[Wild Arms 3 is © Sony/Mediavision]
Advanced Wind~A change in time
Finally made up my mind
I raise my hand from beneath the shifting sun
And embrace the winds of changeSuddenly, everything is up to me
The pages turn, flashing full of memories
I can see it all too clear
The time has come to face my fear
And there's a fire burning in my heart
Just shine when all is torn apart
And I will make it through this devil storm
Safe and warm
My shield is strong
I'll take my chances here and now
Bring on the fight
I'll find a way to win somehow
No, tomorrow's no regret
I'll risk it all for this brand new day~
Virginia Maxwell dodged around a silver corner. Panting for breath, the brunette decided to peek a glance back around, her blue eyes trying to find her comrades. There was a bang and a bullet ricochet on the silver paneling besides her head, sending a spark into the air. With a gulp, she turned her head away from the end of the corridor. She clutched the Rapier Ez in her right gloved hand and the Bantorain 93R in the other, her six shooters. Unfortunately for her, they were out of bullets. She narrowed her eyes. There had to be some way out of this infernal silver complex. She peered down to the other end of the hall. There was no one in sight. She could easily make it out of here, especially with the Galecrest. She smiled. But then what about her comrades, who were still on the bridge, caught under gunfire? Could she just leave them? Virginia shook her pretty young head in thought. There had to be another way. She patted her rose printed item sack that hung from her purple dress. Several berries and other vegetables were still inside the sack. She placed a hand inside, searching for something useful. She then felt something hard. A gem! She pulled out the crystallized arcane to bear witness to whatever magical properties it held. It turned out to be of the white variety. A grin appeared on her lips.
"Jet! Clive! Gallows! Close your eyes!" Virginia screamed.
The only replies were those of shots ringing out. Taking a moment to make sure if they heard, she closed her eyes and placed her thoughts on the stone. The small gem began to emit an eerie aura about it, glowing a soft white. A low hum started, and over the process of several seconds the hum's pitch became higher and higher until it sounded as if it were to burst. At its highest peak, Virginia threw the precious stone into the metallic battlefield.
The white gem fell with a couple of clinks and clonks. It fell right in the view of Jet Enduro and Gallows Carradine, both of whom were pinned under the bridge controls. The large shaman Baskar immediately recognized the object.
"A light gem!" Gallows cried.
"No shit! Close your eyes!" Jet, the smaller of the two, replied.
With a quick thrust of the Airget-lamh B/V2, Jet's machine gun, Jet managed to knock the offending gem down the stairs towards a group of blue robed men who were armed in all sorts of firearms. The gem did not even have time to land as it exploded into an array of white light. The group of robed men instantly recoiled, screaming as there eyes burned. And as quickly as the light erupted it had dissolved, leaving the robed men clutching at their poor reddened eyes.
Virginia used the moment to step in and shout. "Come on! Now! Let's move!"
Gallows and Jet opened up their eyes and nodded to each other. They both shot up and leaped over the bridge controls, flying towards the exit as quickly as their legs could carry them. As they both rounded the corner Gallows stopped.
"Hey, where's Clive?!" Gallows asked in surprise.
Virginia called out in the bridge. "Clive!"
A tall man in a red long jacket emerged out of nowhere, right in front of Virginia. Virginia stepped back in surprise.
"Clive! How'd you do that?" Virginia asked dumbfounded.
Clive adjusted his glasses. "You forget I am a sniper. Now come on. We don't have much time."
Virginia nodded and stepped around the corner. Gallows and Jet both looked relieved to see their friend Clive Winslet.
Gallows elbowed Jet. "See? I told you he was alright."
Jet turned to the door. "Yeah right. Lets get a move on before they flush their eyes out."
The four ran through the silver hallway, emerging in a large hexagon silver room. The light of day was flowing from the large door to the south. Footsteps of a hundred men were heard coming from every possible doorway. Jet, Clive, and Gallows started for the southern door. Virginia stopped.
"Where's Maya!?" She asked.
"Knowing her she probably got out a long time ago." Clive replied.
"We don't have time Virginia! In a couple of seconds this place will be flooded with those cultists!" Gallows twitched.
Virginia looked to her feet. "…Maya. I hope you're all right. Somewhere…" She then rejoined the other three as they escaped in the nick of time.
** *
Lombardia sat outside, tense. The cyborg dragon could sense trouble was happening. Just at that moment, Virginia, Jet, Gallows, and Clive barreled out the entrance, a thousand bullets on their heels. Without a word, Lombardia morphed into airship mode. All the stray bullets bit into the dragon, but she couldn't feel them. The four eagerly clamored in. Shouts of 'don't let them escape' and 'they must be stopped' rang all over the dusty desert. Lombardia began to take off, sending air current shooting from her jets, creating miniature sand storms. The 'cultists', as Gallows put it, stopped dead in their tracks, covering their eyes, nose, and mouth. Lombardia rose into the blue, blue sky and flew off, away from the Ark of Destiny…
** *
Upon These Drifter Wings
-WILD ARMS ADVANCE 3RD-
By Hypes
Twenty-six million Gella. Two months had passed since the salvation of the world, the very same salvation that no one remembered. Beatrice was only remembered by an amount of people that could be counted on two hands. The defeat of Siegfried was anonymous. The prophets were unheard of and Janus had supposedly died due to a lightning strike upon the top of an ancient tower. The real villains at work here, according to the public, were the very same people that saved the world. Infuriated by the death of their leader, Albert, the new leader of the Ark of Destiny, placed an enormous reward on their heads. A reward that no Drifter would –could- pass up. Twenty-six million Gella.
The four had laid low for a while, not even daring to visit their own families. They had been hiding out, in all of places, in the mercenary capitol of Little Twister. Little Twister was a hot spot for every despicable piece of trash that Filgaia had known. Mercenaries, assassins, and all around bullies lined the streets, filled the bar, and paid off the Sheriff. Two of these bullies happened to be a giant in a ten-gallon hat named Dario and a scarred character named Romero. And their kicks came in the form of pestering innocent youths in the dusty old town. Especially little girls such as this one: Martina.
"Hey lil' girl! Come back here! We just wanna play!" Romero snickered.
"Yea, just have a little fun!" Dario laughed.
Martina stumbled over a barrel on the side of the Honey of Rose saloon. The stagnant water spilled into the street, creating splotches of mud that Martina would so conveniently fall into. She splashed on her side, her green bandana saving the side of her face from disaster. Needless to say her brown dress was ruined. Martina gritted her teeth as she rose onto her elbows, noticing quite a few scratches had appeared on her forearms. Dario and Romero roared with laughter.
"Hahahaha! She actually creates her own mud to fall into!" Dario laughed.
"Do that again wonthca? I'd love to see a replay!" Romero chuckled.
"Hey!" Come a familiar voice.
Dario turned around. Sudden shock grasped his bearded face like an eagle to a fish. Romero was still too busy giggling to pay any heed.
Dario nervously began tapping Romero on the shoulder. "R-R-R-Romero?"
Romero turned his head around as well, just to catch the same sight. Virginia, Gallows, Jet, and Clive were all walking down the street towards them. Martina smiled and leaped up, dashing towards the quartet with blazing speeds. Virginia caught the girl as Martina gave her a hug.
"I-It's you! I remember you!" Romero stuttered.
"I hope you haven't forgotten all the good times we've had." Gallows grinned, swinging his Modified Coyote M17F sawed off shotgun.
"Because we certainly haven't." Clive smiled as well.
"So you like playing with little girls huh? Well how about a friendly game with me?" Virginia drew her ARMS.
"Let's get out of here!" Dario screeched. Romero didn't bother coming up with a verbal gesture, running off into the endless wasteland outside town, Dario close on his heels.
"Morons." Jet insulted.
"Ha! Did you see that?! They ran away faster than the Filgaia Express train!" Gallows slapped his knee.
"How could have I not seen it? I was right here!" Jet replied.
"It's a good thing we've met them before. If they were a hair stronger in will, our cover could have been blown." Clive said carefully.
"Why didn't you shoot them Ginny? They were awful people!" Martina asked Virginia as she tried wiping mud off her dress, but to no avail.
Virginia got down on her knees to confront the girl. "Because killing people is wrong Martina. If we did that, we'd be no better than they are." She patted the little girl's hooded head.
"Well said Virginia." Clive smiled.
"People are looking for you, even here!" Martina warned. "That man Cormano said he was going to capture you guys and make so much money he'll be able to swim in it! He knows you here!"
"That sounds like what Cormano. I didn't think they'd be able to track us down so fast." Gallows rubbed his chin.
"Whatever. If word says we're here than we leave. No big deal. You guys sound like you've never been wanted before…" Jet shrugged.
"You've been wanted before, Jet?" Virginia asked surprised. Jet didn't reply.
"Than how about Humphrey's Peak? I'm pretty sure that Catherine would give us a little shelter. I mean, how much longer can this manhunt go on? The heat's gotta die down eventually." Gallows pointed out.
"Thank you Gallows. I think Humphrey's Peak is a marvelous idea." Clive said.
"With twenty-six million Gella on our heads, the heat's not going to die down for a while. A long while." Jet stated.
"Well I can't keep living like this. I'm a free bird you know." Gallows flapped his arms to indicate the bird status. Jet rolled his eyes.
"Hey! I saw that!" Gallows sparked.
"Than you know I think you're an idiot. Good for you." Jet said nonchalantly.
Virginia chuckled and turned back to Martina. "Say, why aren't you in Claiborne with Mileux, your Mom?"
Martina tilted her head and smiled. "Oh! I'm looking for a special gift for Mom! I spent my last train tickets coming here! They say that you can get rare items here…" Martina looked around. "…Somewhere…"
"I… think it would be best if you didn't go near the Black Market. There are some real nasty people there." Virginia reached into her rose printed pouch. "Here, take this money and take a train to Midland station. From there get a horse and go east beyond the great chasm. There travel north across the woods until you see a house. There you'll meet the cutest little girl named Florina. She's got some wonderful, rare gifts I'm sure she'd be happy to give to your mom."
"Thanks Ginny! I believe you're innocent!" Martina hugged Virginia one more time.
"Well, I think it'd be best if we started going." Clive interrupted.
Martina let her death grip go. "Bye Ginny, Clive, Gal, Jet!"
Clive and Gallows waved as Virginia patted her head once more. Martina then started off down the street as they watched her go.
"…Why does she have to call you 'Ginny' all the time?" Jet asked.
"I think it's cute." Virginia smiled. "…Oh! That's right. Ginny is like a short or pet name for Virginia. It would be like… calling you Jetty."
"Don't." Jet replied.
"Well then, let's be off." Clive clapped his hands to get attention.
"Come on Ginny and …Jetty! Bwahahaha!" Gallows burst out laughing.
The four drifters started to walk down the street and outside the city limits, passing by what seemed to be the rarest creature on Filgaia. A flower. Though it was small, it was there.