A/N: Hey there. David here. Based on a poll that was posted a few days ago, I've decided my next story will be Tales of Xillia 2(since it has the only vote). This helps determine the order of the stories I'm thinking about, and I thank all of my viewers, followers, and supporters. Enjoy!
After going through the door, the group end up in a city of sorts.
Sheena was the first to break the ice. "Um... I don't think this is Skylands."
"Sheena has a point there." David spoke up as he looked around. "While we're on the subject... Where are we?"
"I'm not sure, but it sure looks more pleasant than the last world we were in." Sectonia said as David looked down. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"No, it's okay. You were just admiring the scenery. Nothing wrong with that." David said as they saw a young man in a lab coat talking on some sort of phone.
"You're the one that wanted to cover this event, Leia! Balan had to call in some favors just to get you a ticket." the young said to the person on the other end, who the group assume is Leia. "Me?! I can't write the article for you! Besides, I don't even know which train they're using for the ceremony." He told her as she hung up. "Hey!" The young man then slumps. "Great... She hung up on me. Now what am I supposed to do...?"
"Uh, excuse me." David called out to him. The young man turned to the group. "Do you mind helping us out? We're...kind of new here, and we're hoping you'd tell us where we are." The young man then looked to Sectonia.
"I can tell you guys are not from this world. We don't see people like her very often." The young man deduces. "This world is called Elympios, and right now, we're in Trigleph, which is sort of like the world's capital." The young man scratched his head. "Ah, that's right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jude Mathias. It's a pleasure to meet all of you." He said with a bow. As the group introduced themselves, a young man with silver hair and black ends wearing a blue dress shirt walked up to them.
"If you guys want, I can get you to the station." The young man told them.
"Really? Thanks." Jude told him. The group then started to follow him. "You're a lifesaver. My friend just left me on a lurch."
"Doesn't really sound like much of a friend." Scott commented.
"You may think that, but that's just how she is." Jude said as they headed towards the station.
On their way to the station, the group decided to talk amongst themselves.
"I've been to Trigleph a bunch of times, but somehow I always manage to get lost." He looks to the young man. "What about you? Were you heading to the station, too?"
The young man nods at this. "I work at the station's cafeteria. What about you?"
"Me? I was just going on a field trip. I was invited to the opening of the Oscore Plant." Jude decided to answer.
"Sounds like a big thing." Lloyd told him.
"Well, I'm not really a great scientist or anything. I was only invited because an acquaintance of mine was involved." Jude said modestly.
"Anyway, as a cafeteria insider, any take-out options you'd recommend?" David decided to ask him.
"Yeah. I've heard the Trigleph Tri-Tip is a bit of a local delicacy." The young man wasn't sure how to respond to that. Luckily for him, the station wasn't far off.
When the group reached the station, the young man pointed to the long train that was there.
"So that's the ceremonial train." The group then stopped as they saw a man in red clothing accompanied by a business-like woman and two bodyguards.
"Is that it?" The man asked.
"Yes, sir." The woman responded. She checked her phone for a moment. "A message from Vice-Director Rideaux. 'Suspicious activity observed in crown. Please take caution.'
(Suspicious activity?) David thought to himself.
The man however, smirked. "He's going to attack us here? This'll be some celebration."
A man than walked up to him. "We've been expecting you, Mr. Bakur. I'm happy to say our departure is right on schedule." Bakur smiled, as he and his associates boarded the train.
"Who was that man?" Sectonia asks the group.
"That's Bisley Bakur. He's the head of Spirius Corporation." Jude told them.
"A corporate head? He seems very influential." Regal points out.
"You have no idea." Jude mutters before turning to the young man. "Anyway, thanks for your help. I really appreciate it." The two then shook hands before Jude headed towards the train.
"Do you think he's going to be okay by himself?" Presea asks the group.
"He will. Something tells me that he's more than what he seems." David reassures her.
"Perhaps we should take a look around as to find out why Ramona's powers led us here." Raine suggested.
"That's actually not a bad idea." Ramona said. The group scattered to take in the scenery around them.
After a while, the group noticed an incident between the young man and a station guard where a little girl and a cat snuck by them. Soon afterward, a group of people with guns started firing all over the station. David found that the best place to hide from them is the train that Jude, Bisley, and the girl got on. As soon as David took off, Scott, Genis, and Sectonia quickly responded and followed him, followed by the young man, leaving the others to fend them off.
David and the others panted as they got on. "Crazy..." David managed to get out of his mouth.
"They didn't follow us, did they?" Genis asked in concern.
"No. I don't think they did." Scott told him before they took a look at the scene in front of them with people lying dead everywhere.
"This is...insane. Who would... Who would do such a thing?" David asked in shock. They heard a meow and spot a cat next to an unconscious girl. The doors than began to close as the train starts moving. "Uh-oh! The train's moving!"
"And Lloyd and the others are still outside!" Genis told them.
"They'll manage without us, I'm sure. Though... I have a bad feeling about this..." Sectonia mutters.
The young man touched the pocket watch on the girl's neck and it disappeared. A person with a gun walked over and started firing on the group, making them take cover behind the seats. David took out his own guns and fired back, turning it into a shootout. The young man took out some swords from one of the seats and stopped the mysterious individual's bullets.
"So, this means you can fight?" David asked the young man, in which he nodded.
{Cue Song: Keep Pushing, Until the Sword is Exhausted -Tales of Xillia 2}
"Alright. Let's take him on!" David said, charging at the enemy. He coat his fist in ice, and started attacking the individual. "Ice Punch!" He then took out his broadsword and unleashed a shockwave. "Demon Fang!"
The young man followed up with a blast of his own. "Azure Edge!" After a few more attacks, the enemy was down.
{End Song}
"So... Are the bad people gone now?" The girl asked timidly.
"Well, they won't hurt us, at least." David said nonchalantly. "You alright?"
"Yeah." The girl responded. another figure got behind the young man and David before getting punched out.
"How did... What's going on here?" asked a familiar voice. The figure fell to the ground revealing that Jude attacked it.
"It's Jude!" Sectonia said upon seeing him.
"You guys? What are you doing here?" Jude asked the group.
"Long story. Genis said before seeing Bisley clap at them.
"Impressive, Dr. Mathias. Were those Rieze Maxian martial artes? My security team could learn a thing or two from you. Then again, my security team can't channel spirits the way you Rieze Maxians can." Bisley told the group as he was walking alongside the woman from the station.
"We're just glad we're in the same car." Jude said in relief. Bisley looked to David and the young man. "And you two. You're not too shabby yourselves."
"You're name is Bisley Bakur, CEO of Spirius Corporation, right? Jude here told us of you." Scott told Bisley.
"Did he now? Well, I suppose there's no need for hostility." Bisley said, holding his arm out.
The young man shook his hands. "My name is Ludger Kresnik."
"I see. You wouldn't happen to be related to Julius Kresnik, would you?" Bisley asked Ludger, which caused him to nod.
"He is. According to the files, Ludger is his little brother, although they don't share the same mother." The woman that was with Bisley said. This made the group, sans Ludger, look in shock.
"Wait, so they're...half-siblings?" Genis asked.
"If that's how you want to put it." The woman said nonchalantly.
"Either way, you're part of the Spirius family, as it were." Bisley said to him. "It seems Exodus is on the move."
"Exodus? You mean...those guys we fought before?" David asked.
The woman nods. "Correct. They're terrorists who want trouble between Elympios and Rieze Maxia."
"Now I really hope Ramona and the others are okay..." Scott mutters to himself.
"They've targeted us for supporting the government's peaceful policies toward Rieze Maxia. I have no doubt they plan to ram the train straight into Oscore." Bisley said gravely.
"Wait, what?!" David blurts out.
"The train we're in right now?!" Sectonia asked, shocked. "Everyone, we have to stop this train!"
"We should be able to do that if we take control of the engine car." Jude points out. "I'll go with you guys. I have a stake in this."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Says David as the group proceed.
The group defeated more Exodus grunts, and Jude looked to the group.
"By the way, how are you guys fixed for Allium Orbs?" Jude asked. The group was confused on the term.
"Allium Orbs?" David asked Jude.
"I brought some spare ones. Take them." Jude said as he gives one to each of them. "The Allium Orbs will let us Link during battle. When we're Linked, we can-"
"Uh... I think it's time for some field training!" David cuts the explanation short as more Exodus members come after them. They Link each other's Allium Orbs. Ludger with Sectonia, David with Scott, and Jude with Genis. All pairs defeated the enemies in perfect synchronization. "You're right, Jude. These Links are useful."
"Glad you like it." Jude told him. "Though, I still can't get over the fact that Scott pulled a sword out of his chest."
"You'll get used to it in time." Scott told Jude as the group proceeded onward. After a while, Jude spoke again.
"Alright, you guys. Let me explain how to use Allium Orbs to develop your abilities. Lilium Orbs did that, too, but these work a lot differently."
"How different, exactly"? Sectonia asked him.
"All Lilium Orbs quit working when they were overloaded with mana after the schism was dispelled. But we figured out that by feeding them elemental energy through an extractor, a kind of mana-absorption spyrix, we were able to resurrect them into Allium Orbs. Our linking and development capabilities were back in business." Jude explained.
"So basically, these Allium Orbs will help us get stronger in battle." Scott explained.
"Exactly. Depending on the extractor you have equipped, you'll learn new artes, combat techniques, and skills."
"Thanks for the info, Jude." David said smiling. "Looks like you have competition, Genis."
Genis scoffs at that. "Give me a break... First Zelos, and now Jude?"
"Calm down, Genis. We're all new to this Allium Orb thing, so we'll just have to experiment as we go along." Sectonia told the young half-elf.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Genis said as the group proceeded once again.
"By the way, Ludger." David said, getting Ludger's attention. "Did you know that girl from before. Is it okay to just leave her like that?"
"Not at all. Just a chance meeting." Ludger told him.
"It's strange, though. Don't you find it odd for a child her age to be travelling alone?" Scott asked the group.
"Yeah. Definitely weird." David added. "Maybe she got separated from her parents." Ludger was deep in thought about it.
"We don't have time to worry about that right now. Let's get going." Jude told the group. "Especially since we're almost to the front car. I'll go in first. Meanwhile, you guys cover me." The group was perplexed at his words. "Don't worry. I'm used to this sort of thing." The group nods at that. "Kind of odd for a doctor to say, I know." The group then heard gunshots.
"What the...? Have they started without us? Who else is here?" Ludger then rushed over to the front car. "Ludger, wait!" David said as he and the others went after him.
When the group got to the front car, they saw a man in a crew cut with a white coat and glasses, while also wielding two blades. He was surprised upon seeing Ludger. "Ludger? What are you doing here?"
"We'd ask you the same thing." Sectonia told the man, holding one of her scepters.
"I'm...just doing my job." The man hesitantly said.
"And a thorough job at that." Bisley said, walking in. "I'd expect nothing less from Crown Agent Julius. You work fast."
"Wait... That's Julius?!" Scott asked in shock, causing Ludger to slowly nod.
"Enough with the games, Bakur." Julius said, glaring at Bisley.
"Who would've known you had such a talented little brother?" Bisley asked, referring to Ludger. "Aren't you the model sibling? You protected him well." The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Well, Julius just happened to have two.
"Of course I did!" Julius charged at Bisley and swung his swords, only to miss.
"Come now. Are you sure you want him to see this?" At this point Julius took out two pocket watches. This caused the watch on the girl to return.
"Incoming!" David yelled as an Exodus member fired a bullet. Ludger knocked the bullet out of the girl's way while, David fired back.
"We will never accept peace with Rieze Maxia!" The member continuously fired, causing one of the pocket watches to fly out of Julius' hands. This causes the watch on the girl to glow. Ludger trys to get the girl away, but when he made contact with her in this state, there was a yellow flash. Ludger screamed in agony as his arms changed and marks appeared on his face. Ludger threw a lance at the member, pinning him to the wall, and causing the scene to distort.
When the scene returned, everyone, sans Julius and Bisley, were outside the conductor's room.
"What are we doing back here?" David said, looking around.
"Ludger, what did you do?" Sectonia asked as the girl was holding her hand.
"In case you guys are wondering, my name is Elle." The girl said. "Elle Mel Marta."
"We seem to have a knack for attracting weirdness." Jude said.
"That's a bit of an understatement." Genis said with a flat look.
"The Four Great Spirits, the Lord of Spirits, and now this." Jude said.
"Taking on a lover's seven evil exes just to get to her." Scott added.
"Not to mention reuniting two worlds into one, and saving it again." Genis also added.
"We have a lot to talk about." Sectonia said, gathering everyone's feats together.
There was another Exodus member, but she got knocked out by a girl. "All clear, President Verland."
A bald man than walked in. "Well done, Miss Nova. My security team could learn a thing or two from you."
"Wait a minute..." David said, thinking.
"Ludger! What are you doing on this train?" Nova asked him.
"A friend of yours, I'm guessing?" Scott asked her.
"Yep. My old classmate." Nova smiled. The train starts shaking.
"Uh... Guys... Not to be a stuck-up, but we still need to stop the train." David then looked to the girl. "Nova, right? Do you know what's happening in the other cars?"
Nova looked at the group sadly." I do, unfortunately. Some terrorists dressed in white coats are attacking the other passengers onboard."
"Then I guess we better move." David said as he and the others get going.
"I'm going, too!" Elle said.
"Elle, I appreciate your bravery, but it's too dangerous for you." Genis told her. Elle was having none of it, though.
"Even so, but I have to take this train all the way to the Land of Canaan." Elle said.
"The Land of Canaan? From the legends?" Jude and Sectonia said.
"You've heard of it? Do you know where it is?!" Elle asks, eager.
"Not exactly, but I've heard of it in some manuscripts back on Floralia." Sectonia told Elle.
"Hmm... Manuscripts, huh?" Elle asked.
David eventually gave up. "Okay, you can come. But take cover as soon as the fighting starts, alright?"
Elle nods. "Got it!"
As the group continues, Rollo, the cat, pushes up on David's leg. Being a cat person, David pets Rollo, which causes him to purr.
"Is this cat yours?" David asks Ludger. Ludger nods at this. "I thought he was with Elle." David can hear her continuously mutter that she's not afraid. "Hey, Elle's all alone, isn't she?"
Ludger responds. "Probably. And it's way too dangerous to leave her by herself."
"I don't recall asking you guys to care." Elle said, coming in hot.
"Huh?"
"Nothing..."
Jude decided to break the ice on Ludger's act. "You know. The way you looked back there."
Elle was looking down. "It was really freaky. You looked like a bad guy." Sectonia looked down at that.
"Really? I thought he looked kind of cool." David said.
"It reminded me more of a spirit." Jude added.
"That wasn't like any spirit I've ever heard of." Elle said critically.
"Spirits are mysterious beings that act as conduits between people and nature." Genis said.
"That's true. They're quite rare here on Elympios, but they're quite common where I come from, in Rieze Maxia." Jude added.
"Whoa, seriously?!" Scott was shocked at that.
"Spirits do command great power, but they're no enemy to us." Jude said, calming Scott down.
"So, really, Elle. You have nothing to worry about. Just ask his cat." Sectonia reassured her.
Jude was impressed by David's hand-to-hand combat skills as the group was fighting through the Exodus members. "You're a naturally skilled fighter, have you noticed that?"
"Yeah. A man who calls himself the Great Gozu taught me how to punch and kick. I just took the rest from there." David said, admiring who he considered his master.
"I'm kind of surprised as you have a broadsword, guns, and even ice spirit artes. It seemed to me like you didn't need to use your fists at all."
"Well, I'm the type of guy who likes to prepare himself for any situation."
"I see. Either way, It's best you keep your guard up."
"Got it."
The group managed to get to the front car again.
"No way... Is that... Julius?" Sectonia asked, seeing him there again. Rollo started screeching when he saw him. Julius was even fizzing in and out of the darkness. Ludger took a step forward.
"Stand back!" Julius ordered.
"Okay... Something's definitely going on here." David said. The lights then proceeded to go out.
"Let me handle this..." Julius said in a monotone voice.
"Not until you tell us what's going on!" Scott shouted to him.
"You don't need to know." Ludger then took a step forward. "I said... you don't need..." Julius' skin turned black while his eyes glowed purple. "...to know!" Julius then attacked the group and knocked them out of the room.
{Cue Song: Break the Time Factor-Tales of Xillia 2}
Julius jumped and stomped on Ludger and drove him to the floor while everyone regained their composure.
"What's going on with Julius?!" David asked as he blocks Julius' attacks.
"I don't know, but he left us with no choice but to fight!" Scott says as he pulls the Power of Self-Respect again.
Genis was bouncing the ball on his kadama as he charges his magic. "O burning anguish... Fire Ball!" Genis then shot multiple flaming spheres at Julius. He didn't seem fazed, however.
David got his hands together. "Let me try something." A magic circle appeared under him. "O sharpened edges, freeze my enemies... Ice Needles!" David fires icicles at Julius. It seemed to deal some damage.
Sectonia decided that she can't hold herself back anymore and decided to help. "Blades of light... Luminant Scythe!" Two pulses of light angled and hit Julius. Sectonia went for another spell. "Smite thy enemies, O holy sword... Dancing Edge!" Sectonia conjures a pulsating half of a light sphere, from which eight swords made of light shoot at Julius in a spiraling manner. "I... I think we almost got him!"
David came in. "Sectonia! It's time for a Linked Arte!" David said, linking their Allium Orbs.
"Alright!"
David rises into the air while Sectonia shoots lightning at Julius from overhead with David swinging back down. They both called out their attack. "Lightning Tiger Blade!"
"How could this have happened...?" Julius asks weakly as he was dealt the final blow.
{End Song}
Elle decided to ask. "Did you... did you get him?"
Ludger looked down.
"Ludger..." Genis couldn't help but look. Jude had already gone to check on the controls.
Nova soon arrived at the scene. "Wh-what happened?!" Verland, however, was furious.
"That creature hurt my employees like this?!" He then looks to Ludger. "You! Go and finish him off!"
Ludger sighs and just as he was about to strike Julius, Elle's watch reacted again, piercing him in a bright yellow light that gave him the same form as before. All that was left of Julius was a black gear that was ticking.
Jude came back. "Bad news! The brakes had been sabotaged!" He then noticed the gear, but it was too late. The gear broke and a light was shining.
"Wh-what's happening now?!" Scott asked as the scene begins to shatter.
"Brace yourselves!" David yelled as the scene breaks, causing everyone to fall into an endless space.
A/N: As usual, follow, favorite, and review.
A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor
