Chapter 10: The First Clash! Sword Versus Fist!
It's been several weeks since the incident at Hima, and in that time, Colette managed to round up Raine, Genis, Presea, Regal, Sheena and Zelos to help them. Also, during a patrol, Emil crossed paths with Aqua, who was more than willing to help in the search.
At the moment, Jade, Regal, and Raine were studying a map of the world that had red circles around five different locations, "According to the reports Mieu received from Emil's monsters, all of these areas," He says as he gestures to the circled spots, "are potential hiding spots for our mutual enemies. Amy and the God Generals."
Raine nodded, "What intrigues me more, is that these locations are all places of great significance to us. The temple of ice near Flanoir, the temple of fire near Izoold, the temple of lightning near, the temple of earth near, and finally, the human ranch near Iselia."
Jade hummed, "Do these locations all share some point of interest?" He inquired.
Regal nodded, "Yes. They're locations that had impacted all of us when we visited them on our journeys. I wonder why they would be hiding there of all places." He asked.
"It's perhaps an attempt to cloud the enemy's mind with bad memories." Jade suggested, "But we still need to narrow down the search. And unfortunately, we've no leads on which one is more likely."
Luke walked up to the group, "Why don't we break off into groups and search them all at once?" He offered.
Raine nodded, "Divide and conquer. An excellent idea."
Regal nodded, "Yes, with our numbers, sneaking into these places one-by-one would be near impossible. However, breaking up into teams saves time and energy. Well done Luke."
Soon, everyone was gathered together, and Jade began to speak, "Alright, our plan is to hit all five of the suspected hideouts at the same time. To do this, two people will be assigned to each location. One member of the team from this world, and one from ours."
He then gestured to Regal, "Regal and I will head to the human ranch. Guy will be accompanied by Lloyd to go to the temple of lightning. Fon Master Anise, you and Zelos will go to the temple of earth. Natalia and Colette will go to the temple of fire. Tear and Professor Sage will go to the temple of ice. Those of you who were not given an assignment, by which I mean Emil, Marta, Luke, Sheena, Genis and Presea, will work with the Centurions to quell the monster rebellions. Most presently, there are three large outbursts that require immediate response."
He then looked to the three six remaining people. "Genis and Presea, you two will be assigned to the Dynasty ruins near Palmocosta. Sheena and Luke go back to Hima and clear out any monster that appears more aggressive than most. Finally, Emil and Marta. You two need to stay here and manage the situation here."
Marta looked up at him, "What? But what about the other location of monster riots?" She asked.
Jade looked over to the two Centurions, "Tenebrae and Aqua agreed to use the monsters you both formed packs with to handle the third riot near Altamira." Marta was unhappy about her and Emil's assignment, but knew there was little she could do for it.
The only ones who had yet to dispatch was Jade and Regal. Jade walked up to Emil and Marta, "I want you to understand that it was nothing personal. Since it's you and Emil that Amy and the God Generals are after, sending you both to any of these locations would be walking right into their trap."
Marta nodded, "I understand, but I still hate being useless like this!" Deciding that it was useless to argue with her further, he went to join up with Regal and headed towards their location.
Guy and Lloyd arrived at the temple of lightning quickly. Upon entering, Guy was fascinated, "Wow! The stuff in here is totally different from the Fon machines we have back in my world." He said.
Lloyd noticed this and smiled, "So you're a real wrench monkey, huh?" He asked as they ventured further in.
Guy shook his head, "I guess, but I've never gotten the chance to make a living out of it, and being married to a princess only makes it harder."
Just then, as they were walking towards the deepest part of the temple, they heard a voice, "Figures you'd follow me here." Said the deep male voice.
Lloyd drew one of his swords, "Who's that?" He asks.
Guy glared at the source of the voice, "It's a replica of the previous Fon Master, his name is Sync."
The man walked into view, "That's right." He noticed Lloyd and smirked, "What's the matter? Too scared to fight me one on one?" He mocked.
Guy drew his sword, "You're not coming back from the dead this time, Sync!"
Guy and Lloyd charged at Sync from two sides. Sync used a Daathic Fonic Arte by pounding his hand into the ground. A powerful beam of light sprang from the ground and flung his enemies back. Sync smirked, "Last time it took six of you to defeat me. How can you expect to win with only two of you?"
Just then, Lloyd appeared behind Sync, "Double Demon Fang!" He said as he swiped his swords.
Sync jumped forward, avoiding the attack, only to run into another attack from Guy, "Moonlight Tempest!" He said.
Sync bended backwards, limbo-style and narrowly avoided the next blade. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't avoid the sheath and was sent flying.
Guy smirked, "Don't tell me you actually thought we hadn't improved since our last battle."
Lloyd nodded, "Plus, your Fonic artes aren't even at half power since you can't use Fonons in the air. And since Guy isn't a fonist, I'd say this battle's in our corner."
Sync smirked, "You think I hadn't considered that?" He said as he pulled out a remote button and pressed it. Just then, the machines around the area began to hum and rev. Then lights activated over their heads, then Guy and Sync felt a pulse of strength and energy flow into their bodies.
Lloyd noticed that something happened, "What's wrong?" He asked.
Guy shook his head, "I don't know how, but the air in here is filled with Fonons!" He said.
Sync chuckled, "That's right! Thanks to the scientific brilliance of Dist the Reaper, combined with the resources of our benefactor, Lady Amy, we were able to design machines that transforms mana into fonons! And since Guy's not a fonist, and I have access to the powerful Daathic Fonic Artes, I think that the battle has once again turned to my favor!" (A/N: From here on in, Sync will be using made up artes since I know nothing about Daathic Fonic Artes)
Sync raised his left arm, "Prepare to die! Shining barrage!" He swiped his arm to the side, causing countless orbs of light shot from the trail of light his arm made when he swung it.
Guy and Lloyd scurried around, desperately trying to avoid his attacks, and looking for an opening. Guy then activated his intercom system that he created before everyone was dispatched, "Lloyd, can you hear me?" He asks quietly.
"Crystal clear, Guy. What's up?"
"Sync did this same tactic at Eldrant, if we can wait him out, he'll eventually fatigue and weaken enough to defeat him." He told him. Lloyd looked over to Guy and nodded.
Guy readied his sword, "Demon Fang!" He swung his sword, sending a shockwave towards him.
Lloyd readied his swords as well, "Double Demon Fang!" He said, shooting two shockwaves. Sync smirked and backflipped out of the way, only to have Guy and Lloyd attack him up front and personal, "Sword Rain: Alpha!" They both called.
Sync grunted, "Neon Shield!" He said as he raised his arms defensively, creating a green barrier in front of him.
Despite this, Guy and Lloyd carried out their barrage. When they both made their upward attacks, the shield began to falter, "Crescent Blade!" Guy called out, an image of the moon then appeared in front of the barrier, and with incredible speed and strength, he shattered the shield. Lloyd jumped over Guy, "Phoenix Rush!" He said as he swiped his swords in a frenzy.
Sync, out of options, was forced to take the hit full blast. He was thrown to his back, "Gah!" He screamed as he got back up, facing Guy, "I will not lose to a lowly servant!"
Guy looked at him with an intense glare, "Then worry not. I'm no longer a servant to the Fabre household. Now I'm Prince Guy Cecil Kimlasca Lanvaldear of Baticul!" He suddenly had flames erupt from him, "In the name of Kimlasca! This is where you will finally pay for every life you took away!" He leapt up high and struck Sync with a hit from his sheath and prepared to jump again, "Mystic Arte: Burning Phoenix!" He said as he jumped up. His flames took the form of a giant Phoenix that brought Sync with him. Sync screamed in agony as his body was engulfed in flames.
The charred body hit the floor with a thud, and the machines that turned mana into fonons, deactivated. As soon as it did, Guy dropped to his knees in exhaustion as he dropped his sword and sheath.
Lloyd ran to him and helped him up, "Are you ok?" He asked.
Guy nodded, "Yeah. In my world, Mystic Artes require a large amount of fonons from the users' body, and we refill with fonons in the air, but with no fonons, my recovery will take a bit longer."
Lloyd nodded, "Don't worry, I'll get you out of here. Meanwhile, why don't you try and radio Emil and Marta? Let them know that we've taken out Sync." Guy nodded.
(A/N: That's round one, hope you liked it. Review please!)