Disclaimer: I don not own Tales of Symphonia, or any of its themes or characters. And that's probably a good thing, considering how much I'm butchering their plots and characters...(coughRainecoughGeniscough)
A/N: Well, I'm glade everyone liked the last chapter, and I regret that nothing actually happened in it. I had to start somewhere! Don't worry, however, for this chapter is the start of the action/adventure I've promised. Can you say 'War in Mizuho'? Heh heh heh...
Secondly, thanks for all of the reviews. I've finally plotted everything out, and have decided that there will be a total of nine chapters. One prologue, followed by eight story chapters. Because of this, my dream of another 100 reviews can probably be reached. I got 130 review in "Together Forever", so I think I can probably reach 100 here, too. But that's up to you guys, not me!
Shameless plug: REVIEW. Now enjoy:
Chapter Two: The Invasion of Mizuho
"So, I would like to finish this with as little trouble as possible," Orochi explained.
Lloyd, Sheena, and Kuchinawa had arrived in Mizuho over an hour ago. After landing and packing their Rheairds, the three had proceeded to the chief's hut. Orochi had been delighted to see them, and after the greetings had ended, Orochi had described their current predicament. The Emperor was going to continue kidnaping citizens unless they moved. But Orochi didn't negotiate with terrorists.
"I agree," Lloyd said, nodding his head. "I will send a portion of the Luin army to protect your city. In the meantime, we will try to negotiate with this 'Emperor.' Do you have any idea where he is located?"
Orochi shook his head. "No, we do not. The Emperor refuses to give away his location or even to speak with us," he explained. "As you have no doubt heard, other cities have received these threats to move. We, however, are so far the only city with missing people. It seems the Emperor wants a large amount of land for whatever he is planning."
"Have you even tried to contact him?" Sheena asked. Orochi looked at her with his usual glare.
"We have no way to contact him!" he exclaimed. "His messages always magically appear in the office of the town leader! We believe the Emperor must be a powerful magician. But we have no way to find out anything about him."
"How come I wasn't contacted of this before?" Lloyd asked. "I'm the Governor-General! I should of heard about this already!"
"It is because the Emperor forbids the towns he threatens to contact outside cities. We are the first to contact anyone outside his rule," Orochi explained. "He has threatened to attack the city because we contacted you, but we needed help. We took a very big chance by contacting you."
"Well, you made the right decision by coming to me," Lloyd explained. "I will contact the army as soon as possible. Until then, what other cities are under his control except yours?"
"Well..." Orochi thought about it. "As far as our network has detected, he currently has rule over Mizuho, Ozette, Altamira, and even Meltokio! Not to mention the mountain city of Forwen (A/N: Remember how I said that Regal's company created many new towns? Well Forwen is one of them. It is located near the Latheon Gorge.)"
"What about Old Heimdall?" Lloyd asked. "Anything from there?"
"Now, Heimdall was never rebuilt, remember?" Orochi said. "Ever since that incident with Destron, the Elves abandoned Heimdall completely. They are all in New Heimdall now."
(A/N: another town I made Regal create for the elves. Since Heimdall had already been virtually destroyed twice, with Mithos and with Destron, the elves decided to abandon it. They live in a new town called New Heimdall, located above the Gaoracchia Forest, near the Temple of Lightning.)
"I realize that," Lloyd reassured him. "However, it seems that Heimdall is the center of this little 'Empire.' Perhaps we should take a look around there, just to be sure."
"Very well," Orochi said. Turning away from them, he called three ninjas forward. "I am giving you three the duty to keep tabs on Old Heimdall. Report back anything odd that you three see. I expect daily reports."
The three ninjas bowed and departed in large bursts of smoke. Orochi turned back to them. "Now, how about some lunch?" he asked, smiling largely/. "I would be a terrible host if I were to just let two old friends starve in my company! Please, sit."
The three took their seats and Kuchinawa left to go get the food. As his young brother left, Orochi shook his head and Sheena smiled.
"Is he still set on redeeming himself?" she asked him with a smile. Orochi chuckled lightly.
"That he is," he answered. "It seems Kuchinawa will not be happy with himself until he saves all of Mizuho!"
"He still hasn't forgiven himself?" Lloyd asked. "That's sad."
"He still feels horrible about abandoning the tribe and attacking Sheena," Orochi explained. "He feels that his deeds were unforgivable or something of that sort. But I am more than happy with his progress."
"So am I," Sheena responded. "He's been nothing but helpful for all these years. I actually feel sorry for him."
"Don't worry about it," Orochi reassured them. Kuchinawa will come to his senses eventually. But enough talk of the sad. Let us hear of the glad! How are your children lately?"
"They are fine, Orochi," Lloyd responded. "They are just growing up far too quickly."
"Are Corrine and Anna still trouble makers?" Orochi asked with a smile. He had removed his large blue mask, revealing his black hair and smiling face. "I remember the last time they were here. I still can't unclog that darn well."
"Sorry about that," Sheena said, laughing. "You know those two! Always kidding around, and never getting anything done! I do not think I will see the day when they take something seriously."
"They are kids, that is how kids should be!" Orochi replied with a laugh. "And what of little Kratos?"
"He, too, is growing up too fast," Lloyd replied with a smile. "I feel that he is more mature than I am at times!"
"That's because he is..." Sheena said, grinning at him.
"Hey!" Lloyd grinned back and gave her a gentle shove, to which both Sheena and Orochi laughed.
"Well, I can see that the Aurion family is getting along just fine!" Orochi laughed as Lloyd and Sheena grinned at each other.
"Now we just need to get you a girlfriend, Orochi!" Lloyd laughed. Orochi shrugged his shoulders.
"When I meet the right girl, I will know! Until then, I am content as a bachelor," he replied.
"That just sounds like an excuse."
"Lloyd!" Sheena shoved him back at his rude comment. All three laughed as Lloyd attempted to apologize. However, their laughter was interrupted by a huge explosion outside. Jumping to their feet, all three drew out weapons.
Lloyd drew out his Material Blades that were constantly with him. In fact, he never left home unarmed. Sheena drew out her Asura cards. They were the cards that Kuchinawa had given her, and she treasured them. Orochi drew out a long sword himself, eyes darting around the room.
As the three began to leave the house, Kuchinawa came running in. "Brother!" he cried. "The city is under attack! We need your help." Ans with that, the red ninja ran out the door, drawing his weapons. As the four left, Kuchinawa could be seen running a four enemy soldiers.
Lloyd and Sheena gasped as they saw who was attacking them. Desians! There were about three hundred Desians, maybe more, charging through the gates of Mizuho. The three watched as Kuchinawa approached the four closest Desians. Drawing his weapons, he sliced down two immediately, spinning around. Within seconds, he had struck down the other two. Not a sound had been made. The red ninja then ran off, heading deeper into the battle.
Orochi gasped as he saw what had happened. The Desians had broken through the gates, and were setting fire to various houses. The ones not starting fires were hunting innocent citizens. Angered, Orochi drew his sword and charged at the closest Desian, impaling him through the chest. Around him, many ninjas had joined the fray. A huge battle was underway, with Desians and ninjas fighting for their lives.
Sheena drew her cards and began to run into the battle as well. She cried seal after seal, striking down Desian after Desian. "Pyre Seal!" "Demon Seal!" "Cyclone Seal!" Desian sfell left and right, catching on fire, and being thrown into the air. Sheena ran at them, cards blazing with rage. She sliced them forward and back, wounding and killing the Desian enemy.
Lloyd was, surprisingly, the last one to enter the battle. A grin came upon his face as he saw about a dozen Desians surround him. His eyes glowed a bright gold as he concentrated deeply. Swinging his Material Blades, he let out a cry. The first six Desians were frozen solid. And the last six were scorched and burst into flames. And then Lloyd truly entered the battle.
Running in, he swung his blades expertly, striking down Desians left and right. Every time he swung one of the Blades, a Desian fell to his feet. He hacked through them with ease, never even breaking a sweat. He turned as he heard a ninja fall behind him.
He saw that ten Desians were currently on Orochi, ignoring the ninja they had just struck down. His weapon had been knocked from his hands, and he was now defenseless. Growling, Lloyd turned towards them.
"I demand you leave the Chief alone!" he commanded. At this, the Desians just faced him and laughed.
"Oh yeah? By who's authority?" they asked, still laughing.
Lloyd could only smile. "By MY authority!" he hollered. Suddenly, his eyes glowed a deep golden. His Blades glowed Red and Blue as flames ran up their blades. The Desians backed up as the saw the figure before them glowing. As they backed up, Lloyd's body was surrounded by a purple ball of energy. Swinging his blades forward, the energy ball surrounding him exploded. A huge purple flash filled the block as Lloyd's attack ripped through the Desians. The purple energy flashed through the square, destroying any Desians within contact.
As the dust cleared and the attacks settled, ninjas and Desians alike stopped as the saw only two figures remain in the clearing. Lloyd and Orochi. The attack had vaporized thirty Desians instantly. A crater was indented into the ground, showing where Lloyd's attack had exploded.
Lloyd, still glowing, turned to face the remaining Desians. The hundred that were left all started back. A few even ran away.
"I believe this is where you surrender," Lloyd explained. The Desians all dropped their weapons. "Good, now you will tell me who sent you and why."
"That is not for you to be concerned about," a voice said. Lloyd turned to see a lone figure watching from the gate. The figure was obviously female, Lloyd could tell, but had a hood pulled over her head to hide her face.
"Well, too bad!" Sheena cried. "Now tell us who you are."
"Why, Sheena," the figure said, facing the girl. "You already know who I am." And with that, the figure drew back her hood. Lloyd and Sheena both gasped. No, it couldn't be...
"Presea..." Sheena whispered. She was right. It was Presea. But she had changed.
Presea was now twenty-three and a lot had changed. Her pink hair was now cut and short, falling just to her shoulders. Her body was lean and muscular, but her face was very different. Her face was hardened and unwrinkled, like a warrior's. And her eyes...her eyes looked like they were when she had been under the control of the Cruxis Crystal. Her eyes were empty.
"That is right," she said, spite in her voice. "Presea Combatir, loyal servant of the Half-Elf emperor!"
"But why, Presea?" Sheena asked. "Who is the Emperor? What is he planning?"
"Do you honestly believe I would tell you such things?" Presea said, a small grin creeping on her face. "My master does not wish to be known, so I will not reveal his identity."
"Then what are you doing here?" Lloyd asked. "Why has he sent you here?"
"To attack this pathetic village, of course!" Presea said, staring at them. "Mizuho has ignored my master's wishes. So it must be destroyed." She turned to the Desians slowly. "Return to the base! The Emperor has given me the duty to finish your mission," she commanded them. Bowing, the Desians all teleported away back to who knows where.
"And as for Mizuho..." she said, the hint of madness in her voice. Raising her hands above her head, Presea commanded "EXPLOSION!"
"NO!" Sheena cried as Presea chanted the spell. As she screamed, the city of Mizuho burst into flames. The village was on fire. All the citizens ran out of the city, those that weren't killed during the initial explosion.
"PRESEA!" Lloyd cried, looking at the young woman. As he ran at her, Presea drew her cape in front of her. With a wisp of the cloak, she was gone. How had Presea done magic? He wondered. What was happening?
Lloyd and Orochi directed the remaining people out of the village while Sheena watched in horror. Finally, after all of the people were evacuated, Lloyd walked over to her. Sheena burst into tears as she saw her home town go up in flames. Lloyd held her tight as she cried into his chest. He looked from his crying wife, to Orochi, to the townspeople and ninjas he had fought besides. His face turned stern and hard.
"We're going to need help."
A/N: OOH! A cliffie! Sorry about that, but I hoped you liked the chapter. So much happened, it's kinda hard to take it all in at once. Looks like the Emperor is stronger than they thought, huh? Let's go over what we learned to help you understand it:
—Mizuho is now destroyed, but most of the citizens did survive.
—Presea not only knows magic now, but she works for the Half-Elf Emperor as his second-in- command.
—The Emperor already rules over most of Tethe'all, the center of it.
Well, I hoped you all like the big fight. Next chapter will have th rest of the party in it, save for Genis and Presea, cuz' they're doing their own thing now. And Raine's dead. So, the next chapter will have appearances by Lloyd, Sheena, Colette, Zelos, Regal, and Kratos. Along with some other familiar faces.
REWIEW! I love reviews, and they are the only way I will reach 100 reviews. Help my goal! Heal my ego! Make me happy! Review!
PEACE OUT!
