Once again, I hope you enjoy this advancement. WELCOME… TO CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2: FOLK LORE HEROES: NITEWIND'S PROGRESS!
OP: "Wanna Be Strong" – Tsubaki Takayuki
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
Aldone stood back in total surprise as his gaze shifted from one face to the next, the astonishment thick in his voice.
"I can't believe I'm actually meeting the great Folk Fantasy Heroes!" Aldone said again, moving across the room in a quick jog, pacing as he continued his long, drawn out ramble.
"THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT, bane of the devil-man Garland and the dark god Chaos! Firion, the eight-tool master and bane of the evil Emperor Mateus! Onion Knight, the miniature speed-demon who defeated the Cloud of Darkness!" After Onion Knight's praise, a man in a tall suit of black, blue-accented armour spoke up.
"Excuse me, what are you talking about, Folk Fantasy Heroes? You mean to say that we're actually folk lore legends where you're from?" Cecil Harvey, the combination Dark Knight/Paladin said, slowly taking a step forward.
"YES!" Aldone replied instantly, "Back where I'm from, your pasts all connected at some point or another, and your stories became folk legends called the "Final Fantasies of Spiria", while you were, individually, labelled the "Folk Fantasy" heroes. There are literally LIBRARIES full of testaments of your works and deeds, each chronicle just like the last. These stories are read to children to inspire them to become great people. Most kids, however just pass them off as rubbish. As it stands, I'm one of the very few kids who actually believed those stories, even after numerous adults had told me the stories were all fakes." The heroes felt uplifted. The mere thought of a world where they, and their actions, had been recorded in history as legendary tales of great heroism, and that THIS BOY, amongst a small handful of others, had continued to believe in them, despite multiple obvious attempts at breaking his spirit, was a source of new strength for almost every person in the room. Save for Onion Knight, who now looked even more livid than before. However, when he charged Aldone this time, he drew his sword and leapt, on a crash course for Aldone's face. However, he soon found that same strategies wouldn't work more than once on Aldone.
In one motion, Aldone had blocked Onion Knight's sword, grabbed both his arms, and used them to perform a choke hold on Onion Knight, who began to cough and gasp for air as Aldone released him, saying, "Nice try, Midget Knight. You can't surprise me that way twice." Onion Knight sighed deeply and lowered his sword as Aldone released his grip, allowing Onion Knight to land harmlessly on his feet on the floor.
Onion Knight, however, wasn't about to let some random upstart upstage him. Pointing his blade at Aldone, he announced, "I challenge you to battle, Aldone; a sort of test to prove yourself. After all, you are still relatively new here, and we can't be sure that you're not a new pawn of Chaos sent by our enemies to take us down from within!" Everyone else, including Aldone, stared at Onion Knight in surprise for several minutes. Then, without warning, Aldone stepped forward, smiling, and said, "Alright, I'll take you on. My skills may be slightly rusty from lack of use, but I should still be able to succeed; especially when you're using THAT logic. Just one question though…" Onion Knight nearly dropped his sword when Aldone asked, "Left, or Right?"
"EH?! What's that supposed to mean, Aldone? Left or Right WHAT?!" Onion Knight screamed as he tackled Aldone and forced him out of the hideout. As Aldone stood up, he replied, amidst numerous thunderclaps, and in a dark, foreboding tone, "Why, it should be obvious. Which side of your head should I hit to drop you? Left or Right?"
Onion Knight, now visibly irate, rushed at Aldone, sword outstretched, as Aldone raised his arms in a strange stance…
DISSIDIA INFO!
Aldone is a temperamental character whose skills change depending on his foe's abilities.
His EX Mode is a self-activating EX Burst, giving him an automatic advantage in battle.
BATTLE COMMENCES!
Onion Knight Level & Equipment: LVL 3; Short Sword, Bronze Bangle, Hat, Clothing
Aldone LVL & Equipment: LVL1; Slashing Claws, Hidden Dagger, Hat, Clothing
Onion Knight Starting Stats: HP-1150, Brave-175
Aldone Starting Stats: HP-1025, Brave-105
Stage Brave: 570
Onion Knight: I'm not letting you near Terra!
Aldone: ONION Knight? More like MICRO Knight to me.
Onion Knight lashed at Aldone, aiming to catch him on the chest. Aldone, however, leaned into Onion Knight's attack, thrusting his elbow into the smaller boy's wrist and disarming the young boy. Onion Knight watched his sword skid across the platform as Aldone jumped into the air. Onion Knight barely dodged to the side as Aldone came crashing down to the ground with a kick that ruptured the ground. Onion knight used his nimble legs to shoot around behind Aldone, only to find his foe was no longer there. He barely saw what hit him as a series of elemental-based punches and kicks smashed him in every direction. After a particularly strong thunder-based side-kick, Onion Knight flew through the nearest crystal pillar, gasping for breath as he stood. He hadn't taken a beating like this in a long time, and had been itching for a reason to let loose. Jumping into the air, he began spinning in circles.
BREAK!
Aldone Stats: HP-1025, Brave-850
"STARS UNITE!" Onion Knight shouted as a deep-crimson Aura opened up a space-time rift. From this rift came a slew of tiny meteors that flew on a crash course with Aldone's head .Aldone, however, jumped in the air and was soon covered in a barrier of wind that seemed to… catch the meteors. As Onion Knight shot one final meteor at Aldone to end the attack, Aldone focused. Swinging his arms behind him, Aldone charged up more power, causing the wind to spin wildly around him. Onion Knight slowly muttered something that sounded something like "Burn… it up?"
"You ready, kid?" Aldone shouted, thrusting a single fist forward. At this motion, the barrier blasted forward, sending every meteor back at Onion Knight. They stopped an inch from Onion Knight's face.
Onion Knight Stats: HP-1150, Brave-175
Stage Brave: 655
Aldone opened his hand and held it there, the palm flat, as he said, "Time to get a taste of your own bulbs, Onion Midget. Stars, Rain forth!" Spreading his fingers, Aldone shot the meteors into Onion Knight, who soon shot back into another crystal pillar.
Onion Knight Stats: HP-190, Brave-65
Aldone Stats: HP-1025, Brave-105
Onion Knight stood up, his body swaying left and right as he struggled to keep his balance. He could see, very faintly, Aldone walking towards him from at least 6 feet away. One blink later, Aldone was no more than three feet away. Seconds later, Onion Knight knew there was little point to opening his eyes.
BREAK!
Onion Knight Stats: HP-190, Brave-0
Aldone Stats: HP-1025, Brave-825
Stage Brave: 750
Several more punches and Onion Knight couldn't find the strength to get off his knees. Aldone picked him up by the back of his neck and attacked a sleep-oriented pressure-point on the young boy's neck, putting him to sleep.
Aldone: "Well, THAT was embarrassing."
VICTORY!
Aldone Post-Battle:
-Gained 12500 EXP!
--Level Increased by 3! (1-4)
--Basic Stats went up!
--Learned Beat Claw!
--Learned Soak Grande!
--Learned Steely Grind!
-Gained 4 AP!
-Gained 1250 Gil!
-Gained 4PP!
-Obtained Guard: Strizer Star Spring!
-Obtained Helm: Strizer Star Lens!
-Obtained Item Fusion Ingredient: Transmogidust!
As Terra ran forward to heal her fallen team mate, Aldone walked past Warrior of Light, who wore a genuine look of surprise. It had taken most of the other Warriors of Cosmos months to figure out the best methods for defeating Onion Knight. Aldone had done it on the first fight!
"Aldone, where did you learn that?" Warrior of Light asked. Aldone simply waved and kept walking, heading back to the base for a short nap. Warrior of Light couldn't wait to pry this valuable information from Aldone.
~MEANWHILE~
Jecht leaned half-heartedly against a massive stone pillar in the Dark World, contemplating how he'd work his way out of the Emperor's plans. He didn't want to kill his son, but the way that gaudily-dressed, power-mad maniac was going, he'd have no choice. Even IF Jecht didn't do it, that air-headed dumb-ass would for him. Jecht, beyond all the intellect he had left, couldn't figure out a way out of this.
"OI! How ya doing over there, slow brains?"
Jecht looked up to see his already least favourite person, Nitewind. The guy had only JUST gotten there a day or so ago, and already he'd made an enemy of the Emperor by simply calling him a fool. Jecht respected Nitewind for that, but just didn't like him that much.
"At least MY brains aren't as knotted up as yours are, Nitewind. Seriously, you're content with making an enemy of Mateus like that? Once he comes up with a way to kill you, you won't ever come back. As I understand the saying goes, he won't just kill you, 'He'll kill you dead,'" Jecht said, the armoured man approaching him at a slow pace.
"I really couldn't care less about what that moronic show-off thinks. I have a single goal: kill Aldone, my life-nemesis. Make his life a miserable, living hell, and FORCE him to let me kill him and take his swords so I can achieve my eternal peace by resurrecting the one I lost all those years ago. My goals are obtainable, because through out all the time that boy and I have fought, he's only EVER been able to repel me, send me away from him with a serious injury. IF that's all he's capable of, then he has NO chance of beating me when my powers fully mature," Nitewind said, his voice carrying a happier, yet more serious tone toward the end of his speech.
"Fully… Mature? You mean… You're not at full power yet??" Jecht asked. His interest was now piquing. Nitewind's helmet, as if to respond, formed what seemed to be a demonic smile, which scared Jecht a little. As Nitewind spoke, his eyes changed from their original white tinge to a dark crimson hue.
"That is correct, my near feral friend," Nitewind said, his voice changing from his original rough tone to a softer, almost genius-like tone, "You have no idea what I'll be like when my powers fully mature. However, I need to battle to raise my power to full maturity. Would you humour me with a demonstration of your powers?"
Jecht stared for a few seconds before smiling and saying, "Heh… Well, if you want it. I'm not one to turn down a free brawl. Let's GO!"
DISSIDIA INFO!
Nitewind is the slowest character to grow, yet strong all the same.
He is can delay his Brave-HP combos by logging them for player access.
BATTLE COMMENCES!
Jecht Level & Equipment: LVL 5; Light Axe, Bronze Bangle, Hat, Clothing
Nitewind LVL & Equipment: LVL1; Long Sword, Bracer, Helm, Light Amour
Jecht Starting Stats: HP-1525, Brave-275
Nitewind Starting Stats: HP-1100, Brave-95
Stage Brave: 500
Jecht: Must be really hot in there, huh?
Nitewind: Heh… HEHHAHAHAHAHA!
Jecht started charging for an initial attack, which Nitewind quickly stopped. Exploiting Jecht's open defences, Nitewind slashed upward and back with his sword, swinging Jecht up and behind him, then back into the floor with a crash.
ELSWHERE…
The Emperor was still fuming, getting angrier and angrier while Garland did nothing but sit back and laugh hysterically. Cloud of Darkness was now conscious. However, it wasn't any of the schemers who sensed the action a-ways away; Golbez, the massively armoured mage, straightened up in his seat and said, "IS it just me, or is there a surge of energy somewhere nearby? Do you think that maybe-" Golbez was cut short as a large chunk of stone fell down between himself and Kefka, who HAD been enjoying a nice, quiet game of chess. As the pieces flew about, Kefka and Golbez watched the board carefully. Their rules had been very clear: play would continue regardless of seismic activity around them, even if the board was torn in half and the pieces reduced to ash. As the dust from the fallen stone cleared, Both Golbez and Kefka gasped as the board revealed … Kefka's king caught in a seven-way checkmate by Golbez' King, Queen, both Rooks, and Right Bishop.
"NOO~! HOW CAN THIS BE?! I WAS WINNING!" Kefka screamed loudly as Golbez chuckled silently in triumph. Cloud of Darkness simply moved for the door, muttering something about investigating the disturbance. Several seconds later, however, her "team mates" scurried out of the over-cramped HQ when her excited voice rang out from above:
"HURRY UP, YOU LAZY FOOLS! JECHT IS TRYING TO KILL THE NEWCOMER!"
The entire team flooded out to the top side area to watch the brawl play out.
MEANWHILE…
Jecht quickly wound up for a simple slash attack and landed, unleashing a blazing flurry of strikes that sent Nitewind backward into a pillar. Jecht, thinking the fight was over, never saw the next attack coming: a ferocious shoulder tackle that sent Jecht through the nearest set of pillars. Slowly getting on his feet, Jecht took a quick look around, trying to find Nitewind's hiding place. However, he didn't seem to be anywhere. When, suddenly…
BREAK!
Nitewind Stats: HP-1025, Brave-870
"WHAT THE… ?!" Jecht shouted as his head plunged, face-first, into the hard concrete beneath him, forced down by a hard, flat edge. As he looked up, he barely caught the sight of a deep-purple blur as a large eye stared back at him. A single… half-opened… demonic … eye… filled with… such a terrifying aura…
Jecht Stats: HP-1525, Brave-250
Stage Brave: 450
"So, Jecht," Nitewind said, as he slowly slid his index and middle fingers across the eye on the sword, causing it to open completely. Suddenly, to Jecht, everything went black, and then…
BREAK!
Nitewind Stats: HP-1100, Brave-1570
Jecht Fell to his knees, then flat on his stomach. As all the spectators watched, Nitewind reached down and grabbed Jecht by the head. Throwing him into the air, Nitewind concentrated for a second, and then leapt for the skies.
"DIE BY THE HANDS OF THE GRAND DEMON!" Nitewind screamed loudly, performing a deft array of slashes and kicks that he didn't look capable of, while laughing in manic hysteria. Soon, he brought the attack to a close by slashing downward for the killing blow.
Nitewind: "HAHAHAHAHAHA! Hehe…"
VICTORY!
Nitewind Post-Battle:
-Gained 12 EXP!
-Gained 4 AP!
-Gained 1250 Gil!
-Gained 4PP!
-Obtained Guard: Demon's Destiny!
-Obtained Helm: Monster's Skull!
-Obtained Item Fusion Ingredient: Transmogidust!
The other villains couldn't believe their eyes. One of their strongest, and most instinctually brutal, warriors had been defeated by the new guy, in a matter of seconds. Garland, most of all, couldn't believe what had just unfurled. Jecht, out of all of them, had been the first to fall. Who would have known the recent recruit had such raw power?
"You lot can do with HIM as you like. I'm off to contemplate my next moves. See you all in a while," Nitewind said, as he slowly walked off. Mateus watched carefully as Nitewind sauntered off. That's when he saw it: A slow limp and a dangling arm that heartlessly dragged the newbie's monstrously large sword behind him. Apparently this big, lumbering buffoon had a few prior injuries that hadn't fully healed. He'd have to send Golbez and MAYBE Kefka to check on the brute later to confirm his suspicions… But if he could devise a way to remove Nitewind quickly, he wouldn't have to deal with him for much longer…
ED: "Chacarron Macarron" – El Mundo
To Be Continued…
Hmm… I'm beginning to wonder if I should add some other cannon characters from FFXI and XII. I'm more concerned with XII, as there are too many heroes to throw in the mix, but I think maybe I should use Basch to throw Gabranth off his A-game. In terms of XI, I'm open to suggestions. I wish to make this as grand as possible when it's all over and done. More will come soon. R&R, CONSTRUCTIVE FLAMES welcome!