Pete had just finished reporting to Maleficent. Madara had no immediate plans as of yet, and was trying to avoid the watchful eye of the other villages in his world. Maleficent hummed as she rubbed the orb on her staff before looking up at Pete.
"I have a new world for you to explore. It's very…unique to say the least. I've took the liberty of doing a bit of research on it myself and I already have my eye on two very promising recruits." Maleficent held her hand out, summoning two images of the individuals she spoke of. One was a young man with long black hair and golden, predator-like eyes. The second was an older looking woman with tanned skin, green eyes, and long red hair. "This is Chase Young, and Wuya. They're both members of an evil force in that world called Heylin. From what I can tell they're both the most powerful evil beings in that world. Go to them, make them the offer of the Heartless."
"Yes ma'am!" Pete snapped his fingers, summoning a portal of darkness before walking through to the other world. Maleficent waved the two figures out of sight then turned around to see the mural of the Realm of Light.
Ryu sliced a Deepground soldier across the chest. Blood sprayed out as the man fell on his back in a lifeless heap. Vincent made two perfect headshots on a pair of soldiers hiding behind cover before reloading his pistol. The two stood back to back, looking around to make sure there were no other soldiers.
"So what can you tell me about this Deepground," Ryu asked, relaxing his stance a bit.
"Their leaders are former generals and commanders. The soldiers themselves people believe are also ex-military or citizens that have been kidnapped and taken by Deepground to increase their numbers."
"Do you have any idea what they want?"
"Not specifically. We know that they want to overthrow the government, and Primarch Cid Raines. After that…we have no idea really."
"How strong are they?"
"At first they started out as little more than a pestilence, but now they're starting to become stronger and bolder with each attack. Cid Raines has made it his top priority to find them once and for all."
"But he hasn't been very lucky with that," a voice called out with a thick accent. Ryu and Vincent looked around carefully, tensing up at the sound of another voice.
"Up there," Ryu snapped. Vincent turned around, raising his gun next to his face as he looked up, seeing Rosso the Crimson sitting on the corner of a building. "Is that Rosso?"
"Yeah," Vincent replied.
"It's so nice outside isn't it," Rosso proclaimed. "I haven't seen the sky for quite some time now." The woman crossed her legs then shifted her eyes to Ryu. "And you must be the one…the being from another world." Ryu's eyes widened slightly with shock. "Which means that I have to take you alive. How unfortunate that they put me in charge of that job. Oh well." Rosso leapt from the building then landed smoothly on the ground across from Ryu and Vincent. The woman sneered then pulled out a double bladed sword. "Prepare yourself!"
Rosso aimed her weapon forward and fired it much like a bow and arrow in Ryu's world. The ninja and Vincent both moved to the side. Ryu quickly threw a pair of shuriken which Rosso dodged while laughing. Vincent landed then started firing round after round at the red witch. Rosso again dodged then started to deflect the bullets by twirling her blade around wildly and flipping backwards. Ryu rushed forward as Vincent reloaded. The ninja threw his blade outward, striking it across one of Rosso's blades. The two stood there and Ryu was surprised that the woman could hold her own with just one hand. Rosso finally swung her blade around, throwing Ryu off balance and slicing him across the back with her other blade. Rosso laughed mockingly then spun around and deflected more of Vincent's bullets. Ryu quickly rolled onto his back then jumped to his feet, rushing at the woman one more time. Rosso spun around, kicking Ryu in the jaw, and then started firing at Vincent. The man in red quickly spun around and simultaneously reloaded his pistol. Once he stopped, he opened fire on Rosso again. The woman sneered then deflected the bullets by wildly spinning her double blades around. Ryu quickly rolled over onto his feet then started to perform a series of arm movements to focus his chi. Rosso and Vincent were too busy exchanging bullets to notice this as Ryu pulled his arms and shifted his weight back, gathering his chi between his hands. The ninja focused for a moment before screaming as he launched his attack. Rosso landed on her feet just to hear the boom of the ball of chi leaving Ryu's hands. The woman's eyes widened before she quickly sprang away from the attack just in time. The chi exploded in a vacant part of the destroyed street while Rosso simply smirked then turned to the ninja.
"Interesting attack," Rosso admitted. "It seems as if I must keep my eye on you." Ryu scowled then pulled out his sword again, ready for the woman's attack.
As Rosso took a step towards Ryu, Vincent came from nowhere and bashed his pistol over Rosso's head. The woman stumbled then growled angrily before opening fire with her weapon. Vincent moved as quickly as he could to avoid all the bullets at close range. Ryu quickly charged forward and leapt into the air, focusing his chi into his feet. He let his energy exploded out, sending him flying forward with enough speed to leave afterimages. Rosso somehow spun around and blocked Ryu's slash. The ninja's eyes were wide before the woman threw her leg up into Ryu's side. The ninja winced in pain and was thrown into Vincent, knocking both of them over.
"Vincent Valentine, you've been a thorn in my side long enough!" Rosso raised her gunblade up, aiming the barrel right at Vincent's head. "Now this ends!" Rosso fired, but was surprised when her aim was meddled with. The woman looked over, seeing a well timed kick ruined her shot.
The figure that kicked Rosso's gun spun around with untraceable speed and sliced at the Deepground woman's head. Rosso pulled her head back, watching as the enemy's katana narrowly sliced through air an inch from her face. Rosso also noticed that her enemy was a woman with short brown hair and a scar on her left eye. The woman spun back around with amazing speed and threw a kick which Rosso barely blocked with her arm. The new opponent twirled her katana around then stabbed towards Rosso's face. The redhead pulled her head back, bringing her whole body with her and performing a perfect back flip. Rosso landed on her feet then blocked yet another stab from the persistent brunette. The Deepground commander threw her leg towards the woman's face, only for her to spring back at a safe distance.
"Well, someone can't seem to take a hint," Rosso purred.
Vincent helped Ryu up to his feet. The two had been watching the brief and lightning fast exchange between the two women with shock. "Who is that woman," Ryu asked Vincent.
"I can't be sure…but I think that's Commander Felicia of the Guardian Corps. She's the best and most talented commander in the Guardian Corps and PSICOM. As far as most people know she's a ghost, and very few people have seen her in real life."
"She's that good," Ryu questioned.
"You saw how she took on Rosso by herself right?" Ryu huffed then started walking forward.
Rosso turned her head slightly, hearing Ryu's footsteps before focusing her attention back on Felicia. The Guardian Corps commander quickly rushed forward. Rosso threw her leg up, spinning around and narrowly avoiding contact with the commander who had to stop to avoid contact. However, the redhead got a perfect shot at the ninja, and fired four bullets. Ryu stopped and quickly deflected them with his sword just as Vincent sprung over the ninja, gun steadily aimed. Vincent started firing from his pistol. Rosso swung her sword around wildly, deflecting the bullets while trying to use the second blade to strike Felicia behind her. The commander could only block and back away in perfect timing with Rosso. The Deepground commander scowled angrily then finally spun around to deliver a well placed kick which landed against Felicia's chin. The brunette flipped backwards, but still landed perfectly on her feet. Rosso once again spun around and fired a bullet which destroyed the one Vincent fired just at the right moment. Rosso moved her eyes up to see Ryu falling towards her with his blade pulled back. The redhead swung her blade upward, crossing swords with the ninja, creating sparks between them. Rosso looked over then pulled back just as Felicia attempted to strike her. The redhead slid across the ground, twirling her blade around as Vincent, Ryu, and Felicia stood together against her.
"Now, this is interesting," Rosso mused. "Tell me something, do any of you know why they call me 'the crimson'?" Rosso's eyes began glowing blood red. "Let me show you my darlings!"
Rosso shot forward in a streak of red. Felicia strode forward then threw her arms forward, colliding her blade with Rosso's. A massive explosion erupted, but Felicia held Rosso in place. The Deepground commander was visibly enraged and tried harder to push Felicia back, but the brunette held her own. Vincent leapt into the air and started firing. Rosso vanished in a red blur, then appeared behind Vincent. The mad in red turned around, only to be sent flying forward from a powerful kick in the back. Vincent smashed into the ground. Rosso looked over at Felicia who was rushing towards her. The Crimson aimed her blade, the entire weapon glowing with a red aura. She sneered and fired a crescent blade of energy forward. Felicia flipped gracefully over the attack as it hit the ground, releasing a devastating explosion that sent the Guardian commander flying forward. Rosso flashed down to the ground where Felicia was going and readied herself to finish the commander off. Rosso pulled her blade back as Felicia spun around, her face showing no emotion whatsoever. The redhead cackled as she swung her blade forward, only for it to be stopped short by Ryu. Rosso snarled with rage before being kicked in the face by Felicia. The redhead flew back then flipped around and landed on her feet.
"You're a most annoying off worlder," Rosso stated. Felicia glanced at Ryu then looked back at Rosso. "You're both very irritating! I was told to bring the off worlder back alive, but you Miss Guardian commander I will have to finish by slicing you into tiny pieces!"
The aura surrounding Rosso became larger and more ferocious. Ryu and Felicia braced themselves as Rosso disappeared in a flash of red. Felicia was kicked to the side first. Ryu snapped his head around then swung at nothing and was knocked forward a second later. The ninja grunted as he bounced off the ground, but he placed his hand on the ground and brought himself to a stop. Rosso appeared in front of him and she just as quickly vanished. Ryu pivoted around, waiting to see even the tiniest flicker of Rosso's presence. Just then Ryu was sent flying forward by a teeth rattling kick. The ninja could do nothing to stop himself as he smashed into the side of a car then fell to the ground. Rosso sneered then turned to Felicia who was now gone. Rosso huffed, unimpressed as she felt the commander ready to strike her from behind. Rosso spun around in the blink of an eye, kicking Felicia in the stomach and sending her flying back. The Guardian commander landed on her hands then flipped back onto her feet.
"I've had just about enough of you," Rosso seethed. "It's time I finished you! Prepare yourself darling, you're about to die!" A shot rang out, causing Rosso to freeze as shock came across her face. She looked down, seeing blood pouring out of her chest. She looked over, seeing Vincent standing calmly on top of an overturned car with his gun aimed steadily.
"If you focus on only one target then you're blind to the rest of the world," Vincent said coolly. Rosso's eyes flared with rage as she threw her head back and screamed as loudly as she could. Her red aura exploded outward, sending gusts of wind outward. Vincent and Felicia covered their faces from the wind that blew outward. The bullet hole in Rosso's chest started to heal.
"Good job," Felicia muttered sarcastically. Vincent glanced over at the commander, surprised that she finally spoke. His eyes quickly returned to Rosso who was still giving off all her power.
Rosso's eyes burned with anger.
Far away, a group of figures stood around a circular table that showed the angry redhead's fight.
"This must be the first time Rosso has lost her cool," one dark figure stated.
"Should we help her," the smallest one asked.
"She's a fool," one man wearing a long trench coat said. All heads turned to said man. "She's so confident in her abilities she should be able to handle this on her own." The group around the table stared at the man in the trench coat for a moment longer then looked down at the fight.
Rosso vanished, this time leaving no trace behind. Felicia was knocked back and a second later Vincent's face was smashed down into the car he stood on. Rosso, still having a hold of the man's head, spun around then hurled Vincent into a stone wall across the street. Vincent fell to the ground, blood running down his face from his headband. Rosso turned her head, swinging her blade around and knocking an attacking Felicia off balance. The Guardian commander stumbled a bit before she was thrown back by Rosso's open palm strike. Felicia hit the ground and rolled head over heels before coming to a stop. Rosso jumped off of the car then approached Felicia slowly. Suddenly, a knife came flying by Rosso's head, causing the woman to stop and turn to Ryu who approached her slowly and calmly. Ryu came to a stop then he started twirling his shiny katana around smoothly before holding his sword by his hip, the blade pointed behind him.
"Can't take no for an answer can you," Rosso mused. "Very well, my superiors will have to settle for a half dead off worlder." Rosso turned around to face Ryu, a sinister smirk on her face as she walked forward.
Ryu kept his cold eyes on Rosso, taking note of the powerful aura still around her. Ryu grunted as he lowered his pose. Chi broke loose from his body, swirling around him wildly. Rosso stopped for a bit, staring with shock at the display of power. Ryu cried out, lowering a bit more to release a second burst of chi that was more intense than the last. Rosso smirked, instantly realizing that he could only move when he was ready to attack. She wouldn't let that happen. Ryu took a small breath then exhaled slowly as he closed his eyes. Rosso shot forward in a flash. Time seemed to slow as Ryu focused on the air around him to sense Rosso approaching. Ryu snapped his eyes open then screamed with all his might as he shot forward, swinging his blade forward.
Rosso hardly had time to block, and the pure power of the attack threw her back a bit. Ryu shot forward in swift blur, swinging wildly at Rosso who barely blocked each strike. The redhead finally stopped then aimed her weapon, sending a crescent blast at Ryu. The ninja vanished in the blink of an eye, surprising the redhead. Ryu appeared behind Rosso then threw his blade upward, launching Rosso in the air. The woman cried out with pain and snapped her eyes open as soon as she saw the ninja in front of her. Ryu's eyes were as cold and hard as steel and as ruthless as Rosso herself. The ninja unleashed a barrage of quick and untraceable slices all over Rosso's body, sending trails of blood flying everywhere to rain down on the ground. Ryu finished things off by stabbing through Rosso's chest, then turning around and spinning around and around while falling to the ground. Rosso was still alive, screaming with pain before Ryu slammed her into the ground, blade still impaled through her chest. The impact sent a powerful gust outward and caused Rosso to cough a mouthful of blood out. Ryu was knelt down over Rosso, both hands on the handle of his blade as he watched his opponent carefully. Blood poured down Rosso's chin as she coughed a bit more before growing a sinister sneer then chuckling coldly.
"Impressive…I…underestimated you off worlder…" Rosso coughed up more blood then chuckled again. "But be warned…the rest of Deepground…the other commanders…are twice as deadly as I am…you will not be able to defeat them…" Ryu's eyes narrowed as he pulled his sword out of Rosso's chest, causing her to break out in another coughing fit. Ryu spun his sword around, flinging the blood off his blade before sheathing it back on his back.
"What are Deepground's intentions?" Rosso threw her head back then started laughing a weak laugh.
"I wouldn't tell you even if I could. Just know that—ugh!" Ryu's eyes flickered a bit as Rosso's face turned pale with terror. The woman placed her hands on her throat and started to squirm and writhe in pain. Rosso rolled over, screaming in agony before rolling onto her back. Ryu's eyes widened as he saw purple veins creeping over Rosso's face.
The group that had been watching the fight all leaned forward with shock before turning their heads in the same direction. A single hand was outstretched, waving its fingers as if the owner of the hand was a puppet master.
"This isn't necessary," the smallest figure snapped. "Show mercy." The fingers continued to dance, bringing unimaginable pain to Rosso's already dying body.
"S-stop," Rosso shrieked. Ryu sighed then grabbed his blade again and pulled it out, ready to put an end to Rosso's suffering. However, Vincent beat him to the punch, aiming his pistol downward and firing a single round through the woman's head. Rosso's body went limp and the life in her eyes faded away. Ryu looked up at Vincent who pulled his head up from Rosso. The two nodded to each other then put their weapons away.
"Nice work," Vincent said.
"Thank you," Ryu replied.
"Gentlemen," a voice called out. Ryu and Vincent turned around, seeing Felicia, face slightly dirtied with a small cut or two, walk up to them. "In the name of the Guardian Corps and Primarch Cid Raines I thank you both for helping bring down Rosso the Crimson. However, I'm afraid you're both going to have to come with me." Ryu and Vincent looked to each other and back at Felicia. "If you resist I'll have to take you by force…"
"Very well," Ryu sighed, taking a step forward. Felicia nodded then escorted the two gentlemen down the road to her headquarters.
Back at Deepground's fortress, the smallest figure looked at the monitor that showed Rosso's dead face before turning to the single white hand that was illuminated through the light while the person remained hidden in shadows.
"Was that necessary," the tiny person asked. "You couldn't show her an ounce of mercy?"
"Read my lips," the man in the shadows stated, pulling his hand back into the darkness, "mercy is for wimps. Rosso failed us, so she paid the price. The next person I send better think twice before failing."
"I won't," the largest, and bulkiest figure stated, stepping forward. The silhouetted figure crossed his legs then rested his cheek against his fist.
"I need the target alive you know. I don't think you're the best person to do that Azul. I need someone more subtle and…well not destructive if our plan is to work."
"I could bring another member with me," Azul said, walking into the light. The man was a walking mountain, and had long blue hair as well as a normal Deepground uniform on. "They could make sure that I don't kill him."
"There are very few of us who could stop you from killing someone," the man in a trench coat said. "And even fewer who could tolerate you. I suggest sending someone more…level headed. I would send Nero, or perhaps Shelke." The shaded figure hummed curiously, switching his legs around.
"Even better! Let's send Weiss and Azul!" The figures in the room all looked to each other in shock. "Think about it, Azul could go out and cause some destruction and chaos, getting the attention of the Guardians and PSICOM, and that new little off worlder scurries off to the rescue. While that happens, good old Weiss runs off, beats that ninja senseless then drags him back to us! Where we continue our little plan…"
"But I don't think my brother is ready," a dark figure with his arms tied to his shoulders exclaimed. The dark figure on the thrown turned his head slowly to the outspoken member of his group.
"No, I think he's just fine for some action. Unless you think you could do better than Weiss."
"Of course not, but-,"
"But nothing," the man replied with a smile audible in his tone, "I want that damned ninja NOW! Unless anyone has a better plan that is…?" Everyone remained silent. "Excellent, now, someone go wake up that slumbering idiot." Nero seemed to flinch at the last word but swiftly turned and walked outside with the rest of the group. The man sitting in the throne waved his hand around gracefully, trailing a tiny stream of magic before summoning an image of Ryu walking with Vincent and Felicia. "You, my dear fellow, are the cornerstone to destruction…" The figure chuckled coldly before waving the image away.
Duncan and company returned with King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Leon looked over and was shocked to see the latter three approaching. The Committee member sighed, immediately knowing who contacted the king. Regardless, Leon walked forward then nodded to Mickey.
"Nice to see ya again Leon," Mickey greeted. "Merlin told me about what's been going on…" Leon scowled a bit.
"We have things under control though your majesty," Leon replied. "Radiant Garden is going to stay radiant, even if I have to take on Maleficent myself."
"This isn't something you can handle alone Leon. You should've contacted us sooner. We don't want the worlds to turn out the way they were before do we?" Leon sighed. "Most of the worlds in my dominion seem ta be pretty normal. No signs of Maleficent interference so far."
"She's been heading to other worlds though," Leon stated. He turned to Duncan, "His world was apparently caught between the Realm of Light and the Realm of Darkness. Duncan tells me there was a powerful warlord named Skeletor who apparently joined with Maleficent." Leon then turned to the orange haired kunoichi. "Kasumi and her sister both confirm seeing him with Maleficent right before their world was destroyed."
"Gosh, I've noticed the stars in the sky fading…but I guess since they were outside of my rule I didn't hafta pay attention…"
"Don't blame yourself your majesty," Goofy said.
"Yeah," Donald agreed with a smile. "We'll straighten things out and get rid of Maleficent once and for all!"
"Have you all talked to Sora or the others," Leon asked.
"Not yet," Mickey replied. "I want to know how serious things are before gettin those kids involved again. Besides, Cid is gonna hafta design more advanced Gummi Ships to get Sora and the others out of my kingdom."
"Then how're you going to travel your majesty," Leon asked.
"Don't you worry about that," Donald replied with a wink. "We got that covered."
"Still, I'd like ta know if we could stop by here between worlds to restock and rest up."
"Of course, you're always welcome here after all you've done for this world." Mickey smiled then nodded.
"Alright, we'll head out immediately to try and help the other worlds," Mickey said. "Merlin told us that Pete apparently has a new type of telescope made of Gummi parts that can take him out of my kingdom, so we made our own scanner to follow after that trail so we can track where he went and send the information back to you all."
"That's helpful," Leon stated. "We just finished adding Cid's lab to Merlin's home, so we need to enter your signal data so that we can receive your info."
"Right," Mickey replied with a nod. "Donald, Goofy, you guys stay out here, I'll go with Leon." Donald and Goofy both saluted Mickey who walked off with Leon.
Shelke and the man wearing the long red trench coat walked into a room giving off a bright green light. At the end of the room sat a man with no shirt and white hair, chained to a chair. The man walked up to a terminal then pressed a few buttons and the chains vanished. The white haired man groaned then shook his head, looking up.
"Time to wake up," Shelke stated.
"You're being sent on a mission direct from our lord. You're to capture an off worlder." This seemed to bring a wicked smile to the man's face.
"An off worlder eh," he asked. Weiss stood up from his chair then walked forward. "So the day of reckoning is coming is it?"
"That's right, and you're going to play a crucial part if you can capture the man we're looking for…" Weiss chuckled sinisterly then walked towards the door.
Ryu and Vincent had entered the Guardian Corps station, following Felicia through the soldiers and workers that ran around due to the invasion. Ryu and Vincent watched the soldiers scurry about, but still stayed close to Felicia who led them into an elevator. Between the three of them, no one had said a single word since they made their way to the Guardian Corps station. The elevator ride was also filled with silence, which didn't bother any of the three. A few dozen floors up and the elevator stopped and the doors opened up, revealing a large office with two couches, an overly large desk with a huge chair, and a massive window showing all of Cocoon. Standing in front of the window was a tall man wearing a ritzy outfit with a long white cape and shoulder length black hair. The man turned around then walked halfway across the room to the couches.
"Greetings Vincent Valentine."
"Primarch Cid Raines?" The man nodded then turned his head to Ryu Hayabusa.
"Greetings…off worlder…" Ryu tensed up a bit at the statement. Vincent shot a glance at the ninja as Felicia simply walked forward and sat on the couch Cid was sitting closest to. The Primarch sat down next to the commander and crossed his legs. He held out one of his gloved hands to the couch across from him. Ryu walked up cautiously then sat down on the couch. Vincent walked up and stood behind the couch, resting his hands on its back. "We have much to talk about…"
"I'm all ears," Ryu replied.
"Good," Cid said as Felicia poured herself a small glass of alcohol. "Let's get started then shall we mister…"
"Ryu Hayabusa," the ninja finished.
"Ryu, whether you realize it or not your very presence as an off worlder has put all of Cocoon in very serious danger." Ryu narrowed his eyes. "Just by you being here, our world could be destroyed at any minute…"
I killed Rosso…but yeah, WHO CARES RIGHT? Mister 'Mercy is for Wimps' is going to be the center of attention soon enough! Muahahahaha! But yeah, I'm unfortunately not done adding Final Fantasy characters into this story, and I fear that it may be the central focus of my Kingdom Hearts story!
Who will die next? I don't know yet! Because if I know everything that's going to happen I get bored and don't write about it, that's why I'm going nuts with the Final Fantasy characters in Cocoon! Because I didn't plan on adding those crazy, lovable goons!
Also, Felicia is not a made up character. Go to the Final Fantasy Wikia and type in 'Elfe.' Seriously…go do it…NOW!