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Kellios
RTT: Aeris Gainsborough
Posts: 23
(6/2/02 1:15:42 pm)
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Re: Introduction: Aeris Gainsborough
Don't worry, Baka. You can fix it, or just be kickass in the tourney. You've won two of them, afterall ^^
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Strangers with wings,
With a name not given...
For what is a name, itself?
Does it cause that much pain?
Strangers with wings...
For those times have past...
No more dragons of gold,
Or spirits to protect the Dark......
*******
Introduction: Part 2 of 2
Aeris stirred slightly from her sleep, and opened her dreary eyes to face the forest before her. She had stopped to rest in the forest, and the soft lullaby of the Lunar Harp drifted her off into sleep in the serene calm of the forest. She knew it had only been a day, at most, since she had to abandon her friends in search of the City of the Ancients.
It must be close. I can feel it… I just know it.
She stretched out slightly, and put her hands behind her head and looked around the forest. A lone bird chirped, and a slight breeze rustled the leaves, but that was as much activity that was going on in the forest.
If only time could stop… I would stay here forever.
She sighed softly in delight, and closed her eyes once more. Soon enough, I’ll go. But I at least want something quiet to remember.
Just as she was settling in with her back against an old tree, she heard a rustle of leaves above her and felt no breeze. Aeris’ senses kicked up and she scramble up from her spot, the Princess Guard in hand, and looked up above at the branch that made the noise.
Sitting there, a young man, her age or a little older, was sitting on a branch with his back against the trunk, one knee propped on along the branch, and the other leg swaying in the air below him. His dark blue hair and bluish-purple complexion with the combination of his wings made him look radiant, even to Aeris’ eye. He was wearing loose fitting black pants, and a peasant-style white shirt, and he was chewing on a toothpick made from a twig from the branch, aware of Aeris’ presence, but saying nothing at all. While chewing on the toothpick, his eyes were cast down on his hands, as if her was checking his nails, a grin dancing on his face. Aeris stood there with her hands tight on her staff, poised if the man would attack.
The man suddenly looked up at Aeris, who gasped slightly at the site of his vibrant, midnight blue eyes, which fluttered when they looked over her. Aeris felt very uncomfortable, and her senses were distressed by the presence of the man. He’s not from this world…
“Lady Aeris, we finally meet.” The man spoke quietly, and threw the toothpick down onto the ground, and stretched out his back against the tree with a grin on his face.
“How… how did you know my name?” She inquired, raising an eyebrow at the stranger before her.
“Your name? Simply, my dear, because I know. Why not ask other questions? Will Sephiroth cast Meteor? Will the Planet live? Will Sephiroth ever find the Promise Land?” The man chuckled at Aeris’ expression, as it was in complete shock. He smiled, almost playfully. Aeris regained her composure, but relaxed slightly.
“Do not worry, I do not intend on hurting you.” The man simply stated, and stood up, flexing his wings out wide, “I would have killed you long ago if I had wanted to. I have been here for hours, waiting for you. I only made myself aware to you simply because I finally felt that you were relaxed enough.”
Aeris felt a tinge of nervousness to her. I didn’t sense him when he was here. I sense everyone, why not him?
“Who are you?” She questioned. The stranger simply grinned, and walked to the end of a branch similar to one of the Olympic performers on a balance beam.
“That’s not that important, is it now?” He replied, dipping a leg down before coming back up with it, graceful and never swaying. Aeris cocked a head to the side, and the man twirled around on the tree.
“After all, you want to save the Planet, right? You do know if you do not pray for Holy, Sephiroth will summon Meteor, and destroy the Planet.”
“I will not let that happen. I would do anything before I let Sephiroth cast Meteor into the Planet!” Aeris growled slightly, much to the delight of her stranger.
“’Over your dead body,’ am I right?” By now he could not help but laugh, and it bothered Aeris greatly.
Who is this man to judge me?
“Enlighten me, Lady Aeris! You are the last of the Cetra, are you not?” Aeris nodded, and he continued, “Of course, as a Cetra, you have powers that no human has. But, you are weakened. You are only half Cetra, last of your kind. What do you think of that? Once a vast race, beholders of all the superior magic and intelligence beyond normal ‘human’ comprehension, and now you’re almost entirely wiped out.”
Aeris felt the hairs on the back of her neck flare, and she once again tightened her grip on the Princess Guard, “How dare you insult me!” She sneered at him, which did nothing to make the man feel threatened, but instead, more relaxed than ever.
“Ah, but you are willing to risk yourself? What would everyone think? What would Cloud think?” The stranger gazed onto Aeris, and jumped off the branch right in front of her, only about two feet away.
“After all, you do know what will happen to you, am I correct?” She could not speak. She knew. And yet she opened to it. She was not afraid of what would happen to her. And the man before her, knew it too. She sighed, and completely relaxed, letting her hands down to her side.
“Who are you, really?” She inquired again, and the man turned to the side to walk over and lean against the tree, his wings spreading out as he did so.
“A man of no importance, but to send you on an adventure where you can save the Planet… and your own life.” He paused to watch the puzzlement on Aeris’ face, and he began to smile, “But I cannot guarantee that will happen, either.”
“And if I refuse?”
“My Lady, you have no choice but to come. But, don’t you want to save the Planet? And possibly do something so much more for the sake of the Universe. Perhaps gods.” He said quite bluntly.
Aeris stood there a moment, and turned back to her tree, sat down, and leaned back against it, with her legs pulled up to her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs. The man stayed at his position against the tree, watching her every movement like a cat.
He suddenly walked in front of her, and bent down and crouched just in front of her. She watched him warily. He then leaned over, and put his hand on her cheek, just like she did to Cloud, “Will you prove yourself a savior, or become a martyr?” He said, gently.
Aeris stared helplessly at him in curiosity as if she was in a complete daze. How can he know the answers? And what other can I do besides pray for Holy to save the Planet?
“Are you certain that Holy will not work?”
The man only snickered, and shook his head, bringing his hand back to his side, “No, my dear, nothing will work, unless you choose your fate. And your fate now is to come with me.”
He stood up, and walked a step or two towards the light of the forest, and turned his head back to Aeris, “It’s your only way.”
Aeris looked at him for an instant, and then stood up, dusting herself as she did. The man smiled, and she did as well.
“If this will let me save the Planet, then it is my fate to do so.”
“So you’re finally all keen on the idea! Wonderful!” He smiled, and faced her with a kind expression, “Then let me take you… join in the ranks of so many others, and let it always remain with you….”       
*********
Gad, this came out long. Hopefully I don't get flamed for botching Aeris up *runs*
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"I'll come back when it's all over"~~Aeris Gainsborough |
Anoat
RTT: Bowser
Posts: 87
(6/2/02 2:31:37 pm)
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Introduction: Bowser
And so, Bowser makes his long awaited tournament return. This intro probably sucks because I'm writing it off the top of my head, but here we go.
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Proprietor: Bowser Koopa
Name: Bowser's Keep
Location: Nether-regions of Mushroom Kingdom
8 bedrooms, 6 baths
4 dungeons
4 towers
1 throne room
1 kitchen
1 exercise room
lava moat and draw bridge
cast iron gates
haunted north tower
500,000 sq. ft.
*iron gates open slowly as Bowser emerges from inside to greet the camera*
"Why hello KTV! Its about time you showed up. Come on, lets take a tour of my Crib!" Bowser beckoned the Lakitu camerman inside as they made their way into the kitchen.
"This is where I eat my meals mostly. As you can probably tell I live on a steady diet of Fire Flowers. Its hard to keep your breath fiery all the time, ya know? Come on, let me show you to the master bedroom."
Bowser jumped onto his bed and sprawled out. "You see ladies, this bed gets awfully lonely at night...you out there Peach? I mean, um, YEAH, this is where all the action goes down! Heh heh heh...lets go to my master bathroom."
"Uh, sir, I think theres someone in there. Look at all the steam coming out from the door cracks." The Goomba doorman warned.
"What do you know? This is MY bathroom, and you are just a lowly Goomba! Get out of here!" Bowser scolded him.
"Yes..yes sir..."
"Now, as I was saying, lets go inside..." Bowser opened the doors to the sound of...
"AAAAAAAH!!!! CLOSE THE DOOR DAD!"
"Huh? Wendy? What are you doing in my bathroom??"
"CLOSE THE DOOR NOW!" Bowser slammed the door and let a sheepish grin to the camera. "Um, you didn't get any of that on film did you? Good. Now, lets go to the throne room."
Bowser entered the chambers as he explained the room to the camera, "Now, as you can imagine, this room is quite busy. This is where I do most of my evil scheming and plotting. Next week infact, I was planning on a surprise attack of Mario and Luigi..er, I mean, I was a planning a surprise picnic for Mario and Luigi...yeah, thats right. Lets cut that part out ok?"
"Look at yourself Bowser, you've been reduced from evil monarch to doing KTV's Cribs just so you can pay your bills! How shameful!"
Bowser and the cameraman turned to see a man with blue complexion and wings sitting on Bowser's throne.
"You! Get off my throne! And how dare you insult me! I'll have you know I am the King of Koopas!"
The stranger got off the throne and approached Bowser. "Calm down B, chill out. Don't wanna lose your temper with the camera on."
"Why not?" Bowser demanded.
The stranger looked in Bowser's face. "Think of the children!"
"Hm, good point. Why are you here stranger?"
"I'm here to offer you the chance to restore your once proud image."
"What are you talking about? Theres nothing wrong with my image!" Bowser exclaimed.
"Really now Bowser? Think, have you EVER defeated Mario?"
Bowser thought. "Well, in Kart races I have!"
"No, I mean when you kidnapped Peach. Did you ever get to keep her?"
"Ummm...no..."
"And Smithy! Remember him! Man, his boys sure screwed you over huh? They kicked you out of your house and forced you to team with your mortal enemy."
"Whats your point?" Bowser snarled.
"Well, your image as the baddest Koopa on the block is waning. Just look at these national survey results." The stranger handed Bowser a spreadsheet document.
"I'm the THIRD baddest villain in the Mushroom Kingdom? Who was second?" Bowser demanded to know.
"Wario."
"Wario? How could he beat me???"
"You never played Super Mario Land 2? Ya know, that game with the 6 Golden Coins? That game was off the hizzy for shizzy." The stranger exclaimed.
"I have no idea what you just said. But who was first?"
"Wart."
"Wart? He's not even REAL!!! Mario dreamed him up!"
"Yeah, but for some reason people liked him. Maybe it was the whole throwing vegetables thing."
"Grrrr...so how do I reclaim my image stranger?"
The man smiled evily. "Simple. Come with me to the Rurouni Taikai Tactics."
"That tournament again? I already did that once, and the entire universe was almost destroyed. No thanks."
"Don't worry, that won't happen this time. Well, probably not."
"No. I don't know if I could stand being around Yume again...*sigh*..." Bowser muttered.
The stranger put his arms around Bowser's shell. "Don't worry B, I'll make sure she doesn't bother you. Now whaddaya say? Come on, the cameras are rolling."
"Huh? I completely forgot about that!" Bowser eyed the camera. "Um, thanks for coming KTV, but, you gotta leave now." Bowser explained as he pushed the cameraman out the doors.
"OK, lets say I go, what happens then?" Bowser asked the stranger.
"You'll see." He said as a smile crept on his face.
"And when do we leave?"
A bigger smile came upon the man's face. "Right now."
"Uuuuuh, not again!" Bowser howled as the two disappeared into a puff of smoke.
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OK, MTV's Cribs marathon inspired this incase you couldn't tell. I thought it would be a funny experiment. So what do you think?
"Fungah, foiled again..."
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Baka
Wind Seer
Posts: 62
(6/2/02 3:20:11 pm)
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Re: Introduction: Bowser
Kellios - I could... but I can't be arsed
Y'all should know by now that I write lots of short posts anyway. (Instead of essays, like some TKs I know :P)
Expect Ivan action full-on in the tourney. Oh, and.. did I mention his mind-read? Ex, could I have a word sometime?

Baka // Wind Seer // Salva Nos
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Exeter
RTT-Delita Hyral
Posts: 68
(6/2/02 3:47:11 pm)
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Re: Introduction: Bowser
Mind reading, eh? I hope you handle it better than I did with Mantis.
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They're all swept up in the same flow. I'm just going against it. |
Baka
Wind Seer
Posts: 63
(6/2/02 3:59:37 pm)
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Re: Introduction: Bowser
:P
Ohhh.. Kyo, if you see this, GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!
I have no way to find you Need to chat about Golden Sun-ness!

Baka // Wind Seer // Salva Nos
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Mithrigil
RTT--Scarlett Welles
Posts: 16
(6/2/02 4:30:13 pm)
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Back for another go? :::grin:::
Well, here's part three of Scarlett's intro. The end of it. Innuendoes abound. :::waves timidly at Kriz::
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Part 3; The Stranger's a Voyeur, It Would Appear
        "What's to convice you? You're coming anyway."
        "Does it make a difference whther I come willingly or not?"
        "Not really."
        "So this conversation is really rather pointless, isn't it?"
        The stranger's grin was maniacally smart. "Yup."
        Scarlett sighed, swiped the towel off her head, and flung it to the floor. "Then why are we having it?" Her hair gathered over her shoulders in half-dry honey-toned curls.
        "I said it before." Scarlett could have sworn she saw the light glint off his teeth. "I want to play."
        Her next sigh was closer to a groan. "You'll at least let me get dressed first?"
        "Of course."
        "And I'll have some means of fighting when I get there?"
        "Tell you what; you'll have every gadget you ever dreamed of at your disposal."
        That made her blink. "Every one?"
        He nodded. "Every one except the big ray-thingy you're working on now. That one's special."
        Scarlett smirked, then remebered. "You'll excuse me?" she asked, indicating her bathrobe.
        The stranger shook his head 'no', quickly. His lips were pursed slightly, adding a bit of a dopiness to his features.
        "You're joking," she quickly stated in disbelief.
        "I can't go anywhere until you come with me and I'm not going to shut my eyes either."
        "Fine. Conjure up a screen or something, then?"
        He blinked. "Hadn't thought of that." A papery Wutaian dressing-screen with an ornate floral painting appeared in the corner. "Knock yourself out."
        "Thanks," she spat at him, heading toward her closet. "I'll have you know," she began, opening it and pulling out a red halter-dress on a pillowed hanger, "that I don't expect to win."
        "You'll have help," he replied. "We're doing it in teams."
        "Really," she almost snapped, pulling out a very square shoebox as well. "Of how many?"
        "Three."
        "Lovely." She abandoned the closet and walked to a standing chest of drawers, hanging the dress on the screen as she passed it and tucking the shoebox under her arm. "So I get to help two more otherwise decent competitors lose horribly and probably die." She pulled the stocking-drawer open a little too forcefully.
        The stranger rolled his eyes and shuffled his wings. "What's to say you'll lose?" And he very quickly added "And you won't die."
        She draped the stockings and underwear over the top of the screen. "Wonderful," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Absoluetly marvelous." She slipped behind the screen--the stranger could just make out her silhouette--and thre her bathrobe over it. "And I don't get to kill anyone either?"
        "That's...still a maybe..." The stranger was blinking slowly, staring at the silhouette. He'd never seen anything of that...nature?...before. It was somehow fascinating.
        Scarlett's silhouette was stepping into her underwear and straightening it out, still a bit angrily, and overall as if it were nothing special and nothing new that someone might be watching. "At least it has some redeeming qualities." The snap of the elastic on her wet waist punctuated her statement. "Could you fetch me that ottoman over there? I need something to sit on to get my stockings up."
        "Umm...sure." For some reason, he felt compelled to get it on his own and by hand. He walked (a bit slowly) over to the silk-cushioned ottoman, prepared to lift it up, and thought better of it. He waved a hand at it and hope it would pop up in the right place.
        "Thank you," she said, and he turned back to face the screen. She was sitting on what looked to be the ottoman and stetching a leg into the air, running her hands down it.... oh, no, it's just her stocking-thingy. Yeesh. He turned away. Then he turned back.
        Behind the screen, Scarlett couldn't help but grin. She guessed, by the erratic twitching sound his wings were making that he was watching, after all. She laughed and started on the other stocking, arching her back a bit more.
        The stranger swallowed audibly.
        She continued laughing as she stood up, lifting her foot onto the ottoman and bending to straighten out the creases.
        "Um...you need anything?" he stammered.
        "No, thank you," she said, smoothing the other leg and smiling. "And whats to say whatever I ask you to get for me isn't trapped with some glorious form of torture?" She snapped the garter slightly against her skin, both to make sure it was tight enough and to make sure he was indeed watching.
        "I know when it is and when it isn't," he managed to say with his lip bitten down.
        "Really," she stated, reaching over the top of the screen to pull up her dress.
        "Yep," he said, his confidence starting to come back as he watched her slip the dress over her head. He was genuinely relieved...sort of...
        She clasped the halter behind her neck and adjusted her breasts. "You can get rid of the screen now," she said with her back to it, smirking like a demon.
        He did it a bit too quickly.
        She sat down on the ottoman and started with her shoes; crimson ones with heels so thin and sharp-looking that they might well serve as weapons. She turned her head to face the stranger for a moment and raised her eyebrows. "That's why they call them stilettos."
        He nodded. "I know. And they're good in a pinch for fighting. You'll need them."
        "And here I was thinking that I'd be able to just set off a few bombs and run like Hell." She belted one of the straps of the shoe around her ankle.
        "Mostly," he said, wondering when they'd finally get to leave.
        She strapped on the other shoe and stood up, immediately making for the mirror. "I'll just put my face on and we'll be gone, then."
        "Great." He stepped aside for her as she sat back down in her chair by the vanity.
        She reached for a ruby-studded comb. "This will be quick." Her hair was nearly dry now, and after a few rakes, was free of knots as well. She deftly twisted it at the base of her neck and turned it upward, pinning it with the comb along its side. The shorter strands in front had dried completely and fell about her forehead elegantly. With that done, she reached for the first of several bottles.
        Fifteen minutes later, when the stranger was impatiently sprawled on her bed, she turned to face him. "There. Shall we go?"
        He groaned. "I hope you don't expect to do that before every round of the game."
        She approached him with a seductive gait. "I don't expect you not to let me."
        "Umm...." he looked down at her, suddenly nervous again. "Ummm...let's go."
        Her laughter faded almost as soon as it had began.
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Guess who Ms. Sexual Repression USA is playing in RTT?

Isn't the irony lovely?
Some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mithrigil.
(this links to LT)
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AsylumXKP
RTT::Conker
Posts: 22
(6/2/02 4:55:23 pm)
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Dum-dee-doo
Scarlet: Great intro! It'll be great to fight, err alongside of you. Yeah.
Baka: Mind reading? Would you REALLY want to read the minds of villians? I mean, those guys are insane and stuff.
Bowser: KTV's Cribs, nice touch :P
To the last of you getting your intros before the tourney starts, good luck. This'll be an interesting cast of characters for this tournament.
"Oh yeah, I'm gonna get tanked tonight!"
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daigohji
RTT: Ryo Hazuki
Posts: 11
(6/2/02 6:23:56 pm)
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Introduction: Enter The Dragon
The cave led deep underground. Ryo stepped carefully over the slippery rocks, casting the flickering light of the torch in his hand over the path in front of him. Even beyond the reach of the flames he could still see for quite a distance. The smooth cave walls had an eerie green luminescence to them.
“Shen Hua” he said to the girl in traditional Chinese clothing who walked behind him, “is this cave made of…”
“Yes, Phantom River stone” she answered.
They had left the sounds of the surface far behind, and could now hear only the lonely breeze blowing through the long tunnels like the chambers of some great church organ. Slowly a second, lighter tone joined it. The distant trickle of water. Soon the tunnel opened out into a large, dark chamber. They were clearly not the first people to have gone there since there were a few burned out torches on the walls. Ryo re-lit a few of them and looked around.
“Ryo, look at this” Shen Hua called him over to one of the walls. There was some kind of large pattern carved into it. He lifted up his torch to get a better look and was shocked at what he saw. Ryo reached into his back pocket and drew out the circular mirror that he had found in his father’s dojo back in Japan. That seems like such a long time ago, he thought. He held up the Phoenix Mirror and compared it to the massive mural on the wall. They were identical, right down to the large jewel at the centre. It was then that a thought struck him, and he began casting the light over the other walls of the cavern.
Sure enough, there was another mural on an adjacent wall. But this one depicted the long serpentine form of a dragon.
“The Dragon Mirror”, Ryo muttered half to Shen Hua and half to himself. “The one that Lan Di killed my father for.”
For a moment they both stood silently, and regarded the impressive murals before them.
“You have travelled far, young one” a third voice rang out loudly and echoed around the cavern, “but your journey is still far from its end.”
Ryo dropped the torch and instinctively took up a defensive battle stance. Shen Hua looked around nervously, neither could tell where the voice had come from. Suddenly she gasped and pointed at the dragon image. A man with pale, bluish skin was emerging through the rock. He wore expensive black clothes and as he fully separated from the wall a pair of leathery wings spread out from his back.
Ryo had seen many unusual things in the last few months, but this was beyond anything he had ever expected. The stranger was not heavily built but the teenager sensed a great power behind his calm smile.
“Who are you?” Shen Hua asked him with a curious absence of fear.
“I am, perhaps, only what I appear to be” the man replied with the same smile.
“What do you want?” Ryo demanded flatly.
“Ah, far more direct. Such as I would expect of you, young Hazuki.” All that time the man had be floating a few inches above the ground. Now he landed, the hard soles of his shoes clacking sharply as he did so, and he wings drew back. “What I want … would be of little interest to you. But what I can offer most definitely will.”
“What are you talking about?” Ryo growled, relaxing his stance.
“I have a simple proposition for you, Ryo Hazuki. I am holding a tournament of sorts, and I wish for you to enter. If you are victorious I will take you to Lan Di.”
“Wait, Ryo” Shen Hua seemed concerned. “You don’t know if you can trust him.”
“I know that” Ryo said impatiently. “But I’ve come this far, and I still don’t feel much closer to finding out the truth about my father. I don’t know if vengeance is still what I’m after, but if I could just face Lan Di one more time…”
“Then you accept?” the man prompted.
“I accept” Ryo confirmed.
“Then, without further ado…” the man snapped his fingers, and after a sudden flash of light Shen Hua was alone in the cave.
 Edited by: daigohji at: 6/2/02 6:29:27 pm
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Sylphid
RTT - Vivi
Posts: 13
(6/2/02 6:28:00 pm)
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Vivi's Intro
Guess I should post my intro, seeing as the tourney starts... well, tonight?
Changes as far as continuity purpouses go...: Note a spelling change in Sylf's name (it's a better spelling for it, and anything that spares me from typing an extra letter is a welcome change indeed XDDD ). Other than that, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
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Vivi's Introduction - Rurouni Taikai Tactics
"Come on!" the voice shouted over the howling winds. "We're almost there!" It was Zidane, darting over the outcroppings of the rocky terrace with ease, the galing winds whipping past him and his companion, who struggled a bit further down.
The mage hung onto the rocky cliffside for dear life. Struggling to maintain his footing as he ever-so-carefully inched his way across the jutting cliffside, Vivi, spared a moment to glimpse at his friends progress - only to be showered in bits and pieces of rock slipping down the steep slope as Zidane bounced about. A shout ensued as a means of apology. "Sorry about that!" the voice echoed along the hard canyon surfaces, fading into the distance as it was carried with the strong winds.
Zidane and Vivi had ventured into the realm of the Wind Shrine - an ancient temple on the western continent, nearly surrounded by towering mountain ranges, shrouded in the mysteries of the past... Vivi had dared to come here once long ago, under the accompaniment of Steiner, in order to open the portal that allowed passage to the realm of Terra... but things in this forgotten temple had changed since then. The strong winds had gradually worn away the rock, crumbling the landing site for the airship (if one could call it that) to little more than dust and sand, leaving the only approachable area a ways below, near the base of the cliffside. To a professional climber, or a dexterous thief, of course, this climb up the mountain was not much of a problem - the plentiful ledges offered much standing room, making for easy leaps up the cliffside. To a mage, however, it proved slow going... and Vivi was no exception, either.
Utilizing his magical powers seemed futile. Float didn't work - the galing winds would lift and propel him off into the sky. Heck, he was fortunate to get the Dispel spell off before being carried too far! Instead, with Shell to filter out some of the blasting air, the little sorcerer was forced to fumble his way up the jutting wall of the canyon to the cavern entrance above.
A great deal of time had passed - the sun had begun to set long ago, casting a dark purple and orange glow over the heavens above. The clouds whipped by at an amazing speed, as if the world had undergone a sort of time lapse... and Vivi had still found himself with a ways to climb up.
Pausing to chant another Cure spell to restore his vitality, the mage made his attempt to work his way up the final metres of outcropping rock. Almost there...
Panting as he hopped onto the next ledge, Vivi surveyed the cliff for his next move. Finding another step, the mage proceeded to climb on up to where Zidane waited, ready to hoist the mage over the final ledge. Up, up, up the mage went...
The winds blasted the mage with all their fury. Vivi clutched his hat, bracing against the cliffside as the gales seemed to increase in force. Searching desperately for the ledge that would take him to his goal, he spotted it and pushed against the wind to climb up it. Scrambling up it with all his strength, the mage reached out as far as he could, covering his eyes to avoid getting blasted by the powerful gusts. Zidane's gloved hand found his, and the mage found himself being dragged over the top of the cliff.
At last... success! But, that wasn't exactly what Vivi had on his mind as he collapsed, fatigued from exhaustion.
The thief couldn't help but chuckle as he hoisted his friend over his shoulder, carrying the mage into the cave ahead.
-----
Zidane paced back and forth, the sound of his boots striking the cavern floor sending echoes through the halls. Behind him lie Vivi, who was beginning to return to the realm of consciousness...
The mage began to stir, raising his head to examine where exactly he was. Clutching his hat to adjust it, he began to speak. "Z-Zidane...?"
The thief quickly turned his head to his friend. "Vivi? Hey! Looks like you're back with us, now..."
"Where... where are we...?" the mage asked as Zidane approached him.
The thief knelt by his friend to help Vivi to his feet. "I'm surprised you don't recognize it by now," he said. "We're deep inside the Wind Shrine."
"Oh..." the mage gazed about in wonder as the memories began to return. "I... I've been here before..." Vivi stood up slowly, observing the passageway. "Th-the cave... this cave l-leads to the central chamber..."
"That's right," said Zidane. "But, that's not where we're going. There's another path farther beyond, and it leads to..." he paused, trying to find the words to describe it. "Well... a VERY special treasure. But I need your help... which is why I asked you to come along with me..."
"Huh...?" Vivi remarked, obviously confused about his friend's request.
"Trust me, you'll see what I'm talking about when you see it," Zidane claimed proudly, grinning slyly. "Ya ready? It's just a ways ahead."
"Uh... okay..."
-----
The howling wind echoed through the corridors.
"Ahh!" the mage shouted, hearing the eerie cry for the first time. "Wh... what was th-that...?"
Zidane continued to trek on. "Just the wind," he reassured. "I've been here before - there isn't a monster within miles of here... the wind keeps everything away from here."
Hearing Zidane say that made the mage shiver a bit... The wind keeps everything away... should we even be here...?
Zidane continued. "Strange place, this is. The wind has a mysterious power, here." He turned around. "But that's not a problem, since we-..."
The thief stopped, stunned, with his gaze fixed upon the mage... "Y-You're... uh, Vivi...?" he barely managed to spit out. "What... er, exactly is that that's glowing on your chest...?"
The mage looked down... at the pendant. The pendant that Sylf had given him... it was glowing?
The radiant glow emanated out of the lapis lazuli gem encrusted in the centre of the ornate amulet. It started faintly, then grew in intensity as the light refracted and reflected off the corridor walls, setting them awash in a blue gleam.
And then... just as suddenly as it had started, the light vanished.
"What was that...?" Zidane asked, puzzled by what he'd just seen.
"Uh... um..." was the only response the mage could form.
"That pendant..." the thief pondered. "I remember ya telling me about it sometime ago... wasn't it imbued with Wind magic...?"
"W-well, yes... but..."
"No surprise that it'd react here. Must be that treasure!" the thief smiled. "It's just ahead!"
"A-Alright..." Vivi replied. But the pendant... something about it made him uneasy... there wasn't enough power for it to be activated ever since Sylf had given it to him. Why had it started up again now...?
-----
"Now, close your eyes! I want this to be a surprise," Zidane quirked at his friend. "Come on, now!"
"Er... a-alright..." the mage mumbled, doing as he was instructed.
The thief led him into a circular chamber awash in a blue-green light, centered around the light's source - a stone pedestal at the top of a staircase. The luminance reflected off the walls, making them appear as if waves of energy were pulsating around the room. A breeze also blew through the room, but only powerful enough to ruffle the clothes and hair of the two adventurers.
Zidane nudged the mage up a few stairs. "Alright... open 'em!" he shouted.
The mage did as he was told. There, levitating over a pedestal directly in front of him, rested a staff, radiating a light. The weapon was simple, but beautiful, bearing a gem on the top that resembled the one in the mage's pendant, only much larger.
"Surprise!" the thief shouted. "Thought you'd like it! Go ahead and take it!"
Vivi gazed at it, amazed. "W-wow... you... found this for me...?" he said.
"Yep - that's why I wanted you to come along!" Zidane laughed. "You can use this a lot more than I can, and the adventure did you some good! Go ahead and take it, it's all yours!"
"Th-thanks!" said the mage, as he made his way up to his newly acquired staff. He made a reach to grab for it.
"Don't mention it!" Zidane shouted. "Just enjo-"
The thief's voice stopped - as did all noise, save the whisper of the wind through the cave.
Vivi turned, with the new staff in his gloved hand, to his friend. "Zidane...?"
The thief stood still. His mouth hung open eerily, as if he were in the middle of speaking... but no speech came out. It was as if someone had cast the Stop spell on him - but there wasn't anyone or anything around to do that...
"What...?" the mage blinked in confusion.
"He's alright," a voice echoed from behind. "The stasis is an artifact of the staff's removal, but it will be dispelled shortly. However, there is a manner that concerns you, young Vivi..."
The mage turned around to discover a man standing where the staff once rested. The blue-haired man was clad mostly in black attire, and his flesh was tinted with a faint blue hue. Most noticeable, however, were the pair of dark blue wings extending from his back, resembling those of a dragon - or a demon...
Vivi held the staff in front of him as an attempt to defend himself, should the need arise. "Wh-who... a-are you...?" he stammered, fear pulsing through him as he shook.
The man gracefully stepped off the pedestal towards the mage, who hopped back a step. "There is no need to be afraid of me, young one. In fact, I request your power."
"What...?"
"I sense you have undergone this task twice before, my friend... you have much experience."
Twice before... instantly, Vivi knew what the man spoke of. "You mean...!?" he exclaimed.
"Yes... once again, you must utilize your power for the good of others," the man spoke, his voice echoing off the wind-worn cavern walls. "But you will not be alone this time... there are others that share your quest, and they shall be your allies. Work together, and you shall surely succeed..."
"But..." the mage mumbled, trying to form a response, but unable to speak.
"You shall do well, Master Vivi," the young man spoke, raising his right hand into the air as if to cast a spell. "Take the Zephyr Staff, endowed with the essence of Wind, and prepare yourself for the greatest battle of all existence!"
And with a sudden burst of energy, the room seemed to dissolve from existence...
And all became dark once more.
 Vivi has returned once again for Rurouni Taikai Tactics. Member of Team ~Disciples of Wind~ Sponsored by Sylphid
Lord Sylphid - Master of Wind Madness takes its toll... please carry exact change. Edited by: Sylphid at: 6/2/02 6:47:50 pm
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Kyo
RTT: Issac
Posts: 12
(6/2/02 6:32:42 pm)
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Issac's Introduction
It's time. This part is in first-person. The concluding part will take the third-person point of view.
--------
Wayward Blade, Part I - The Mocking Smile
He laughs at me. His look...disdainful. Like I'm nothing to him.
Just like that last time...
It's funny how we remember the trivial, unimportant things in life. Moreso that the events that mean everything to us; where we stand, where the paths of our future lie. Where we can walk.
Where we can fall.
Looking at it that way, I guess what I'm remembering is important. But would anyone else understand? I doubt even my opponent could grasp the reason as to why I'm holding back. Would Saturos understand my reason for being afraid? Use, manipulate to his needs, yes... but actually understand? That's an interesting concept. And as I look upon his harsh figure looming over me, those cunning eyes of crimson... It triggered memory.
Of a time where I didn't need to fight, where a champion remained a thing of fantasy and legend, useless in the now that I lived in. An era of peace.
I was complacent. I blame myself for that. So I guess it was easy for me to just lose everything.
My name is Issac. An Earth Adept of Vale. I guess after all the trials and challenges I've had to face and overcome after leaving Vale, I'm most likely something more than just a mere Adept. That could account for my ability to face off with the man who was ultimately responsible for obliterating my home village. At least... the heart of it.
His partner, Menardi, is unconcious. So are my friends; Ivan, Garet, and Mia. We banded together because we shared the common goal of stopping Saturos, and because our abilities complimented each other. Together, we possess every Element of Alchemy; Venus. Mars. Jupiter. Mercury. Together, we're unstoppable.
But I'm the only one left standing, now. And only Saturos remains to face me. I'm on the ground kneeling, for I'm exhausted. My strength...my psychic abilities with the earth are both spent. And Saturos is towering over me.
With that same mocking smile I saw years ago. That smile that said that I wasn't strong enough. That smile that sent me into oblivion, with the sword close behind.
I doubt Garet remembers. He was my ally in that fight, but Saturos was as strong then as he is now. Impossibly powerful. His Psyenergy over the fire of Mars can rip volcanic eruptions from the earth, to cause superheated explosions of plasma in an instant.
And how could two kids stand up to that? I kept telling myself that, but...
I couldn't let it go. I felt responsible. And I trained in my Psyenergy abilities since that day, feeling that I could never let myself be that weak again. That if another impossible menace came to threaten the safety of the village, I'd be just as impossibly strong, and beat it back.
Things have changed since then. I find myself gaining that strength, but instead of protecting, I hunted a quarry that was stronger than I was. And slowly, surely, I rose up to that same level of strength through trial.
And yet, I'm kneeling before the man who destroyed everything in my life. He's about to do it again...if I fail.
And I can't. There's just too much to lose here.

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Slipstream
RTT: Gilder
Posts: 29
(6/2/02 6:59:24 pm)
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Gilder's Introduction
Thought I should get this done before the tournament started, y'know? Might have been able to do better, but I'm needing my sleep now and saving it for the rounds.
---
"Oooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh..."
Ow... my head...
Sunlight streamed through the ship's cabin window, illuminating everything within and bathing the slumbering man with morning warmth. He'd probably have been more appreciative if, for example, said person wasn't suffering from a nasty hangover. If it wasn't the mother of them all, it was the mother-in-law - connected to the general state of ill-being but more vicious-minded and somehow more personal.
Ye moons, what was I doing last night? I haven't felt this bad since... no, I don't remember ever feeling this bad before. And if I did, the memories of what I did are prob'ly too traum- tramau- scary to be worth knowing.
The man groaned again, unconciously attempting to rise and sinking again into the misshapen sheetings. Beyond the wooden door at the far end of the room voices were raised in friendly argument and conversation, but short of burying his head beneath the pillow briefly they didn't have much of an effect on him.
Ack, that didn't make any difference. Maybe I can risk opening my eyes now.
Blink. Blink.
Nope, not yet. Too painful.
As he lay quietly in his bed and waited for the noises and nasty flashing lights to go away, he became aware of a fluttering noise that started in the distance and moved quickly across the room. Moments later the bedsheets scrunched up near him as long claws dug into the fabric for purchase, then moved over the bed's surface towards his bare arm.
Scratch. Scratch.
"Mmmmmm... W'lly? Wha's up?"
Scratch. Scratch. Peck.
C'mon, pal, let me lie in for a bit.
The shape moved closer, coming to within inches of his face, then pushed the protective pillow out of the way and focused its attentions on the messy-haired shape beneath it.
Peck. Peck.
Just a few more h-
"BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKK!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
A loud thump marked Gilder's sudden aquaintance with the floor, as the green and white parrot whistled cheerfully and flew off to his perch on the other side of the cabin. Settling down gracefully, Willy began to preen himself as the lanky pirate captain slowly levered himself off the floor and slumped into a dresser. The second time he actually managed to get a drawer open and peered over the edge.
"Gods, Willy, that scream almost killed me!" Gilder moaned quietly as he haphazardly rummaged through the drawer. Several minutes later his grasping hand found a small silver hipflask, kept especially for this role, and moments later the cap rolled across the floor as the foul-tasting remedy did its work. It was basically water mixed with powdered Curia crystals, which were technically for removing status ailments in battle but made one hell of an effective hangover cure.
Finally halfway sober, Gilder began to dress and looked around rather aimlessly for some clothing. Shirt... shirt... ah, there's one. Can't seem to see my trousers anywhere... yeesh, I'm still wearing them. My boots too, for that matter - since I don't think we had any ladies over for the evening's pleasure, probably a good thing.
"Hey, Captain, you up yet?" a heavy voice called from the other side of the door, a solid pounding on the wood moments later. Gilder knew that his old and weathered first-in-command wouldn't enter unless given permission - he did have some authority despite his easy-living style - but he was persistant as anything. Gilder thought of Yarlod as part father, part close friend and part general bloody pain in the neck.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting ready!" he called back, fumbling his shirt over his head. "What's the emergency this time?"
He could almost visualise Yarlod shaking his head outside the doorway. "We raided a Valuan warship last night, remember? That's where we picked up the loqua that put you in that sorry state this morning, aye?"
"Aaaaaa, y-yeah, I get the point," Gilder stammered but not entirely embarrased about the whole thing. A ship the size of the Claudia taking on an imperial battlecruiser was a major cause for pride, no matter how often they did it. "We're not still in Valuan airspace, are we?"
"The ship's engines took some damage in the fight, Captain," Yarlod called back. "We don't have to power to break the cloud barriers at the moment, so yes, we're still in the Yellowskies."
Gilder thought for a moment, not allowing panic to overcome him in the slightest. It was just as dangerous to a man as indecision, and a judgement made in fear was just as making none at all while waiting for the perfect solution. "Head to Sailor's Island ," he decided quickly. "That's neutral ground, the Valuans shouldn't disturb us there, and even if they do it'll be easier to hide in the throng."
"Okay, see you on deck!" the first mate called over his shoulder as he stomped back to the ship's bridge and left Gilder in relative silence. There was never true silence on a ship, from the rumble of the engines to the boom of the sails, but sailors either grew accustomed to those sounds or took pleasure in their presence. Gilder took another quick draft from the hipflask before doing the next part of his dressing - he was never drunk when handling his weaponry and didn't intend to start now. The bullet-belt went on first, strapping securely around his waist without restricting his movement, then the holsters on either side which hung down by each hip.
Walking over to a stand in the room's corner, Gilder slowly picked up one of the silver six-shooters which he armed himself with as a secondary measure. Most air-fiends, if not all of them had an elemental weakness, so his moonstone pistol was the ideal weapon of choice in most battles. But a normal gun, a construct of lead and steel with no innate abilities... it was reassuring, somehow, to know that when all else failed there were bullets to go around. The revolver was heavy, but that added to the aura of reliability it gave Gilder of something that wouldn't let him down.
Shrugging slightly, he loaded a single bullet into its next-to-firing chamber and slid it home into the right holster. He did the same with an identical gun but to the left holster, then reached over for the red coat which hung swaying by the door. Even in a drunken stupor he'd remembered to take it off, and Gilder felt the weight of his healing crystals in one deep pocket as he thrust one arm into the sleeve. He didn't have to check the moonstone pistol - he knew for certain that was in the right pocket, and could even make out which moonstone cartridge was which through the leather due to long familiarity with the weaponry.
Whistling to Willy, the parrot looked up from its foodpot - it had finished its preening some time ago - and launched across the room to land on Gilder's shoulder. Belting the redcoat at the waist and tucking in the orange pilot's scarf, the air pirate took a final look around the room and reached for the door handle.
"Going somewhere, Gilder?" a voice called from behind him.
Leather stretched and almost tore as the right revolver was violently ripped from its holster, body rotating and barrel aiming instantly in the direction of the voice before Gilder even had the chance to turn his head. The hammer was thumbed up and clicked just as Gilder's vision finally allowed him to take in the intruder, who didn't seem the slightest bit phased by his reflexive action.
Framed by the flapping curtains on the open window - a window that not two seconds ago had been tightly bolted shut - was what appeared to be a strangely humanoid air-fiend. The creature appeared to be a youngish looking man, with pale skin that bore the faintest tinge of blue, with black clothing covering his entire body and unruly cerulean hair. Not to mention the vast bat-like wings that spread broadly from his back, which rose and fell slightly with the air currents from the outside skies.
Curiouser and curiouser.
"Well, well, clothes are a new one on me," Gilder quiped, steadying the revolver in both hands for increased accuracy while keeping it trained on the winged man. "The human look, too, and I never thought an air fiend'd be able to enter a cabin through a locked window."
"Oh, I didn't enter through the window," the man replied laconically, "I just like the sensation of wind upon my wings. Curious, isn't it? Your world is a civilisation of the skies, yet none of your people have ever learned flight and all those that have are branded 'fiends'."
Gilder stared at him for a moment, then regained himself and focused again on the man." Right, right, so you just appeared in the room and opened the window within the space of two seconds, and without my noticing."
"Exactly." Seeing Gilder's weapon still trained on him, he added, "and you can put your weapon away, too."
"I'm not here to harm you, and I doubt that you could harm me either with such a thing. Or do you think I might just go back where I came from without saying goodbye?" the draconian remarked sardonically. "It's no good calling for your crew, they wouldn't be able to hear you at the moment - this little discussion is solely between the two of us."
Slowly, somewhat reluctantly, Gilder lowered the revolver but didn't return it to its holster. "So, dragon-man, why are you here? I usually offer my uninvited guests something to drink, maybe a meal with the crew, but I'm guessing you're not here for that kinda thing."
"I wouldn't object, but time is pressing." The man leant forward on the bed, silvery eyes locking with Gilder's." I'm offering you a chance to compete in a grand tournament, Gilder, a chance to win a prize of your choosing when you return to this world."
"And the catch is?"
The man chuckled slightly. "Always so wary? I suppose blind trust isn't a recommended skill in a game of survival."
Gilder stiffened instantly, knuckles whitening on the handle of the revolver. "Survival? Surviving isn't a game, dragon-man. That's what you offer me?"
"That is correct," the intruder replied. "You will be in a team of two others, so your chances of victory are more likely than if you were alone. But yes, this is still about survival and defeating your opposition."
Snapping up the revolver again and aiming directly between the man's silver eyes, Gilder spat at him. "I've spent more of my life surviving than I ever wanted, and I'm not going through it again. And damned if I'm letting you do the same to others," he cried angrily, pulling the trigger.
The single bullet both seemed to exceed all possible speeds and slow down to near non-movement at the same time, audibly screeching as it left the barrel and travelled towards the man in its unpredictable path. The draconian kept his gaze on the bullet for a moment longer then glanced at the floor, and the projectile hurled itself that way in direct contradiction to physical laws.
Sighing, the man stood and spread his wings. "I'd rather not have done this, Gilder, but you are coming with me. Like it or not." With that, he slowly faded into the background and as Gilder looked around in shock, the world swam around the pirate in an explosion of colour and once more he collapsed into the unknown.
---

~~~~~ dance ~~~~~ for ~~~~~ me ~~~~~
Edited by: Slipstream at: 6/2/02 7:18:48 pm
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Kyo
RTT: Issac
Posts: 16
(6/2/02 8:09:02 pm)
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Issac's Introduction - Part 2
The Wayward Blade, Part II - Resolution;Capture
Silence permeated the Venus Lighthouse's highest floor, only to be broken by the occasional sound of the howling wind. The fallen figures of four warriors that had exhausted all their strength neither added to the silence nor took away from it.
Two exhausted figures were the only ones that stood there, neither daring to make a sound or a move that could tell his downfall. The more exotic-looking of the two had a mass of silver-blue hair, slitted eyes of crimson and a skin tone of an even deeper blue. He was covered in a plate mail of a foreign substance, and was armed with a sword that glowed red, naked to the tip as it swayed back and forth, moving with it's wielder's one-handed stance in the air, posed like a serpent with fangs exposed.
The other figure looked decidedly more human than the other. With a cropped wealth of unkempt, golden-blond hair, the other warrior's youthful features showed that he was not much older than a normal teenager. However, his sappire-blue eyes bespoke the weight of one who has suffered many battles early on in life, but also spoke the retainance of youth's innocence... or naievity. This warrior carried a battered suit of grooved splint mail, and a sword almost as exotic as his opponent's origin, normal in form yet glowing, with a powerful rythymic aura of gold. Its wielder held it like an expert swordsman, having a strong angle of attacking distance yet close enough to have an equal defense, and both aspects had the iron of the youth's two-handed grip.
"So, Issac," the eviler-looking of the two nearly hissed; a sing that he had lost his breath, "ready to concede? I won't be defeated by the likes of you. Surrender now and I'll spare your life..."
The younger swordsman responded in bringing his blade up to bear in an arc, lancing towards his opponent's left side. Saturos parried the strike, and countered with a sweeping strike at the Earth Adept's other arm. Issac shifted his grip to adjust to the speed, and whirled his blade in a circular formation. The movement caught the Fire Clanman's dull-red sword milliseconds before his attack connected, and almost forced it out of his hands. The elder warrior spat an incomprehensible curse and then attacked head-on, slashing and thrusting high and low, in random bursts of energy. But Issac's defence was inpenetrable, and the youth's counterattacks forced Saturos back once again.
"I won't let you win, Saturos. Not so long as I stand!"
Issac defiantly shouted his ultimateum at the blue-skinned clansman, a ruddy-golden glow suffusing his body as he prepared to attack with Psyenergy instead of his weapon.
"You won't be standing for long, Issac. I've saved this ability just for you... so you can see me triumph," Saturos sneered, and brought the full extent of his Mars Psyenergy up to bear much faster than the Vale swordsman could ever hope to match. His body flared up as it took on bright red aura, and the Fire Adept roared as he slammed his palms and his will into his foe as one--"so...feel my WRATH!! PYROCLASM!!"
He couldn't believe this was happening, even as he moved his sword down to stop him--too late, and Saturos forced his entire will crashing down on his mind as he struck his mail. His mind was already numb as he felt superheated fires of Ether tear through his body like it was a leaf in a brush fire. Abstractly, he watched himself burn in Saturos' fury--
Wait! This isn't supposed to happen! I came this far! Everyone is counting... on me....
And finally, darkness pulled through the horror of the destruction of body and mind, to claim him.
*******
No...no...I failed everyone....
Did you like that?
Wha? Who..?
He opened his eyes. If he wasn't dead, then someone was pulling quite the prank. He sensed around--
He was atop Venus Lighthouse. Alone.
"Come on. I don't have all day."
Feeling disoriented, Issac stood up once again. The feeling of Saturos' Psyenergy crushing him had all but vanished, leaving him to wonder if the event had actually taken place, since there was next to no visible damage on his body.
My, you're quite the clever one. You've already seen through my little scenario.
"Who are you?" Issac almost wanted to scream it. The Lighthouse Aerie had no-one atop it but him... or?
Above you, my good man.
Issac craned his neck skyward, and was greeted by a figure that outdid Saturos himself when it came to nonhumanity. He had dark-blue skin that almost bordered on pure darkness, and highlighted wings of the same darkened sapphire hue as his body. His face held a speculative, michevious grin that the young warrior distrusted immediately. He'd seen too much vaunted cleverness in one day.
I'm here to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime, Issac. To gain that strength so crucial to you. To surpass even being an equal on Saturos' level of power.
He wondered how some cosmic being could just appear and know about the details of his life, but figured that the move of revealing his personal information was just bait.
So, he countered by ignoring that point and looking dubious. "I don't think I need any help. What I saw back then was an illusion, according to you. What do I need more power for?"
How about, to make sure my scenario doesn't happen? You could fail, you know.
Issac's breath caught in his throat for a minute, and then he shook his head again.
"Sorry, but I've no reason to trust you, or any reason to desire your offer. Stopping Saturos is the only thing I require strength for now, and I don't want a part of whatever you've got planned."
I don't think you understand your situation, Issac.
He suddenly found himself unable to move a muscle; not even his fingers could twitch or his arms move towards his sword hilt in automatic response. His eyes could move, however. And all he could do was watch as the winged being pointed a finger at him that exploded into dazzling light.
I asked you nicely, but there was no real choice in the matter. You're needed in my tournament... needed at the side of people similar to yourself, at least in heart. I don't want to keep them waiting, thus it's time for us to go.
Feeling appropiately helpess, Issac could do nothing but watch the light--for a little while. Then he fell unconcious.
 Edited by: Kyo at: 6/3/02 6:51:14 am
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Tyrus Alfudore
Customer
Posts: 22
(6/2/02 8:23:39 pm)
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Re: Issac's Introduction - Part 2
(What is this emotion? Why does it plague me so? Once everything was clear. As clear as the
ocean that now stands before me. Where has that clarity gone? Why is it substituted with so
such weakness? I had power once. True and ultimate power. None could touch me save for
one. ZIDANE! What have you done to me? I have the urge to go over to your precious
Alexandria and kill you now along with your annoying band of weaklings. But I don’t, nor does
it seem I want to. Your were willing to die for me. After all of the millions of lives I slaughtered
you still were willing to die to save me. Why?)
The waves beat steadily on the shores of the baron and lost forgotten continent. All life seemed
to be nonexistent on it’s baron shores except for one. The being Kuja, his soul filled with new
emotions and sensations he’s never felt before. Confused and wrecked Kuja wonders this baron
waist land thinking and feeling the internal war inside him. He’s still overwhelmed with the urge
to do what he’s always done. Rule, rule over all beings and kill anyone who resists his power. As
he stares out into the ocean he remembers the power he once had. He’s lost all but a little of it
for he can’t focus it with the same clarity he once had.
Kuja was so deep in thought that he almost didn’t hear it. The sound of erratic, rushing footsteps
coming from behind. Someone was running towards him. This strangers face was twisted with
rage and fury. The man was running full speed with a sword raised above his head ready to strike
when he was close enough. Kuja calmly outstretched his hand and did a basic FIRE spell on the
man. As the fire engulfed him, the man screamed in agony. The sound of a man burning to death
wasn’t uncommon to the ears of Kuja, but with this he felt a flicker of something he never felt
before. Sadness, guilt how weak he had become! With one final desperate attempt the man leapt
as far as he could and wound up right at Kuja’s feet as he took his last breath. Kuja stared down
at the burnt corps feeling strange sensations flowing through him. After what seemed an eternity
Kuja finally took his eyes of the man and continued to stare into the ocean.
(I killed a man. It felt good to kill again. How I’ve missed the sensation of being superior. How
I’ve longed for it so much. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it until now and yet. I feel
almost weary about what I’ve just done. What the hell have you done to me ZIDANE! I hate
you! I hate you why couldn’t you have been like me! We could’ve been unstoppable together
and instead you do this to your dear brother! Turn him into a wreck of emotion!)
With that Kuja let out a scream. A scream he hadn’t let out sense he destroyed Terra. Just then
the water started to change color. It seemed to be glowing a brilliant white light. Light almost
equal to when Kuja used HOLY. Kuja stopped and looked at the water. (Am I doing this? Is my
power returning?) Kuja quickly answered his own question as the water started to glow even
more brilliantly. No Kuja was not doing this, what ever it was Kuja was not going to stick around
and find out. As Kuja tried to move however, he found he couldn’t move a muscle. The light
continued to grow and grow until it completely engulfed Kuja. Kuja then felt a falling sensation.
This continued as long as Kuja was still conscience.
Tyrus
Edited by: Tyrus Alfudore at: 6/2/02 8:26:40 pm
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Exeter
RTT-Delita Hyral
Posts: 70
(6/2/02 8:25:37 pm)
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Re: Gilder's Introduction
Here's the next part. Hopefully I'll get the last one done before the tournament actually begins...shouldn't take long, I just needed a break.
WARNING: CONTAINS FINAL FANTASY TACTICS SPOILERS!
*************************
Introduction: Delita Hyral (Part 2)
Delita’s pace increased as the outline of Fort Zeakden grew more substantial, slowly changing from a glimmer on the horizon to the decent-sized stronghold where Teta was likely being held.
Beside him, Ramza determinedly lead the rest of the Gariland Academy graduates who had fought alongside the two of them since the invasion of the Magic City by thieves a month earlier. A general sense of uneasiness had washed over the group, but Delita’s urgency and Ramza’s confidence kept them moving. They were almost there.
Suddenly, the wizard of the party uttered a short gasp, then began frantically gesturing to the east of the fort. Delita slowed his pace slightly, and scanned the horizon for whatever had caused the alarm.
A small troop of Death Corps, identifiable easily from their lack of distinguishing marks, was on the move in the east, while the much larger force of the white-clad Hokuten army was making its way toward the fort from the south.
“Hurry, everyone!” Ramza yelled, and the party broke into a run.
-*-
Delita tossed and turned in his sleep, fitfully re-living the event that had forever changed him.
“No…not again,” he muttered.
-*-
Finally, they had made it. Delita slowed his stride as they neared the rear of the fort, and a voice became audible.
“…Powder inside the fort! More than enough to blow all of you to hell and back! Got it? Then, get out!”
The voice that replied Delita knew all-too well.
“The Hokuten will never be threatened by you!” Zalbag.
Ramza and Delita gave one another a brief glance, then ran forward as one.
“Brother! Algus!” Ramza exclaimed.
Delita was not pleased to see Algus by any means, particularly not as Zalbag’s right-hand man, but his surprise was redirected when he looked up to the walkway between the two main buildings of the fort.
“Teta!” The man who must have been talking first, obviously a Death Corps soldier, held Delita’s sister in front of himself as a shield.
“Delita!” Teta screamed, trying to pull away from the green-clad knight.
The man restrained her, and shouted, “Get out! Now!”
Zalbag seemed not to have noticed his brother and Delita, and turned to Algus.
“Go on, do it!”
Algus raised a crossbow as black as night. “Yes, sir!”
Delita could do nothing but watch. The Death Corps soldier seemed taken aback as he realized what the blonde knight was doing.
Algus aimed and fired.
Time seemed to slow.
The bolt flew true, hitting its target in the center of the chest.
Teta collapsed in a heap.
Delita tried to scream, but couldn’t. His only sister had been shot. He had failed her.
The Death Corps knight seemed confused. “What’s this?”
The second shot found its mark as well as the first. The soldier fell back, but was still alive, and clutched the chest wound dazedly.
Teta managed to lift her head slightly, and her whisper echoed through every recess of his mind. “Delita…”
At last, the scream came. “Teta!!” But no more signs of life came from her still form.
More voices. A part of him wanted to be able to hear them, but there was nothing left in the world now but Teta. His sister, abandoned by the world they had grown up in, without a choice in how or where.
She was dead.
He was barely aware of Zalbag’s exit, along with a messenger that had come with some report, likely concerning the remaining Death Corps troops. Behind Delita’s sister on the walkway, the Death Corps knight slowly pushed his way back into the fort with a muttered oath, slamming the door before another Algus could fire again.
Algus.
The Limberry cadet was grinning.
“Teta!” Delita yelled, surging forward. Algus’s cocky smile disappeared as he saw Delita and Ramza.
“Where are you going?”
“Algus! You bastard!” Delita said as the fury consumed him. Slowly, meaningfully, he drew his sword.
Seeing Delita’s intentions, Algus raised his crossbow. “You want to fight? Fine then, let’s go!”
Ramza, bewildered, muttered something, but Delita was only aware of Algus.
“C'mon!” Teta’s killer yelled. “Animals are animals! I'll prove it to you!”
Algus whistled shrilly, and Delita involuntarily came to a stop. A pair of female wizards joined the trio of Hokuten knights flanking Algus, and the sounds of more approaching soldiers on the far side of the fort suggested there were even more.
Ramza paused, indecisive for but a moment, then raised his sword to signal the attack as Algus similarly gestured his troops to engage the enemy.
The first attack came from Algus, whose crossbow had already been aimed at Delita’s heart. Vengeful, Delita brought his shield up just in time to deflect the bolt.
As the Hokuten knights flanking Algus quickly encircled him and brought their shields up to defend against the charging Delita, Ramza and his troop advanced on either side of the fort to engage their closest enemies. The wizard who had earlier noticed the band of Death Corps began charging a spell, but Ramza himself stopped several yards short of Algus and the Hokuten troops.
“Why, why are you doing this?” Ramza demanded bitterly. “Algus, why!?”
“It's your brother's orders,” Algus replied scornfully, readying his crossbow for another attack on Delita. “Please don't ask why. Besides, would you sacrifice the Hokuten pride, all for a common girl!?”
Delita’s rage increased at the words of his sister’s, killer, and the voices dropped to a murmur, barely discernable against the clashing of steel. Algus, now trying to convince Ramza of his folly in defending Teta and Delita, was ill prepared for the furious knight’s attack.
“Algus! You murdered Teta! I'll kill you! I swear it!”
Ramza, Algus and their respective parties could only watch in amazement as Delita leapt up onto the hill beside the fort and broke through the trio of knights protecting Algus.
Algus held up his crossbow to ward off the attack, and saw too late that the sword’s target was actually the weapon itself.
The crossbow flew apart, broken into two separate halves. Algus’s eyes widened, but relief quickly replaced fear at having survived Delita’s initial attack, and the Hokuten knights’ surprise soon became anger at having let the commoner through their barricade.
Seeing Delita’s predicament, Ramza charged and stabbed into the unprotected back of the knight closest to him, and the wizard’s flame spell caught the other two off guard, forcing them back and searing into armor and flesh alike.
The female Hokuten wizards quickly began preparing a counterattack, while the pair of knights who had been burned recovered from the attack and continued their advance on Delita. Ramza was similarly occupied with the wizards and the third knight, though it seemed Ramza had the upper hand for now, as the wizards were still charging their spells. Algus, meanwhile, took advantage of the situation and hurt Delita as best he could without his crossbow.
“Angry, Delita? Angry because you're so utterly helpless?” he chuckled arrogantly.
Delita wrathfully traded blows with the two knights in an effort to reach his sister’s murderer, but Algus continued haughtily.
“Know your limits! Commoners don't have power to change things!”
Delita swung his sword in a wide arc, vehemently trying to get through the Hokuten knights.
“That's right, get angry! It's all you can do! Ha, ha, you deserve it!!”
Finally, something snapped. Parrying one blow, Delita sent his sword through the belly of the other knight. “Is that it? Is that all, Algus?!”
A little nervously, but still full of overconfidence, Algus replied, “Don't be mad, Delita. You'll join her soon!”
Delita only half heard himself call out a response as he cut through the second knight. Algus, realizing his precarious position, quickly attempted to retreat, but Delita was too fast. Just as Algus’s death seemed certain, a bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens, burning Delita painfully. He had forgotten about the Hokuten wizards.
“Are you all right, Delita?” came Ramza’s breathless voice as he dodged the third knight’s attack.
“Leave me alone, Ramza! Once I’m through with Algus, you’re next!” Deep down, Delita knew this was unfair, but it had been Zalbag, Ramza’s own brother, who had ordered the shot. His sister was dead, and he would not rest until she had been avenged.
Algus continued his retreat, and the wizards began to charge more magic. However, this time both Ramza and Delita were ready. As they began charging, Ramza finished his opponent, and Delita quickly leapt behind the closest black mage, blade flashing in the sun.
The wizard collapsed.
Her companion’s spell was nearly ready, but Ramza quickly advanced, stopping just close enough so that she would be affected by her own spell. A mass of ice sent him reeling, but he survived, while the wizard was unable to withstand a similar torrent of nature.
Nothing stood in Delita’s path now. Calmly, he walked to Algus, put a hand around the other boy’s neck, and slid his sword so fiercely into Algus’s chest that the wall behind him dented.
Delita released the murderer, only to let him slide slowly off his blade and onto the pool of blood forming at his feet. A look of surprise tinged with disgust filled Algus’s face as he spew forth one last remark.
“Damn you,” he coughed, “how could I be beaten by weaklings like you?”
Death took him, then, but Delita felt no sense of justice. Instead, slowly, he climbed to his sister, leaving the bloody sword beside Algus’s still form.
The Hokuten troops had all been killed or retreated. Some of Ramza’s party lay beside the Hokuten corpses, but Delita could only see Teta.
Tears streaming down his face, he picked her up and looked at her face, already going pale. His only sister, the only family he had known for most of his life, and she had been taken from him before his eyes, more violently than their parents over a decade earlier.
"This was no plague," Delita whispered. "People did this. They killed you…why? Why did they involve you? Are they really using me, too?"
Ramza was yelling at him, now, but he couldn’t hear him. He cradled Teta’s still form in his arms and cried, wishing that he had never heard of the Beoulves, Algus, the Death Corps, or any of them.
A sudden explosion from behind him cut off Ramza’s cries for a moment, then they returned even more urgently.
“Delita!!”
The fort’s powder had been ignited, but Delita didn’t even care.
"Teta…"
The next explosion consumed everything.
With a scream, Delita awoke, only to become aware of a presence in his room.
End Part 2
---

They're all swept up in the same flow. I'm just going against it. Edited by: Exeter at: 6/2/02 8:47:37 pm
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Exeter
RTT-Delita Hyral
Posts: 72
(6/2/02 9:35:35 pm)
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Re: Gilder's Introduction
Here's the last bit.
*****************
Introduction: Delita Hyral (Part 3)
Delita pushed himself to his feet as quickly as he could, and wondered how long it would take him to get his sword off the wall. He knew it wasn’t Ovelia, and no one else would dared have entered his room uninvited, unless they had foul intentions.
I’m no monk, but I can punch pretty hard. Delita didn’t bother to wonder about the random thought, and instead studied the silhouette standing in the doorway. Even if I could get to the sword before he could, I’d have to go through him to do it.
Aloud, he said, “Congratulations. You’ve entered what is likely the most inaccessible place in Ivalice. Well done.” Wryly, he began applauding the oddly shaped stranger.
“At last, a King with a sense of humor. I can’t tell you how many worlds have yielded nothing but disappointments. That King of Eblan was so excruciatingly annoying that I decided against inviting him after all. A pity, I would have liked to have at least spoken with the young Queen, but…”
“Inviting? What are you talking about?”
The figure stepped out from the shadows and Delita was taken aback. A tall, draconic, cerulean-haired man in black unfurled his wings as he left the confines of the doorway, just missing the pictures hanging on the wall on either side.
“Tell me, King Delita Hyral of Ivalice, how would you feel about entering a tournament?” The man smiled and spread his arms. “It would be the ultimate battle, and you would at last be able to prove to yourself and everyone that you are not a man who is used. Perhaps, should you so desire it, you may be able to prove that you don’t need to use other people, either.”
What is this idiot talking about?
“Allow me to explain,” the blue stranger continued as though he had read Delita’s mind. “But, I am sort of pressed on time…perhaps we could discuss it on the way?”
“Are you kidding? Get out.”
“A pity you feel that way. Oh well…good luck on avenging your fallen comrades.”
Before the man could leave, Delita surprised the both of them by slamming a hand on the draconian’s shoulder. “What did you say?” he managed, slightly out of breath.
“Oh, nothing, really. But you should know that there are others besides your wife to whom you should explain yourself, those who might be able to offer some reassurances, particularly regarding the young Ramza and Alma Beoulve.”
“Wh…who could do that?”
“Follow, and see for yourself," the dragon-man replied as he retrieved Delita's sword and armor from the wall and handed them to the King.
Delita quickly donned his fighting garb, then entered the azure portal and found himself…
-*-
Ovelia hid the dagger behind her back as she entered Delita’s room. She knew it had been him. He had killed them, and soon he would do the same to her.
Unless she beat him to it.
A quick look around the room, however, told her that something was amiss. “Delita?” she said quietly.
But Delita was already gone.
End Introduction
**********
I hope someone will appreciate that RT1 character ref.
Edited by: Exeter at: 6/2/02 9:39:56 pm
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Cirrus Velious
RTT - Link
Posts: 17
(6/2/02 10:48:32 pm)
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Re: Gilder's Introduction
And Finally, I get my intro semi-written...
*********
Link's Intro: Part 1
A cold wind blew across the darkened expanses of Hyrule field. Link rode swiftly across the ruined land, coming to a stop at a fairily protected alcove. Tomorrow, he would face the man who had caused all this, Tonight, he rests.
"Link?Link?LINK!!!!"
Link opened his eyes to see the familiar blue light emanating from his fairy friend.
"Unnh?Hey Navi?"
"You were SUPPOSED to be meditating, not snoring dummy!!" she said good-naturedly as she landed on his shoulder, the light dying down as she stopped flying.
"I know Navi.I?m just so tired. I haven't slept at all in the last three days, you know, between slowly losing a one man battle, rescuing the sages and trying to figure out what the heck that Sheik guy's angle is in all this."
Link sat with his back against the tree. His life had completely changed so long ago, and yet to him, it'd only been just over a week.
"You're the legendary Hero of Time, remember? You don't need sleep, at least?you wouldn't if you were a GOOD Hero of Time!!"
"Ahh, shut up Navi!!" Link said laughing and swatting at her.
Navi dodged his hand effortlessly and floated in front of him, sticking her tongue out at him as she flitted out of his reach.
"Get back to meditating, 'Hero', you can't go up against Gannondorf all...well...the way you USUALLY are!!" Navi said, enticing a menacing look and a bit of a laugh from Link.
"Okay, Okay! Always gotta keep me on track, huh Navi? Think you could do it without the insults?" he said, still smiling.
Navi simply looked at him, floated right down to his face, and uttered one word?. "Nope!!!" before flying out of his reach once again.
"I'm going to get you!!" Link said jumping to his feet and laughing, finally being able to relax a little and have some fun after so much of nothing but stress.
"No you won't!!!" Navi giggled, hovering up into a tree.
Link jumped up and grabbed ahold of a branch, swinging himself upward. "You're mine Navi!!". Link jumped off the next branch, aiming for one slightly above him.
"No!! Link Don't...." *Thunk* "....Jump..."
Link hit the ground with a heavy thud. He sat up slowly, summoning the strength to mutter a single word... "Ouch..." And then fell backwards and hit his head on a tree root.
"See? You should've listened to me dummy!" Navi floated down to check on Link. "Link?" She floated onto his chest, using her tiny hands to check his pulse. "He's alive....the dummy knocked himself out! shouldn't scare me like that!!!", she yelled to him, but he couldn't hear her, he was already out cold, deep in a dream....
*******
I got the ref Ex!!!! I thought it was quite funny, actually...Now to get to work on part 2....
Edit: Okay...somehow all my quotes turned into question marks...that's definantly the weirdest thing I've seen happen on EZBoards EVER.....
Edit 2: Okay...now I'm SURE EZBoards has an undying hatred for me...I'll have to do this manually....
 Edited by: Cirrus Velious at: 6/2/02 11:07:14 pm
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TenshiKain
RTT :: Ramirez
Posts: 9
(6/2/02 11:16:42 pm)
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Heart of a Silver Sword
"You're leaving."
At the soft, timid voice behind him, Ramirez nearly dropped the compass into the suitcase laid before him. His drab silver-colored room, while very much satisfactory for his work, offered somewhat of an echo that often surprised him with a visitor. It didn't help much, as his nerves couldn't be more rattled; leaving the sanctuary of the Silver Shrine was a totally new experience for him. And down there, in the bleak and foreign skies of Arcadia...well, none of his fellow Silvites would give it a second look.
Except, maybe, the one standing behind him.
"...yes, I've decided to," he said, turning to lay his sylvan gaze upon his visitor. "The elders have given me enough time to consider. I will find the Moon Crystals once more. That is my duty."
She nodded, her eyes half-lidding. He took in her appearance, memorizing the details for this final day on the Great Silver Shrine. He was, indeed, leaving. And he would not be back for some time.
She was petite, unlike his own 5'10", and her hair was slipped with a veil and slightly more golden than his wispy white locks of hair, but the differences, physically, stopped there. They had been mistaken for brother and sister as youths, though they were in no way related. Her eyes were still green, though slightly aqua, her build very slender and effeminate. His was lithe, supple but solid, masked behind a dark set of clothing- the attire he'd picked for going down to Arcadia. Her hair was shoulder-length, as his was. She seemed to mirror his own gait, often walking in perfect harmony with him when they were alone. She had a Silvite symbol imprinted on her forehead, the mark of magic; she would look on it sadly, sometimes, but he didn't mind at all. It merely made her more beautiful.
She stood in the doorway for a moment before stepping forward, her hands clasped in front of her belly as she did so. "I see..." she murmured, in the voice he'd come to find familiar. "When you get back, you must tell me about Arcadia. What the sights are, what the cultures are...what the people are like..."
Ramirez's expression changed to a slight frown, and he turned back to slip the compass into the small black case before him. "You know what they're like," he gritted out, fitting the compass between a map and a cleaning polish for his sword. "Belligerent, apathetic, cruel...you're better off not going. I wouldn't wish this on especially you, Fina."
He heard her stop behind him. Ramirez looked over his shoulder, finding her looking forlornly at his desk. Fina had paused in the center of the thrumming lights of silver that lit up his room, and her slip-over robe and pale white stockings seemed to glisten with it. Her bracelets twinkled with her eyes as she ran a hand over the desk's polished metal surface. To his surprise, her almost diminute lips curved up into a smile.
"I didn't know you still had this," she said, holding up her hand. She clutched in it a doll, prompting Ramirez to offer a rare, deep chuckle. The doll was matted, ratty and crudely sewn together, cottony at the seams and missing one button for an eye. It was clothed in a little blue apron, sky blue at that, its skin as peachy as markers had been able to make it and its carpet-fashioned hair brown. The hands were old baby mittens from the nursery, the feet made with shoes of the same type. There was a pink smile stitched over the face, and a black button as the only eye left.
Ramirez picked the case up from his small bed and walked over to her. "My first birthday present, wasn't it?" As he stepped beside her, laying the pack down by his desk, he shook with an unmentioned snicker. "Only one I'd been given, at that. I couldn't just throw it away; it looked like you actually spent time on it."
Fina bowed her head slightly, running a thumb over the cheek of the doll. "That is truly, um...nice of you..."
Ramirez mimed the crane of her neck, finding himself full of tight smiles today. He'd known her long enough to know that tone of voice was one of embarrassment or flattery. He'd not usually pried when she entered that mood; Fina was as pure as a Silvite woman could get. Always kind, gentle, ladylike; he enjoyed that about her, and found it forged the one friendship he'd been able to trust. Lately, though, he'd been given question as to why he was getting closer.
Just like he was now- his hand seemed to materialize on her shoulder. She jolted at the touch, her head coming up to reveal a blush of bright pink, and her hand dropped the doll. Before it could hit the floor, however, the white glove of Ramirez's hand slipped beneath it, and its limp surface dropped into his palm. Ramirez clutched it tightly, the fabric yielding easily to his skin; for its simplicity, the doll was soft in almost unearthly way, sewn with the greatest of delicacy. Warm, and soft, and tender.
Then he realized that was what he held in his other hand.
Zelos! What am I doing? Ramirez held back his hand, suddenly very reluctant to do so. Fina was close now, and dangerously. As the silver shocks of hair fell past his eyes, Ramirez turned his head away from her to look at other objects on his desk- his old training knife, a piece of moon gem, an extra map of Arcadia, a model of a ship. Anything that might take his mind off what had just happened. He knew this was cowardly, completely against his creed, but there were some things a man just could not face. Touching a woman in the heat of the moment was one such enemy.
"Forgive me," they both muttered.
Ramirez nearly flushed at the temples, himself. He offered an apologetic nod, testing the doll in his hand. "I'd like to make this simple," he told her, "so...will you keep this, for me, until I get back? I won't be too long-"
"Yes," she said quickly. Fina took the doll swiftly, clutching it to her chest- and summarily leaving Ramirez in a flustered state. The Silvite youth was bewildered, but not at the immediate response he had attained from her. It was more the responses between the two of them, in the recent weeks. He'd started looking at her much more, and had found her staring at him on a few occasions. He would watch her while she was meditating. She would watch him while he honed his swordsmanship. He would think of her and dress darker, while hers seemed to brighten over the course of a few days. They embraced more often. She blushed more, he smiled more. And bloody hell, was it all confusing. At 19, granted, he wasn't just out of adolescence just yet, but all the same, he considered himself a deeper, more mature swordsman of the Silvites. Ramirez knew better than to start fawning over a childhood friend. Even if it was Fina.
Yet the more I push her out of my mind, the more she finds a way in. So I'm left with no other alternative...
At that thought, Ramirez sighed aloud. No, actually, there was an alternative. He was taking it right now.
What did I call this earlier? Cowardly, that was it.
Well. Zelos help him, he just couldn't do it. Endless days of being with Fina, as full of life's happinesses as they were, were at the same time rather testing on his abilities. It wasn't as if one could simply shrug off someone watching them train to the best of those abilities, and especially when the exhertion was such that it required the lack of a shirt to do so. Just as it did no good to have someone watching you while seeking meditation or time alone. They were both at fault, Ramirez knew.
To his chagrin- somewhat of a chagrin, anyway- he found that he'd been staring at her for quite a number of seconds. He composed himself quickly. "Thank you. I will return to claim it."
"...I know," Fina managed. He frowned at the tension in her voice, but a slight tilt of his head explained why. Her cheeks, once dry over the gentle blush that glowed from within, were now sliced clearly with two thin rivulets of tears that burned against the flesh. Ramirez's hand, for some reason, then fell to the hilt of the jagged silver fencing blade at his side- on the few occasions where he had seen Fina cry, he had drawn that blade more often than not to rectify the problem.
But then, using it on yourself was not necessary in times like these.
"Fina, why are you crying?" he asked, stupidly. But he had to say something, even if he did already know the answer.
She turned her pearly eyes to his, and he felt his lips part at the sadness, the intensity in them. A lump pressed against the front of her throat, his hand instantly moving from the hilt of the blade and outward. Ramirez felt like touching the back of that throat. He killed the urge before it could gather, but he could not kill the shock he felt at looking into the watery grief of those eyes. If he had indeed been the reason why such tears were flowing, perhaps he would correct that earlier thought of sword usage. Ramirez ran the upper line of his teeth along his lower lip, close enough to draw blood; damn it all, but he felt like touching that nape.
"You're leaving me alone," Fina sobbed quietly, each word like the blow of a superior swordsman. "You...you're leaving when I could come with you. Instead...I'll have no one...not even Elder Prime could hel-"
"Fina, stop this," Ramirez said, no longer able to bear what he was hearing. "I'm not leaving you. You know that. Arcadia is too vile a place to take you, and two Silvites down... there would be far too much a risk. Even with my swordsmanship, I'm not used to protecting you-"
"You protect me every day!" Fina shouted at him, the tears sprinkling over his own cheeks. "You're the one person I can go to in my own home and share my life with! Whenever Ferdinand or Joan made fun of me...you were always the one at my side! You helped me with my magic, even when it wasn't your own path to follow! I would fail tests and you would come to my room and console me...I would...I would cry in your arms and beat at you and you wouldn't stop holding me..."
Her head fell forward while his stayed up, his eyes wide. "I..." Fina murmured past the choking lump, "I always managed to sleep better...knowing you...were a room over. Always watchful. Always protec..."
Fina was no longer able to speak, just as he was unable to listen. As she fell foward, Ramirez's arms painfully moved to receive her, and not for the first time did he hold her. She wept, long and hard, her breath slow and trembling. His arms were firm on her back, but gentle in the same regard. His head bowed to look at the crown of hers, fighting the urge to kiss it. The doll was sandwiched between them, the one barrier between their hearts.
What could he say? In the name of Zelos, what could he say...?
I'll still protect you. I'll still watch you. I'll be at your side. I'll return soon, this I promise you. Don't cry, please, it hurts. I'm not leaving, this is just my duty. I will spend the rest of my days with you in friendship. I will live for you. I would brave the wrath of a hundred Gigas to hold you like this again. There's only my own fear stopping me from holding you forever like this. Come with me. No, stay, and be well. Turn your head up and dry your tears. Fina. Fina. Fina...
"Fina..." Ramirez drew back a hand to cup her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Even through the cloth of the glove, he felt the dampness of her tears, the tenderness of her skin. He had to suck in, quietly- he was going to do something he had only done while watching her as she slept.
"You know...the parts of your face that I hate the most are your eyes," he said, almost randomly. She cringed as though stricken, but did not pull away as he held her cheek and half-shut his eyes. "They're either crying or they are sad, as of late...or they are encircled with shadow. Every day I look into them, you know. It is painful. I honestly feel weaker every time you place them on me."
Fina shivered in his grip, suddenly trembling with a different emotion. She shut them, more tears flowing out, and wheezed, "is this better...? Here. You don't have to look at them anymo-"
Before she could breathe another word, his lips sank against her cheek. The locks of silver hair brushed against her face, and he could feel her eyes stretch open in shock. He kept the touch gentle, his lips closed and dry against moistened flesh. His fingers started to caress her chin, but he stopped himself. This was not the way he wanted to leave. And it was not yet time for that. Not yet. So he held her there, for a moment, while the stars outside his window seemed to freeze in mid-twinkle.
Ramirez pulled away slowly, his eyelids half-closed as he felt his skin emit the glow of the silver crystal innately sealed within him. His faintly shining green eyes found her cheek gushing with a similar light held over a blush, and her eyes were narrowed in the hypnotic way that only a woman like her could create. Her breath was heavy, deep, and so much that he could taste its salty flavor on his lips. "Ramirez..." Fina breathed, her chest pulsing before him with a heartbeat.
His touch on her cheek and grip on her back did not relent. "I want you to sleep," Ramirez whispered to her, his barely-opened gaze almost predatory on hers. "And when you have awakened, I will be gone. But, keep sleeping. When I have at last returned...your eyes must be free of shadow, pain, and tears. Then...only then...will I look into them, again. And then I...want to kiss you, again."
Her gasp was slow, and her heart beat against the doll so greatly that he could feel it. But Ramirez no longer was able to face those eyes, as he had sworn. He released her quietly, and picked up his small dark case. Without looking at her completely, he touched her cheek, and had to fight back the impulse to kiss that tear-strewn flesh with greater tenderness. But, for the sake of his heart, Ramirez did not restrain himself from embracing her. Her form was smaller, tinier, almost precious in his grip, and he held it tightly. There was no room in his soul to forget what she felt like.
"Goodbye," Ramirez said.
Then he released her, and walked to the doorway of the room as she stood behind him, and was gone.
----------
How I left her like that, I will never know. But one day...I'll come back, Fina. Your sleep will be short. You will have no need to dream any longer.
Then I'll be able to smile into your eyes, again.
----------
End part one.
Sponsoring Ramirez, Skies of Arcadia.
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Cirrus Velious
RTT - Link
Posts: 18
(6/3/02 12:51:40 am)
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Re: Heart of a Silver Sword
*********
Part 2 of 2
Battles...Carnage...Death. It surrounded Link's every sense...and yet he was no where. Flashes of places he'd never seen....people he'd never met, Lives he'd never lead...
"Ryu!! Head towards the Meteor, I'll take Sephiroth!!!" A spiky haired blonde man stood in the middle of a horrible battle. "Quistis, follow me!!!"
The scenes faded in and out, faster than Link could keep up, only catching bits and pieces of things that happened.
"Come on guys...We've gotta get through this forest..." A long haired blue man this time, leading a group of travellers through a forest, batting down any odd manner of beast that stood in thier way.
'What is this? I've never seen these people before...'
"Do you *hic* take *hic* this woman to be your lawfully wedded *hic* wife?". A party....no...a wedding now...but that wasn't all that was going on here....something crashing through the roof....the place breaking out in carnage....people fighting eachother, people fighting the monster...and above all...an air of death and destruction....
Another flash. Another place, same feeling...Was that..Sheik? A dark battle...creatures of blackness shrouded the area. Sheik seemed to be rallying as many of them as he could to the cause...but it was an ever losing battle...
Gone again. Slowly, another group faded into being. "Snake!! Look out!!!" A man in a single body suit clumsily fighting with a sword alongside a blue-clad man with black hair and a giant sword and a man dressed in green, weilding the Katana with great grace...
*Flash*
"I Like Orange Juice..." The long-black haired man again....and then they were gone...all of them...everything...gone...Link floated in blackness for a while before things faded into being again. It was different this time...he was there, in the dream...
"Aeris! Look out!!!" Link jumped in and blocked a blow from a sword. "Delita!! Cover my back!!!"
'What's happening here? I'm here...but I've never seen these people before...never been here....What's happening?
Things faded to black one more time, the spiky haired blonde man from earlier came back into view, Angry this time. He looked almost wrecklessly mad...but his eyes were cold. He held his sword above his head, ready to strike it down upon anyone in his path, didn't look as if he was thinking about much of anything except the destruction..yet...there was a hint of pain on his face...no..more than a hint...he had tears streaming from his cold blue eyes as he brought down his sword...
"Cloud!!! Please, Stop this!!! Come back to us! You don't have to do this, it doesn't have to be this way!!!!"
"Yes....It does..."
Link sat up with a start, opening his eyes and throwing Navi clear off his chest. He was breathing hard, sweating, and had the worst headache ever known to Hyrule. "By Nayru...what in the world was that?"
Navi flew down and landed, sitting on his shoulder. "You fell out of the tree you clumsy oaf! Scared me half to death!"
"No Navi...it wasn't just that...I dreamt something...or...lots of somethings...I'm not sure...it was...it was horrible...."
"I'm sure it was just a nightmare Link...that tends to happen when you're getting ready to stop a man who's like fifty bazillion times more powerful than you..."
"Heh..." Link cracked a tiny bit of a smile, "You sure know how to boost my confidence, don't ya Navi?"
"Anytime....wait.....there...there's something else..."
"Navi? Something wrong?"
"Someone's here...Someone...who isn't...Hylan...nor monster...nor fairy..."
A dark shadow faded into the very fabric of space in front of Link and Navi, the blackness slowly being filled in by bits and pieces of color, depth....until there stood a man, but with the wings of...something the likes of which Link had never seen....
"Hello Warrior..." the being said as he waved his hand upwards, floating Link's sword out of reach. "I am not here to fight....and I would appreciate it if you did me the same courtesy thank you..."
Link moved his hands away from where his sword's hilt would usually be, and looked at the man. "Who are you? And why are you here?"
Navi floated over. "Yeah you big meanie! Scaring us like that!!!"
"I suppose I do owe a bit of an explination...I am here to invite you to join a great fight...A grand battle of sorts...Would you be interested in such a proposition?"
"I have buisiness here....as you can tell...the world is kinda laying in ruin around me..and for some reason I've been picked to save it. Besides...Fighting's not my thing...I'm doing this because I have to...not because I want to...I want no more to do with it..."
"God, you're as stubborn as that funny Delita guy...but even he finally came...."
Link looked around him, trying to find a weapon, something to use to defend himself if this man should decide to resort to less friendly tactics of persuation.
"Link...I think we should do it! You're the Hero of Time after all!" Navi flitted around the two of them.
"Your fairy has the idea Mr. 'Hero of Time'", the man said, as he waved his hand, opening a portal. "Lets go...I'm in a bit of a rush here..."
Navi turned to Link, "Come on Link! Lets go!!" She zoomed into the portal without even turning back.
"Navi!! Wait..I'm not going...uugh!!!" Link took one last look around the field as he chased Navi through the portal, ready to turn back as soon as he found her, but by the time he stepped through, all was dark...
End Part 2
*****
Phew...hope that was halfway decent...uugh...Its times like this I wish I could write worth a damn..
 Edited by: Cirrus Velious at: 6/3/02 1:02:08 am
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KyleIII
RTT: Falco Lombardi Cook
Posts: 1049
(6/3/02 1:21:18 am)
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Re: Character Introduction Thread
"Ok ROB, cut the plasma engines," Falco heard Fox's order over the radio of his Arwing figher.
"Yes sir, returning to sublight engines," the robotic voice of ROB64 responded.
"No hostiles in sight, this mission should be pretty straight-forward," Fox noted, "The Bixby should be coming into view momentarily, prepare to launch."
"Yeah, yeah," Falco responded, "Do you realize how long it's been since we've seen any real action? I wouldn't mind if a group of a pirates decided to jump us."
"Don't be so reckless Falco," Peppy Hare, the senior member of the team chided, "We've got a stranded freighter here. It wouldn't take much to take it down, even while we're here."
"Bring 'em on," Falco snapped back, "I'll take 'em single handedly if I have to."
Falco heard Fox chuckle over the radio. They'd gone through this conversation many times in the last few weeks. Ever since they'd managed to defeat Andross's forces for a second time, the Lylat system had stayed relatively quiet. Though a few groups of pirates were taking advantage of the calm, the Star Fox team had been having trouble finding steady work. Every once in awhile, though, something big would land in their laps. This mission had the potential to be one of them.
A Cornerian freighter carrying weapons and supplies bound for Titania had broken down just outside of the asteroid belt. Its cargo would make it a prime target for pirates, and the Cornerian government would be willing to pay big money for anybody who could protect the freighter while it made the necessary repairs. The Star Fox team had been practicing manuevers in the asteroid belt, and was near enough to get to the freighter before any Cornerian military ships would be able to reach it.
"This is Fox McCloud of the Star Fox team hailing the freighter Bixby, we're here to offer any assistence we can."
"Glad to see you Star Fox," the captain of the Bixby responded, relief apparent in his voice, "It shouldn't take us more then an hour to finish up the repairs. With our weapon systems down, we're sitting ducks out here. We'd be grateful for any assistance you could offer us."
"Roger that," Fox responded.
"Don't worry," Falco shouted over the com, "no stinking group of pirates is gonna get past us."
The next half-hour went by quietly. This was a relatively quiet sector of space, and no traffic was passing through.
Suddenly, a Lancer-class Corvette came out of lightspeed a mere 10 clicks from the Bixby. It's transponder identified it as the Marauder.
" Marauder, this is a restricted area of space. You must leave immediately" the captain of the Bixby demanded.
"We hate to disappoint you," a reptillion voice responded, "But we'll be taking your freighter. Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded, we don't want this to get messy." As he spoke, the Marauder began launching fighters.
"Don't listen to him, those are Raider's!" Peppy shouted.
"That is not friendly! Star Fox team, move to intercept!" Fox ordered his team.
"Already on my way!" Falco shot back, powering up his weapon and shield systems.
"Looks like you got your wish Falco," Slippy snapped over the radio.
"Wouldn't have it any other way!" Falco yelled, excitement in his voice. Training his laser cannon on the nearest enemy fighter, Falco opened fire.
Though the Arwings were the superior fighters, the enemy had numbers on their side, and were using that fact to their advantage. Using swarm tactics, they attempted to keep the Star Fox team as far away from each other as possible.
"Hey Falco, you've got one on your tail!" Peppy shouted.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it!" Falco snapped back. Dropping his throttle to 1/3, Falco made a quick turnaround hoping that his pursuer would over shoot him. Whoever it was didn't miss a beat however, and Falco soon found his rear shields taking a beating. "That's it, now it's personal," he muttered to himself.
Doing a quick barrel roll, he started turning his craft around again. Though the Viper-class fighters the pirates were flying were fast, the Arwings were faster. Falco soon found his opponent right in the center his sights. The bandit tried a quick evasive maneuver, but Falco didn't miss a beat. Keeping on the Vipers tail, he prepared to open fire. Suddenly, however, Falco saw another Arwing fly in from the side and blast his target into scrap.
"Got him!" Slippy yelled.
"What do you think you're doing Slippy!" Falco asked in astonishment, "He was mine!"
"It looked like you were in trouble. I was just giving you a hand," the frog responded.
"Yeah, well next time watch your own skin," Falco shot back angrily.
"Stow it Falco, we have more important matters," Fox chided, "We've got a group of bombers heading straight for the Bixby. Looks like the Marauder's closing the distance too. Rob, bring in the Great Fox. Slow that thing down."
"Affirmative," the robot responded, and began opening fire onto the pirate's mother-ship. The lancer was faster, however, and quickly began moving out of the larger ship's range.
"I've got it!" Falco shouted, turning towards the Marauder."
"Negative Falco!" Fox ordered, "Stay on the bombers. The Bixby's getting hammered."
"No way Fox, I'm going for the big guy," Falco shot back, "I'm not letting you take all the glory this time!"
"Dammit Falco, that was an order! ROB'll take care of the lancer." Fox shouted, his anger starting to rise.
Falco didn't respond however, and kept chasing the Lancer. As he got in range, he noticed a panel on the side of the ship slide open. "Looks like they made some pretty heavy modifications to this thing, Falco though, To bad they're not going to be around long enough to use them."
Suddenly, small sphirical containers began blasting out of the panels. "Homing mines!" Falco yelled in shock. If one of those managed to hit his ship, it would be space-dust.
"Evade, Falco!" Peppy yelled.
"What do you think I'm doing," he yelled back while putting full power to his engines.
"Looks like you bit off a little more then you can chew," Falco heard a voice say. It wasn't over the radio however. Glancing behind him, he saw somebody sitting behind in the rarely used copilot seat. In his momentary lapse of concentration, a homing mine exploded only a few meters from it's mark, damaging Falco's targetting system.
"Who the hell are you," he demaned, trying to focus most of his attention onto the mines, "And when did you sneak onto my ship?"
"I've come to take you with the me," the newcomer calmly responded, "will you come?"
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little busy right now. We're both about to be space garbage," Falco yelled, still confused.
"Oh, you won't have to worry about that where I'm taking you. Let's go," the figure responded. Suddenly, Falco felt like he was falling. He was no longer sitting in the cockpit of his Arwing, and all around him was complete darkness. Not even stars illuminated the void. "What the hell? Falco thought to himself.
Edited by: KyleIII at: 6/3/02 1:40:20 am
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KojiChao
Customer
Posts: 7
(6/3/02 1:29:55 am)
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More than a Memory....
Fart, why do I always wait until the last minute to do these things? Oh yeah, I was busy... (Hey, Krizak! You might find the title of this to be familiar if you've taken the #10 down far enough along Center Street. )
Anywho... too bad my website'ss down. I'm not having any luck this week, hopefully this will make up for it, even if it isn't as long or well thought out as the rest of you... ^_^ I must say, a lot of these introductions are great! I feel kinda sheepish with my weak excuse for one, though.
OK, this is a tiny bit modified, as I don't have a VCR to sit and record the part I need, then replay it back properly.. So, there will be a few problems, but it all comes out the same in the end. Spoilers are definite, if you don't want the end of Sonic Adventure 2 ruined for you, you don't have to read on...
(Also, small bit here... If you like Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow, and Chao, you may be interested in the rest of this story, where bits were chopped from. I have been trying to write a story, based on a project I'm working on, and I had to quote a bit from it. ^_^;; If my website ever works again, I'll give links if anyone is interested..)
-=-=-=-
Screaming out with it's horrid cry, a considerable beast raged with it's last breaths as two metallic-colored Hedgehogs struck out at the abscess' growing from it's side. It's proverbial weak-point. With each previous attack, it weakened, and cried out in pain. But now, it fell limply from the base it was rooted on.
"Shadow! Are you okay?" The Gold-colored Hedgehog called out, trying to get the other's attention. He could feel something wasn't quite right, like his partner were growing weaker.
"Sonic! I'm fine..." Came the reply. A short simple answer. The Platinum-colored Hedgehog wasn't one for words, when there were other things on his mind.
What was once a Great Research Facility aloft in Earth's Orbit, known as Space Colony ARK, was still a meteor hurtling towards the Earth below. It's descent threatening to destroy the planet, with the remains of it's 'Final Hazard' embedded into the bottom. The sound of Cheering emanated from within the Colony, as it's few contents celebrated the demise of the creature. The two Hedgehogs looked at each other, then gazed back at the ARK, before nodding to one another. Something had to be done about the threat, and both of them knew how to handle it.
Sonic flew past Shadow, his gold form flickering brightly as he led the way for the Platinum Hedgehog to follow. Shadow chased along after Sonic, flying in the sparkle wake, and thought to himself, 'Just like a real shadow... Hidden away by the light.' They looked to each other, underneath the burning mass, "Ready?" "Right..." The calling was Second Nature to Shadow, but Sonic knew it that he couldn't possibly use it by himself, for the large Colony would be too taxing on either of them.
Searing a bright orange against the Planet's atmosphere, the two raised their arms towards the bottom of the ARK, preparing. Infused with the Seven Chaos Emerald's power, a quick burst of light shot forth focusing on the meteor, just as they breathed out the command together...
.... "Chaos, Control~!"
After the light dimmed from the area, a lone, Gold, Hedgehog was seen, grasping the only remains if his new friend.
-=-=-=-
As the effects of 'Chaos Control' faded, he started to fall back. Not because he was forced, but of his own free will.
The Platinum Hedgehog gazed upon the planet that he had helped save, as it seemingly grew with his descent into the Atmosphere, "Maria...This is what you wanted, right?"
He turned, facing away from the sapphire globe, as he became engulfed in flames, his form still falling from the sky; now a shooting star.
"This is my promise, to you---"
A stream of sparkles trailed behind Shadow, creating a shimmering tail of light. They were tears, of hope, of joy, and of Peace. A weight lifted from his soul, and his mind cleared.
As with Sonic, his new form wasn't lasting. The Rings, which he had collected, were depleting, sparking from him as each one was used, and burned up behind him as he passed through Earth's atmosphere.
Three...Two...One.
Shadow watched as his last Ring leapt away, and exploded with the intensity of a firework. He could feel the color leaving his face. The power of the Chaos Emeralds was vanishing. A last flicker of his metallic appearance melted back into his original, Black, colored spines, and he soon felt the ferocity of the effect from him falling through the Stratosphere.
Burning, blinding pain wracked through his body, as he plunged downward, nearing the surface.
"I'll be with you, shortly..." Shadow spoke to himself, before he closed his eyes, trying to forget everything.
---
"My, what a predicament you seem to be in..." A sarcastic quip forced Shadow to open his eyes, and soon take focus upon someone else? Who else would be falling toward the ground... Shadow blinked again, staring at the dusty blue color of the stranger's skin, and more noted the deep blue colored wings. Blue, how the hedgehog wished it were a color other than blue.
The blue and black colored fellow turned upside down to look at Shadow, then peered at him, "You seem not to care for your life, as you threw it away so easily." The man looked up, or down to the ground.
The dark Hedgehog looked down at the ground, as well, as it sped so quickly toward him. He was blessed, or cursed, with being in his Super form as he entered orbit, but he still felt pain, and he could only imagine what it would feel like, if he impacted, "What do you care what I do with my life? It is spent, I have finished my purpose."
"I propose a trade," The Man smirked, crossing his arms as the two continued downward, "Surely this isn't how you expected it to end? For the 'Ultimate Lifeform'?" A chuckle was offered, as Shadow glared at the man. After the laugh, he took on a more serious face, "I save you from this 'terrible' fate, and you won't have to suffer any longer. On one condition..."
The thought of becoming a Hedgehog-pancake wasn't anymore appealing to him, than the next hedgehog. But what did he have to live for? The greens of the hills, the blues of the oceans, and the greys of the city greeted the two, "What do you propose? Surely you are only mocking me." questioned Shadow.
"You partake in my Tournament." Was the answer, as the blue skinned man grinning to himself, "As simple as that. You were given a gift. The gift of life, and you are ready to throw it all away?" A quick gust of his wings suddenly sped the two forms up, making the Hedgehog a bit uneasy over the situation.
The man was insane, this journey was fast enough, and now it would end even quicker.
"I see doubt in your eyes...Shadow." Blue hair rustled through the wind, "But, you only have so much time left, and it doesn't seem you have any other choices. Decide your fate." An arm was raised to the ground, gesturing one such fate, "You have ten seconds."
It seemed purely sadistic, the fact that the man knew his name had not phased on him, as the current situation was more drastic. He heard counting over his own heartbeat, coming from the other presence, as they grew closer to the ground.
"10, 9, 8..."
'What do I do, Maria? I finished what I promised you...' He clenched his fists, cursing himself for trying to ask someone who was not. Long since gone.
"7, 6, 5..."
'I have no direction, now. Maybe...I should follow him...'
"4, 3, 2..."
The blue man paused his counting for a short moment, as he seemed slightly annoyed that he might lose a potential participant in this Tournament, "Time is wasting, Hedgehog. What have you got to lose? Choose now."
White light ran quickly over the two, warming their senses as they still flew faster to the ground. Two shooting stars, falling from the sky, loosing their place, "1..."
"Fine! I accept your offer!" Shadow blurted out just moments before the blue man finished counting.
A smile was offered, "Good! A wise decision, for a new purpose." With another blue rush, the large shimmering blue wings extended far out, and cascaded down just as the light enveloped the two. Shadow raised his arms preparing for an impact, and opened his mouth to yell out, but no sound came.
-=-=-=-
(Thanks to thissideupxl for images!)
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