CoWR Introduction
Chapter 9: Many acts of villainy
DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything.
The World of Not So Ruined...ness
Kefka, seeing his orb light up, cackles madly. "It is time! Burn it, burn it! Burn it to the ground! Uweeheeheeheeheeheehe!" His force storms the undefended South Figaro.
0-0-0-0-0
"Damn. You never truly think clowns are at least freaky looking until you meet one in person." Caro said. Having seen the Light of Judgment from Narshe, he dragged Mog and Setzer with him. Now they were face to face with Kefka.
"I am no clown. I am a god. Now, I want you to burn, nice and black, like the toast I was served this morning." The mad clown said, tossing a fireball at the group. Caro, using his own Magi-infusion power, blows the fireball away with a strong gust of wind.
"Ooh, the silver and purple-clad guy has some SPICE! Let's hope it doesn't ruin his toast! Uweeheeheehee!" Kefka cackled, casting Thundaga on Caro. "Looks like the theme is White-blue-white! Well I'll make it red-dead-red!" He grinned, casting double-fire toward Mog and Setzer.
Mog took the hit, and then danced on the sand. Kefka then had to jump away from a quicksand whirlpool. He was struck by darts as a result, Setzer knowing exactly what Mog was planning.
Kefka snarled as the darts hit, but he keeps trucking. "Run, moogle, Gambler, and Wind-Knight! Oops, too late, take flight!" The mad clown said, casting Tornado.
The three heroes were launched upward, but Mog used it to his advantage. He held his lance tight and kicked off of Setzer, diving toward Kefka.
"Thanks Set, kupo!" Mog said as he dove. Kefka groaned as he was hit by Mog.
"Gah! Fine! You've bested me! I shall leave..." He said, turning around and walking away. "I shall leave your bodies in the sand!" Kefka said, turning again and throwing Firagas around.
"Kefka! Give it up!" Caro said, blade in hand.
0-0-0-0-0
Mog, Setzer, and Caro grin. They had successfully driven off Kefka. "Well, we need to get the others."
"I say we get Gau first. We ALWAYS know where he is."
They board Setzer's airship and fly to the veldt. Setzer steps out, and holds up a piece of dried meat. "He'll be here in a couple."
And right on cue, Gau tackles Setzer and takes the meat and began to chew on it "Oh! Gau miss you!" he says looking up from the piece of meat.
"Hey Gau. We've missed you too. You remember Kefka? Well, he's back. We need to tell everybody, so... Get on board." Setzer said, squirming out from under Gau.
Gau growled at the mention of Kefka "Evil clown?" he said as crouched down fierily. Then when Setzer said everybody he grinned again "Even Mr. Thou?" he asked as he hopped on board the airship.
"We'll warn all we can. If that includes Mr. Thou, then yay, kupo." Mog said, walking up to Gau.
"Yay!" Gau says, his eyes glittering like a child's on Christmas, and he probably forgot that they were going to warn Mr. Thou about Kefka, too.
Setzer's airship takes off.
Vana'diel
The Arch-Duke Kam'lanaut smiled as he saw his city burn to ashes. Yes, it was his city once, but now... now the only thing that remained was two thirds of a bridge, separated by the sea. He sat down on the grass and remembered.
He had been slain six months and one week ago. He tried to fend off those damnable heroes, tried to buy Eald'narche some time to go to their paradise, where the two of them belonged! But no, it wasn't to be for Kam'lanaut. The next he knew, he was floating. Dark visions filled his mind, and a voice spoke out to him.
"Poor fallen Elvaan, lost to the darkness, for the darkness. What if I gave you life? Would you pledge your sword to me forever?"
"I would take the world over, to live again and see my Sky."
"Then so be it. Ziliart, rise again and reside over Jueno."
Kam'lanaut had awoken with an orb in his hand. He knew what it would do, but he didn't bother with it. Calmly, with a firm hand, he led Jueno to despair. Then, today, the orb had shone. Kam'lanaut went for a walk that day. Using the power Chaos granted him, he turned around and burned his town with special fire.
A manikin approached and handed him another orb, snapping him out of it. He crushed it in his hand and was teleported to the base.
0-0-0-0-0
Windurst finds itself under attack by a horde of Beastmen, mostly Yagudo.
It is numbers that threatens the city, not skill. As can be seen in how one Professor Shantotto is completely destroying all the surrounding forces. But as soon as she does, more approach. It's a pity she doesn't have time to brew up an Elixir or Ether.
0-0-0-0-0
Far to the north, a dark figure sits on a throne. Castle Zvahl's owner has returned to reclaim what is rightfully his.
The Shadow Lord, having informed his minions of his return, crushes a black crystal in his fist. He disappears from Castle Zvahl's...
Ivalice
Algus sees his orb light up and smirks. "It is time for me to claim my crown! March!" Algus' troops move out.
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"I do believe this is too easy. Where's the challenge, Ovelia? You know, like the challenge it was to revive you? The challenge to heal that wound of yours? Oh, and it was all a part of my plan. Yeah. Just a plan. See, if I kill you, kill you beyond the point of reviving, I can claim my rightful place as king." Algus said, stroking the terrified queen's cheek.
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Algus looks at Ovelia and grins. "The crown is mine, the day belongs to Chaos. The Queen is dead, the usurper the rightful ruler." Minutes later, he warps back to the lair. "The crown is mine, and thereby the crown belongs to Chaos." He said, the crown gleaming.
Moments later, Ovelia stands, the crystal on her ring shattering and the wound closing. "I may have been a pawn again, but I have learned from the past, and it is my turn...not now, but soon." As two of the guard come into the throne room, she nods at them and the three leave through a secret passage.
The Fortress of Bedlam
Lycan continues to stew in his cell. The door to the prison can be heard opening, followed by a pattern of footsteps. Lycan glances up at his visitor, and turns his gaze to the wall again. "You're going to kill me?"
Rose looks at him sitting in his cell, helpless, and defenseless. It would be so easy to end his life here and now. Fortunately for Lycan, Rose doesn't like easy prey.
Rose grins and begins to speak. "I hear you'll sell that fancy sword arm of yours to anyone buying."
Lycan continues to stare at the wall. "Anyone who understands that I work on my own terms."
"I don't think you're in a position to negotiate here."
"No, I'm sitting down, obviously."
Rose merely chuckles. "One of the other worlds will be the next target of my attack. You'll have the honor of being a queen slayer should you choose to accept our offer."
"I'm a dog of war. Not an assassin."
"Assassins resort to cowardly deception and schemes to slay their targets. I would hold your methods above theirs, bloody as they may be."
"Is the queen Ashe?"
"You're well learned for a "dog"...Yes, the very same. Queen Ashe prefers to back her political reasoning with her own personal efforts, and would put her life on the line as if she was any of the loyal soldiers under her. She has no qualms about risking her life in battle, so battle is where you will meet her. Cut her down and your reward shall be... generous."
"What could you possibly have that I'd want?"
Rose opens Lycan's cell, and stands to the side to let him out. "Freedom, to start... and more. The acknowledgment and respect of Chaos and his followers. We are a powerful force. You'd do well to stand with us, rather than opposed."
"...So I'm guessing Luca wasn't the only city to crumble."
"Indeed. Other superficial representations of "order" and "peace" have fallen as well. And with their sacrifice... we can return the world to its most purest, uncorrupted form."
"And that is?"
"Disorder. Chaos. Bedlam. Havoc. Call it what you will, but the world, by it's very nature is a chaotic one. No order or reasoning. Things simply happen. To impose order or balance on this truth is an act of shameless arrogance, and mocks the very essence of what we are."
Lycan walks out and faces Rose. "You like to talk, don't you? Understand this. I do things my way. You don't like it, find another expert blades man.
First rule. I don't kill innocents or those who won't fight back. Only those who engage in combat.
Second rule. I fight as a businessman. Not for honor, or love, or any personal issue like that. It's strictly business.
Third rule. I use my own weapon to fight." Lycan nods to his sword resting in its sheath by the window across the room.
"Final rule, I am a swordsman. Nothing more, nothing less. You hire my for exactly that purpose, and that purpose alone."
Rose merely grin, looking nonchalantly into a random direction, not expressing any interest in Lycan's ground rules whatsoever. "And you'll be exactly that whilst working under us."
"One more thing. I'll cancel a contract when I deem it necessary to do so. That usually goes along with all of the rules I just stated."
Rose folds her arms. "I suppose you should get to work then."
Lycan, without saying anything further, grabs his sword, fastens the sheath belt across his torso, throws his jacket on, and makes his way out of the dungeon.
Rose stops him a moment with a few last words. "Know this. Ashe does not barter with sell swords. Do not think you can simply sell your services to her for a more beneficial reward than our offering. Face off against her, and you'll not receive any mercy. You're merely dishonorable scum in her eyes."
Lycan takes these words silently with his leave.
Lycan walks along the fortress walls that harbor those who serve Chaos. 'A queen slayer.' He folds his arms, wondering if he really wants to side with this group. 'They're unprovokingly attacking cities that haven't done anything wrong. Lashing against people merely for living in peace. Maybe they're all just bored? Is that the point of this? To open the eyes of the complacent? Make them realize how fragile peace can be?'
"I don't have anything to do with it. I just get paid to fight." Lycan walks, not really planning on going anywhere.
'I'll fight for the right pay... but I'm no slave. To anyone.' Lycan looks up at the ever dark skies filled with smoke that expand across a landscape of ruin.
0-0-0-0-0
Kefka appears through a portal and frowns. "I was so close to having them for my slaves!" The mad clown wined.
"Don't worry, clown-boy. We've claimed a good chunk of the major cities." Algus said, appearing next to him.
"Yeah, but I wanted mine!"
"Too bad. Anyways, think of it like this, when we win, for the short time we don't revert the world back, you can have all the slaves you want."
"Well, that makes me feel just FUCKING peachy."
Leaning on a back wall, and hearing their conversation, Rose finally steps forward. "There IS a puppet for you to consider, or have you decided that you're bored with your old toy, and cast her aside without any further thought?"
A black mist swirls in Roses hand as she conjures a small image of Terra living a happy and peaceful life in Mobliz.
"One will never be enough, my dear Rosewiththorns." Kefka said, glancing at Terra.
"Ah, to rule over people... a splendid thing, yes?" Kam'lanaut said, walking over.
"Why wouldn't it be? You'd have all the slaves you want! Everybody bowing to your whim!" Algus stated with a smirk on his face.
"Just remember, we are merely extensions of Chaos." Kam said, walking off.
"Would you like me to fetch the girl? I've heard she's a powerful wielder of magic. To reign her in would be a great asset." Rose closes her hand into a fist as the black mist flickers out.
"The white haired boy. I need one of you to watch him. He is...difficult to read, and as powerful as his sword arm is, I don't trust it work in our favor enough to leave him alone. His heart is a clouded one...hard to tell of his intentions...if we can't use him, we must destroy him."
"Go after her then. Be my guest. In payment, Algus will-"
"OH HELL NO! You botched your job, you watch the sell sword." Algus said, crushing an orb and pushing Kefka through, tossing another toward him.
"Damn." Kefka said as he caught the orb and warped.
Rose grins and throws up a black crystal that shatters opening a black rift behind her. She turns, swishing her cape behind her, and walks on through.
0-0-0-0-0
A young woman with a petite build, green hair adorned with a bow, and a red dress is cleaning a scrape on a young boy's knee, and applying a fresh bandage to the wound.
Her eyes suddenly widen and she turns around to see a woman with blood red hair, black lips, purple eyes and intimidating dark colored armor.
This woman, the Blood Rose steps towards Terra, bearing a weapon, and an empty grin as she does. "Hello, Esperkin."
Terra narrows her eyes into a glare at this unwanted visitor and prepares to defend her family. "...Stay back!" Terra, draws her own blade, a simple saber, and points it at the orphanage's unwanted visitor. She whispers "Gather everyone and go inside, quickly!"
The young boy nods, and starts to run, but is intercepted by the dark woman. She kicks the child over and stomps a boot on his chest, pointing her blade at his nose.
In a flash, she parries Terra's attempt to intercept her, and the two blades now lock. "Let him, go! He's just a child!"
Rose pushes her foot down harder. "I shall. I will free him from this world. The others as well... After all, who will care for the children when their "mother" has become a mindless weapon?"
Terra's eyes widen. "Don't!"
Rose's grin grows even more vicious as she splits her daikatana into two and sends Terra reeling two feet away.
Terra lands and rolls, landing face down, but can see through one eye that the young boy's last cry is suddenly silenced.
"N-No..."
Terra lifts herself up. "Martin... why? How could you do something so cruel!"
In an instant, Terra resumes the assault, now driven by a need for vengeance, and to protect the ones she still can.
However, Rose deftly outmaneuvers each of Terra's attempts, delivering a swift and punishing counter. Terra rushes with a stabbing lunge, but Rose sidesteps into a spin kick, knocking her to the ground. Terra now finds herself in the same predicament as the young Martin.
"I believe you won't need this place any longer." Rose charges dark energy into one of her blades and slices it horizontally at the houses that make up what's left of Mobliz. The houses are blown away with dark explosions, leaving no survivors.
Tears streams from Terra's eyes when the realization grips her. Her family for around a year and a half had ended. The face of sorrow turned into a face of bitter anger.
Rose merely grins at Terra's despair. "Become the weapon you once were. Submit to your strings, puppet. All of your anger and sorrow will be as nothing."
"You monster. I will... NEVER... forgive you!" Rose glances down, sensing a rush of energy, and is sent reeling back by a sudden burst of Firaga.
She pivots midair, and lands on her feet, blade ready.
Terra gets up, and feels herself seethe with anger. She feels an immense rush of magical power surge through her very being, but is too focused on vengeance to realize her magic power has returned.
"Heavens lament!"
Meteors begin to fall down around Rose, who does her best to avoid the bombardment. As she stabilizes her balance, several rays of holy light home in on her. She deflects these deftly, but a supercharged fireball blows her into the air, where a sudden chunk of ice smashes into her repeatedly.
Rose pivots through the air again, shifting weight to regain balance when even more spheres of holy light bombard her, followed by a rapid chain of flares. Before she can act any further, ultimate light surrounds her, closing in with a massive blast.
Rose hits the ground with a massive impact as Terra lands, and presses her magically charged hands to the ground, sending up a burst of high pressure water.
Rose soars upward, but a black sphere materializes, sending her back to the ground, pushing her against it with a dense force of gravity.
Rose presses her hand to the ground, and a black puddle consumes her. Another opens behind Terra, and Rose leaps out from it, striking Terra down with a surprise surge of dark energy.
Terra, overexerted, stricken with grief, and caught off guard by the surprise attack, succumbs to unconsciousness, and Rose pants for a moment, beaten and wounded. "I've stripped you of your claim to "humanity". Of any justifiable reason to not be a weapon. Now, a weapon you shall once again be."
Rose picks Terra's unconscious body up by her hair and throws a black crystal into the sky above. A dark rift opens, granting Rose access to the Fortress of Bedlam.
Before she can leave, the boy, who she thought she had silenced, drags himself towards this woman. "Let... mama... GO!"
"So you survive. Matters not, you, like all of your siblings shall perish." Rose ignores the child and leaves through the rift gate, which closes behind her.
The child collapses. A young woman picks him up and hurries to the basement of one of the houses, which remains intact, as Rose didn't count on the houses having any underground shelters.
Though the orphanage was destroyed, its denizens still thrive on. Unfortunately, their "mother' had been taken by the intruder. It's all they could do to wait for someone strong to come and help them.
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"So this supposed to be her?"
"Indeed. A powerful wielder of magic."
"I don't see what the big deal is. She doesn't look that powerful."
"Power holds multiple concepts."
Jecht folds his arms, and looks at Terra, whose unconscious form rests on a large chair. 'This just don't sit well with me.'
"Her power shall be ours." Rose attaches a circlet to Terra's forehead. "Awaken."
Terra's eyes blink open, though they now look lifeless. Empty. "I shall have Kefka oversee her first task."
"Didn't he go off to babysit that little whelp I caught?"
"...True."
Jecht grins a little. "I'll look after her. I got nothin' better to do."
Rose scowls at this offer. 'A good opportunity to see just where you stand...'
That scowl returns to a grin. "Very well. Our "witch" is your responsibility. Do try not to break her." Rose swishes her cape and walks off.
Jecht looks from Rose to Terra. "Heh." 'I'll play nice. For now.'
Spitz: Kefka, Mog, Caro, Setzer, Kam'lanaut, Algus,
Me: Gau, Ovelia
Jonah: Shantotto, Shadow Lord,
WhiteLycan: Lycan, Rose, Terra, Jecht
Just have to say the Ovelia scene was added. Originally, Spitz killed her off. However Sun had made a pretty badass Ovelia and I thought that just killing her off would be kinda bad regardless if someone decided to run her or not to make her badass once again. So now that option is open again.