The Palace of Shinryu, Dissidia

The palace of the eternal dragon was abuzz. The summons, espers, aeons, idolons, beasts, and divine creatures that aided the heroes and villains were gathering in mass. They were all there: Shiva, Ifrit, Bahamut, Odin, Typhon, the Magus Sisters, Yojimbo, Ixion, Hades, Kjata, the Titan, Mateus, Maduin, Ultima, Kirin, Alexander, Carbuncle, Seraph, Leviathan, the Phoenix, Omega, and Ramuh. Each one of the humanoid or bestial figures were connected and ruled by this deity. Some came to show respect, others to see what would happen, and some to just see Shinryu in the flesh, since the great dragon rarely appeared.

The great throne room was overflowing with these onlookers and buzzed with chatter. Summons were attempting to get the best view possible, either from the second, third, or forth floor banisters that were above the great room. The great hall was a sea of colors, fires, and magic, except for the scarlet red carpet that ran from the entrance to the great blue crystal throne at the end of the hall. It was a sight to behold.

Yet the entire hall quieted when the great doors of the hall opened. All of the eyes in the room swung to the doors, peering from all of the balconies and rows to see who was coming. A small, tiny moogle came forth and began to walk towards the throne. He carried with him a parchment, wrapped with a white and black ribbon. The only sound that could be heard was the echoes of the summons choughs and growls. After he reached the foot of the throne's steps, he turned around and he spoke:

"May I present to the court of Dissidia, his lordship, the God of destruction, Chaos and her ladyship, the Goddess of harmony, Cosmos."

Taking their queue, two figures entered into the great hall, walking side by side down the scarlet carpet. As they passed, each of the summons bowed before them. One was the figure of a great demon, with red horns, four arms, and great wings. If one knew better, the creature could have been mistaken for a summon. His mustard yellow eyes were filled with determination and terror. The other figure was a woman, dressed in a white silk dress, with a gold belt and collar, a water-colored fabric stole and veil with gold highlights. She was beautiful with fair skin and wavy blond hair. Her eyes, though determined as well, showed the slightest hint of sadness and pity at what was about to happen. Each moved slowly down the carpet, not looking at each other.

They stopped just before the first steps that lead to the crystal throne. The moogle nodded in approval. The two deities then nodded in return. After a moment of silence and waiting, a small breeze began to grow inside the hall. Some of the younger summons looked around, wondering where the wind was coming from. Soon though, the breeze grew and expanded, from a simple whisper to a full-fledged storm. The torches that lit the sides of the room were trying furiously to stay lit. At first, the winds blew from the east, then the west, then began to circle. All of the winds then began to collect towards the ceiling. The eyes of the summons and the two gods stared at the ceiling as the winds danced above their heads in a graceful waltz. The pressure of the room built and built, until it finally burst, and then vanished.

Silence filled the hall again. And then the moogle spoke: "The great eternal dragon of Balance has arrived. All hail Shinryu!"

At that moment a great yellow light appeared, filling the hall, blinding everyone there. Then came a great and mighty roar. The dragon had appeared. Out of the light the figure of an enormous, dragon appeared. All of the creatures and deities kneeled before the dragon, with fear and awe. After a satisfying grunt, Shinryu began to descend, never letting its ruby eyes look away from the crowd. Its mighty tail touched the grown first, and then the whole body came with it. At that moment, the scaly skin began to change into a thin cloth. Those that looked were amazed as the giant dragon transformed into a human shape, a woman. The great dragon had arrived.

Draped in silver and gold, the woman who appeared out of the remains of the dragon walked towards the throne. She turned around to reveal her face to the audience that watched her. Her hair was a fiery red, with a set of ruby eyes, a small smile playing on her face. She then let her gaze move towards the two deities kneeling before her.

"Chaos", she spoke in a voice that echoed through the great halls and revealed at the same time many decades of wisdom. In response, the red demon looked up, his yellow eyes meeting her ruby.

"Cosmos", the goddess then turned to face the woman; this time greeted with sapphire eyes that were as deep as the ocean. She also nodded in return. Shinryu then motioned for them to stand with a wave of her hand, as she took her seat in the throne behind her.

"So, what brings you here?"

The two deities remained silent. The page moogle kneeled before the throne, presenting his mistress with the scroll he had been carrying. She took it in her ivory hand and opened the note. The whole hall remained silent as she read the note to herself. It was from one of the goddesses of the crystals.

Shinryu,

I understand that the gods of harmony and discord are awaiting the beginning of another battle. Before that begins, what is the status of thirteenth world in this conflict? The crystal is formed, yet the story and its players have not yet been written. If the world is brought into the conflict, I fear that certain irreversible damages could occur to the stories of this world. I beg you, please choose wisely before something horrible happens. I fear what both Chaos and Cosmos have planned for the tales of the thirteenth world.

Your humble servant,

Crystallis

When Shinryu had finished reading, she returned the note to the moogle and began to speak. "So there is a disagreement as to the inclusion of the thirteenth world. Chaos, what are your thoughts about this?"

The demon replied: "It is my wish, great Shinryu, that the thirteenth world be included in this battle. As the note states, the crystal of that world has been formed. I believe that a world is defined when the crystal is finally formed and created. If I am to fight against Cosmos, in the greatest display of power and strength, should not all of the worlds that have crystals be included? How can one world be excluded when there is in fact a formed crystal? If all of the worlds are to be included in this battle, as the Goddess of Harmony wished, then the thirteenth needs to be included!"

As soon as he had finished, the entire hall erupted into a swarm of sounds. It was a mix of cheers and applauds, boos and protests, whispers and yells. The once calm room of beasts and summons was thrown into a chaotic dysfunction. The sounds of the crowd did not last long, as Shinryu raised her hand. Within moments the entire hall returned to silence.

The silence was broken by Shinryu. "Very well, Chaos. Cosmos, what are your feelings about the thirteenth world?"

The woman, who had remained silent the entire time, spoke: "Shinryu, I believe that the thirteenth world should be excluded. While I acknowledge that the crystal is indeed formed, it is only partially complete. The story of this world and the people in it has yet to be laid. It is still in its infant stages. If the world was thrown into this battle, the effects to the world and the people in it could change from what they are originally intended.

"Every time Chaos and I have fought, the world were all fully formed, with the characters and story firmly placed. It is for the world's protection that it be left out of the conflict. I fear for the story and future that will come from this new world. I propose that we wait until the crystal is entirely formed and then fight."

When Cosmos ended, there is a silent hush to the great hall. No one spoke, but it felt calmer, and more silent than ever before. Shinryu bowed her head to the goddess. She then tucked her head down, a sign of her being deep in thought. The room remained silent.

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In the crowd of creatures, on the side of Cosmos was a collection of humans. They all looked different and looked as if they had come from different worlds, which was the truth. They were in fact the summoned Warriors of Cosmos. Each of them was listening intently to the event that was occurring. Though they should have been silent, two of them were talking in a hushed whisper.

"I told you Cosmos would kick Chaos' butt!" Spoke Bartz Klauser, the self-appointed good spirit of the warriors and a talented mime.

"Yeah, but why was everyone silent?" The reply came from Zidane Tribal, a thief from the world of Gaia, who was distinguishable by his yellow monkey tail.

"I think they were blown away by the unbelievable awesomeness of Cosmos!"

"Well I think…" Zidane began.

"We'll all get kicked out of here if you two don't shut up! So be quiet!" The two looked behind them to see that Squall Leonhart had caught them in the act of talking. The SeeD Special Forces leader was 'unfortunate' in having been paired with these two 'knuckle heads'. But he actually enjoyed their company, even if he would never admit it.

Bartz gave a muffled groan before looking over at his other compatriots. The other Warriors of Cosmos: Firion, the leader of The Wild Roses Rebellion group; the Onion Knight, a young and short knight who had a very weird name; Cecil Harvey, a dark knight and paladin who cared about the other warriors; Terra Branford, a young woman who had incredible magical abilities thanks to her being half human and half esper; Cloud Strife, a remarkable swordsman with a mysterious past, a pessimistic view of life, and a head of hair that reminded Bartz of his chocobo, Boco; and finally Tidus, another swordsman who played Blitball for a profession and was full of energy and speed. It was an odd bunch to say the least, but they worked well together.

The mime then realized that there were only nine of the warriors. Confused, he slipped through the crowd, in an awkward fashion that was only explained by him being Bartz. Seeing Terra, he lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Terra, where's WOL and Shantotto?"

"Lady Shantotto and who?" came the confused response from the young woman.

"The Warrior of Light?"

"Oh, him. I don't know. I think the two were given a certain task by Cosmos. Sorry Bartz."

"That's OK. OH, I think something is happening!"

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All of the eyes in the room turned to Shrinryu, as she rose from her throne.

"I have decided: the thirteenth world will participate in the war! It is a crystal, and all worlds with crystals must fight. I will remain here in the palace to make sure that all goes well."

As her speech ended, the entire hall erupted once again in noise, hailing the mighty goddess who had just spoken. Chaos and Cosmos then bowed one final time before leaving the hall. Chaos had an expression joy, as if something marvelous had just been put into motion. In contrast, Cosmos' face was grim, as though she knew of the terrible consequences that would happen.

The Warriors of Cosmos were also concerned, though their faces were filled with confusion and worry as to what would happen. Terra hung her head and whispered under her breath, "I fear a terrible fate will occur to that world; to its crystal and people. I fear for their safety." Cloud, Firion, and Cecil silently nodded in agreement. Seeing that there was no point staying in the hall, the nine warriors left to meet with Cosmos and the two missing warriors.

Among the hails and adorations from the thousands of creatures that filled the hall, Shinryu noticed some ominous figures. In the balcony that was directly opposite the throne on the other side of the hall, was another group of humans. For where she was, the great goddess could not see who they were, but was unnerved by their presence. If she had been closer, she could have counted ten figures. They were all different in appearance and statue, except for the smug and pleased smile that crossed a few of their faces.

"Is Ultimecia in place?" Garland asked.

"She is indeed." replied the Emperor.

"It had begun" was the reply.

The tale of the thirteenth world was spurned into motion.

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