Chapter 17 Chaos Begins
Author's note: Thank you all for your supportive reviews, it's so nice to be back! Anyway, enjoy these next few chapters, and I think the ending will have to wait, since I can't post it in time for tonight. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and review for me!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Rinoa stepped drowsily through the gates of Trabia. She could dimly see, but she wasn't thinking... something was in her mind, dampening her senses so she was simply walking, listening to the voice in her head.
Good, child. Now... release Eden...
Rinoa held out her arms and felt the Guardian stir. It was so restless... it always wanted out. But every time she let Eden run through towns, she felt weak... like Eden was using her own energy to wreck havoc...
With a burst of light, the huge Guardian materialized and hovered above her, waiting.
Now you can run...
Rinoa dimly directed Eden; smash that, blast that, kill those people. She felt light, like nothing could harm her... nothing is wrong... just move...
Ultimecia walked behind her, reveling in all the destruction she had caused. What beauty... and it was all coming to her. "Wonderful, child," Ultimecia laughed wickedly. "Now, let's pay the Regent a visit..."
Together they walked up to the castle, Eden blasting a broad path for them. The screams and fires raging in the streets served only to please Ultimecia. This was her destiny... soon she would rule the world, and all would bow down to her...
Regent Cid and Queen Edea stood at the window, helpless. Their army couldn't stand Eden and they were a defeated nation. Except...
"Pray Ellone will be able to do it, darling," Edea whispered as she hugged her husband. "We have lost our country, but we might still be able to save the world."
Selphie could see it - a faint glow up in the distance. She stood at the tallest point in Esthar, neck craning to see her homeland. And she saw what she dreaded. "Trabia..."
"Are you regretting being here?"
Selphie didn't turn around. Irvine waited, but she just stood there, her hand shaking as it gripped her nunchaku.
"I can't save them, even if I'm there," She said, voice trembling. "I'll just be entertainment to that foul woman." She turned around, eyes filled with sadness. "The Queen would want me to stay here, with Ellone. Ellone is the answer now, isn't it?" She looked at Irvine with hope, searching his eyes for an answer. And Irvine looked away. It's not because he couldn't give her an answer, but it was because he too understood her sadness, and felt it.
'We have to prepare our defenses," he said at last. Ultimecia may be occupied with Trabia, but her Knights - "
All the sudden the trumpets blared and the whole city were in frenzy. Several explosions could be seen, and Irvine grabbed Selphie's hand. "Let's go!"
Quistis and Squall rushed through the city, towards the source of the explosions. But more were occurring at different parts of the city, and they knew - the Ortagon Knights have finally arrived.
Zidane saw the explosions too. And Xu nodded. "We have to help them. We've come this far, we can't just sit here and do nothing."
"Right on!" Zell whooped and gave Zidane a high-five.
The band of fighters rushed through the city, ignoring the terrified citizens. Zidane clambered on the roofs and they split into several teams - each with the light of battle in their eyes.
Zidane ran swiftly but heard a whistling, and seconds later a large fireball struck the spot where he had just evaded. Looking up, he saw a golden colored robot, accompanied by two smaller robots. Ortagon!
Squall arrived at the city square and looked around. The place was in shambles. "There's nothing - "
"Look out!" Quistis pulled him aside and a split second later the ground where he stood was blasted apart by an energy ball.
"What agile creatures..."
Squall looked up and saw a huge, winged dragon leering down at them. "I might have some fun with you..."
Irvine and Selphie stopped dead as a huge beast blocked their way. "Come play with me," it growled. "Catoblepas is lonely...and I have two more coffins to fill..."
"Geez, he's got a sick sense of humor..." Irvine hissed as Catoblepas swung his tail and made a huge gash in the wall beside them, showering them with plaster.
Beatrix and Xu stepped into a charred part of the city. Beatrix looked around, her sword by her side. "Looks like there's nothing - ergh?!" A hand like vice clamped around her neck and lifted her several inches from the ground. Xu whirled around and came face to face with a leering face, grayish in color. "Gotcha."
Beatrix struggled fiercely but the hand just won't let go. Instead, it gripped her tighter. "Xu!"
Seifer strode through the streets, eyes wild. There were no sign of the others, but he could hear sounds of fighting.
"Squall had said they defeated two Ortagons. Which means there are six more." King Loire said thoughtfully. Seifer nodded. "We have to keep a lookout. Who knows - "
A large figure slowly lumbered into their path, brandishing a large axe. It was slightly slow, but there was no mistaking its intent. And what it was.
"An iron giant?" King Loire blinked.
"Ultima!!!"
A sizzle and the spell hit Tiamat head on. The dragon rolled in mid-air and bared its fangs. "Fool!" It opened its jaws and a black beam shot out to hit Quistis. But the knight had dodged, and the attack left a crater in the ground.
Squall couldn't reach it since Tiamat flew. He was quite hampered by that fact, but Quistis was working on it. She struck again and again, trying to wound Tiamat enough, or better still - " Blizzaga!"
"Fool!" Tiamat cackled as he dodged. "Where are you aiming at - argh?!" He suddenly lost his balance and plummeted to the ground. Quistis smiled triumphantly and crouched down, furling her whip. Tiamat's wings were hit by the spell, and were frozen solid. "Hurry, Squall, before he melts them!"
No need to ask, Squall thought as he swung his gunblade. Here goes!!!
"Geez, he just won't die!" Zell yelled as he ducked a Droma. Zidane was not faring any better. He darted here and there, avoiding Trauma's swipes, searching for an opening to swing his weapon. "Zell, try and make an opening for me, won't you?!"
"Darn it...here goes - Booya Kick!" He swung his leg and brought it crashing down on Trauma's head. Without wasting a moment, Zidane drove his weapon deep into the joint between the neck and the body...
Catoblepas roared as Selphie's nunchaku pierced his eyes. But he wasn't completely defenseless now. He swung his tail and this time it caught Irvine, sending him flying into a brick wall. "Irvy!!!"
"Oof... don't just yell, do something!" Irvine choked as Catoblepas rammed into him and pinned him to the wall.
Do what, do what? Selphie was jumping up and down, when she caught sight of Irvine's gun. Could she?!
No time to think, she told herself sternly as she grabbed the gun and aimed. Hyne, help me...
Seifer swung his blade furiously. The Red Giant maybe slow, but his blows hardly made a dent in the armor. He was just standing there stupidly as Seifer and King Loire rained blow after blow on his body. "You... can't hurt... me."
Hell!!! Seifer felt his anger building up and he began to see red. Something inside him stirred suddenly, and he heard a voice... so softly he thought he imagined it.
Let me free...
"What?!" He stopped abruptly, but something was wrong. His skin was prickling, and his hair was rising. Let me free, and I'll help you...
"Seifer?!" King Loire yelled when he saw his son become rigid. A green light enveloped him and all the sudden a magnificent bird burst forth, its plumage brilliantly accentuated by lightning sparks flying in all directions.
The Red Giant too stopped and stared. And in its eyes, King Loire could see... fear.
The bird hovered, paused and suddenly bolts of lightning struck the Giant, tearing a loud roar from his throat...
"Don't play games with me..." Vysage snarled as Righty lunged to catch Xu, but the latter wasn't the leader of the carnival for nothing. She jumped; cart wheeled and did everything she could to avoid those slimy fingers from touching her.
Beatrix was beginning to feel faint. Gritting her teeth, she reached down into her belt and found a small dagger - and plunged it into the hand.
Vysage howled as he released Beatrix. The girl dropped to the floor, dizzy but otherwise unharmed.
Xu grinned and twirled her staff. 'Let's kick ass!!!"
"Impudent wrench!" Vysage snarled and the two saw that he began to smoke. "I'll show you!!!"
Vysage melted into the ground, but he didn't retreat. Rather, the ground began to rumble and a huge creature materialized, leering down at them.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The huge double doors banged open and Ultimecia sauntered in, looking pleased with her self. "Hello, Regent," She cooed as Rinoa followed dully. Regent Cid's face darkened with anger when he saw his niece. "What have you done to her, Empress?!"
"Me? I've done nothing," She gave a side glance at Rinoa. "She followed me at her own free will, didn't you dear?"
Edea quickly held her husband back. "What do you want from us, Empress...? You've taken our country, what else do you want?"
Ultimecia smiled evilly. "I can't have a competitor now... hand Ellone over to me, or else..."
"There's nothing you can threaten us with," Regent Cid said coldly. "You've taken everything."
Ultimecia snarled in anger. She hated it when fools defy her! "Rinoa!"
Rinoa nodded dumbly and raised her hand. Simultaneously the castle began to shake. "Let me show you the greatest Guardian..." She purred, but Edea wasn't going to hold out any longer. She stepped forward and met Rina with a steely gaze. "Go, dear. I'll fight her."
"Edea!"
Edea turned around and lightly embraced her husband. "Go, and send my love to Ellone."
"What a joke! What are you going to fight her with, my Queen?" Ultimecia was beside herself with glee.
Edea faced Rinoa again. She focused her powers entirely, and soon the being inside her began to wake. Aid me, Edea pleaded silently. Bahamut, King of the Guardians!!!
Ultimecia's eyes widened in astonishment when a huge dragon materialized above Edea. Its build was remarkably similar to Tiamat, only Bahamut was completely silver-white in color.
"This was the Guardian used to capture you, Eden," Edea said softly. "Its host gave up his soul to imprison you... and so will I."
Eden gave a loud roar and the two Guardians collided in a fierce deadlock.
Ultimecia grit her teeth. 'Don't think you can defeat me, Edea!" She screeched. Never did she dream the ruler of Trabia was a summoner!!! But then, it is logical, since Ellone must have inherited her powers from her mother. The situation was getting interesting...
Rinoa was beginning to feel the strain of Eden. The huge Guardian was having a hard time. Bahamut wasn't the King of Guardians for nothing.
Ultimecia snarled. Rinoa could lose because Eden wasn't completely assimilated yet. She couldn't lose now...
Edea felt a surge of hope. Eden was struggling... and she might win... A sudden flash of pain jolted her and she looked down... to a blade protruding from her abdomen.
Rinoa stumbled suddenly when Bahamut retreated. Edea stumbled and fell, blood streaming out of her wound. She glared at Ultimecia, strangely sad. Then she turned to Rinoa. "There is... still time," She mouthed. "You... can fight."
"Imbeciles." Ultimecia snarled. Then she lapsed into silence when Edea did not move. "Ellone isn't here." She said thoughtfully. There is only one more place where she can be...
A/N: Reviews please, everything is welcomed, including flames. I don't think I bashed Rinoa here, hope nobody's offended...
Author's note: Thank you all for your supportive reviews, it's so nice to be back! Anyway, enjoy these next few chapters, and I think the ending will have to wait, since I can't post it in time for tonight. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and review for me!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Rinoa stepped drowsily through the gates of Trabia. She could dimly see, but she wasn't thinking... something was in her mind, dampening her senses so she was simply walking, listening to the voice in her head.
Good, child. Now... release Eden...
Rinoa held out her arms and felt the Guardian stir. It was so restless... it always wanted out. But every time she let Eden run through towns, she felt weak... like Eden was using her own energy to wreck havoc...
With a burst of light, the huge Guardian materialized and hovered above her, waiting.
Now you can run...
Rinoa dimly directed Eden; smash that, blast that, kill those people. She felt light, like nothing could harm her... nothing is wrong... just move...
Ultimecia walked behind her, reveling in all the destruction she had caused. What beauty... and it was all coming to her. "Wonderful, child," Ultimecia laughed wickedly. "Now, let's pay the Regent a visit..."
Together they walked up to the castle, Eden blasting a broad path for them. The screams and fires raging in the streets served only to please Ultimecia. This was her destiny... soon she would rule the world, and all would bow down to her...
Regent Cid and Queen Edea stood at the window, helpless. Their army couldn't stand Eden and they were a defeated nation. Except...
"Pray Ellone will be able to do it, darling," Edea whispered as she hugged her husband. "We have lost our country, but we might still be able to save the world."
Selphie could see it - a faint glow up in the distance. She stood at the tallest point in Esthar, neck craning to see her homeland. And she saw what she dreaded. "Trabia..."
"Are you regretting being here?"
Selphie didn't turn around. Irvine waited, but she just stood there, her hand shaking as it gripped her nunchaku.
"I can't save them, even if I'm there," She said, voice trembling. "I'll just be entertainment to that foul woman." She turned around, eyes filled with sadness. "The Queen would want me to stay here, with Ellone. Ellone is the answer now, isn't it?" She looked at Irvine with hope, searching his eyes for an answer. And Irvine looked away. It's not because he couldn't give her an answer, but it was because he too understood her sadness, and felt it.
'We have to prepare our defenses," he said at last. Ultimecia may be occupied with Trabia, but her Knights - "
All the sudden the trumpets blared and the whole city were in frenzy. Several explosions could be seen, and Irvine grabbed Selphie's hand. "Let's go!"
Quistis and Squall rushed through the city, towards the source of the explosions. But more were occurring at different parts of the city, and they knew - the Ortagon Knights have finally arrived.
Zidane saw the explosions too. And Xu nodded. "We have to help them. We've come this far, we can't just sit here and do nothing."
"Right on!" Zell whooped and gave Zidane a high-five.
The band of fighters rushed through the city, ignoring the terrified citizens. Zidane clambered on the roofs and they split into several teams - each with the light of battle in their eyes.
Zidane ran swiftly but heard a whistling, and seconds later a large fireball struck the spot where he had just evaded. Looking up, he saw a golden colored robot, accompanied by two smaller robots. Ortagon!
Squall arrived at the city square and looked around. The place was in shambles. "There's nothing - "
"Look out!" Quistis pulled him aside and a split second later the ground where he stood was blasted apart by an energy ball.
"What agile creatures..."
Squall looked up and saw a huge, winged dragon leering down at them. "I might have some fun with you..."
Irvine and Selphie stopped dead as a huge beast blocked their way. "Come play with me," it growled. "Catoblepas is lonely...and I have two more coffins to fill..."
"Geez, he's got a sick sense of humor..." Irvine hissed as Catoblepas swung his tail and made a huge gash in the wall beside them, showering them with plaster.
Beatrix and Xu stepped into a charred part of the city. Beatrix looked around, her sword by her side. "Looks like there's nothing - ergh?!" A hand like vice clamped around her neck and lifted her several inches from the ground. Xu whirled around and came face to face with a leering face, grayish in color. "Gotcha."
Beatrix struggled fiercely but the hand just won't let go. Instead, it gripped her tighter. "Xu!"
Seifer strode through the streets, eyes wild. There were no sign of the others, but he could hear sounds of fighting.
"Squall had said they defeated two Ortagons. Which means there are six more." King Loire said thoughtfully. Seifer nodded. "We have to keep a lookout. Who knows - "
A large figure slowly lumbered into their path, brandishing a large axe. It was slightly slow, but there was no mistaking its intent. And what it was.
"An iron giant?" King Loire blinked.
"Ultima!!!"
A sizzle and the spell hit Tiamat head on. The dragon rolled in mid-air and bared its fangs. "Fool!" It opened its jaws and a black beam shot out to hit Quistis. But the knight had dodged, and the attack left a crater in the ground.
Squall couldn't reach it since Tiamat flew. He was quite hampered by that fact, but Quistis was working on it. She struck again and again, trying to wound Tiamat enough, or better still - " Blizzaga!"
"Fool!" Tiamat cackled as he dodged. "Where are you aiming at - argh?!" He suddenly lost his balance and plummeted to the ground. Quistis smiled triumphantly and crouched down, furling her whip. Tiamat's wings were hit by the spell, and were frozen solid. "Hurry, Squall, before he melts them!"
No need to ask, Squall thought as he swung his gunblade. Here goes!!!
"Geez, he just won't die!" Zell yelled as he ducked a Droma. Zidane was not faring any better. He darted here and there, avoiding Trauma's swipes, searching for an opening to swing his weapon. "Zell, try and make an opening for me, won't you?!"
"Darn it...here goes - Booya Kick!" He swung his leg and brought it crashing down on Trauma's head. Without wasting a moment, Zidane drove his weapon deep into the joint between the neck and the body...
Catoblepas roared as Selphie's nunchaku pierced his eyes. But he wasn't completely defenseless now. He swung his tail and this time it caught Irvine, sending him flying into a brick wall. "Irvy!!!"
"Oof... don't just yell, do something!" Irvine choked as Catoblepas rammed into him and pinned him to the wall.
Do what, do what? Selphie was jumping up and down, when she caught sight of Irvine's gun. Could she?!
No time to think, she told herself sternly as she grabbed the gun and aimed. Hyne, help me...
Seifer swung his blade furiously. The Red Giant maybe slow, but his blows hardly made a dent in the armor. He was just standing there stupidly as Seifer and King Loire rained blow after blow on his body. "You... can't hurt... me."
Hell!!! Seifer felt his anger building up and he began to see red. Something inside him stirred suddenly, and he heard a voice... so softly he thought he imagined it.
Let me free...
"What?!" He stopped abruptly, but something was wrong. His skin was prickling, and his hair was rising. Let me free, and I'll help you...
"Seifer?!" King Loire yelled when he saw his son become rigid. A green light enveloped him and all the sudden a magnificent bird burst forth, its plumage brilliantly accentuated by lightning sparks flying in all directions.
The Red Giant too stopped and stared. And in its eyes, King Loire could see... fear.
The bird hovered, paused and suddenly bolts of lightning struck the Giant, tearing a loud roar from his throat...
"Don't play games with me..." Vysage snarled as Righty lunged to catch Xu, but the latter wasn't the leader of the carnival for nothing. She jumped; cart wheeled and did everything she could to avoid those slimy fingers from touching her.
Beatrix was beginning to feel faint. Gritting her teeth, she reached down into her belt and found a small dagger - and plunged it into the hand.
Vysage howled as he released Beatrix. The girl dropped to the floor, dizzy but otherwise unharmed.
Xu grinned and twirled her staff. 'Let's kick ass!!!"
"Impudent wrench!" Vysage snarled and the two saw that he began to smoke. "I'll show you!!!"
Vysage melted into the ground, but he didn't retreat. Rather, the ground began to rumble and a huge creature materialized, leering down at them.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The huge double doors banged open and Ultimecia sauntered in, looking pleased with her self. "Hello, Regent," She cooed as Rinoa followed dully. Regent Cid's face darkened with anger when he saw his niece. "What have you done to her, Empress?!"
"Me? I've done nothing," She gave a side glance at Rinoa. "She followed me at her own free will, didn't you dear?"
Edea quickly held her husband back. "What do you want from us, Empress...? You've taken our country, what else do you want?"
Ultimecia smiled evilly. "I can't have a competitor now... hand Ellone over to me, or else..."
"There's nothing you can threaten us with," Regent Cid said coldly. "You've taken everything."
Ultimecia snarled in anger. She hated it when fools defy her! "Rinoa!"
Rinoa nodded dumbly and raised her hand. Simultaneously the castle began to shake. "Let me show you the greatest Guardian..." She purred, but Edea wasn't going to hold out any longer. She stepped forward and met Rina with a steely gaze. "Go, dear. I'll fight her."
"Edea!"
Edea turned around and lightly embraced her husband. "Go, and send my love to Ellone."
"What a joke! What are you going to fight her with, my Queen?" Ultimecia was beside herself with glee.
Edea faced Rinoa again. She focused her powers entirely, and soon the being inside her began to wake. Aid me, Edea pleaded silently. Bahamut, King of the Guardians!!!
Ultimecia's eyes widened in astonishment when a huge dragon materialized above Edea. Its build was remarkably similar to Tiamat, only Bahamut was completely silver-white in color.
"This was the Guardian used to capture you, Eden," Edea said softly. "Its host gave up his soul to imprison you... and so will I."
Eden gave a loud roar and the two Guardians collided in a fierce deadlock.
Ultimecia grit her teeth. 'Don't think you can defeat me, Edea!" She screeched. Never did she dream the ruler of Trabia was a summoner!!! But then, it is logical, since Ellone must have inherited her powers from her mother. The situation was getting interesting...
Rinoa was beginning to feel the strain of Eden. The huge Guardian was having a hard time. Bahamut wasn't the King of Guardians for nothing.
Ultimecia snarled. Rinoa could lose because Eden wasn't completely assimilated yet. She couldn't lose now...
Edea felt a surge of hope. Eden was struggling... and she might win... A sudden flash of pain jolted her and she looked down... to a blade protruding from her abdomen.
Rinoa stumbled suddenly when Bahamut retreated. Edea stumbled and fell, blood streaming out of her wound. She glared at Ultimecia, strangely sad. Then she turned to Rinoa. "There is... still time," She mouthed. "You... can fight."
"Imbeciles." Ultimecia snarled. Then she lapsed into silence when Edea did not move. "Ellone isn't here." She said thoughtfully. There is only one more place where she can be...
A/N: Reviews please, everything is welcomed, including flames. I don't think I bashed Rinoa here, hope nobody's offended...
