Tales of Evangelion CH9
A Hidden Power? / The Attack
After a long time deciding, the choice was obvious for the crew in front of Abyssion. "Yeah. Ok. Let's do it." Lloyd said. "Collette's right. We do have a Devil's Arm, and we are traveling around a lot. We probably would stumble across them anyway." The crew nodded in agreement.
"No, I couldn't possibly let you go out of your way like that." Abyssion retorted.
"Oh will you just shut up? We're trying to help you here!" Asuka grumbled.
"It is obvious that you cannot continue looking for them in your condition. We wish to help you break your curse before it is too late." Rei attempted to convince the man.
"They do not affect others than the ones in your family, correct?" Presea examined Collette's Devil's Arm closely.
"They shouldn't." The cursed man returned.
Raine walked to the front. "Then let us help you. We will find the Devil's Arms for you, and then you can finally seal them away. That is your goal, correct?"
"It is. I...I accept your offer." He pulled out some odd looking swords with eyeballs and handed them to Lloyd. "Here is my Devil's Arm, the Nebilim."
Lloyd obtained Nebilim.
"I was lucky enough to stumble across a Dark Chest and unlock it with my Nebilim Key, a cursed heirloom in my family. It's most likely that the others are sealed in other such chests, so take it with you as well."
Lloyd obtained Nebilim Key.
"It vibrates when there's a Devil's Arm around, so keep an eye on it. Come back here when you get the rest of the Devil's Arms. I'll be waiting and recovering."
"Don't worry Abyssion, we won't let you down." Lloyd pumped his fist.
"Thank you again."
They turned towards the exit, but Lloyd stopped and turned towards the group again. "Okay, I think it's time for the battle assignments again. Presea, get out your tall boots, because you're going to be fighting in the snow. Genis, back her up with your Fire and Ice abilities. Zelos, you're going in too, but I want you mainly on magic this time."
"Let me guess, you're going in as always." Zelos rolled his eyes.
"..."
"Yo, Tethe'-alla to Lloyd, you in there?"
"Huh? Oh sorry. I was just thinking of something. Actually, I'm stepping out this round."
"WHAT?!" The Symphonia team blurted as they each took a step back.
"Lloyd, you've always been in the middle of the fray. That's why you're our unofficial leader." Collette tilted her head to the side.
"Who are you and what have you done with Lloyd?" Sheena raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you'd be happy, Sheena. You're taking my spot."
"I...I...what?"
"It's no big deal. I know you've wanted back on the roster for a couple of days now, and I need a break. Think you've got the guts?" He smiled.
"Don't know about guts, but Sheena's sure got the bu...." A parchment stuck to Zelos' lips.
"Finish that sentence and you'll be in traction." Sheena snarled. "I'd love to do it. Thank you, Lloyd."
"..."
"Lloyd?"
"Oh sorry. I did it again didn't I?"
"What's wrong? That's the second time you've spaced out."
"I was just thinking about this one collector told me, about this rare flower, called a Celsius Tear. He said it could freeze anything. Think it might be the same flower that got Shinji?"
"Would make sense." Raine spoke. "Such damage could only have been caused by something extremely below the freezing mark."
"Well, let's get it!" Lloyd smiled. "It might come in handy."
"Are you completely mental? Look what it did to Shinji!" Genis pointed at the said boy.
"Exactly my point. If we had something like that, we could probably make good use of it. Possibly use it as a weapon."
"And how do you propose we do that?" Regal stepped in front of him. "Such a creation is too cold to touch."
"Not quite. The collector I talked to said that the only thing that can handle a Celsius Tear is a pair of Penguinist Gloves." He put his index finger to his forehead. "All we have to do is get some gloves and we'll be set."
"Great idea, Lloyd. Let me guess. You have absolutely no idea where to find Penguinist Gloves." Zelos crossed his arms.
"Of course I do, I...I...yeah." He sighed. "So much for that."
Collette giggled and put a hand on Lloyd's shoulder. "You can't find them Lloyd, they're made. There was an old man in a charm shop that said that he could make Penguinist Gloves. All he needs is three Penguinist Quills."
Genis dove into his pack and pulled out five long, blue feathers. "You mean these seemingly worthless things? I was going to dump them at the nearest trash can."
"That's them. Give me a minute and I can go back to the shop and get some gloves." Collette grinned.
"Okay, here." He handed her three Penguinist Quills.
"Be back in a flash!" She trotted away.
"Genis, perhaps we should keep these other two." Presea examined the two remaining items.
"Indeed. If they can make something to hold a flower of such low temperature, then it must be of some use by itself." Rei twirled one in her fingers.
"Let's equip them then, see what they do." Zelos sat down on a bench and crossed his legs.
"Equip?" The three pilots asked in unison.
"Oh yeah, I guess we forgot to tell you about that part. Though we wear the same clothes on the outside most of the time, we have special armor underneath that we can change as the bad guys get stronger. There's headwear, armor, armwear, and two other things of various nature. You guys don't have that much equipped except the stuff we gave you. Don't worry, we gave you the best armor we could find, but we wanted to leave the decisions for the other items up to you. Asuka, Shinji, why don't you wear the Penguinist Quills?" Lloyd chuckled a little.
Shinji and Asuka equipped the Penguinist Quills, where is anyone's guess. "So, how do you feel?" Raine asked.
"I feel...warm? Not like overly hot, but comfortable, like I'd be used to the cold." Asuka said.
"I guess the same goes with me."
"A resistance to ice possibly?"
"What is available that I can equip?" Rei looked into the bag, carefully examining each item and theorizing if it would help or hinder her. "I believe I will take some Boots and a Cape." Within ten seconds, she had both items on. "I believe this will help."
"Are there any spare Capes in there, Rei?" Shinji looked over her shoulder.
"Two."
"Ah, those are from our early days, when it was just me, Genis, and Collette." Lloyd reminisced. "We were so naïve."
"Some of us are still naïve." Genis shot a glance at Lloyd as the swordsman landed a fist on his head. "OW!"
"I think I'll take one. Asuka? How about you?"
"Hmph. The fashion statement sucks, I'd never wear something like th...whaaa?" She pulled out a small jewel. "What is this beautiful trinket?"
"Sardonyx. I got that from Volt after we finally beat him." Sheena walked up to her. "It's supposed to turn your attacks to the electrical type."
"I think I'll use it." She equipped it. "So cool!"
"What's cool?" Collette returned.
"Oh, welcome back Collette." Lloyd smiled.
"I love it when you say that." Collette giggled.
"I know, I know. We were just telling these three about equipping. So did you get the gloves?"
"Yep!" She put on a goofy smile as she held up two blue and yellow gloves that looked like small oven mitts.
Obtained Penguinist Gloves.
"Well, that means we're all set. Let's hit the road. On to the Temple of Ice!"
As the group set foot into the overworld, they charged straight ahead, with Sheena leading. As they trudged through the snow, they came upon a small dip. In that dip was a Stomper. They tried to walk around it, but it jumped and hobbled at them. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Zelos, and Presea vs. Sliver
"Look at this big guy!" Genis stared up at the huge gray ice worm. He instantly began to use a flame charge. Zelos did the same while Sheena and Presea dove in the fray.
Sheena swung her cards to the left and right, then she slipped one straight onto the creature's underside. It exploded into multiple other cards as she whirled around and slapped it another time. "Pyre Seal Pinion!" The giant creature flinched slightly.
Presea jumped and swung twice with her giant blade. "Hytah, hytah." Upon landing, the worm began to move. "Resolute Infliction!" She swung her axe upwards three times, gaining altitude each time. The first two attacks hit, but the worm dodged the third as it dove underground.
Zelos finished his spell as it completely disappeared from view. "Ready for this? Fireball!" The three glowing spheres drove forward and disappeared, after hitting nothing. The Sliver reemerged, knocking Zelos high in the air. "Woah!" He bounced off the ground and flipped around onto his feet. The creature reared its ugly head as Zelos pulled in close. He swung his sword as he jumped and a fireball shot out of his hand, traveling down the length of the worm before exploding against the ground. "Hell Pyre!"
"Burn!" Lava bubbled up underneath the Sliver from Genis' spell. "Eruption!" The giant creature was struck badly three times. "Found your weakness!"
As Sheena and Presea approached, the worm dived underground, clipping Genis in the process. They stopped in the middle of the battlefield waiting for it to emerge, it did, right under Sheena. It tossed her aside and she hit the ground. Presea whirled her axe from side to side, causing two horizontal slashes. As Genis and Zelos began spellcasting fire again, she somersaulted and jumped, slamming the blade into the creature, rocks jumped out of the ground against the creature. "Devastation!"
The Sliver reared its head back and an icy stream of air shot out of its gaping maw. It swept its head from side to side and the stream followed. The icy wind bit into Zelos for a combo hit. "Agh! Not the face!"
Presea looped around the creature and began to slash again as Genis finished his spell. "Reduce this evil soul to ashes. Explosion!" A small meteor landed dead center in the Sliver's back and detonated, engulfing it in fire. The creature exploded into a puff of black smoke. The battle ended with Genis beginning the last words. "Don't worry, I'll protect you Presea."
"Then I shall protect you too Genis."
"Ohhh....okay..." The battle ended with them picking up a Rune Bottle for their troubles.
Sheena led the team out of the dip and forward onto a flatter landscape. The going was smooth the entire time, until they neared the mouth of the cave. There, a Blobbo blocked their path. They charged straight ahead, into the horde of enemies. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. 2 Ice Spider and 2 Penguinist
"You guys stalking me or something?" Zelos opened the battle as he encircled himself in a white ring. Presea and Sheena dove straight in while Genis concentrated on a light blue ring. "Ready for this? First Aid!" The redhead called out as he spun around. He instantly recovered from most of the damage done to him last battle.
Presea targeted a Penguinist that was waddling her way. She whipped her axe around 360 degrees horizontally as Sheena headed towards a Penguinist. "Punishment." She took the axe and swiped it at the Penguinist diagonally, twice. "Egh, ha!" The Penguinist was no more after another of these two slashes.
Sheena's Ice Spider wasn't a dumb insect, the instant it saw her, it guarded. The ninja slipped a few cards its way, doing very minimal damage. But, being as determined as always, she didn't give up. "Drain Seal!" She sucked 1 TP point away from her guarding enemy. "Serpent Seal!" She failed on reducing it's accuracy as the dark seal spread around the creature. She was so preoccupied with the first Spider, that she didn't see the second come up beside her. It chomped on her leg, and she flinched. The first one also began to bite.
While Sheena was stuck between bites, Genis finished his spell. "Cool off. Ice Tornado!" A whirlwind of snow formed around Sheena and the Spiders. It blew the creatures high into the air and they exploded into smoke from their weakness to ice. "Hey, not too bad." He rejoiced.
Zelos's target was the second Penguinist. He sliced it a few times with his equipped Flame Dagger, then spun into the air. "Hell Pyre!" A fire bomb shot out of his hand and exploded around the Penguinist, making the creature disperse into a black cloud.
The battle ended, with Zelos closing. "Thanks for making me look so good!"
With the obstacle out of the way, Sheena pressed forward.
Temple of Ice
A: Enter
B: Leave
A: Enter
Lloyd stepped out in front for a second as they entered the grounds. "So this is the Temple of Ice, huh? I'm kind of surprised. We've never come across a seal that has monsters outside of the cave before."
"Lloyd, that's such a profound observation!" Raine went into hysterical scholar mode. "We should document this experience and compare it with our other visits to seals and see if we can determine why such a thing occurs." She continued her rant.
"Great, she's at it again." Genis whispered to Lloyd.
"We'd better get out of here quickly then. And I know just the people that can help us. Hey, Shinji, Asuka, Rei. Could you come here for a second please?"
The three approached. Rei understood what he wanted. "You wish to know of our experiences in this area, correct?"
"Hit the nail on the head, Rei. First off, how deep does the cave go?"
"We never got to explore the whole thing." Shinji spoke.
"When the idiot over here spotted the flower, we took the path that went to it. There was a second route that probably led deeper." Asuka elbowed Shinji, making him wince.
"Okay, then. Next thing. How did you get to the flower?"
Shinji pointed to a snowy ledge almost directly above them. "There. There's a path on that ledge that leads to a secondary cave. You'll find that horrid creation there." He scowled and then looked at his hands. The ends of the bandages were dangling off of his wrists. "Do we really have to go after that thing, after all the trouble it caused?"
"It didn't cause the trouble, you three did when you left out on your own."
"Ouch." Asuka winced. "Point for Lloyd."
"And yes, we do have to go find it. It might come in handy. Everything we've found in a dungeon or cave has been extremely helpful. And who knows what we could use it for after it's done? So we're going, and that's final."
"Understood." Rei responded.
"Last thing. Where is the Sorcerer's Ring station?"
"On the right of the entrance. It was the easiest thing to see in there. I'm surprised that no one has tried to rip the thing off." Asuka crossed her arms and closed her eyes.
"Okay then. Thanks for the info. Oh, by the way. Even though you did act on your own, you got us some good info on the place. I don't like what you did, but thanks just the same. Now, go on and...do whatever it was you were doing before."
"We were walking, same as you." Asuka cocked her head.
"Oh yeah, walking, heh heh. I forgot." Lloyd rubbed the back of his head.
"Why did you give up your battle spot today anyway, Lloyd?" Shinji asked flatly.
"What? You think you're the only one that knew of Sheena's birthday, Shinji?" The swordsman grinned as the pilot just blinked. "I asked Vice-Chief Tiga last time we were in Mizuho. So I thought this would be the perfect present. She's a born leader anyway. But I've gotta say that you put on one hell of a party for her. I think she really loved it."
"Uh...yeah. She told me." He blushed.
"Oh geez, give me a break." Asuka rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just ask her to marry you and get it over with?"
"What? Where did that come from? I'd never...." He blushed even redder.
"Ugh, I'm going to beat those perverted thoughts out of your head."
"Why do you care what or what I'm not thinking, Asuka?"
"I...I...I..." She stopped and saw the rest of the group out of the corner of her eye walking into a Penguinist. 'Saved by the battle.' She sighed inwardly. "Hey they're starting up another battle, hurry up!" She dashed away to get a good spot.
Shinji blinked for a second. "She didn't even slap me?" He shrugged it off and went to join the crowd, with Lloyd and Rei close behind. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. 4 Penguinist.
Once again, Zelos opened up. "You guys a part of a gang or something?" He charged forward and one Penguinist slid on its belly into him. He flinched, but was instantly back up, and he began to hack away at the creature.
As Genis surrounded himself in a brown ring, Presea went straight into battle. Two Penguinists threw four snowballs at her each. "No!" She said as she blocked with the flat of her axe. She dove for them. When she reached the first one, the second waddled up beside it. Two against one wasn't good odds, even with her strength, so she tried to take them both out at once. She whirled her axe around her twice. The first slice made them flinch. "Beast!" On the second slice, the blue lion-head illusion blew them on their backs.
Sheena's Penguinist rolled a giant snowball over her, striking her three times. Once it disappeared, she attacked. After three hits, "Serpent Seal!" The seal exploded into darkness and lowered the Penguinist's accuracy. After the seal was completed, she pulled out another. "Pyre Seal!" It burst into multiple cards and blew it into a pile with the other two.
Genis took over from there while Zelos took the final slash on the fourth Penguinist. "Engulf this pathetic soul! Ground Dasher!" The field cracked open and rocks shook out of every crack during the earthquake it caused. All three Penguinists were destroyed.
The battle ended with Genis flashing the victory sign. "That's what you get for messing with me!"
The group joined together once again and entered the cave. On the right of the entrance, there was a glowing bowl. Lloyd walked up to it. "So this is it?"
"Yep, that's the changing station." Asuka said proudly.
"Then let's try it out." Lloyd tossed the Sorcerer's Ring into the bowl and pulled it back out. "Woah! The ring just got cold."
"I bet it has the power to freeze anything." Genis said, examining it.
"Good, then let's test it on you."
"Lloyd!"
"Heheh. I'm kidding. I'm kidding." They continued on their journey into the cave. When they climbed up the rocky incline to the next level, they encountered a Penguinist. "Let's see how this thing works. Ha!" A puff of freezing air turned the Penguinist blue and it stopped moving. "I like it." They walked around the creature easily.
Shinji stopped in the middle of a straight section of the path. "Lloyd. You wanted to know where it was? It's there." He pointed to a shining metallic object on a high ledge.
"That's the Celsius Tear?" Sheena looked up to where the pilot pointed.
"Exactly where we left it." He bit his lip and clenched his right fist.
"Well, we now know one goal." Lloyd placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Thanks Shinji."
A moving object caught Sheena's eye. A cat was scampering at the crossroads. "Oh, how cute, a kitty!" She walked towards it.
Asuka's face washed with fear. "Sheena, don't! That's not a cat! Someone stop her!" The fighting group ran after her, with the inactive group close behind. The cat spotted her and ran towards her, but it was very obvious that it wasn't a cat, and there wasn't just one. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. 2 Lobo
"This'll be cake." Zelos scoffed as he charged a white ring. Presea and Sheena closed in on their respective giant wolves. Genis stepped a little closer before starting a purple spell. Zelos finished his spell quickly. "Ready for this? First Aid!" He then jointed the fray.
"Thanks." Sheena said as she was healed. She jumped just as her Lobo started attacking. She got two aerial hits in before getting smacked down by a big blue paw.
Presea had a little more luck with her Lobo. After blocking its first bite, she hacked at it twice, and then used her signature aerial triple slice "Resolute Infliction!"
Zelos joined Presea and sent his slashes and thrusts into the creature, finishing off with scraping his sword against the ground twice, creating two separate shockwaves that cut under the creature. "Double Demon Fang!"
Genis took care of finishing off that Lobo. "Wanna charge? Thunder Blade!" The electrical sword that pieced the creature was enough to make it explode into blackness.
Sheena recovered from her blow, and decided to get revenge on the HP taken from her. She used three melee attacks, and then shot a seal at the creature at blinding speeds. "Life Seal." She regained about 78 HP. The Lobo didn't take the leeching lightly, as it howled and summoned a wind around it that blew her into the air. When she hit the ground, she turned black. Sheena quickly stood up and levitated a guardian card as a spell circle with a triangle with circles on its points appeared at her feet. "I call upon the hammer of godly thunder. I summon thee." Sheena snatched up the card and raised it to the roof. "Come, Volt!" The Summon Spirit of Electricity, a big plasma ball with eyes, stared at the creature. Its eyes went wide and electricity coated the creature, destroying it.
As they picked up some Super Pellets and a Beast Hide, Sheena closed the battle. "Aw, do you regret facing me? Well too bad! It's a little late now."
Now at the crossroads, the group had a dilemma. Collette turned to Asuka. "Asuka, you said you went up to the left to check out the Celsius Tear. You didn't go right, did you?"
"No, we didn't go right." Asuka shook her head.
"Then I'd suggest we go to the left, Lloyd. That way, they can show the way."
"Why are you asking me? Sheena's the one in charge today." The swordsman put his hands behind his head.
"Sheena?" Collette turned towards her.
"It's a good idea, Collette. We'll go left. Asuka, lead the way."
"You know you should probably ask...what?" The redheaded pilot tilted her head.
"Lead the way. You've been here before, and have probably observed the most. We're counting on you."
"Me...lead?" She got a proud grin. "Okay, troops, when it comes to the topography of this place I'm the authority, and no one questions me, got it? Onward!" Asuka pointed to the left path and marched off up the sloping path.
The others slowly took their place, but Shinji, and even Rei slumped. Shinji walked up to Sheena and tugged on her sleeve. She looked down at him with a questioning look. He whisper/muttered to her. "You do realize that you may have just condemned us, right."
"Oh come on, we can handle anything that comes our way."
"It's not the monsters I'm worried about."
"Shinji is correct." Rei appeared beside him in the same state. "Asuka, in her boosted ego state will soon begin ordering us around like very low subordinates."
"Oh come on, she can't be that..." Sheena was interrupted.
"Pick up the pace! You're holding us up!" Asuka called down to the three.
Rei and Shinji echoed each other's words. "See?"
They climbed the rocky wall onto a ledge, with a cave exit. "Now that we're all here," She thrust her thumb towards the hole. "That's the way to get to the Tear. Follow me and hurry up this time!" Asuka walked out into the snow covered outer ledge, and when the others joined her, she pointed to a frozen pond. "That connects to the iced over lake by the entrance. Be careful not to slip down it or you'll not be getting up the same way. To our left is the path we want to take." They continued down the thin ledge. A worm creature crawled into their path, and Sheena jumped forward into it. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. 3 Ice Spider
"Fifty percent output should be sufficient." Presea opened the battle as she chose the spider on the right. She ran her axe through it horizontally and then stabbed it with the pointy end. The spider opened its mouth and cast a stinging spider web over her, which she squeaked at. With a quick somersault, she slammed her blade atop the offensive creature, causing a damaging shockwave. "Devastation!"
Genis charged a light-blue ring as he flipped the ball of his Kendama onto the arms of it with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes and grinned. "Get 'em! Icicle!" Presea's Spider was skewered from below by a sharp chunk of ice. Before Presea finished it off with a single hack, Genis spoke. "Found your weakness!"
Sheena took the center Spider while Zelos took the one on the left. The female ninja hit it thrice swiped a special attack. "Serpent Seal!" A black cloud reduced its accuracy. She flashed white. "One more! Serpent Seal Pinion!" She slapped one card, whirled around and replaced it with another, completely coating it in thick black smoke. After dodging a bite from the weakened creature she proceeded to finish it off.
Zelos ran headlong into his fray. He thrust his sword forward, and turned his body, twisting the blade. He pulled it out and slashed it. "Light Spear!" He spun his sword around as he rotated into the air, catching the Ice Spider's chin, if one exists, and lifted it up with him. The Spider fell to the ground quickly and shot out its pincers and caught the Tethe'-allan Chosen's leg. He winced for a moment before he shot his sword straight into the beast. "Lightning Blade!" A thunderbolt lanced from above and struck the creature, making it explode into blackness.
Zelos ended the battle. "Not even a contest!"
Asuka pushed the fighters out of the way as she continued on her headstrong mission. She stopped in front of an impassible rut on the ledge where water dripped down from an icicle. The redhead spun around on her heels. "Lloyd, this is where you and that weird ring come in." She stepped aside. "Fire away!"
He shrugged and approached the crevice. He shot a puff of subzero air across the droplet path. A giant ice cube started to form as more and more water dripped on it. Once at full size, it dropped into the crevice, creating a bridge. "Pretty cool...literally!"
Raine was thinking hard. "How is it possible to create a block of ice in midair? By all accounts it should be a sphere or a teardrop, not a block."
"This was also my observation." Rei looked towards the woman.
"As long as it works, is there any real reason to complain?" Regal spoke for the first time in hours.
"No. I suppose not. I wish we could study how it manipulates the shape in a lab, like the one in Sybak."
Lloyd looked over his shoulder. "The problem is that the Sorcerer's Ring goes back to its normal fire function once it gets far enough away from a changing station."
Asuka called out from the other side of the crevice. "Hey! Are you coming or what? You people are so slow!"
Genis muttered. "I am really getting tired of her ordering us around like she owns us."
Lloyd sighed. "Yeah, this is a real drag. We need to throw her off her game, but how?"
"Um, we could do this...." Shinji whispered into his ear. "If we get everyone to say it, she may just get the hint."
"You think that will work?" Genis started imagining scenarios. He shuddered at one. "It sounds like a 50 chance it will work."
"And the other 50?" Lloyd asked the inevitable.
"We get beat senseless." Shinji winced as Genis said this.
"It's worth it. Let's spread the word."
Lloyd and Genis went through the group as they went to catch up with Asuka. When they told Collette, she got annoyed. "I'm not saying that! That's underhanded! I'll stay out of it."
"..." Was Presea's only reply.
Zelos was more than willing. Sheena too. Raine and Regal just shook their heads. They caught up with Asuka, who had her back against a rock face, peeking around the corner. She flattened herself against the wall again. "That damned bird is still there from last time."
"Heh, how hard can it be?" Zelos walked down the path around the rock. The flapping bird spotted him and dove. BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. 2 Feather Magic and Ice Warrior
"Let's get this over with." Genis started off the battle as he began to charge a brown ring.
Sheena ran after the Ice Warrior as it raised its right arm. It shot 5 globs of ice at her, three of which hit her as she approached, stopping her in her tracks. Once the barrage ended, she moved in close, getting in two hits with her cards before the thing swung its large sword at her and blew her onto her back.
Presea took the first Feather Magic. She jumped into the sky with it and hacked at it twice. She once again used her signature uppercut. "Resolute Infliction!" The creature fell to the ground as it flinched. She tried to prod it with the pointy end of her axe, but it took to the sky and shot a group of sharp feathers at her.
Zelos also took to the air with his attack, striking to the right and upwards. His Feather Magic plummeted in its flinch, and he took full advantage of it. He twisted into the air. "Light Spear Cannon!" The slices caught the creature. He landed and held his sword at an upwards angle as a long beam of light shot out of it. The Feather Magic landed on it for four more hits. As he got in position for another attack, the creature flew up again and flapped its wings, creating a whirlwind around the swordsman. He took three hits from his trap before it dissipated. He jumped once more and smacked the bird-like monster down to the ground.
"Pancake time. Stalagmite!" Genis completed his spell. Zelos's creature was hit three times in the stomach by a protruding rock as it grew out of the icy ground. The third hit ended it for that bird. Zelos backed away as Genis started charging up another spell, this time, red. Zelos took care of a white spell.
"Pyre Seal Pinion!" Sheena was getting desperate. The Ice Warrior was a very tough creature, built for hand to hand combat. Even its one eye was shielded. It was blown onto its back. She pulled a quick tactical retreat and jumped backwards. Zelos gave her a bit of First Aid, and she recovered a chunk of health the creature ripped from her.
As Sheena pulled back once more, the Ice Warrior loomed up again. Genis opened his eyes. "Reduce this evil soul to ashes. Explosion!" The icy guardian was destroyed in the red bubble.
That left only Presea and her Feather Magic. With a quick upward slash, she brought it down to her level, and she whirled her axe around twice. "Beast!" The creature exploded the moment the lion-head illusion touched her.
The battle had ended, and Presea dug her axe into the snow and leaned on it. "It looks like it is over."
"Well of course you have a better time of it than we did. You had four people, we only had three." Asuka scoffed as she pushed Zelos out of the way.
He grumbled as he watched her round the corner into the cave opening a short distance away. "We are so going to do this prank." He got up and filed in with the others as they entered the cave.
Asuka pointed at a crystalic blue and gray flower planted right at the edge of the small ledge. "Here you go Lloyd. One troublesome flower."
"Well, that's got to be the Celsius Tear. And we've got the Penguinist Gloves too. So let's grab the darn thing and take it with us." Lloyd pulled out the gloves. "Shinji? Care for revenge on that thing?"
"What? Me?!"
"After what happened to you, you deserve it. Put on the Penguinist Gloves and rip it out with extreme prejudice." Lloyd dangled the gloves in front of the boy's face.
He snatched the gloves. "Thank you." He slipped the mitts onto his bandaged hands. "Okay, I'm walking up to the flower. I'm bending down to the flower. I'm picking up the flower. Just pick up the flower. It's not that hard. Just pick up the flower. Come on, and pick up the flower, Shinji. Go ahead and pick up the flower." But his hands wouldn't close around the stem.
"Pick up the damn flower Shinj-idiot! Quit being a wimp! Remember what that thing did to you!" Asuka yelled in his ear.
He thought for a second, then his expression turned fierce. He gripped the stem. "That's right. This is nothing but another enemy. This Tear is going to cry, right..." He plucked the flower from the ground. "now!" He stood up and grinned at his meager success. But a soft laughter reached his ears, that of the creature in his dream. He wrapped the flower in the gloves and sneered in disgust. "Stow this Lloyd. The sight of it makes me sick."
Lloyd took the gloves and flower and put it in his pack as Asuka scoffed again. "Wimp." Everyone stared at her. She coughed. "Onward! To the second path!" She went to the cave entrance and turned around. "And no slacking this time! I want speed!"
Lloyd and Shinji nodded to each other. Lloyd, Genis, Zelos, Rei, and Shinji all spoke at once. "Ya vol mein fuher. Heil Asuka!" They stretched their right arms up in the air.
"Wh...wh...why you little! There's only one person who would thing up something like this! Shinji Ikari, you are so dead!" She dove for the boy, but he sidestepped her quickly.
He took off outside, screaming, as Asuka gave chase. Genis looked at Lloyd. "I didn't think that would happen."
Sheena sighed. "We should hurry and make sure they don't run into any monsters." They ventured outside and followed their tracks in the snow.
The black bird was lying on the ground, upside down, with half of its feathers missing. Zelos chuckled. "Wow! Asuka singed it!"
"I feel sorry for the poor thing." Collette added.
They continued across the ice cube bridge, and saw the worm creature, squished in the center by a foot, completely dead. Raine examined it. "Shinji must not have seen it and just stepped on it."
"Those two took out two enemies without even trying? If only we were able to harness that, we would never have to trouble ourselves again." Regal scratched his chin and smiled.
"That's assuming Asuka doesn't kill Shinji first. Let's keep going." Sheena told him.
The tracks led back into the main cave. When they entered, Asuka sat atop a treasure chest and waved, smiling. "Hey guys!"
"Asuka, what happened to Shinji?" Presea searched around.
Asuka slammed her heel into the side of the chest and it yelped. "Do you have to ask?"
"Asuka, release Shinji this instant." Rei's face actually seemed cross.
"Fine, fine. He's already gotten what he deserves." She hopped off the chest and kicked the lock.
It popped open, spilling out a gasping and groaning Shinji. "That was cruel."
"That's what you get for making fun of my country's heritage, and for actually pulling a prank on me."
Shinji got up and dusted himself off. "Oh, I found this when I was in there. Here."
Obtained Life Bottle.
"Well, I guess my job is done. You've seen everything I've seen, and I have no idea what lies on the other path." Asuka stretched. "You're on your own."
"Fine by us." Sheena said. "Let's head back down." Sheena led the group to descend the sloping pathway. Once down to the fork in the road, they drove straight ahead.
They crossed a clear blue ice bridge, but Rei stopped in the middle of it. Presea took notice of the missing friend and went to her side. "Is something troubling you, Rei?"
"Perhaps. Look down there." She pointed over the edge to a group of four statues facing the center. "Do you see those statues?" Presea nodded. "Now look on the other side." A lake with stalagmites and four statue heads sticking out of the water was before them.
"The statues are there as well." Presea whispered and Rei nodded. The pink-haired girl walked back to the other side and returned. "But the positions of the faces don't match."
"That was also my observation. Mark it well. We may need it." They returned to the rest of the group as they passed through a narrow passage between two rocks.
The group continued to walk down to the bottom of the ramp. Lloyd turned to the right and cocked his head. "A lake? Why would there be an unfrozen lake in the middle of this freezing place?"
"The water seems to be moving. It doesn't have the chance to freeze." Asuka examined the ripples.
They kept going forward, until their advance was hindered by a large river. "Well, this is a problem." Genis spoke. "I can't freeze this much so we can't cross."
"Do you hear something dripping?" Collette said.
"You still have your Angel senses, Collette. We can't hear it." Raine told her. "Where do you hear from behind us. Not too far away. It's just dripping water. Like from an icicle."
"An icicle?" Shinji looked at Asuka.
"Like the one we made the ice block from! Collette, can you take us there?"
The blonde Chosen nodded and everyone started filing in behind her. After a short walk, she stopped and pointed to the wall. "There it is. See that big icicle?"
"Oh yeah. Thanks Collette." Lloyd examined it more closely.
"You're welcome Lloyd, now do your stuff." Collette stepped away and Lloyd jumped back and shot an icy blast at a falling water droplet. The air started to swirl and freeze the water around it. Soon, there was a large block of ice. It landed with a dull thud.
Lloyd rubbed his hands together. "Okay, let's get going!" He started pushing on the block. The other seven Symphonia members joined in, either pushing or pulling the block. "Heave ho!" The cube began to slide slowly towards the river. "Again!"
The three pilots just stared. "They certainly work well together." Rei commented.
"You and I are like that Rei." Shinji turned to her.
"Hey, what about me?" Asuka put her hands on her hips.
"You dove in at the 7th Angel without thinking, and then we both had to pay for it with that synch training." The boy looked her way. "Ow!" A small lump appeared on his head.
"I didn't slave day in and day out in that synch training just to hear you say that we don't work well together. Take it back!"
"Okay. Okay! I'm sorry!"
"Not good enough. You say that even if you don't mean it."
"Sorry."
"Don't start with me."
"I'm..."
"Hey guys! Eight people work well, but eleven would work better. A little help?" Lloyd grunted, throwing his weight into the block once again.
The pilots went to either the left or right side of the block and gripped the corners. "Heave ho!" They all cried at the same time, and the ice cube slid farther a few feet. "One more should do it. Everyone to the back end. Ready? Heave ho!" With one final push, the block splashed into the river and stayed in place. They all celebrated.
Through all the celebration, no one saw a cat creature cross the block. Sheena groaned. "Aw, man! After all of that, this is our reward? Let's go guys." BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Presea, and Zelos vs. Bigfoot and 2 Penguinist.
"Let's get started!" Genis said as he started it out. He began a purple charge.
Zelos began a red charge as Presea and Sheena began to attack. The giant hairy creature stepped forward as the Penguinist on its left slid on its belly in front of Sheena. The female ninja whipped her seal cards around the creature. "Serpent Seal Pinion!" The giant penguin was surrounded by blackness.
Presea closed in on the Bigfoot, but, knowing the experiences of the three that faced it before, she switched targets to the Penguinist to its right. After a quick slash by the girl, she was far enough away from the Bigfoot's face to attack it without the danger of being licked. She switched her target back again and somersaulted. "Devastation!" Her axe cut the side of its face and the impact sent rocks flying up from the ground. As the creature flinched, a giant X flashed across its eyes.
"I call upon thee in the land of the dead to unleash thy fury of thunder. Indignation!" Genis called out his attack and a purple and white ring spread out around the Bigfoot and extended around its right-hand Penguinist.
Zelos began to help Sheena out. "Burn baby! Eruption!" Lava bubbled up around the girl's target, shooting it up and into oblivion. "So that's your weakness."
Genis's attack completed, and lightning struck the center of the circle, destroying the Penguinist and knocking the Bigfoot over. Sheena and Presea dove after it as it slowly got to its feet and blinked red. As the two began basic melee attacks, it sat down, sending a shockwave that knocked them back. The creature stopped blinking as the two jumped up. Presea swung her axe over her head. "Infliction!"
"Pyre Seal Pinion!" Sheena pressed an exploding card against the creature and it exploded into blackness.
Sheena ended the battle as she crossed her arms. "It's over!"
"Let's save the celebration for when we get Celsius." Lloyd said. Everyone nodded. They all crossed over the block of ice, rippling the water around it as they moved.
Regal moved to the very edge of the lake. "It appears as if we have to cross to move on."
"Then we'll have to freeze the lake." Lloyd said as he approached a large waterflow pouring into the lake. "I guess we can try here." He fired the Sorcerer's Ring at the water.
The lake solidified for a moment, but returned to its normal state. Lloyd groaned. "It's no use. The water is moving too fast." Genis commented.
"What about your ice abilities, Genis?" Asuka asked.
"The same thing would happen. I don't have enough in me to freeze an entire lake."
"Hey!" Lloyd got an idea. "Why don't we use the Celsius Tear? See if that works!"
"It's worth a shot. Go for it Lloyd." Zelos said.
Lloyd pulled out the Penguinist Gloves and the flower and broke off a petal. He tossed it into the flow, and within seconds the entire lake had solidified. "All right it worked! Now we can cross." He stepped on the ice and fell flat on his face. "OW!"
"Lloyd, the ice is very slippery. You'll most likely keep going until you hit something." Raine spoke as she examined the ice.
"Yes, like your face." Everyone looked at the blue-haired Chosen, who had spoken. They blinked for a second before chuckling at the rare joke.
"From the looks of it, there are stalagmites blocking the way to the other side. What are we going to do? Collette can't fly us across." Sheena crossed her arms in thought.
"Bumper pool." Shinji stated softly.
"What? Bam-par pool?" Lloyd struggled with the new word.
"Asuka, do you remember that game?" The pilot spoke again.
She thought for a second, and then her face brightened. "Oh yeah! In our world, there is a game called bumper pool, where you hit these small balls around on a soft tabletop and ricochet them off of posts to get them to where you want them."
"We'll just be a human game of bumper pool. Once we hit something, we'll push off in a different direction until we find a way to the right spot." Shinji nodded.
"That's an excellent idea. I'm glad I thought of it." Asuka smiled proudly.
"Huh?" Shinji blinked for a moment before he muttered, "I'm the one that thought of it."
"Yeah right, idiot! You couldn't come up with a rational thought without your other two stooges and their two brain cells."
"At least I think instead of jumping into everything!"
"What?! Who's the one that barreled into the 12th Angel against orders?!"
"Who's the one that convinced me to take point?! And it's better than having your Eva being used as fish-bait, which is basically all it's good for!"
"Wh...wha...WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"Oh no." Rei spoke. "Shinji, you have just made a very large mistake. I would recommend you run."
"DIE THIRD CHILD!"
Shinji took off across the ice, instantly kicking off in the next direction, as the flaming pilot followed yelling all the way. They went around the entire course and dropped out of sight. Regal smiled. "If we could only bottle that power, we would never have to worry about our finances again."
"We'd better stop her before we find Shinji in little pieces. Let's move." Sheena started bumper-pooling, with the others filing in behind her.
They passed the closest statue face and Rei spun around to face a certain pink-haired girl. "Presea, right."
She saw the statue. "Understood." They passed the second statue counterclockwise. "Down." The third. "Down." The fourth. "Right." They found the stalagmite that would take them to the other side of the lake and landed on rock. "Let us compare, Rei. What did you get?"
"Right, Down, Down, Right, counterclockwise."
"I concur."
As the group joined together on the shore, Asuka sat on another treasure chest behind a rock and smiled. "What took you so long?"
"You didn't stuff him in that chest again, did you?" Raine sighed.
"He deserved it." She stood up and kicked the chest with each word spoken. "Don't call Eva fish bait again!" Asuka kicked the lock open and Shinji spilled out.
"You're a very violent person, did anyone tell you that?" He said, pulling the kinks out of his back. "Hmm? What's this thing?"
Obtained EX Gem Lv. 2.
"Oh, an EX Gem!" Collette noted as he pocketed the item. "Those are rare. We'll have to show them how to use them later, right Lloyd?"
"Yeah, but not right now. We've got a Summon Spirit to beat." The party headed forward, but stopped in front of four statues, a stone door, and a tablet. Lloyd approached the tablet and read it. "'The solution is in a high place.' Aw man! You mean this thing is locked? What high place are they talking about?"
"The ice bridge." Rei approached the first statue. "Presea, your assistance please." The little girl with brute strength came to her and grabbed the statue. "Right." They rotated the statue until the face pointed in the direction they wanted. "Next. Down." The next one was moved. "Next. Down. This one is already in position. Next. Right." With the final move, there was a soft click, and the stone door slid open. They dusted off their hands as they returned to the group. "It was a simple observation."
"Way to go Ayanami Rei! I think I'm in love!" Zelos applauded.
"And the difference between now and any other time?" Sheena grumbled as she snatched his collar. "Come on, we've got a Summon Spirit to fight." The rest of the team filed in behind her as she dragged his sorry butt into the next chamber.
The final cave was a vast hole of rock. In the center of the floor was an inactive altar podium. When Sheena and the others approached, ice crystallized the room in random places. A slightly obnoxious voice echoed through the cavern. "So, you come to me at last. Excellent."
Shinji quivered. "That voice. That's the same voice as in my dream."
"So you do remember me. Then that will spare me the introductions. You may tell them my identity."
"Celsius. Her name is Celsius. Just what do you want of me you witch?!"
"What do I want? Ha. I don't want anything of you. You touched a part of me, therefore you belong to me. It doesn't mean I like it, but you are now bound to me."
"What do you mean 'bound to me?'" Sheena stepped in front of the boy.
"Oh, a Summoner! Well, if you must know, since he touched my tear, he shall be bound to me. Now come little boy and be my servant." Ice spread and closed in on Shinji.
"Shinji, get away! Hurry!" Sheena looked on in horror.
The ice spread to within inches and formed a solid case around him. Shinji just stood there, clenching and unclenching his fist. "You tried to kill me, and now you try to make me your slave?" He whipped out his cards. "I, Ikari Shinji, am no one's property!" He levitated a card in the air and pressed his hand against it. The bubble of ice shattered. "YOU WILL NOT TAKE ME!"
The blast blew the others to the floor. Sheena sat up. Shinji kept the ice at bay with a white ring with an equilateral triangle with three small circles at its points. "Shinji...you're...."
"An unexpected twist. Who ever heard of two Summoners in a party?" Celsius audibly grinned.
"Shinji's a Summoner?" Genis stood up quickly.
"What? Summoner? Like Sheena? Sheena, what do I do?" Shinji looked at his Tethe'-allan friend.
Sheena shook herself out of her shocked state. "Shinji, ask her who she has a pack with! And say it in formal language. Hurry!"
"Celsius, with whom do you have a pact?"
"I am one who is bound to Mithos. Who are you?"
Sheena placed a hand on Shinji's shoulder. "I am Sheena." She winked at the boy.
"And I am Shinji."
"We ask that thou anulst thy pact with Mithos and establish a new pact with us."
"Two Summoners at once? How amusing. I shall test your worthiness of my powers. Besides, I still need to claim my prize."
"Shinji, do you feel up to this?" Sheena asked him. Shinji looked at the bandages on his hands, clenched his fists, and started to unravel them. "Shinji!"
His bandages streamed down next to his feet. "I have a score to settle with Celsius. I'm going in, if you approve or you don't." He stared at her with determined eyes. She nodded. He turned towards the altar and pointed. "Celsius, you made a big mistake crossing this party. I promise you that instead of your desire, your power will be..." He assumed a fighting stance. "Mine!"
Rearrange your party so it includes Sheena and Shinji.
1. Sheena
2. Genis
3. Raine
4. Shinji
BATTLE SCREEN!
Sheena, Genis, Raine, and Shinji vs. Celsius and Fenrir.
Celsius appeared in the air by a normal sized wolf with blue fur, red eyes and long, tusk like fangs. The female-looking Summon Spirit with a white complexion spoke as she landed. "Show me your power."
"You're all mine!" Shinji said as he opened the battle officially. He drove for the Summon Spirit, and Sheena paralleled him. Genis began a white spell as Raine raised a Magic Lens to the sky.
Fenrir
12000/12000 HP
300/300 TP
AA: Ice
Weak: Fire, Lightning
Str: Water, Ice
The scanned creature dove at Sheena and knocked her away. Shinji stopped and turned around, but Sheena just waved him on. He nodded and returned to chasing Celsius, not seeing Fenrir do a tempest-like somersault into the girl. She countered with a few melee hits and a "Pyre Seal Pinion!"
Shinji got close to Celsius and swiped a few cards her way. He used is usual staple attack. "Shock Seal!" He defibrillated the spirit.
Celsius countered with some cold punches, but Shinji's Penguinist Quill reduced the damage. She cried, "It's over!" and she slammed her palm against the ground, and a giant crystal of ice surrounded Shinji. He cried out as his knees gave out under him. The ice disappeared as his body hit the ground.
Genis finished his spell. "Get 'em! Dreaded Wave!" Fenrir's ground became indented and it was buffeted by shockwaves as the ground shook, doing a 10 hit combo of damage. Raine counted down the seconds as she got ready to use another Magic Lens. After five full seconds she raised the second to the air. Afterwards she began a white charge. Genis began a red one as well.
Celsius
16873/18000 HP
535/600 TP
Weak: Fire
Str: Water, Ice
Sheena continued her assault on Celsius' annoying pet. "Serpent Seal!" She failed to reduce its accuracy, and when she tried to hit it with some more melee abilities, it launched a barrage of back flips and charges, rending her with its horns. She was thrown back the third time, barely having the strength to get up again.
Shinji got up, even angrier than before, and he blinked red. He charged the Summon Spirit again. He slipped her a few more cards, and flashed white. "This power! Shock Seal Pinion!" He put two seals on either side of Celsius as it did an initial shock, but he whipped out a third and pressed it in the center, creating a triangular defibrillation, and in result sending her flying.
When she got up, she flashed red while Shinji's flash disappeared. The boy charged her again, but she warped away a yard or so behind him and quickly charged a light blue ring. "End this! Freeze Lancer!" The spell ring went vertical in front of her and shot daggers of ice into Shinji's back.
"Root of all creation, grant us the breath of life! Revitalize!" Raine's spell spread throughout the field and everyone recovered 75 of their total health, basically giving everyone a full gauge. She moved a little closer to Fenrir as she started another charge.
"Reduce this evil soul to ashes. Explosion!" Genis' attack bombed Celsius and blew her onto her back. He decided on a purple charge for his next trick.
Fenrir dug his paws into the ground and guarded as Sheena closed in again, blinking red, with hatred burning in her eyes. She slipped a green card its way. "Drain Seal!" She stole about 6 TP from the creature. It pulled out of its guard and shook its fur, sending out waves of cold air, hitting Sheena. It also reached Raine, breaking her of her spell.
Shinji closed in on a blinking Celsius once more and she warped behind him and swiped her arm, sending an icy blast hurtling towards him. "Not this time. Teleport Seal!" He raised a card to the air and disappeared in a puff of smoke, only to reappear behind the enemy. "Seal Barrage!" He shot five cards that exploded into white shock and pain as Celsius' guard broke. He swiped a card for a 1 HP hit, "Start it off!" The unison attack began, with Celsius as the target. "Shock Seal Pinion!"
Raine was next, surrounding a flinching Celsius with an orange ball of light. "Photon!"
The ball exploded as Genis partook. "Explosion!" The blast blew her in Sheena's direction.
"Serpent Seal Pinion!" Sheena did the final individual attack. Both Sheena and Shinji sparkled next to each other. "Ready? Dark!" Sheena's black cloud seal swirled around the Summon Spirit.
Shinji jumped into the cloud, and concealed in darkness, attached three cards to Celsius. "Spark!" Shinji jumped back out as the attack exploded, a flash of yellow light in the darkness.
Celsius' knees gave out and she hit the floor hard. Shinji tried to hit her with a card, but she became surrounded in blackness, reaching Over Limit mode. She got up and started engaging Shinji in hand-to-hand combat.
Fenrir wasn't about to be left out. It dove for Sheena once again as Genis resumed his purple charge. "Guardian Seal!" Her seals created a green sphere around her as the beast tried to tackle her. It was repelled. She jumped backwards and pointed a seal towards the ground under Fenrir. The air swirled around her and it in the same pattern. "Cyclone Seal!" Fenrir was blown up into the air and a hundred cards appeared around it and exploded, sending the cards flying. Fenrir was nothing more than a memory and a Monster List entry after that attack.
Genis' attack, originally meant for Fenrir, now targeted Celsius. "Wanna charge? Thunder Blade!" The electric apparition pierced the still black Celsius and exploded around her, without even making her flinch.
Shinji caught Sheena's attack out of the corner of his eye, and fought off Celsius as Genis' attack was used. He got frustrated and jumped away from her as her Over Limit mode faded. He flashed white again. "Why won't you die?! Vortex Seal!" He pointed into the air above the creature and the air swirled around both of them in the same pattern. They were both drawn into the air by a wind funnel, and Shinji slammed an attack down on her head, sending her to the ground.
Upon impact, two ring shockwaves emerged from her and time stopped. "How cold of you." Time resumed, and she fell to the floor, not to get up again.
Shinji ended the day. "Is this what being a Summoner is about?" The team picked up a Spirit Symbol and a Blue Quartz.
Celsius hovered over the altar. "Excellent. It would appear my wintry blasts are nothing but a summer's breeze to you. You are indeed worthy of my power."
"Yes!" Lloyd and Genis celebrated.
"However...." The boys stopped. "However, I can only make a pact with one. Who shall speak their vow?"
"Shinji, it was your win. You deserve it." Sheena nudged him forward.
"But, Sheena!"
"But nothing, go ahead! This one is yours."
"But...it's just that...I don't know how to make a vow."
"That's easy. Just think of a goal that you will use her power to achieve. If she accepts it, she'll come whenever you request her help."
"Okay...I'll give it a shot." Shinji stepped forward. "I, Ikari Shinji, will make the pact."
"Then speak your vow." Celsius scoffed.
"To save my home world, and the worlds of my friends, I ask that you lend me your power."
"A noble vow. I accept. Use my power well." Celsius slowly disintegrated into a small jewel that floated into Shinji's hand, and he took it.
He turned to the others. "So that's it?"
"Yep, that's it. Congrats, Shinji. You've got yourself a Summon Spirit." Sheena hugged the boy.
"Hey, come on Sheena, you're embarrassing me."
"So, an Earthen Summoner? Things are going to be more interesting from now on." Lloyd grinned.
"Was this what I sensed when I first met you, Shinji?" Rei asked, not expecting an answer.
Raine looked him over. "Humans from Earth have great potential. Even your wounds have healed."
"I am...impressed." Presea said.
Collette smiled and applauded. "Wow, Shinji! You're just full of surprises aren't you?"
"I gotta admit. The twerp did good." Zelos nodded.
Asuka muttered. "Add another thing to the Invincible Shinji Ikari's résumé."
Obtained Sapphire.
Shinji learned T.Seal: Ice.
Shinji learned Summon: Ice.
At the edge of a city in the sky higher than the eye can see, a winged army had assembled. They stood at the drop off point as their blonde leader addressed them while flying over them. "This is the day we have all waited for! This is the day we shall strike back against those that despised us. Today, we declare war on the populous that shunned us!" The army cheered. "We shall strike them at the very heart of prejudice this day, and make the human and elven races shudder in fear! We will triumph! None can stand in your way on your own, but I shall lead you! That will ensure victory!" The cheering was even louder. "May your swords drip with blood."
"Glory to Lord Yggdrassil and the ascension of half-elves!" The army said in unison.
"Bring the weapon online!" Yggdrassil declaired. A large metal pillar with a large ball on top rose from the center of town. The ground the angel army stood on split in two, dividing the army. "Lock on target." The pillar twisted and tilted forward slightly before it locked into place. "Charge the weapon!" The metallic ball sparked with powerful mana. It began to glow and it sounded like chirping birds. "Ready! Aim!"
Shinji and the others slowly emerged from the cave to the snow outside. "So how do I exactly call upon Celsius, Sheena?" He had his hands behind his head as he walked.
"Well, whenever someone goes into Over Limit mode, they break open the gates that block off your power. Over Limit mode lets you access this power. Whenever I lapse into Over Limit, I can summon one of the Spirits as long as I have enough TP."
"So basically I have to get beaten up to use a Summon Spirit, great." He slumped.
"It's worth it." She patted him on the back. "I was really surprised that you could summon. I thought it was a learned art, not an inherited one."
"You weren't the only one surprised."
"Everyone, look out!" Lloyd cried as he drew his swords. Dozens of Ice Spiders, Ice Warriors, Feather Magics, and Penguinists headed straight for them.
"Wh...what are they doing? I've never seen so many before!" Asuka drew her blade.
"Be ready for anything." Regal bent his knees, loosening up for a fight.
"Wait!" Collette cried. "Don't make any move unless they attack first."
Most of the creatures moved around the group, but one Ice Warrior stopped an inch in front of Zelos. "Eeeeeee!" He said nervously as he leaned backwards. The creature stared at him with its one eye, quickly looked behind itself, and flicked its eye back to Zelos. Upon getting no reaction, it did the same thing to Raine, then Sheena, and finally Collette. Collette nodded and the creature stomped off into the cave, where its brothers had retreated. Zelos finally breathed easy. "What was that about?!"
"They're scared. Of what, I don't know. I saw it in its eye. It was trying to warn us." Collette spoke in a whisper.
"Why do mice jump from a ship that's about to sink?" Asuka commented.
"What?" Lloyd turned towards her.
"Nothing. It's nothing. Let's keep going, huh? I'm sure we can handle anything." She said as she turned on her heel towards the exit. The others shrugged and followed her.
"FIRE!" Yggdrassil pointed forward. The glowing metal ball pulsated, and then let out a gigantic bolt of white hot lightning to stream towards the planet below. "ALL TROOPS ATTACK!" He dove over the edge and the angel army took flight and followed him. "Leave nothing left standing! Burn it to a cinder!"
The group stopped and looked up when a bright flash brought their attention. They saw the lightning strike, and felt the ground shake a moment later. "What the hell?!" Asuka exclaimed.
"There's an incredible amount of Mana coming from that lightning." Genis was still awed.
Presea tugged on Rei's arm. "That's...in the vicinity of Ozette!"
"Lloyd, we should go there at once!" Rei understood the fear in the girl's voice. Ozette was one of the only places she ever knew.
Lloyd nodded. "Zelos, whip out the Rhieards."
Zelos pulled out the wing pack, and the 4 Rhieards emerged. They all boarded quickly and ascended.
Three fireballs launched from Yggdrassil's hand, setting fire to the village craftsman's hut. He laughed aloud as he did it again. "Burn discriminators!"
An angel with a big nose and a spear floated down next to him and saluted. "Lord Yggdrassil, four Rheiards have been spotted coming in this general direction."
"What are their cargos?"
"It appears to be eleven people."
"Eleven? Interesting. Give the order to pull out. We're finished here."
"Understood, Lord Yggdrassil." He left to spread the word.
The blonde angel rubbed his hands together. "Now the real work begins."
The crew rushed into the burning Ozette, aghast at the destruction. "This is horrible!" Sheena looked away.
"They had no warning. All of the dead...." Regal left the comment hang as he turned his head away.
"My...home...." Presea trembled.
Asuka squinted through the flames. "Collette! Do you see that!"
The girl concentrated her gaze. "Lloyd, there's someone in the main square!"
"If he or she is still alive, we don't have much time!" Raine spoke.
"Lloyd, grab on to me!" Shinji said as he pulled out his cards. The swordsman did so and Shinji raised a card to the sky. "Teleport Seal!" They appeared on next to a blonde boy lying passed out on his face from the heat. Shinji picked him up. "Hey, can you hear me? Hey!"
"Shinji, look out!" Lloyd cried. A flaming log fell inches from Shinji and the boy. Lloyd threw the boy over his shoulder. "Let's get out of here!"
They ran towards the others, but another log fell in their path. Shinji looked around. They were surrounded by fire. "We're trapped!"
(Author's Note: Well, you have your answer. Thanks to all that voted. They'll search for the Devil's Arms. But will they survive to collect another? Find out next time.)