Shout Outs...
Dragon Chyld: That she is. And next we reach the begging of the actual game.
Maxmagnus20019: Maybe a bit powerful, but not overpowered. Well, that's my hope anyway...
Yawning loudly James rolled onto his front before pushing himself up with his arms. After a moment he rose from the bed and walked to the window to watch the sun cast it's warm light across the world. He smiled as he took in this view before thoughts of what day it was entered his mind. Then the smile was gone.
I had a total of twenty good seconds until I realized paradise was about to end. Sometime today... Everything would come crashing down like a game of Jenga with that one block holding the whole tower up being pulled away. After showing I dressed and put my hat on my head, wrapped the headphones around my neck, putting my MP3 player in my pocket. I gathered what Fol I had and left my room, quickly heading up to the roof and stared out to the wide-open sea.
Zero Hour was fast approaching, like an angry rhino charging through a china shop.
The wake of which... will spread... the galaxy over...
Today... would be a very bad day...
The time was almost 11:30 AM. Staff fluttered about the hotel performing their duties and chores as guests relaxed and enjoyed the luxuries provided. Each one of them united in the ignorance of what was to come.
One blue haired youth walked through the door of the simulator entering the lounge, looking as if he had exhausted himself in a workout. Making his way to a bench he sat down, slumping forward with a 'phew...'
This was followed by a 'WHOA' as a wayward drink was moved in front of him.
"Here you go!" The chestnut haired girl clad in a short robe said, a drink in each hand with one extended to the boy.
"Ah, hi, Sophia..." Fayt said, accepting the drink as the girl sat down, looking straight ahead. "You startled me. I thought you were swimming at the beach."
"I was waiting for you but you never came!" She said, a stern tone entering her voice. She looked over at him as she continued. "You said you'd play a few games then head right over..."
"Uh... I'm sorry." Fayt said after having a sip of the drink. "I didn't plan on staying so long, but I kinda got sucked in..."
"All right, well, that's what I thought happened." Sophia said, the stern tone turning to a more annoyed one. "Didn't you say you had 'tons of homework to do' before we came to Hyda, anyway?"
The boy stood up, moving in front of his long time friend. "But I fought so well today! And I levelled up a lot too, you know."
"Yeah, yeah, how nice for you."
"Hmm, someone's in a bad mood today..." Fayt said, more to himself that to the girl.
"What do you expect? You'd rather play games than hang out at the beach with me!" She said in an angry/rather annoyed/quite disappointed tone.
"Sophia?" Fayt said as the girl stood up with a 'hmph', back to him starting to grasp the situation.
"You aren't mad are you?"
"I'm not mad." She said in a suspiciously mad tone.
"Do you… wanna go to the beach?" Fayt asked darting in front of Sophia you in turn turned away from him.
"I swam enough. While someone I know was having the time of his life, playing games all by himself." Sophia said in the same mad tone.
"So... Do you wanna take a walk through the hotel?" Fayt asked trying to get a better tone, one he could live with as he darted in front of her agian. "I bet it'll be fun. What do you say, please! Pretty please!"
"Hmm, well, if you want to hang out that badly, I guess it's all right..." Sophia said her tone switching to a teasing one.
Smiling a little Fayt nodded, liking this tone much better. "Great, let's go. Time's a wastin'!"
"Okay!"
For the longest time... I sat and watched the blue sky out of the sandy beach. It's something that I haven't done since I was so little... I would do this with my sister, just the two of us... basking in the light of that yellow orb in the sky...
Those days are gone... Even before I went to Hyda...
No, I should stop thinking like that. Past is the past. It's best left there. No matter... how painful it is.
Course watching something for so long means your not watching things around you... which means...
"Hey there!" A voice called out, breaking James out of his trance and making him jump a bit. Getting to his feet James saw Robert Leingod smiling at him as the older man walked over to him. "Sorry if I startled you. Enjoying yourself?"
"A bit." James said as he turned back to the clouds hanging above them. "It's been a long time since I simply... watched the sky go by..."
"Ah, I see. By the way, have you seen Fayt or Sophia by any chance? Sophia said they'd go swimming, but knowing Fayt he'll be playing games until he drops!"
Chuckling a bit James took his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. "I kinda understand those things are fun! Anyway, I'm going to go lounge about someplace."
"All right, take care."
I went to sit down in a chair in the lounge after that. Dr. Leingod spooked me, but I remembered that there was only so much time left... So little...
My choices of hangouts were the Rossetti's dressing room, the beach with the Leingods or the lounge. I figured the lounge would be my best bet, since Fayt and Sophia would come around eventually.
And 11:47 came about and the two strolled in, with Fayt casting a glance at the combat simulator. Neither one had noticed me yet so I walked behind them a bit.
"Games again? But you were just playing! Keep playing games like that and you'll turn into a brainless muscleman."
"Why don't you give it a try Sophia? It's really fun." Fayt asked turning around.
"I can vouch." James said walking up to the pair, Sophia clutching at her just slightly as their friend walked up to them.
"James! You startled me!" Sophia said, lightly slapping his shoulder.
"Heh. Sorry. Still, you should give it a shot."
"But isn't this one of those combat simulators. Don't you have to fight?"
"Yeah." James said. "That's why it's called a 'combat' simulator."
"No can do, I don't like those kind of games." She said shaking her head.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you. And so will James, right?" Fayt said looking at his brown haired friend.
"Bingo-Bango. Between the two of us, ain't nothing to worry about!"
"But..."
"I'd never let you do anything dangerous, I promise." Fayt said reassuringly.
"And sides, there are a ton and a half of fail safes and what not. And if you feel scared, just tell the compy to stop."
"Compy?" Fayt and Sophia said at the same time.
"Umm... Computer."
"Oh, right." The two said in unison.
"Well... I'll try it. Since you two will be looking out for me."
"All right, I'll set it at a beginner's level. You want a long distance character right? Symbology user?" Fayt asked, turning to type at the controls.
"Yeah. It won't get hurt right?" Sophia asked almost timidly.
"Ah, don't worry so much." James said laying a hand on her shoulder. "The only possible way beginner's level can hurt you is if you fall flat on your face."
"OK, it's all set up." Fayt said as the door opened. The three stepped in.
"Welcome to the battle simulator. Please set battle system parameters." The computer said in it's lifeless yet friendly tone.
"Well, we should let Sophia look at the instructions first." Fayt said looking at the hat wearing youth. James nodded once in agreement.
"OK, I'll take a look."
The instructions were as boring as in the game, but for a first time player Sophia had to see them. Once she was done... the fun would begin.
"All right, let's play." Fayt said. "Computer, start."
"Player 1: Fayt Leingod. Character: Sword Master Adonis Klein. User Level: AAA.
"Player 2: James Jennings. Character: Sword Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. User Level: AA.
"Player 3: Sophia Esteed. Character: Flare Witch Cecilia Fermina. User Level: E."
James stretched out slightly as the computer continued. "Battlefield: Remote City of Listia. Monster Level: E. Setup Complete. Continue?"
"Yeah."
"You know it."
"I guess..."
"Preparing to commence. This simulation system may abort a game if it detects that player safety is at risk."
"We know that. Just start." Fayt said.
"Confirmed. Commencing game."
As per usual with these things the area changed around us. Unlike in the game we have five ugly opponent's, probably to accommodate three players rather than two. We had a green and black tiger, two goblins with swords, a gargoyle of some kind and a... thing. It looked like ball with a pickaxe and legs. Weird but still...
Sophia gripped her staff tightly as Fayt took a defensive stance holding his sword in front of him, both waiting for an attack.
James didn't bother to wait. "Time to slam dance!" He charged forward, Fayt letting off a grunt of disapproval as he charged after him. Sophia waited a moment before beginning a spell. James rolled under a goblin's clumsy swing, coming to his feet in time to sidestep the diving gargoyle. James swung at it, but only scored a nick as the thing rose into the air for another pass. Before it could dive a blast of energy slammed into it's side destroying it. James turned his attention to the walking pick axe, swinging his sword in a high arc, the thing hopping back and swinging it's weapon in an overhand swing. James stepped back as the axe lodged into the ground so solidly the creature couldn't pull it back out. James stepped forward and sliced it's ball section in two, eliminating it from the game.
Fayt meanwhile had just dealt with the second goblin, the first one all ready gone, cast away by his blade, as he heard a scream behind him. The tiger slowly stepped closer to the spellcaster as Fayt broke into a run, charging to aid his friend. The tiger crouched, using it's muscles like a spring, leaping at the scared girl. With a battle cry Fayt swung his sword, reaching the creature in time to remove it's head it mid-air, the creature vanishing before it hit Sophia.
"Simulation complete. The users wins. Replay?" The computer asked.
"Wow, that was scary..." Sophia said, ignoring the feminine voice.
"Yeah, but wasn't it fun? And I did protect you, like I said." Fayt said, as Sophia slowed her breathing.
"Yeah, I guess."
"It was a good battle." James said as the weapons vanished. "But you need to be a bit more aggressive sometimes."
"Maybe." Fayt said. "But I think you should wait when your outnumbered, that way you can figure you who's going to attack first."
"Maybe, but..."
"Guys..." Sophia interrupted. "As fun as that was... why don't we get some food?"
"Yeah, sounds good. Fayt?"
"Yeah, all right." And it was that moment the lights flickered before the room shook. "What the--?"
The lights dimmed as the notice alarm sounded. "Level two tremor detected. The system will be temporarily deactivated for your safety. We apologize for any inconvenience."
James lowered his head, his hat hiding his eyes. 'It's time... So much that will happen... starts now... This... This...'
"An earthquake?" Fayt asked perplexed. Suddenly the room shook much harder, explosions sounding as all three tried to maintain their balance. As the shaking stopped the alarm sounded in full, the computer making an announcement.
"This is an emergency alert."
"This is... my story..." James said so softy it could not be heard over the alarms.
"Hyda IV is currently under attack by unidentified spacecraft. All civilians should follow immediate evacuation procedures on the nearest council."
"Computer, what's going on?" Fayt barked as the alarms continued.
"Remote Station #7, Hyda III and Hyda IV are under attack by unidentified ships. Remote Station #7 has scrambled it's own ships to mount a counterattack, but they are outnumbered and therefore unable to provide evacuation assistance."
"An attack by unknown ships?" Fayt said frowning.
"Standby for video display." A screen appeared like a pop-up window, in time to show a blast of energy descend into a nearby city, decimating dozens of buildings, dozens more falling from the impact.
"I don't belive it..." Fayt muttered.
"As an emergency measure, all transporters have been linked to the evacuation terminal. Please commence..."
"Fayt..." Sophia said softly.
"Don't worry Sophia, I'll stick with you."
"Hey, what am I, a side dish? I'm on this ride too ya know." James said smacking his fist into an open palm.
"Th-thanks... both of you."
"Good." James said, jogging to the door. "Now let's make tracks!"
"Right." Fayt said, jogging after, Sophia close behind.
All three soon reached the transporter room where a three-eyes Tetrageniot female in hotel uniform was waiting. "Due to the state of emergency, all transporters have been redirected to send guests to a special floor where a large transporter waits to take you to an emergency shelter. After the arrival of all guests at the shelter has been confirmed the transport jammer at the evacuation facility will be activated. All guests must proceed to the shelter immediately."
"So much for getting a souvenir... And I wanted that 'I'm with Stupid' t-shirt too." James said as he hopped onto a pad, Fayt and Sophia getting on to a pair of others.
And so it begins, the fight for the universe and maybe even for beyond it.
Why me? I know everything that will happen... I know what dangers await, what foes we will meet, what places we'll see... It's exciting yet I couldn't help but be afraid.
At that point though all I knew was I couldn't stand out, and to do that I had to go along with the evacuation.
And make it out alive...
Since I am going to be busy for a lot of this week I pounded this chapter out. It's not as long as I wanted, but it should tide you all over until I can get to writing again. As always C&C is most appreciated. I'll even shout out to ya! Peace!