hollow tone, “You wouldn’t happen to know HOW I got this way would you?”

Jenny gripped her flute tighter, holding it an inch away from her lips, just in case as she went to respond. Before she could however, a spiteful voice of the little boy behind her interrupted by yelling out, “You’re dead! You should be dead! Why are you still alive?!” Alan then charged forward, tearing at the floor with his grieve edge as he ran like a dog.

Cory continued as the boy approached, “Another midget… a little girl… said nearly the same thing… right before she died.” Cory summoned his rev blade, blocking the first kick from Alan at the end of a front flip.

Jenny froze, her lips trembling, “Little girl?” her heart stopped, and she could barely dredge up but two individuals that fit that description in their group, “Who?! Who died Cory?!”

Cory lowered his blade, holding it vertically to block another blow from Alan, who was still screaming something about revenge and things of that nature, but Cory paid no attention, “I can’t remember clearly… but the name Rio comes to mind. I think I knew her… not sure.”

“Rio?! Rio’s dead?! You killed Rio?!” Jenny was almost in tears at the thought, “You… you killed her? After… she was… she was devastated… and… you killed her?”

Cory raised the blade over his head, pressing up against a bicycle kick from Alan. The boy continued kicking and dragging the blades on his feet across the rev blade with a fierce determination, “She didn’t seem too distraught to me. Seemed rather pissed, actually. Wasn’t me who killed her though… some other chick took care of that for me.”

Jenny’s knuckles were white as she gripped the flute tighter and tighter, “You just stood by… and let someone kill her… she’s… dead…” Jenny’s legs felt weak, so she slid down to her knees, “Not again… we couldn’t lose Rio. I should have been there… I should have been able to protect her. Rio…”

Cory laughed suddenly, breaking her out of the pit of despair that she felt herself sinking into. He paused in his laughter, concentrating on gathering his indomitable will to his blade. The cold flames licked at Alan’s feet before with a heave, Cory knocked Alan away followed by a stream of the flames. With him out of the way, his mad chuckling continued, “She was weak. That’s all. A little weakling. Not worthy of this world. And now she’s dead.”

Jenny’s trembling stopped, her eyes staring at the floor, “Don’t… talk about Rio like that.”

“Says who? My mother? Who was my mother anyway?” Cory spun around and cleaved a clone of darkness in half. The body exploding into dispersing shadows.

“She’s wasn’t weak… she was strong, the strongest of any of us.” Jenny slowly looked up, lining up her eyes with his.

“Damn… guess that makes the lot of you a huge group of weaklings! Bunch of Disney losers!” Cory raised a finger, a grin on his face, “Oh yeah! I think that’s what I called you! I remember that much!”

“She was so young… yet she never let it affect her. She kept striving… even after all that happened… all we lost… she didn’t let it break her. At her age…” Alan sprang forward around Cory, several clones aiding him as he kicked from every angle.

Cory burst into pyreflies and reappeared a few feet back, firing off an eruption of blue fire forward into the group of Alans, destroying all but one that flew out of the flames and rolled a bit before stopping at Jenny’s feet, “Whatever… I don’t care. She’s dead now. That’s all there is to it. Anyway… are you just going to sit there… or are you going to, stand there and watch, as I kill him?”

“b*****d!!!” Alan scrambled to his feet, crouching down, ready to pounce.

Jenny narrowed her gaze, “Don’t take me lightly Cory. I’ve gotten better since that day. You’re going to regret letting Rio die. I’m holding you responsible…”

“Go ahead. You’re too weak to even think of touching me. Maybe in your dreams…” Cory waved her off with another laugh. His stance dropped down low as he came close to eye level with Alan. Jenny raised the flute to her lips, siren took her place behind Jenny, a low note already rising from her throat as well as a stream of another notes accompanying her like an orchestra. With her audience in place, the player that the ready, and instruments tuned… Jenny’s second performance in this deadly concert began.


[[Cue: For All Seasons]]


As Jenny began to play, the large rotunda began to warp and change shape. The pillars that lined the walls morphed and crossed the room like intertwining branches and vines, even bending and curving making odd shapes to the point they didn’t resemble pillars at all. Tiles floated around the air like dust partials caught in a gentle breeze. The ground shattered, as did the roof, up became down and vice versa as everything spun around the floating combatants and Jenny continued to play her song with her eyes closed, oblivious to the havoc she was causing around her.

Alan felt a surge of energy, and he shot off into the chaos. He bounced from place to place, launching himself like a bladed cannon ball at Cory as he attempted to regain his bearings in the zero gravity world. Allan struck Cory from the side, digging in and tearing away at the already cracked exterior of the undead teen. Cory vanished like a phantom and flowed out of the way and rematerialized. The cracks on his body spread horrifically now. He felt a pressure on his chest as the haunting song changed tone and instrument and hurled him downward, carried there by a large meteor crashing through the obstacles. His body impacted a pillar, patting him in soundly with a large explosion. He flew out of the fire, brushing it away as best he could sensing another presence approaching again at his back.

Cory spun around and revved his blade, crashing it into Alan’s blades. Alan took advantage of the zero gravity, flipping and twirling madly, using the rev blade itself as a brace. Cory eventually vanished again, reappearing behind Alan and swinging down placing a heavy blow against the boy’s back. Alan yelped before crashing into a floating tile. He wouldn’t let it slow him down though, he pressed off and continued his assault. His tiny body flew at Cory, spinning like a drill with his feet stretched out in front of him.

Cory brought his blade back around just in time to block the boy, but winced as the boy’s weight pounded and continued to slam itself against the blade in his spin. Finally the boy kicked both his feet out, then brought them back, locking his feet to each end of the blade. Out of his arms he shot two strings of darkness that wrapped himself, then around whatever they crossed in their path away from the boy.

Alan pulled with all his might, and like a spring releasing all its stress at once, he blasted into a spin, tearing the blade out of Cory’s hands and flipping it above him. Cory looked up, then down in time to see the boy fly forward and kick him in the chest. Allan scissor kicked, and thrust cut after cut into the undead, cracking flesh. His opponent finally pushed off and managed to gain distance, but Alan wouldn’t let him get away. Tendrils shot out and gripped Cory’s limbs. The grieve edge wielder pulled himself in again kicking with both feet, placing a sound pair of blades deep into the undead teen’s chest. Cory gasped, then found himself unable to breath as the boy pinned him to a huge floating tile, “You! You forgot everything didn’t you?! No! You can’t forget! You’re not getting the easy way out! I’m not done with you yet! You’ll live with this! All of this!” Darkness spread out from the boy and Cory, wrapping around the entire tile like blood pouring out onto a sacrificial table.

Cory struggled, but found himself unable to move. Jenny’s eye’s flashed open when she started to lose touch with Alan’s being. His heart song was fading and she could barely hear it anymore, and at the same time, and eerily familiar heart song started taking its place with intensity, “Alan! Answer me! What’s going on!” She yelled, Siren keeping up the song to allow her summoner to go to his aid.

Jenny made her way through the obstacle course slowly, heading in the direction where she could still feel the faintest whisper of Alan’s heart song. When she arrive, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Cory stood from where the song was emanating, but there was no sign of Alan. Jenny yelled at Cory, who stood looking at her with this blank stare, “Where’s Alan?! What did you do to him Cory?!”

Cory looked up, and waved with a quirky smile, “Oh! Hey Jenny! Fancy running into you here!”

“Don’t play dumb with me Cory! Tell me where Alan is, or I’ll destroy you! You… you killed him… didn’t you? I’ll make sure there’s nothing left to bring back to life!” She raised the flute to mouth level, glaring down the twisted teen, eyes spelling out the many ways she already had running through her mind on how to completely annihilate him

“Hey… come on Jenny... when have I ever killed anybody?” Cory gave her strange look, one she didn’t know how to decipher, “Well… succeeded in killing anyway.”

“That’s it! Enough of your games! It’s over!” Jenny played her song again, meteors spawning all round Cory and flying in randomly. Cory burst out of the way as best he could, warping around, vanishing and reappearing several times, each time, the meteors doubled in numbers. Finally, the density of their numbers was too great for Cory to avoid simply by bursting out of the way. Several hit him as he flew across and landed on a warped pillar. He looked back, his eyes widening greatly before lunging across an expanse to another sanctuary, out of the way of a huge meteor that flew in and crushed the pillar, and everything else along the way.

“Jeez, she’s serious…” He said to himself while pausing to regain his breath. Such a break didn’t come as there was a sudden feeling of misplacement. His feet lost touch to the floor, as a foot impacted his jaw. Jenny simply, appeared beneath him, upside-down by his perspective already kicking into him. She reappeared again in front of him, swinging her leg across his face, spinning him around to face her again where she kicked him right in the face with both feet. Again to the back of his head with a swift upward kick. Another knee to his gut from a sideways position, perpendicular to his own. Then once more a kick to the back. Nothing but kick after kick awaited him with every new motion as Jenny never even took the flute from her mouth a single moment but to take a breath.

Finally, after countless blows, Jenny gasped, as her foot impacted the flat of Cory’s blade, rather than his face like she intended. Cory looked over the edge of the blade at her face, his eyes cold and ruthless, “I think we’re done with this game.”

Jenny blew into the flute, stopping time once more. She swerved around to the other side, out of his way, and struck at his back, letting go of her note in order to breath as she kicked. Her blow was blocked again as Cory spun around and batted her away with another blow from the flat of his blade. He burst in, swinging down with his blade, blue fire consuming his entire body. Jenny placed another note, giving her time to move out of the way and prepare another counter attack.

Time unfroze and Jenny again struck at his back, but he rolled under her blow, flipping entirely upside down and back up with the blade, striking her back, and blasting her upward into an empty area of the warped expanse. Suddenly, Cory felt dizzy, his head clouded. The sound of a chorus rang in his ears, the area around him seemed to light up in flames as demonic creatures climbed out of homeless graves, making themselves present from nothing. Cory gripped his head, screaming, but his eyes flashed open a second later. He threw his blade into the nothingness and suddenly it all stopped and the noise in his head vanished.

He heard Jenny screaming, and his eyes came into focus. His blade and flown out and struck Siren. Siren vanished into nothing, and the world around them began to crumble. Jenny and Cory fell down into a darkness, then as strange sensation overtook them both as all those fragments of the old rotunda formed back into their original selves. Then, just as it finished returning to normal, so did gravity. Both fell flat on the ground with its return, and struggled to their feet.

“Nothing like regaining your land legs.” Cory commented as he tried to regain his balance.

Jenny stood at the ready, her flute once more read to be played. Cory resummoned his blade, and prepared himself…

The next few moments, went by, unable to be described. Each warped in and out of view, each moment only a glimpse of their battle, a piece of a whole picture completely lost to the continuum of time. Finally, in a flash, Jenny reappeared along with Cory, and flew down, crashing into the floor. Cory dropped down next to her. He stood over her with a sadistic grin, “Do you know why you lost?”

Jenny struggled to get out the next few words, but asked anyway, “No…”

“Oh well. Too bad. Sucks for you!” Cory brought his arm back covered in blue fire and threw it down on her, light whisking her away just in the nick of time.

I was hoping too Dawn. XDD But I don't think I would truthfully be able too even if he is weak to magic. But this just made me want to sock Cory more. ._."

Anyways, great addition Rhiko! Love the music as always. I'll have to look into Outlaw Star, the music was really nice. And the last piece by Yanni was beautiful, loved the vocals.

TAKE THAT LARXENE!! AHHAHAH >3

Well, that was epic. Woo terramancy!

Although...I don't think I've ever won a fight...I kick a**...but then I get screwed.

Regardless, awesome job!