A bright light shown around the party as they were transported from Shibuya to somewhere new entirely. The path along the realm of darkness was baron. a kilometer away however, small island could be seen connecting to the pathway/ As if an entire patch of beach was shipwrecked on the realm of darkness. The world seemed to be broken. As if the darkness caused it to tear apart from the inside. A luxurious treehouse that sat atop the island was in ruins. At the center of the island, a grizzled man could be seen. Scars all over his body and a cybernetic left arm. Hikaru looked down at his player pin. "Are we?... Are we supposed to give our pin to him?" Aux looked at the ol man who looked took a fierce stand. His hands clenched as he walked to the edge of the beach. "I don't think he's the welcome committee," Aux said. "Tell us who you are old man!" Aux yelled out. "A former soldier of the Red Society!" He cried out. "The what?" Hikaru asked back. "A group that follows Nequa," Aux bluntlty replied. "You... know who Nequa is?" Hikaru asked nervously. He looked down to Aux's player pin that was pinned to the pocket of his pants. The red pin glowed intenseley meaning Aux's memories were slowly fading back to him. "Guess I do... I'm beginning to remember things." He looked to Hikaru. "Everything." Aux fell to his knees as he grabbed his head in pain. Hikaru began to worry. If Aux's memories were being returned to him, then the dark remnant he bared would return soon as well. The friend they were with to this point would be lost to darkness. "Aux, get up!" "Your friend has the right idea... Submit now and I won't have to destroy you." A storm began to form around the island, growining in power as the man contined. "My name is Colonel Marshall Hughes. And I was recently discharged by Nequa. She told me I was a FAILURE!" Thunder roared across the sky. "So I'm here to prove my worth. Show that to this soldier; FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!" He drew a keyblade from his hand as darkness and wind formed around him. "If I cannot serve under her banner. Then I will serve under my own and do what I was born to do." From all corners of the island, thousands of pureblood heartless began to spring up. Shadows, Darkballs, Neoshadows and a giant Darkside "Command an army of darkness!" he yelled to the heavens as his heartless army marched. "This is my final test to you so called masters! Five waves of heartless! All the energy my body has belongs to the darkness now! This is my final attack! 10,000 heartless all with the enraged desire to destroy you all! Nequa will see that I am not a failure! I will succeed where she has failed! And no one can help you now!" Uniform laughed maniacally, his own ego increasing as his heartless moved forward. "You're all going to die and it's all thanks to your weak hearts!-" "THE FIST OF JUSTICE SAYS OTHERWISE!" A booming masculine voice echoed across the island. From a purple portal, a man shirtless man with jet-like bronze hair came flying through the gloomy sky and punched the darkside, causing it to immediately disappear. The old man stepped back in shock as he watched the mystery man land. "What... you!" Reacting as if he had met them before. "THAT'S RIGHT COLONEL! CAPTAIN FUJIOKA IS NOW PRIMED AND READY TO FIGHT ONCE MORE! UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU THOUGH, I'M ON THE OPPOSING SIDE THIS TIME AROUND!" Shiro, also known to most of the SOS members as 'Kuma,' has flown down like a superhero and cracked his knuckles as he faces Hughes. Colonel Hughes drew out his keyblade. "One more weak hearted fool makes no difference to me!" Shiro chuckled whole heartedly, keeping his optimism as he turned to Kaida. "LADY KAIDA! IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU'RE DOING WELL. MY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS OF YOUR MARK OF MASTERY!" He turned to his oppenent as he cracked his neck and drew out his keyblade. "LEAVE HUGHES TO ME! I WILL HELP YOU WHERE I CAN! NOW GO AND SHOW ME JUST HOW POWERFUL YOU'VE BECOME!" MISSION START! 10,000 Heartless Battle begin! (Look at the Guild Hall for details!) (As masters your BP has doubled!) Wave I Defeat 900 Shadows Defeat 200 Neoshadows Defeat 200 Darkballs Defeat 7 Invisibles Defeat 1 Darkside
Back at Lea's hideaway As Tango walked away, his feet came to a full stop after Luther's question. "The battle I came to finish has ended. I have no quarrel to pick with the likes of you two. And yet..." A fire glared into his eyes as he saw Luther's expression. His face quivering with excitement reminded him of his own lust for battle. "Something about that face has me intrigued. Do you wish for a challenge perhaps? I recall from earlier reports that you are the hombre with the illusionary prowess, yes?" He grinned as his keyblade ignited in fire. The powers of both of both flame and illusion would make for a truly inspiring combination of elements. Or perhaps wind and fire for a truly devastating collaboration?" He looked to Melus before quickly pointed his blade to the two of them. "Tell me... do you know of a challenge known as Final Fantasy?" He looked to either of them for a sign of response. "It is a challenge between one or more parties. A duel of sorts that wages your ability over an element. One party would initiate the challenge. To wager one element for another. The one being challenged is able to set the conditions. And the victor of both would obtain both elements as their prize... With the option of course to slaughter his enemy or grant mercy." He pointed his blade to Luther. "For example, if I were to challenge you to a final fantasy... what would you say?"
With the exception of 0.2, Pluto's been in every game. Using time travel no doubt But how can he travel without a body to return back to? How could he blend in as if everything was fine and unsuspecting? The answer is simple... Spoiler The god damn brooms.... With no hearts they are the perfect vessel...
With the impressive explosions and oncoming assaults that were prepared, a large burst of smoke and flames surrounded the area where Nequa stood. The dust settling, Nequa walked away from it quite scathed. But under her torn and scorched armor there wasn't flesh. Instead robotic parts and circuits sparked as he body twitched and glitched as she walked. Before even managing to walk two feet, the robotic replacement broke down and fell to the ground. The booming voice of Zulu echoed in as he chuckled uncontrollably. "Oh such fun with fire and explode-y things! HA HA HA HA!!" He voice turned serious once he had his fun. "Time to send in the rest." A lever was activated as at least a dozen of the Nequa robots came into view. "I wanted to save these for another time... but I can't have you interrupting any further. Say hello to the Nequabots!!" The Nequabots lined up and raised their palms, pointing them at Kiara, Aeira, Arctus and Vallus. They fired from their palms, powerful bursts of Thunder, Fire and Blizzard spells. Like rapid firing machine guns, they continued their assault relentlessly. Yue clenched down on her teeth. Rin was still inside and her safety was still in jeopardy. She looked to anyone not involved in the Nequabot assault. She spotted Koa and Finlay. "You two! Watch Mizu. Make sure nothing happens to her!" "Whot?!" Finlay argued. "Are you insane? I've already got enough kids to babysit, I'm not taking another-" "It wasn't optional!" Yue barked, her voice almost demonic. The command was disturbing enough to silence Finlay as she charged into the fray from the left side. Two Nequabots spotted her and began blasting spells of fire and ice. With some quick evasion, and some dark abilities, she slowly phased through the two bots passing her keyblade through them. As she did, the Nequabots glitched and exploded from one fell swoop. Yue charged through the doors and into the lab, shutting the door behind her. 10 of the Nequabots were still attacking the rest of the group. Though they without keyblades, they still provided powerful magic. Back at Lea's Hideaway Tango and Lea continued to battle each other with skill and Vigor. Lea kept looking back at Melus and Luther out of the corner of her eye to make sure they were alright. "Your attention is slipping! You should be focusing all your attention on the battle in front of you. Or are you worried about the younger ones not being able to hold their own?" Tango questioned. Lea looked back to his opponent. "On the contrary, you keep underestimating them. They're more powerful than you realize." Tango chuckled. "And that is exactly what I hoped for..." Lea's eyes shrank as this could mean his downfall. "You see a very special ability of mine is that I am able to use keyblades from the opponents I have struck down. As such I absorb their fighting spirit. Along with anyone else I face during battle. Your two friends are not making my strength weaker senor. Oh no... They are only making me that much more powerful!" With impressive skill and speed, Tango continued to strike Lea with such powerful fury, that all the flame user could do was block his attacks. Eventually Tango's attack struck through Lea's keyblade, snapping the mystical weapon in half, causing Lea to fall backwards. "Such an unfitting end to an accomplished master. The honorable thing to do was to strike you down... But according to la jefa Nequa, you have come back as a nobody before. We can't have that happening to you again. " From his pocket, Tango pulled out a small purple disc the was the side of his thumbnail. "Doesn't look like much I know. Nequa used much of her magic to supply me and a few of my associates with this VOID DISC." Lea's eyes widened. "So that-" "Correct. It is a pocket gateway to the void. a realm that exists outside light and darkness. Lost forever in the lanes between." Tango tossed the disc to Lea as it stuck to the master's arm. The disc melted into a dark purple as it enveloped Lea's body, slowly causing him to fade. "You were a worthy opponent... But your time is over. Compliments of myself... Ignicio De la Vega..." Lea remained silent, closing his eyes as he faded from sight,. His shattered keyblade also vanished from sight in a trickle of light. Tango let out a whistle as his keyblades returned to him. "Gracias for your unwilling part to play. I sadly must depart. My job here is done." He turned to leave the two, completely lacking any remorse for his honorable action.
"Wait!" Hikaru yelled quickly chasing after Kaida. He grabbed her by the wrist and slowly dragged her back. Aux returned to the conversation and looked to AJ. "I'm sure Lea's fine. Not sure what he's doing but he's a member of the order. How much danger can he be in?" "Kupo!" Jax cheered as he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Ahh! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?" Aux asked, stepping back in discomfort. As Hikaru brought back Kaida, he introduced Aux to Jax. "Oh right, Aux that's Jax. He's a moogle that helps us from time to time." Jax held up a small red pouch to Hikaru. "Your engraving request is complete!" Hikaru bowed his head lightly and accepted the red pouch. "Engraved what exactly?" "Oh... well since we all became masters I asked Jax to make something special for the occasion." He reached into the pouch, his hand pulling out a small handful of silver rings that chimed in his hand. "After we came back from the last set of worlds I ask Jax to make them. I even got a lot of extras in case Karina, D'daear or any of the others come back. Not to mention if we meet anyone new1" Hikaru actually planned to do something else with that time, but felt this was something more commemorative to the group's accomplishment. He walked over to Kel, Luna and Steel, handing them each their own ring. "Since the earliest I can recall you've stuck with this group even when you didn't have to." He rushed over and handed a ring to Ananta, Ignis, and Beuce. "And over that time we've all changed. For better or worse, we adapted." He then walked over to Stratos, AJ, and Aislinn giving them each a ring. "Even if you haven't been with us long, you've all shown your strengths and skills. As fighters-" He walked back to Kaida and handed her a ring. "And as friends," he smiled. He turned to Aux and handed him a ring much to the red haired man's shock. "Regardless of anything in your past you helped. And that goes a long way..." Aux took the ring and looked at it in the palm of his hand. Jax hover over his shoulder to look at the ring, causing Aux to flinch away. Everyone in the party received an SOS Ring! The ring had a small engraving of the outside of the exterior in a small, bold engraving; "S O Ƨ"
Yue's head turned as she absolved all the new information. Her attention remained immediately on the pod, wiping away any excess cold on the outside to reveal Mizu's face. She quickly pried open the pod with her bare hands as she felt Mizu's face. It was still warm, which was a good sign. Yue gently tried to shake Mizu awake to no avail, so she felt her pulse. After a delayed reaction, she sighed in relief. "You're still alive... Thank god." Echo at this time, parried away Kiara's fireball. As Kiara came at him from the right, he barely managed to avoid the attack before standing at the door again. Zulu's face twisted as he watched the monitors of the laboratory exterior on a cascade of screens. "No no no no!!! The mean one is here!" he exclaimed rushing back to Nequa's side as she laid on an operation table. "The boy can't face off against that many opponents. He can only adapt to so much power before things become too much for him!" Uniform in the meantime was outfitting his severed arm with an upgraded metallic arm. "Then put me back in there!" he grunted. "An eye for an eye... And someone owes me an arm." Zulu began to pull at his hair as he turned to the old soldier. "Do you hear your own stupids?! Your arm hasn't finished calibrating. you'd be a sitting duck!" "I don't take orders from you kid!" "I'm nine! You're eleven! Learn your place infantry!" Uniform held up Zulu by his collar as he yelled at his face. "You miserable-" "Enough!" Nequa yelled, slowly sitting up. "Put the kid down Hughes." Uniform grunted as he released the boy back to his feet. Zulu rushed to her side as he tried to examine her vitals. "No no no master... You are to weak. This body will fade within the hour. You've used up all the mana from this girl. We need your replacement." "Screw the sister... Just hook me up to the back up already." "Are you sure?" Zulu asked. "Yeah... but before you do, just let me deal with the problem outside." "Unacceptable!" Uniform yelled. "Lima is a deserter, Zulu is responsible for you transfer, and our only guard dog is a technical slave! I am the only choice!" Nequa sighed before turning to him. "No. You're done." "Beg your pardon?" Uniform asked baffled. "I mean you can consider that new arm of yours as a severance package. I mean you have failed EVERY thing you were assigned. You failed to find Juliet's source of power, you failed to guard the lab... and you failed the red society. Never thought I'd have to kick one of my own babies out but.. here we are." Nequa was almost sympathetic in the way she was letting him go. "I'd put you out of your misery but... I dunno, something about killing an old man seems too much like euthanasia for my tastes." Uniform gripped his fist before swallowing his pride. "Master Nequa, please reconsider-" "Leave." She interrupted. "Now." Uniform exhaled as he looked up in anger. "I will prove my value to this society." Nequa nodded as she lay back down on the table. "That's great buddy. Just do it somewhere else." Uniform beat his chest with his metal arm as a gust of wind vanished him from the room. Zulu returned back to the room. "Your new vessel is ready..." Nequa sighed. "That's great, now tag out the kid already." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A large voice boomed in front of the building via sound system. "That's enough Echo, return to Base." Echo blinked twice before nodding. Like a lightning bolt he ran away from the battle and the area. At breakneck speed he ran without stopping until he was out of sight. The lab doors open as Nequa strolled out silently. She cracked her knuckles as she stood in her purple armor. She was now out in the open without any protection. She raised her hand up and flicked her two fingers towards herself telling people to 'come at her.'
