Welcoming Notes: Yello minna-san, I'm SoulEmbrace2010, and welcome back to Final Fantasy Uzumaki XIII! Gonna have a new subtitle (again), for this story due to the changes that me and Rix made for the future of the story. Hopefully for the last time.
Anywho, enough from me, on with the show!
Chapter 04: A Change in Motion
(Palumpolum's outskirts)
Kairi walked alongside Vanille, wrists and ankles bound in chains and surrounded by airborne guards as they were lead to an airship that would transport them to Primarch Dysley's Flagship, the Palamecia. Kairi could do little but hope that the rest of her team managed to evacuate with their targets safely knowing that she did her task as best as she was able to help them.
The woman who captured them, one Col. Jihl Nabaat, had in fact been very courteous despite the fact that they were prisoners. Of course, Kairi's definition of courteous was not what she would call the same for Jihl, but the horror stories Aya and had told the team along the way about female prisoners of war were enough to let Kairi see that the PSICOM Colonel was not some mad tyrant. The more Kairi thought about it, the more she got the feeling that Jihl wanted to follow some universal standard of equality in warfare.
"Ano, Col. Nabaat... Since you have us at your mercy now, what do you intend to do with us when we arrive on the Palamecia?" Kairi asked, hoping to find out what her future will hold. Despite asking this, her thoughts kept going back to the vision Serah had of Snow onboard the Palamecia, Jihl dying, Lightning dying, and Naruto-kun nor any of her other friends were anywhere to be seen.
Jihl looked down from her vehicle, a customized Anavatapta Warmech, to the auburn-brown haired girl who spoke to her. "Little girl... Or not so little girl, we are going to hold you captive and use you as a show of victory. Your public execution will not only inspire faith in the people who support the Sanctum government, but it will draw your friends out of hiding. We are quite interested in harvesting the powers of a man who managed to destroy a fleet of Airships all by himself. But you needn't worry your pretty head. You'll be dead long before anyone can even try to mount a rescue attempt."
Kairi frowned a moment before she heard Vanille shout out in defiance, "I'll freely hand my body up before your executioner and know that with my death, a flash will reshape the world. Nothing you do can break..."
The Keyblade wielder and Princess of Light was about to stop Vanille from revealing something better off hidden, a massive explosion happened. It seemed to happen in the center of Palumpolum, farther away from the Estheim residence where they began marching.
Jihl looked back at the city in shock before shouting orders to her personal Valkyrie Squad, "Team 1, we are ten minutes out from the transport. We will take these prisoners at once and get onboard. Team 2, head back to Palumpolum, find where that explosion happened and get me recon. PSICOM needs to know what happened and if Carbuncle is safe. I need to know what caused that and if any l'Cie are present."
Kairi looked back to the city before she once more turned to look at Jihl, before noticing the Colonel was already looking at her dead in the eyes. "So not so little girl, it looks like we can finally have a tea party. I so hope you're a good singer..."
'Naruto-kun, please be safe. We need you...' Kairi thought as she was forced to march toward her imprisonment.
(Carbuncle's Grave)
The sounds of metal clashing could be heard in Carbuncle's Chamber as Naruto took on the self-proclaimed stalwart of Chaos. It was also the first time Naruto truly used this revamped Tensa Zangetsu in battle, and was satisfied with its durability and performance. But the stalwart couldn't care less even if he knew, as he tried to assert his might and dominance against the new servant of Aurora. In fact, he found himself enjoying his fight against the hanyou demigod, for he was withstanding his blows like they were almost nothing and responded with equal force. As for Naruto, he suspected from how his unknown opponent introduced himself, a Warrior of Chaos.
'So the Chaos Goon Squad decided to join the party? Well shit! Carbuncle's out of the picture and Cocoon's food supply will be soon be nonexistent. The population is further incited by the l'Cie paranoia, all leading to the true Warmonger behind this world. Fools, the lot of them; to put all their food production solely in the hand of a fal'Cie. Even a utopia would have multiple food sources instead of just one. What the fuck was Sanctum thinking?!' Naruto thought as he parried the servant of Chaos' sword that turned into an axe and decked him with a punch, sending him into a wall.
"Impressive, but I can sense that your mind is not on our battle. Quite insulting for a former knight like myself." the Warrior of Chaos stated as he got out from the wall and dusted his armor off.
"Well excuse me, helmet-head. Who's the one kicking those ass again? It doesn't matter if you're insulted!" Naruto countered with a flip of the bird. "By the way, what do I call the person whose ass is getting handed to him..."
"Garland, Warrior of Chaos. And you human, a Warrior of Aurora, and thus, my enemy..." the identified Garland replied coolly before engaging Naruto again, intent on crushing him beneath his sword.
"Human. Human? Oh, you poor arrogant fool. I am barely human!" Naruto shouted and let out a Sonic Roar into a disoriented Garland.
"What?!" Garland growled before Naruto bared onto Garland.
Garland turned his weapon back to its sword form and blocked Naruto's devastating strike. Before the stalwart could press the advantage, the blonde redirected his opponent's blade, then reared back and landed a punishing headbutt on the former knight's helmet. A staggered Garland was surprised by the unexpected attack, allowing Naruto to land several slashes to his armor before kicking him away.
Garland growled at that and was about to attack when he staggered to his knee, before noticing that the blonde's swords cleaved right through this armor. The shock of such an attack showed in his stance after that. The vaguely foreign emotion known as fear starting to creep into his being at the sight at his damaged armor.
"How? How is this possible?! This armor, enchanted by Chaos himself, can withstand the Mega Flare attack of the "Dragon King" Bahamut, an almighty Summon! So how in the world can this human severely damage my armor so easily?!" Garland ranted as he looked up at Naruto, who was twirling his swords, "This power...I was wrong... You're not human! Who are you? WHAT are you?!"
"Quite elementary, Warrior of Chaos. I am Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, Warrior of Aurora, and you, Garland, are now my prey." Naruto said as his eyes turned red with slits as he unleashed a sadistic smile. His aura flared and intensified to dangerous levels.
Naruto then made a 'come and get me' motion, followed by flipping the bird again. It managed to provoke Garland enough to make him charge at him. When he was close enough, Naruto shot an invisible wind spell to the ground where Garland stepped, triggering a trap that snared Garland in a dome of violent wind. He tried to get out, but the dome rocked him in different directions and kept him in place. Naruto grinned at that as he silently made a sealless reinforced Shadow Clone.
"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!" Naruto called out and released a small fireball that erupted into a giant fire storm.
"Lightning Style: False Darkness!" Shadow Clone Naruto called out and released a large lightning spear that pierced through Garland's armor.
The Warrior of Chaos roared in pain as the fire superheated his armor and the lightning pierced his very being. This left him unable to see Naruto gear up for one final combination attack.
"It's over, Garland. I'd say nice knowing ya, but we both know that's honestly bullshit. Goodbye. Getsuga Tensho!" Naruto yelled, unleashed a large beam of energy in the shape of a crescent moon at the trapped and suffering Garland.
"Hiraishin!"
At the same time, the Shadow Clone teleported behind Garland with a familiar giant orb of energy with smaller orbs spiralling around it.
"Planetary Rasengan!" Shadow Clone Naruto shouted and smashed the technique into the back of Garland, who was immobilized from the prior assault.
With nowhere to go, Garland was forced to take the attack in front of him in full, with the Shadow Clone exploding behind him while the Getsuga Tensho hit him. A great explosion rocked the area from the jutsu, with Garland being blown sky-high before crashing to the ground.
"That's it? That's all I get from a Warrior of Chaos? You must be the weakest one of the bunch who only serves as a scout." Naruto spat as he sealed away his blades, "Pathetic."
"I admit I...underestimated you. Rest assured...that the next time we meet...it will NOT happen again." Garland groaned as he started disappearing, just as PSICOM patrols appeared in the destroyed chamber. Likewise, airships began to hover above the hole in the ceiling, obviously intent to find the cause of the disturbance in Carbuncle's chamber.
"You're right. It won't happen again, because if you appear before me again, I will kill you to the point that not even Chaos himself will find you useful enough to revive." Naruto countered as a kitsune-style ANBU mask manifested over his face, "Oh, and tell Chaos that his days are numbered, for I will put an end to the eternal war with his death."
"Such arrogance will be your undoing, Warrior of Aurora. But you are right. The eternal war will end, only with the deaths of Cosmos and her beloved daughter, Aurora. Until that promised time, there shall be no escape, from this cycle of battle." Garland shot back before disappearing from sight.
"Such a lust for battle that one has." Naruto noted before looking up where the ships are, "PSICOM...wait a minute..."
Naruto looked around before his eyes fell on the corpse of Carbuncle, and groaned at the implications. Spotlights began to shine in the room and suddenly caught sight of his presence, still unaware of the fate of the Fal'Cie they treasure so dearly...
This was definitely bad, for a picture is worth a thousand words, even when it didn't convey the complete truth. With Naruto being the only one near the dead Carbuncle, he knew along with the recording of him taking down multiple PSICOM ships, that he was without a shadow of a doubt, soon to be Public Enemy #1.
"Well…ain't this just a son of a bitch." he mused, knowing that many a picture were being taken of the surroundings, as well as being recorded, "Even if I attempt to explain this to them, it'll fall on deaf ears. Time for an exit, I suppose..."
Before he left, he noticed something hidden beneath the pieces of Carbuncle. After tossing them away, he found what appeared to be an egg of sorts. Swiping it quickly, Naruto used Hiraishin to leave, just as PSICOM patrols were rushing forward to detain him. There was nothing they could do, their target had escaped, as some of them threw their hats down and stomped on them in frustration, and others dreaded the debriefing with Lieutenant Colonel Nabaat.
(CCMG's Ship)
Lebreau was resting on one of the cots on the walls of the ship, with a sleeping Serah. Her head was on her nap as Lebreau stroked her rose-colored hair. Naruto's Shadow Clone was leaning on the wall, eyes closed and arms folded. In reality, the Shadow Clone had his Rinne-Sharingan active behind his eyelids, and his senses on alert at maximum output for any signs of trouble.
So far none, except for the explosion off at the far distance a little while ago.
The Shadow suddenly perked up, sensing his Boss incoming, and the command to dispel to gain his memories.
"Roger that, Boss." the Shadow Clone mentally confirmed behind going poof.
"What the-?!" Lebreau said, slightly jumping at the sound of Naruto's Shadow Clone dispel.
She turned to see Naruto's copy gone. Before she could begin to panic, there was a crimson flash, and Naruto reappeared, dusting himself off. However, the crimson flash caused Lebreau to draw one of her handgun holstered to her thigh.
"It's me. The real me. I'm back from meeting Carbuncle." Naruto said, raising his hands as Lebreau aimed her gun at him.
"Oh yeah? Forgive me for being a bit paranoid, but prove it!" Lebreau shot back, cocking the hammer.
Naruto grinned at that, "Simple. I wish I gave you more than a smooch on those pretty lips of yours. I wonder how they'd taste? Like Cherries? Strawberries?"
"Eh?! How did you know we...did that?" Lebreau demanded, her face turning red as the blonde walked up to her, "Wait, cherries?!"
"My Shadow Clones. They have the added bonus of any experience they gain while active, is transferred to me when they dispel. Quite useful for training, as it allowed me to learn stuff that normally takes years to master. It allows me to do other stuff like scouting and creating an army, but I rather have you girls take center stage alongside me." Naruto admitted while brushing her gun to the side.
"To not play God so much, even while you're half one, right? Sometimes, I still find it hard to believe after all I've seen so far." Lebreau reiterated while holstering her pistol.
"You catch on pretty quick, my utsukushi chouchou-hime." Naruto confirmed with a foxy smile and a wink that made Lebreau's heart flutter, knowing that he called her 'beautiful butterfly princess'.
Before she could retort or even blush madly, Serah suddenly groaned before opening her eyes. Her vision blurred, she rubbed them with her arm before seeing Naruto and Lebreau.
"Lebreau? Naruto? Wha-?" Serah moaned as she sat up from Lebreau's lap, "How long was I out?"
The last thing she remembered was a vision from the future, followed by her worry-filled rant, and finally darkness.
"Quite a while. You were freaking out after your last vision of a possible future. You were in no condition to join our campaign to save the Estheim's, so I had to send you off to dreamland." Naruto told her.
"What?! Ugh..." Serah mumbled, now remembering looking into Naruto's eyes before falling unconscious, "That would explain the minor headache."
Serah rubbed her head, and Naruto coated his hand in green chakra before bringing it to Serah's temple.
"W-Wow! That feels so much better." Serah said as her little headache disappeared, "Thank you."
"No problem. And just in time too. The others are back." Naruto said, just as Averia, Aya, Yuna, and Tifa arrived with the Estheim father and son in tow.
Bartholomew was fine and healthy, with Aya dragging him by his shoulder, but Hope was out cold and draped over Tifa's shoulder.
"We're back, but we have some complications." Averia said seriously as Aya led Bartholomew to a seat and Tifa dropped Hope onto a spare cot.
"Does that explain why Kairi and Vanille are not back with you?" Naruto asked with a frown and concern in his voice.
"We waited for the two at the rendezvous, but they didn't show up. They were using a pincer position on the Havoc Skytank to attack it with magic, so as to help Lightning and the others destroy it. We waited for fifteen minutes until we saw Kairi and Vanille being escorted into a ship that landed a ways from the Estheim residence. We wanted to help, but there were PSICOM troopers fanning out, and we had Bartholomew and Hope here, so success in retrieving the two was minimal. We...had to make a call." Aya said through gritted teeth, as she voiced hers and the others displeasure in having to leave their comrades behind.
"Vanille...Kairi-san..." Serah whispered to herself, worried for her dear friends.
"So they took them prisoner instead of killing them outright. Interesting. If that's the case, there's a chance to rescue them after we drop off these two to the client." Naruto said as he looked at the two Estheim's.
"Why is Hope unconscious?" Serah asked as she checked him over.
"He was making a lot of noise when we got him and his father out of there. I had to shut him up." Ava growled as she glared at Hope, "It's best to keep him under until we get back to the hideout."
"Is that really necessary? Sure, Hope can be a handful, but..." Bartholomew started, but noticed Yuna shaking her head.
"She made the right call. Besides, from what I heard, Hope's emotions were volatile, and further noise would've had him use his magic accidently and give us away." Tifa spoke up as she sat next to the sleeping Hope.
"We'll talk more later. Right now, we need to get the hell out of here because they're going to start sweeping the area. Lebreau, are you up for more flying?" Averia asked, putting a hand on Lebreau's shoulder.
"I'll be fine. I'll rest properly when we arrive back to base." Lebreau said as she went and sat in the pilot's seat, "Let's go."
"I can assist you." Bartholomew suddenly said and sat in the co-pilot's chair as Lebreau fired up the engine.
"Happy to have you abroad, in case I fall asleep or something." Lebreau said in a lighthearted matter, "It's been along day after all."
With the others taking their seats, Lebreau flew the ship into the skies above. As the ship took under the range of conventional radar tracking, Hope was starting to wake up. Tifa immediately used a Sleep spell to send him right back to dreamland, intent on avoiding any troublesome issues from the volatile l'Cie. Noticing that Naruto and Yuna saw that, she gave a cheesy grin, causing the two to sweatdrop.
(NORA Safehouse)
The airship swiftly landing outside, a cargo ramp opened up, allowing Naruto to get off the vehicle. "I feel so much better when I am in control of my own actions... Come on people, let's hurry up, plans to make and people to see."
As he said this, Tifa was carrying Hope Estheim in her arms in order to remove the Sleep spell as soon as possible. After all, maintaining a spell does have a constant drain on one's mana.
"Uh Naruto, excuse me when I say this, but why wouldn't you be in control of your own actions?" Averia questioned as she herself walked off the airship. "I mean, you don't seriously expect me to believe someone can hypnotize you to do their bidding?"
"Averia my dear, I really need to tell you a tale about two assholes named Danzo Shimura and Shisui Uchiha... But nevermind that now," Naruto told the girl in an almost dismissal tone, obviously intent on going after Kairi and Vanille, "Come on, let's move it!"
Naruto proceeded into the safehouse whereupon he was met by one of his Shadow Clones and his current client, Nora Estheim. The woman was currently following Tifa as she took Hope into a bedroom. The clone meanwhile took that moment to dispel, allowing Naruto to learn that nothing of interest had happened while they were gone. Although, it was honestly very concerning to him at just how the news managed to get the live shots of Lightning in Palumpolum that they did...
Bartholomew soon came into the safehouse flanked by Yuna, Lebreau, and lastly Serah, who proceeded to lock their safehouse from the inside for the duration of their time. At this point, Bartholomew looked over to Naruto for an explanation. The blonde only smirked and shook his head, pointing him down the hall to the room where Hope was left to rest. Tifa in the meantime took Nora to the lounge area to speak to her.
Serah took notice of this dismissal of the Estheim family and the fact that Naruto was currently in thought about something. She decided to take it upon herself to see just what he intended to do regarding the family that was essentially going to be cast out of society simply because of the stigma of Hope being Nationally televised as a l'Cie.
Walking over to him, she asked, "Gil for your thoughts?"
Taken aback slightly at what the actual fuck a Gil was, Naruto responded with two questions. "If you had it in your power to understand another person without even speaking, what would you say to the kindest person you ever met? What would you say to the most evil person you ever met?"
Serah looked at her savior like he just lost his head. She cocked her head to the side in thought and was actually baffled. Where did this come from?
Naruto looked at her and shook his head before saying, "Don't worry about that. Just something crossing my mind after what happened while I was speaking with Carbuncle. Besides that though, I've been thinking about what to do with Hope. Honestly a life of fighting is not the life a boy like him should take. Becoming a l'Cie was thrust upon him through random happenstance in his misguided pursuit of revenge, a revenge that he didn't even need to carry out. In fact, I believe I could possibly pull off a means to give Hope a relatively peaceful life without the fear of turning into a C'eith and still maintain his magic in a similar way to yourself. Unfortunately as long as the world remains as it is, he will always be hunted or at the very least feared. The Sanctum made certain of this with their very public news broadcast in Palumpolum that had his and your sister's faces on prominent display..."
As Naruto was talking about Hope, other members of the Cataclysmic Celestial Maelstrom Guardians came into the room and heard various portions of his statement. They listened, with various degrees of interest, mostly because certain topics garnered more interest than others.
Aya decided to speak up before he could continue, "Naruto, while it's important that Hope has happiness in his life, I am honestly concerned about something you said. You said something happened when you were speaking with Carbuncle. Now I only caught the last part of the question you asked Serah about the most evil person you met, what exactly happened when you were talking with the fal'Cie?"
At this statement, Naruto frowned. He was still frustrated at the fact that Garland had killed the fal'Cie, and even more so at the unbridled stupidity in the Sanctum government at putting their entire food supply in solely the fal'Cie hands.
The girls noticed Naruto's outward reaction and the almost frightening silence in response to Aya's question. It was very telling.
Surprisingly enough, the one to break the silence was Averia. "The fal'Cie is dead, isn't it? I have to wonder, the explosion that happened in the fal'Cie chamber was you attacking the killer wasn't it? You asked my sister if she could understand someone without words... You met an evil man when you confronted Carbuncle. One whose emotions were so vile that his very being was corrupted? Does this man have any connection to why you were sent to us?"
Averia's statement caught those in Aurora's Familia off guard. Why would Chaos himself directly interfere in this realm's events? Had he ever done so in any other world?
Before Naruto could answer, the world around them took a gray hue. A bright flash of light filled the room, which followed with their heterochronic black and white garbed goddess appearing before all present.
As this occurred, Tifa walked into the room saying, "Guys, what's happening? I was talking with Nora Estheim and suddenly the world just stopped..." She immediately took notice of the woman that had brought her into this world and knew that something important happened, "Oh, Aurora!"
"Naruto-kun, everyone... Hello again! I thought I'd interject myself into this conversation. Just to shed some light on this situation you face."
"What else could there be, goddess?" Lebreau asked in a exasperated tone as she hung her arms down.
Seriously, could nothing be simple?
"Aurora, I gather you're here to explain why Chaos has taken an active interest in destroying this world, this "Fantasy"? Because I love working with my back against a wall... Nothing says "Child of Prophecy" better than a challenge, you know? Not to mention creating a giant fucking bullseye on our backs." Naruto said in a sarcastic tone, obviously not directed towards her, but the general absurdity of the situation.
'Child of Prophecy…?' Serah thought, which was unknowingly echoed by nearly everyone in the room...
"Oh Naruto-kun, you say the darndest things... But essentially yes, I am here because I was concerned about this recent action of my mother's enemy. As you may know, but not all those whom you've recently made the company of, my mother Cosmos has been in a war with Chaos using those of the Crystal worlds, these "Fantasy's" as you said to make it simple to those unaware... However this war is something that has occurred typically outside of the normal flow of time and space, almost always employing those of importance after the events of their "Fantasy", while removing all their known memories in a manner that is almost despicable in cruelty. This is because they are almost always forced to fight for reasons unknown to them and even worse still is the unfortunate nature that my mother and Chaos both employ. When all are killed, as everyone is, they are purposely brought back and forced to repeat their battles in an endless timeloop, but their memories from before are wiped clean anew..."
Those unaware and even those who Aurora handpicked to join Naruto all gasped at this knowledge. Naruto, already upset after his battle with Garland took on a disappointed look. Before anyone could comment however, Aurora raised her hand and continued, noting the looks on their faces.
"My entire reason in employing you in this 'War' Naruto-kun was because things were changing. Those in the timeloop were regaining their memories and beginning to act on their own. I wanted to end this war without the individual "Fantasy's" being destroyed at the finale as I have foreseen. Without the end of my mother's and Chaos' lives... Far be it from me to take pity on my enemies, but life without coexistence is no life at all. Death for all is no prize either, even if sacrifices must be made. The entire war my mother is being forced to wage is not in the least fair to those she unwillingly enslaves either. Naruto-kun, you were brought here to end this. I've purposely poached some of my mother's "Pawns" to join my Familia and help you, because as much as I hate to say it, the actions she is taking are not fit for a Goddess, even though she is aware. Tifa and Yuna, you both may be unaware of this, but you are actually involved directly in this war. I have taken you outside of it, only because those precious to you are also doing battle..."
At this, all the color seemed to disappear from Tifa's face, while Yuna fainted...
Naruto meanwhile couldn't listen anymore. He looked to those Aurora sent with him, to those he had met here on Cocoon, ending with him looking directly at Serah. Everything changed with her and Averia in this world... He looked back to Aurora and said, "Look, I don't really need a reminder as to why you employed me. I need to know why Chaos is taking action here if he hasn't touched the other worlds directly. Why was that armored freak Garland sent here if Chaos has never gotten involved in a world before?"
"I can't directly answer the thought process of another, but if I was to hazard a guess, I'd imagine he is directly reacting to my own involvement in bringing you here. You have changed things, but even more then that, this particular Fantasy is…different from the rest. Different because of my own involvement..." Aurora said as she discreetly glanced over to Averia, something only Naruto himself caught.
The rest had question marks dancing on their heads. Except for Yuna, who was still out, while Lebreau was the only one with swirly eyes.
"Regardless of my own involvement and that of involving you in this war, Chaos is likely lashing out in a manner that can only sow discord. By killing Carbuncle and the unfortunate event of you being caught on site, you know how the citizens of this world will react. The world is going through a revolution as you can see, but this event changes the very core of this revolution. You will now likely be forced to fight other pawns of Chaos in your attempts to change the course of this world. But worse still, I fear that your placement at the scene of Carbuncle's death may change core actions others might have taken..." Aurora herself looked down at this, uncertain as to how the world may change. All-knowing wasn't one thing Gods and Goddesses were always, because even Gods and Goddesses were mortal beings.
Serah took this moment to interject. "Aurora-sama, if I may be so bold, why is this Fantasy so important that you sent Naruto to us? Why was this Fantasy so important that you felt the need to intervene at some point? Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful you did, as who knows where I may be if it wasn't for your own intervention. However all your talk of your mother and her enemy fighting each other using slaves stolen from worlds outside of normal time has left me conscious one very important fact. This Fantasy must be extremely important to something. Why?" Serah almost demanded the goddess to answer.
Aurora looked to Serah and then to Naruto. She sighed, before looking back to the youngest Farron and answering, "Unfortunately Serah-chan, you aren't ready for that answer. Also, it's not something I would freely tell... In time, I will answer, but only when the moment is right. Now if you'll all excuse me, I need to get back. Naruto-kun, ladies, I wish you all luck. Your lives are certainly bound to be much harder from this forth..."
With that, a light flashed, the world around them regained proper color. Shaking his head, Naruto went to tend to an unconscious Yuna, while contemplating what Aurora really had in mind for Averia…
(Gran Pulse)
"The girl has awoken much sooner than anticipated due to the Traveller's interference. The 6 and the 1 is no longer the future I see. My own visions are being twisted, forever changing by the Traveller and his companions. I can no longer accurately determine the future." A young girl stated, while looking out over the fields of the Archylte Steppe.
"Then the path is clear, Noel can no longer be counted on. I must act to eliminate the Traveller and return the Timeline to it's proper path." The man beside the girl said, his purpose as a Guardian was his only course.
"If you confront the Traveller, you will die. This much I have foreseen many, many times. There is no future where you exist, even as it changes moment to moment. The Traveller has been granted a boon from the Gods, this much I know. But even with this boon, those not aligned with his vision shall be confronted and actions taken. Change your ways, you must Caius Ballad. Not even your Heart of Chaos will stand against him, for he is your deterrent. He is the deterrent of all who walk the Path of Chaos and nothing will change that..."
Caius Ballad looked over to Yeul. He had walked by many Yeul's in the past and he was certain to walk by many more in the future. His role as her Guardian was such. But this was the first time any of them had ever said anything about his own future. If he was completely honest, the fact that Yeul had stated with certainty that he was to die in the coming future drove him to want to take action sooner than later. He looked out over the sunset with Cocoon's shadow streaking across the Steppe, a smile on his face.
"Watch your step you must." Yeul said out of nowhere.
Caius looked at her curiously, turning his body as he looked to see what Yeul was talking about. Unfortunately, this movement proved to be the very catalyst in question that Yeul had predicted... His screams as he fell off the cliffside were not of frustration, but of undiluted pain.
"Worry you mustn't Caius Ballad, for you have not yet begun to feel true pain... The Traveller has things far worse than a stalagmite to the anus in mind for one of your years.
(Hideout)
"Well then, who wants to see a reunion?! I know I do!" Averia suddenly said aloud before walking out of the room where the CCMG had their meeting.
After the little revelation that Aurora dropped on their chosen ones, the mood had been depressing to say the least for the last few minutes. Naruto managed to awaken Yuna, but it's been all doom and gloom for the latter and Tifa. So right now, Averia wanted to bring the power of positivity back to her new friends.
"Th-That's right! We have to awaken Hope! He'll be thrilled to see his mother alive and well!" Serah agreed with some renewed pep in her voice, and her Aura radiating optimum.
"True. After all, you saved her. Hope need to to thank the divine savior that you are." Lebreau commented in a teasing way and a wink.
"Me? Divine savior? I guess, but if anyone's a divine savior around here, it's Naruto-kun." Serah protested, but Naruto shook his head in amusement.
"I'm flattered, Serah-chan. Praise me all you like, but it doesn't take away the fact that you and Averia made sure that those who were involved in the Purge had families to go back to. And that was before I was thrown into this Fantasy. With accomplishments like that, you would have made a fine kunoichi in my world." Naruto countered with a whimsical smile, as he could see him getting along with the likes of Sakura, Hinata, Ino, and Tenten.
'I can only wonder how Yuffie would fit into Naruto's world.' Tifa thought to herself, her mind dangerously close to daydreaming about it, dreading the chaos those two would cause.
"Alright alright, enough chatter. We have a family to reunite!" Naruto declared and lead the way out of the room, "Aya, be a dear and retrieve our client. I want this moment to be magical. Not to mention the sooner this side mission is complete, the sooner we can go after Kairi and Vanille."
"She should be in the Lounge Area." Tifa said.
"Leave it to me. Just don't start without us." Aya said in a joking matter, heading to the lounge area where the former Purgees were.
They found themselves the guest room where Hope laid on the sofa, fast asleep. Bartholomew was sitting in the nearby chair, his eye flying between watching Hope, and eying Averia warily. Then, Naruto and company entered the room with positive attitudes on their faces. Before Bartholomew could speak to them, she saw Yuna hand-signing at him.
"She says to wait, for Aya is retrieving the client, who wanted us to get the two of you. While Aya goes to get her, allow me to undoing my spell to awaken Hope." Tifa said before raising her hand, with a gray orb glowing in her arm that is one of her many Materia.
Everyone watched fascinated as Tifa changed her Materia in front of them for the first time. Naruto himself was keenly interested as he could feel the essence of Life that just flowed from the ball. Serah looked on as if she was once more lost in the pages of a book, the feeling of power foreign to her world right before her eyes. It was a surreal feeling to say the least.
Before anyone could say anything or Tifa herself could comment on the fact that everyone had their eyes on her, Aya walked into the room, "Bartholomew, allow me to introduce you to the client: Hope's mother, and your own wife, Nora Estheim."
"Hope! Bartholomew! Oh thank you! Thank you for bringing my family back to me!" Nora Estheim excitedly let out as she ran over to the bed to hug her child.
Bartholomew himself was at a loss. He was told his wife had been killed during the Purge and had all but given up hope of seeing her again. Now he was reunited not only with his boy, but these people brought him back to his wife! The man was so happy, that he was completely unaware of the tears that started rolling down his face.
"Here, you might want to use this." Averia said as she handed the Estheim Patriarch a cloth to clean wipe his tears, "What are you waiting for, dumbass? Your wife hasn't seen you in like forever, so go get her!"
Bartholomew didn't need to respond to that, as he accepted the cloth from Lebreau and went to hug his beloved wife from behind. When Nora felt her husband's embrace, she shifted around to return it, tears of happiness streaming down her own face.
"When I heard what happened in Bodhum, I feared the worst. Then Hope came home and confirmed it, I didn't know how to go on... But now you're here, still alive. I can only thank the Maker for having you in my arms again. I love you so much, my Nora." Bartholomew whispered in Nora's ear, afraid to let go as if she were an illusion, "And now that you and Hope are back with me, we can be a family again."
"And we will. But in all honesty, the Maker didn't have anything to do with me being back with you. It was that young girl there." Nora told him and smiled at Serah, "Serah, was it? She saved me and the others as we were falling through the air. At the time, I thought it was the end for me, until she appeared, like an angel from the heavens."
Turning to a flustered Serah, she then proceeded to ask, "I do hope you intend to follow after my would be murderer, the blond man who had us fight his battle?"
Bartholomew looked to Nora in shock, before asking, "Would be murderer? What do you mean Nora?"
"Mr. Estheim, I'm afraid certain details were not told to you when the l'Cie came to your home with Hope. The blond man that came with them, Snow Villers, had it in his ability to save Nora from her death. Well maybe, as you can never be too sure when holding someone with one hand over a ledge. However, instead of attempting to help your wife, he purposely let her fall in effort to pursue his own goal. A deluded daydream in where he thinks himself some Hero rescuing his beloved, my best friend Serah. He is not to be trusted in any of his actions, so please do not take anything he told you during their time in your home seriously." Lebreau said, not even bothering to hide anything from the family.
Nora meanwhile caught her husband's eyes looking to Hope and then back to her, where she shook her head as if to confirm everything he had just been told.
"I thank you for telling me this and hope that you have good luck in the future as I will forever be in all your debt for bringing my family back together. If you wouldn't mind though, could you please wake my son and give us time. This has been a trying experience for us all and we need time..." Bartholomew said, again at a loss now that he was made aware that he had offered solitude to a man who had almost murdered one of the most important people in his life. It was surreal at how the man seemed to be so normal and yet was probably one of the most despicable humans in existence, at least in his own opinion.
"Already done." Tifa simply said, putting her arm down as the light faded from her Materia, "Enjoy your family reunion."
"Mr. Estheim, one thing you must be made aware of is that I can't yet remove Hope's l'Cie Brand. I intend to get something in the future for your family to be together without any worries, but for now you'll have to make due on the promise that I will let no harm come to your son while you are in our care. This is just a stepping stone for your family, a page to turn to a bright future. Enjoy your time and if you need anything, just ask." Naruto said as everyone else had left the room. He closed the door as Hope leaned into his mother's embrace, tears of his own streaming down his face.
"Mom! I-It's really you? I thought- I thought that you were- I saw you fall." Hope choked out and looked up at her loving smile.
"I did fall, until Ms. Serah save me. Believe me when I say that this isn't a dream. I'm alive, and I'm never going away again." Nora said slowly and stroked her son's hair.
"Your quest for revenge is over, Hope. Your mother is back with us. So leave the fighting to our new friends. We have a lot of time to make up."
Nora nodded as he relaxed in this parent's embrace, the dark flames of vengeance leaving his heart. For the first time since the fireworks show in Bodhum, his heart was at peace.
His family is back together.
(Safehouse, Briefing Room)
"Ok people, time for your new mission on the road to saving this Fantasy! Rescue our lovely comrades, Kairi and Vanille!" Naruto said as a goofy grin appeared on his face, unsure of just how they might accomplish that task, "As one of the many strangers here, got any ideas?"
"I thought that you were the man with the plan." Lebreau deadpanned as Serah and Averia shared the same deadpan expression.
"But as the denizens of this Fantasy, you three are the maps we need to accomplish our mission. A man without a map is commonplace wherever you go. So where would they keep high-profile prisoners like our teammates?" Aya snapped with an annoyed look, which increased when Averia blew a sour raspberry at her.
As if to answer her call, a television in the background displayed a Special Report before going to some News Bunny.
"Turn that up for a minute, I think our answer awaits behind some Plot ex Machina!" Serah suddenly said, taking a page from one of her stories as nearly everything of importance always came through random convenience.
"How...did I walk...into that one?!" Aya groaned loudly as Averia turned up the TV to hear the report, "Fuck me for running headlong into that cliche trope…"
"Gimme a time and date Aya-chan, I'll help you out..." Naruto said with that same goofy grin.
Lebreau didn't even hesitate with her facepalm, while one of Aya's eyes twitched. Sometimes that man was too forward...
"There she is! The Palamecia, pride of the Sanctum skyfleet. This mighty flagship currently serves as a prison for the l'Cie apprehended in Palumpolum. The l'Cie will face official sentencing upon the convoy's arrival in the capital."
"It's bait! I guarantee that they're announcing this just to get us out of hiding." Naruto said at the announcement of the l'Cie being held prisoner on the Airship, "Wait for it…wait for it…"
'Not taking this bet…No way…no how…' Yuna signed with a nervous soundless laugh.
"In a display of unwavering dedication to duty, the Primarch himself has boarded the Palamecia and focused his personal attention on resolving the Pulse crisis."
"Trap~." Aya drawled with her eye twitching.
"So a trap. Seriously. They might as well as put it in flashing red letters on the screen. But in my experience, the best way to trigger a an obvious trap, is to spring the trap…and hope to the Lifestream that it doesn't blow up in our faces." Tifa said with a sweatdrop while rubbing her temples.
Yuna gave a thumbs-up, agreeing with that sentiment.
"Oh! My! Goddess! That's gotta be where Serah's vision happens... The Primarch is there and Lightning is almost certainly going to go after Vanille, and Kairi too. Naruto, we have to go! I won't forgive that bastard if he even attempts to raise a hand on my sister!" Averia said, a sentiment that was all but confirmed at Lebreau's sudden nod.
Serah meanwhile looked to Naruto, who seemed to be contemplating the announcement. Sure she said that a Plot ex Machina would happen, but this was all too much. Things like this don't just happen on their own. The whole comment Aurora made about interfering with this world was still bothering her as well. Why didn't she like the idea of going to the Palamecia? She felt it down in her, a gut feeling telling her that they shouldn't go. But it was her sister's life!
Naruto was thinking about everything, all that Aurora had said about the Fantasy's and her mother's War with Chaos, Serah's visions about a potential future, and most of all, how Garland's murder of Carbuncle was the catalyst for a radical shift in this world. Looking to Averia, Naruto saw her almost pleading with her eyes that they go. But looking at Serah, he saw the frustration and indecision in her stance. Whatever would happen, this was something Chaos would likely involve himself in. But yet, he couldn't let Lightning or the others die some worthless death.
Except for Snow. Trash like him needed to be taken out and beaten with a purpose.
'Naruto, know whatever path you might take, we are always at your call.' Milla Maxwell suddenly said, catching Naruto off guard from the unexpected resident of his soul.
'Yeah, we'll always be ready to help! Just say the word and you can rip any dimension you want...' Muzet piped in, which was promptly followed by what sounded like a frying pan hitting bone.
'Not again! That's how we got sealed into Naruto in the first place! Never you mind my sister Naruto, but you are not alone if you desire to battle these quote unquote Gods.' Milla stated, before a voice Naruto was entirely not expecting to join the conversation.
'Naruto. You defeated one of the most powerful shinobi in your world, Madara Uchiha. Might I add it took the husband the wife duo of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki to defeat him, but he's gotten powerful since then. But you killed him, and put his soul where it belongs: in the hands of the Shinigami. These Gods will be nothing to you by the time you're through with them. Me and my mother will make sure of it.' Kagura Ootsutsuki, the Juubi herself, told him, as she had witnessed those events through the memories of the Bijuu.
'Half-demon. Half-God. You are truly my descendant for accomplishing the feats that you achieved with only a quarter of my bloodline. With all of it now awakened within you, I look forward to seeing the Gods of this Fantasy, as well as your future enemies, bend the knee at your might. I expect nothing less, Naruto.' Kaguya Ootsutsuki stated sternly, as she witnessed his memories in her dreams, and was impressed at what she saw.
If only he was her actual biological son. The Rabbit Goddess/Demon was feeling envious of Kushina right now…
The quick mental pep talk had basically done the job, as Naruto walked over to Serah and took her by the chin so she looked straight into his eyes. Ocean blue eyes shaped into vertical slits as he stared down into her azure blue, "Serah, whatever you think might lie in wait... I welcome them to try... This Fantasy will quake if they harm those precious to me. Be they you, your sisters, or any that I've come to accept as my Familia..."
Looking up to look at all those in the room, while missing Serah's now cherry-red face, he declared, "We will go to the Palamecia. Snow will meet his fate for ALL he has done. The Primarch shall pay the price for putting his Fearmongering ways into your society. And should Chaos or anyone else get in our way... Well, let's just say Limiters are for suckers." As he said that, his entire body glowed as countless Seals were released. Looking back down into Serah's eyes, he took a kiss from her, unabashed at those watching.
"That was so hot!" Lebreau whispered into Averia's ear.
"At least she doesn't have to stand on her tippy-toes to kiss him." Averia agreed in the same whispered voice.
As for Serah, she was taken by surprise at Naruto's outright claiming her lips. But she found herself not minding, as the kiss was sweet, gentle, and full of love. It was way different from when Snow first kissed her. Now that she thought about it, his kissing her were almost dominant in nature, and left some drool behind as well to the point that she had to wipe it off her mouth sometimes. Right now, she was melting into the kiss, enjoying every second of it. She then whined when Naruto ended the kiss, leaving a strand of saliva that broke apart, and settle for licking her lips.
However, the display of erotism was too much for a certain mute summoner, as Yuna found herself fainting again. Only this time, Tifa caught her. Though her own face was almost equal to a cherry, as Naruto surely could pull off a romantic declaration.
"Now come, girls. We have a ship to crash." Naruto commanded with a confident, winning smile.
"Yes!/You got it!/Yeah!"
Naruto, Aya, Tifa, Yuna, Serah, Averia, and Lebreau made their way to the ship, knowing full well that they have a major battle on their hands. It's on a huge ship no less, nevermind the fact that this was their second rescue mission in a row. Soon, the whole Fantasy will fully experience the War that is between Aurora's Familia, the Cataclysmic Celestial Maelstrom Guardians; and Chaos and his Warriors of Discord.
Transcending history, and the world,
A tale of the Twilight, eclipsing Harmony and Discord,
Eternally retold, within the XIII Fantasy…
END OF CHAPTER FOUR
Next time - Chapter Five: Changing of the Guard
Rixxell: Soul, next chapter is going to be full of Epic Win, I can smell it!
Also some reader notes for those unaware, a Stalagmite is a column of rock that juttes up from the ground as if a spire and is typically found in caves. Not to be confused with Stalactites, as these are the columns of rock that form on the ceiling of caves. They form via calcium salts dripping from the ceiling of a cave before they typically meet and form columns. #themoreyouknow
And sorry for making Yeul sound so much like Yoda... I don't really do the whole Deadpan Loli archetype well, but Foresight as her ability made it just too tempting to pass up. Let Soul know if you all like it or not and we can go from there.
Soul: Rix, my pal, you can rest assured that the sequence of events in the Palamecia will have nothing but EPIC WIN.
For four long years, ever since I began this here story, the battle in the Palamecia has been bombarding my thoughts. But it never changed, and thankfully I was able to keep it intact, despite the original notes for this story being lost due to vibration damage in my old hard drive.
Rixxell: Well, we will bring it to fruition soon enough. But the next chapter shall be slightly delayed as I intend to focus on my story Tipping the Scales. I intend to release within the month, but give it a shot now if you like Naruto and High School DxD. #shamelessselfpromotion
Soul: Two can play that game. I'll be slightly delayed as well, as I got some videos to edit and upload on my YouTube Gaming Channel, SoulEmbrace2010 GAMING. Go check it out, it's awesome. I'm still learning to ropes to the Let's Play, as I aim for the impossible 1 million subscribers. Also, once I'm done with that, expect TWO updates to Shinigami's Devil Huntsmen, my Naruto x RWBY crossover story. After that, another update to The Fox of Overwatch.
Rixxell: So much self promotion, my head is spinning! I bid you all good day, with the hopes that you review and tell us what we can do to make things better.
Soul: So, that's it for us. Please fave, alert, review, share, all that jazz. Peace out, ja ne, and see you in the next update.
Release date: Thursday, February 23, 2017
