Hunted or Busted: A Side Story
Dusted 17: Your Final Fantasy
Cards on the table all I know about this game is glances on a wiki, pop culture osmosis, and TFS' Machinabridged version. You'd think with such a lack of knowledge I shouldn't be basing a chapter around it, and yet the hype was so great it demanded my attention.
Also I know this is a bit of a tonal shift after the last chapter of the main story but...fuck it.
On with the show!
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"I wanted to take the time and tell all of you that classes will be canceled for the next week." Glynda announced to the sound of uproarious cheers and applause from the student body, "The faculty have some matters they need to attended to urgently and it requires our full attention. There will still be assignments and homework for you to complete during the break so you do not forget the material we covered, but as far as attendance then know that you won't be expected back in class until next Monday. That is all."
A hand went up in the crowd.
"Yes?"
"Is this just another excuse so you can buy the new game and play-"
"Dismissed! You're all dismissed!"
"We're getting another week!" Nora clapped as she walked with her friends out of the amphitheater, "Man I love this! It's pretty much a monthly thing now with the new releases!"
"It's frankly appalling." Weiss complained, "How are we supposed to learn anything if every other week our classes get suspended for who knows how long? Frankly I'm shocked our teachers haven't been reported."
"Says the girl that was happy to get some time off and cosplay as a Heartless."
"Shut up."
"Well, we'll see you guys later."
"Bye."
"See ya!"
The members of the Dirty Dozen stepped back and went their separate ways completely. Only Weiss was left to stand alone as she looked around before pondering, "How many of them are going to freak out this time?"
"…"
"Most of them probably, and I bet pretty badly at that too."
((((((((Hunted))))))))
She picked up her staff.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
He picked up his cosplay arm.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
They all buttoned up their suits.
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She went to grab her clothes.
…
She looked in a different drawer instead.
…
Different pieces of clothing and underwear flew through the air as she frantically threw everything aside in an attempt to find her clothes. After ten minutes she threw her hands up, "Where the hell are my clothes?!"
It was with that angry exclamation that she looked over at her bed and noticed a pile of clothing carefully stacked by her pillow. She reached out for it and pulled them out…
"Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me."
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"We have to act fast. And we have to be ruthless in our acquisition of what we desire." The shadowy figure said at his magnificent desk and matching chair, "We failed in our last efforts, but we shall make sure not to fail in this one. It is far too important for anything other than complete and total success!"
"Brilliant sir!"
"I expect nothing less of our leader!"
"But sir, your plan is risky!" A lone voice betrayed the maniacal laughter in the room, "If we go through with this then thousands of people will be denied their rightful property!"
"If you have a problem with our plan then you can speak up and tell others. Just know that it you do so, you will be denied a copy."
"..."
"That's what I thought. Any other questions before we begin?"
"Yes, I have one." Glynda spoke, "Are we seriously doing this again?"
The men gathered looked at her in confusion before their leader asked, "Glynda, didn't you want a copy of the new game?"
"Of course I do! But why are we dressed like the evil organization again?!"
"We're not even wearing the black coats!"
"Not The Organization you imbecile, I mean why are we acting like the evil group in the game again!" She pointed around, "Peter! Bartholomew! You two are acting exactly like the foolish, incompetent members of Shinra's head board that no body likes!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Peter yelled in his large green overcoat, "Do you know what she's talking about, Bart?"
"I wanna go to space!"
"Exactly."
She rolled her eyes, "And Minato, I know you can demand something firmer than that! Why are you acting like the sniveling token good member of the group that is going to help the heroes from the shadows but not do anything to stop the evil group's plan right here!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Minato deflected while hiding the radio behind his back.
"And sir," She shook her head disappointingly at Ozpin, "You're acting like the evil, despicable bastard in charge of the whole thing!"
"Well it was either that or the creepy scientist bastard who most likely pleasures himself to all the terrible experiments he created." Ozpin shrugged, "I decided to stick with this while Professor Peach took up Hojo."
"And where is she exactly?"
"Probably watching us from a video feed with masturbatory aides at the ready." Glynda shuddered in fright as Ozpin continued, "I considered getting someone to take up the Rufus Shinra role but...well there was honestly only one person that fit the bill."
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"Huh? Neo, you ever get the feeling people are talking about you?"
Neo shook her head.
"Right, you'd only get that feeling if you didn't kill everyone who talked about you behind your back."
Neo tapped her nose knowingly.
"Okay, anyway about tonight. While everyone is out buying the new game, we'll be invading houses and looting everything they own! Quick as the wind! Hahahahaha!"
The silent girl gave a pout and crossed her arms.
"What? Are you still pissed you didn't get a copy? I told you to preorder that shit!"
She threw her hands up in the air.
"What do you mean you didn't expect it to be this bad?! It's one of the most anticipated games of the year!"
She stomped her foot and pointed at him.
"You thought I'd steal a copy for you?"
She nodded.
"Neo, if we don't pay for the game and support the creators they'll never get around to creating more things we want! I'm all for stealing people's livelihoods and their money and everything else they value but I draw the line at pirating entertainment! I did that before and that's why I never got another season of Firefly!"
She rolled her eyes.
"Yes I am bringing that up again young lady! I'll instill the lessons of the browncoats until they're engraved in your goddamn head!"
She frowned and crossed her arms like a petulant child.
"Ugh, fine. We'll catch someone while we're out pillaging and see if we can snag their copy."
She didn't look entirely pleased.
"And you can break their kneecaps if you want."
She brightened up like the sun.
"You know I spoil you right?"
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"And finally why do I have to be Scarlet?" The diligent professor complained, "It can't just be because I'm blonde! And why do I have to resort to wearing this outfit exactly?" Glynda motioned down to her dress, a red satin attire that hugged every curve and nook of her body, with a long slit down her legs and a cut on the front so deep it revealed her black brassiere and stomach as well, "I mean what was the point of me wearing this?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
All of them failed to answer her as they just stared hungrily. Her eye twitched, "Look away or I will send you flying."
All of the men quickly diverted their eyes and Ozpin coughed into his hand, "Glynda, we must commit if we want to get what we want!"
"But why are we the bad guys?"
"We're not the bad guys! Do any of us look like one-winged angels with a giant compensating sword and the charming good looks of a boyband singer!"
Peter shrugged, "Well I think I could-"
"No!"
"Fine sir, then we're the ineffectual secondary villains that aren't even remembered that well when you mention the game!"
"We all have parts to play!"
"Oh I give up!"
((((((((Hunted))))))))
Tenten and Weiss stared at the odd sight in front of them as they waited in the middle of a giant assortment of people in line to buy the new game. Weiss groaned and looked to her friend, "Were they getting ready for this in the room?"
"They were." Tenten nodded, "They were just so excited I couldn't talk them out of it. They played the original and now they're psyched for the remake."
"Well I suppose they're in good company. And surprisingly good cosplay as well."
"You know it!" Naruto exclaimed proudly as he stood in his short-sleeved shirt, baggy pants, and ridiculously large sword strapped to his back, "How could I not show up as Cloud today? It was calling to me!"
"Where'd you get the giant sword?"
"I hit Yatsuhashi with the fluttery eyelashes and begged my dear upperclassmen to help me."
"So emotional manipulation?" Naruto innocently whistled to the side, "Spectacular. And what about Sasuke?"
"He's Zack of course!" Naruto turned to his best friend who was dressed almost exactly like him with a giant sword of his own except he still had the black hair, "I played the original with him a few years back and now he's a dedicated fan like I am! Right Sasuke?"
"I-"
"Hush," Naruto hissed, "You're not supposed to talk in this part of the game. You'll get your chance when they remake the prequel." The black-haired swordsman glared at him incredulously after he said that before Naruto meekly shrugged, "O-Okay, maybe you'll get a level in the new game?"
"And where did you get his sword?"
"Got it from Sage."
"Sage lent you his sword?"
"You say lent, I say graciously borrow with full intention to return in almost mint condition."
"Naruto, you stole his sword?!"
Weiss sighed, "Sometimes you expect them to have moved past their lives of crime and stealing, and then they go and do stuff like this." She looked to the side, "And you?"
"I am the passionate leader of the team! The strength at its core! The man with the gun! B-B-B-Barrett Wallace!" Kiba announced with a roar as he showed off the large gun barrel attached to his arm, "And of course I'm joined by my talking dog best friend, Red XIII!"
"Woof!"
"That's right buddy!"
"You monster!" Weiss cried out indignantly as she dropped down and cuddled Akamaru, "How could you force him to join you in your little roleplay!"
"I mean he was happy to come join us."
"And you dyed his fur red too!"
"No it just turns like that when he uses his Semblance."
"It's cruel!" Weiss consoled the happy beast by petting him behind the ears, "It's okay baby, Weiss is here to love you."
The others watched in silence as the proud Schnee heiress continued to indulge herself in Akamaru's fluffy fur. And of course the massive dog was more than happy to receive that love with a rolled out tongue and swinging tail.
The strange sight earned a lot of attention from the people around them. Some of them were looking at the very convincing, very accurate cosplay the three boys were wearing. But most of them were looking at the shockingly large dog that looked so similar to the dog/cat-whatever companion from the game. They idly wondered if they could go over and pet it.
They decided against it when the dog started walking around and easily dragging the white-clad girl around his neck. Once they saw the abnormally large abnormally strong dog move around so easily with a person around its neck, they decided not to risk it.
Tenten scratched her head, "Was Red's relation with Barrett that friendly? I don't think they were actually best friends."
"Oh fuck that, he's my talking dog best friend and that's that."
Tenten shrugged and grabbed Weiss' shoulders, lifting the short heiress up and off of Akamaru despite her quiet protests. She set Weiss back down before looking at her teammates, "So what's your plan for getting to the front and grabbing a game?"
"Well, Sasuke and I have these big ass swords on our backs." Naruto grabbed the hilt of the borrowed weapon, "So...we do what comes naturally."
"You're going to assault civilians again like last time?" Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose, "I don't know what I expected."
"Hey, over there!"
"It's such a good cosplay!"
"We have to take a picture!"
They looked over as a group of fans came rushing towards them. Naruto smirked, "Please people, one at a time. We'll be happy to take some pictures in exchange for changing spots-"
"Out of the way!" They barreled through them and kept running, "We can't miss the Tifa cosplay!"
"Tifa!" Sasuke and Kiba immediately had to step back as Naruto charged past them, "I gotta see this! Where is it?! Show me! SHOW ME!"
"Damn," Kiba stumbled back and watched his partner run off, "What's got him so excited?"
Weiss rolled her eyes, "He's a boy who played the original game. I'll go out on a limb and say that he has a thing for her."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense - where's Tenten?"
"Copy and paste."
"Oh." Kiba went to follow as Weiss, Sasuke, and Akamaru did the same. They spotted a large group gathered around in a circle and making quite a commotion. Somewhere in the gathering of flashing camera lights they spotted blond hair and a large sword so they pushed their way over. When they did they found Naruto and Tenten staring ahead with mouths agape.
They quickly realized what was getting everyone's attention.
"Tifa! Tifa over here!"
"Look this way please!"
"Show us the Dolphin Blow! The Dolphin Blow!"
"Will you stop taking pictures!" The girl in the black skirt and black shorts underneath tired to shield herself from the cameras. However she couldn't do it enough to shield the red combat boots, the long black stockings, and white tank top that she wore. She frantically tried to escape the rapid fire camera shutters around her, "I didn't come here to cosplay! I-It's just a wardrobe malfunction! Stop taking pictures and-"
She ran to one end of the group that surrounded her and found herself face to face with Naruto and the others.
"..."
"..."
"Don't say a word."
"It looks really good on you."
"What did I just say?!"
"S-Sorry, just slipped out." Naruto coughed and tried not to stare at Blake's skimpy outfit, "So what was that about a wardrobe malfunction?"
"These were the only clothes I had left to wear! I looked around all over my room and couldn't find anything! I was sabotaged and forced to wear it!"
"If you didn't want to be seen wearing that then why did you come out today?"
"What was I supposed to do, not come out and get the game? Do you hear yourself right now?!" Blake frowned and huffed petulantly before she noticed Weiss staring at her, "O-Oh, hi Weiss."
"You know you deserve this for what you did." The others looked at the heiress before turning to the Faunus who shyly looked away with a guilty expression, "You're lucky she isn't here right now or else-"
"Guys! There you are!" Ruby came running over in a black suit while a hooded figure followed after her, "I knew you were gonna show up for the new game! And you dressed up again too! Awesome! What do you think of my cool threads?"
"Reno? Seriously?"
"Yeah, I just like how sassy and cool he is, plus with an electric baton-"
"Speedy little redhead who looks like a girl." Naruto's apt description shut Ruby up and made her pout angrily at him instead, "Hey you gotta stop setting it up to be so easy. Pick a giant man or a slow bruiser to cosplay as and I won't say a thing."
"You're just the blond main character with the big sword! Again!"
"Yes, and I'm a shallow bitch. I won't deny these things." Ruby fumed in annoyance before he looked at the person beside her, "And who is that supposed to be?"
"It's me." Yang answered, "And I'm just one of those cloaked guys who is looking forward to the reunion."
Everyone besides Ruby, Weiss, and Blake looked surprised by her choice in attire. Yang was usually the most explosive, exciting person in the room. The fact she would chose such one-dimensional prop characters to dress as just didn't make sense to them. Kiba looked doubtful, "Seriously? The cloaked guys?"
"Yep, because they're so mysterious and creepy and junk. I mean the story was so greatly impacted by their-"
Ruby's hand blurred aside and yanked the cloak off her sister's form.
When she did she revealed that Yang was wearing the same cosplay as Blake. The blonde blushed and covered herself as cameras flashed around her in rapid succession. As people called out for her attention and whistled her way, she glared a Blake, "I know you threw away my clothes!"
"You threw my clothes out too! It was retribution!"
"You did it first!"
"No you!"
The two partners dressed in matching cosplay glared and snarled at each other. Unsurprisingly their intensity did wonders for getting the surrounding crowd excited.
Weiss scoffed, "Bunch of dogs."
Akamaru whined.
"Oh I'm sorry, that was insulting wasn't it."
The yellow and black Tifas huffed and turned away from each other in anger. Yang grumbled, "You're lucky I'm focused on helping Ruby buy her game today or else there'd be hell to pay."
Tenten cooed, "Aww, that's sweet that you're helping your sister. But didn't you want to play the game too?"
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"She means that literally." Ruby informed her friends, "Yang's been banned from playing any Final Fantasy 7 games for the rest of her life."
"Um...why?"
"Because someone," Yang gestured to the outfit she wore, "Is a sore loser...with a sore neck." She added with a cheeky smirk, "Anyway the bitch got all uppity, made a rule that I can't play the new game, and now they have a no sale on sight for me."
"So now I have to buy her a copy." Ruby said, "So fair warning if we get close and it turns out there are only a few games left for sale, I will break most of your kneecaps to and from my way to the store."
...
Sasuke sighed, "We're way too violent when it comes to getting the games we want."
"Shut up Zack."
"W-What is this?!"
"No goddamn way!"
"This can't be happening! This can't be happening!"
As the crowd started to grow restless and cause a commotion, some of the waiting starts to yell and throw things in anger. The Beacon students grouped together and tried to protect themselves as Ruby pulled out her Scroll and found the breaking news.
("Lisa Lavender here, coming to you from the center of Vale once again! Screams of rage and terror fill the streets as all the copies and inventory for the hottest new game seem to have been bought out in bulk! There are no new copies to sell and fans are getting anxious! In fact there seems to be a fight between a raven-haired woman who flies and throws fire around and a scorpion Faunus who is just stabbing everyone in his path!")
("Get out of my way now you deranged pet! I'm going to be the first to get my hands on a copy and that's final!")
("My Queen says she wants to wake up tomorrow morning to the gentle theme of the opening screen, SO THAT IS WHAT I SHALL DO FOR HER! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-")
The feed suddenly cut out as they dived at each other. Somewhere in the far distance they could see a plume of fire in the city followed by mad cackling.
"They don't have the game?!" Ruby cried out in panic, totally ignoring the collateral damage and fighting that started breaking out around them, "But I've waited so long! I won't wait anymore! I refuse!"
"Calm down you fool!" Weiss yelled and tried to cover herself from any incoming debris, "All the copies of the game couldn't have just suddenly disappeared! They have to be somewhere!"
"Someone bought all of Vale's copies, right? Well that's a lot of inventory to keep stored! So it has to be somewhere big!" Kiba rationalized, "So just think! Where could a large pile of merchandise be hidden without anyone noticing?"
"Lucky for you guys, we're here to save the day!"
Standing a few feet away and striking their dramatic poses was Team JNPR, dressed up for the occasion with cosplay of their own. Ren and Nora were matching as two members of the righteous freedom fighter group. Pyrrha had a staff in hand and looked remarkably like a sweet young lady with a particular love of flowers. And Jaune...
Jaune was dressed as Cloud.
Naruto and Jaune stood across from each other and stared at one another in complete silence.
The others decided to focus on the important matters at hand, "Ren! Nora! Pyrrha!" Ruby called out, "You guys came! What are you dressed as?"
"Ren and I are Biggs and Jessie!" The energetic ginger announced with her chest puffed out, "We've come to save the world and look absolutely fabulous while we do it!"
"We don't need the big names or recognition," Ren said proudly, "Our reward comes in the job we do."
"And I'm Aerith." Pyrrha twirled around to show off her cosplay while Yang and Sasuke kept hands on Tenten's shoulders so she didn't pass out, "I thought the costume they sold looked very authentic."
"But why did you choose to cosplay as Aerith?" Ruby asked the question they were all wondering.
Pyrrha shrugged, "I mean...it should be obvious why I am Aerith."
...
"Oh, that's dark. I'm sad now."
"Naruto, I demand you change!" Jaune declared as he stood across from his dear friend with a scowl on his face, "I've been looking forward to dressing up as Cloud for months!"
"So have I!" The fox Faunus barked back, "And I will not change! I actually went out of my way and found a huge sword to complete the look! You're just sticking your basic bitch sword on your back!"
"You probably stole that! This is at least my original weapon! You use a short sword! I use a real one! Plus I'm not alone!" Jaune pulled Pyrrha in close to his side as the champion blushed and seemed giddy with joy, "Pyrrha came with me dressed as Aerith so we could pull a Clerith ensemble!"
"Clerith! Pfft!" Naruto scoffed before holding his arms out at his side, "It's Clifa all the way!"
"..."
"..."
He looked back at Blake and Yang, "Are either and/or both of you going to come jump into my arms to prove my point?"
They just stared at him unflinchingly with raised eyebrows.
"Well alright then." He lowered his arms and coughed, "Anyway why don't you complete your team's cosplay? You should be Wedge!"
"I'll give you ten seconds to take that back!" Jaune roared in fury, causing some of his friends to flinch back in surprise at his intensity, "I will not be Wedge! There's no greater downgrade! Hey sorry you can't be the gold standard, here, have a hot turd dropped in your hands instead!"
Naruto growled, "You take that back! Wedge is a goddamn icon of the series! You'd be lucky to cosplay as him!"
"Then you be Wedge!"
"What did you just say to me?! I'll kill you for that you sonuva-"
"Alright enough!" Kiba and Ruby quickly got between them and held them back, "You can't seriously be fighting about this!"
"They're right boys. You're both pretty. Can we please get back on topic?" Yang jabbed jokingly.
But her words caused Naruto's ears to perk up with an idea before he grinned mischievously. Jaune wanted to be Cloud so bad?
He was more than happy to oblige.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"This is not what I had in mind!"
"Why are you complaining? This way we both get to be Cloud Strife."
"I'm not Cloud Strife! I'm his floozy slut persona!" Jaune grabbed the helm of the dress he had been forced into, "I did this once! I refuse to do it again!"
"I don't see why you're so angry. If either one of us was going to wear a dress then it should clearly be you." The others couldn't help but stifle their laughter as their tall blond friend blushed in embarrassment, "I mean you clearly have the better ass for it."
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH! SCREW IT! LET'S JUST GET THIS OVER WITH!"
The Dirty Dozen decided to stop teasing their friend and focused back on reclaiming their prize. Staring up at the looming structure that was Beacon tower, the team of young fighters prepared for the battle ahead. Naruto reached back for his sword, "So how are we getting in?"
"Well we could take the elevator straight to the top floor." Pyrrha suggested, "However if we do so we'll undoubtedly be met with serious opposition and battles. We should prepare ourselves-"
"Or we could take the stairs."
They all looked over in unison to see Ren pointing at a set of stairs off to the side that led up the tower.
Blake titled her head, "Were those always there?"
"No idea, but if we can make our way to the top going up it then we can't waste anymore time!"
"Let's go everybody!
((((((((Hunted))))))))
7 stories up
Ruby: "Good hustle everyone! Good hustle!"
Jaune: "We're almost there!"
16 stories up
Pyrrha: "T-There's more steps than I expected."
Weiss: "Well it is a big tower. We should have *huff*huff* expect nothing else."
23 stories up
Naruto: "Whoooo, what a workout! I can really feel it in my legs! Feel the burn! Feel the burn! Feel the burn! Feel the-"
Kiba: "SHUT UP NARUTO! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
34 stories up
Tenten: "Jaune fell! He toppled over!"
Yang: "Someone grab him! We have no time to go back!"
48 stories up
Blake: "You know I hate to say it but these shorts and skirt make it really easy to move around."
Nora: "And they don't hurt to look at from back here while we're taking the stairway from hell!"
59 stories up
Ren: "N-No more."
Sasuke: "I-I think my lungs are on fire."
The group of students finally reached the door and nearly collapsed into the stairs, greedily sucking in air and trying to recover from their exhausting crucible. Naruto dragged himself up the last stair and tried the door.
...
He walked back to the edge of the stairs and looked down at his friends.
Strong tears ran down his face, "It's locked."
...
They cried. They all cried.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
One hour later after they were done dragging themselves back down the stairs and crying to their heart's content, the students took the elevator back up to the top floor and prepared for battle.
The instant the door opened, they slipped out with their weapons at the ready. Guns were cocked, fists were raised, swords were drawn, and Jaune had pulled his skirt up so it didn't get in the way of him moving.
"Everyone stay on guard." Weiss warned as they slowly stepped forward through the top level of the tower, "If our teachers are really behind the acquisition of all the game inventory, then we'll be forced to face them in battle. In that case we'll the thrusted into challenges that require strategic thinking, well-timed commands, and great control."
Blake paused, "Or maybe not."
"What are you talking about, Blake?" Tenten hissed, "We're gonna fight our teachers! These are some of the greatest, most well-trained Hunters in the whole world!"
"Yeah but they're impersonating Shinra," The cat Faunus casually stated, "So they're incompetence should match theirs, therefore-"
The doors ahead slid open and the students stuck to the wall in hopes of avoiding being spotted. As they hid, Oobleck and Port walked passed them, "Bart, I kid you not, he turns himself into a pickle. Funniest shit I've ever seen."
"Peter, can we go back to talking about space? I like space."
The two Huntsmen walked into the elevator and headed down, completely unaware of their students pressed against the wall and poorly hidden from their sight.
Yang sighed and shook her head, "Oh, that is just disappointing."
"But lucky for us. Come on, we're almost - oh shit."
Just a little ways ahead was Ozpin's office and one step closer to claiming their prize.
And between them and it was Minato Namikaze, armed with his weapons and ready for battle. The older blond looked at his young students sadly and shook his head, "Children, please, go back. I don't want to fight you."
"Mr. Minato, please don't do this!" Ruby pleaded, "We've waited so long to play this game! We can't be denied it like this!"
"I'm sorry, Ruby. I really am. But if Ozpin says this is for the best, then I will follow his orders."
"Dad," Naruto stepped forward and hefted his giant sword off his back, "We don't want to fight you but we will. We'll do anything to get a copy of our favorite game."
"I know what you mean, Naruto. Because...this was my favorite game too." Minato said with a forlorn smile as he reminisced about a beloved memory, "The original came out when I was around your age. I loved it so much that I played it over and over again. It was the first game your mother and I ever bonded over."
Naruto looked at his father in surprise before lowering his sword, "Really?"
"Yep. The first time we arrived in Midgar together was the first time I invited her to our room. We played mini-games over and over again at Gold Saucer. I had to hold her close and let her cry on my shoulder when Sephiroth did the unspeakable. We have memories together with that game that I won't ever forget."
Naruto felt his eyes water, "Dad-"
"And we did it for the first time under the Highwind as well."
...
Kiba couldn't stifle his snickering and laughed into his arm.
"Say what?"
"Oh man, I'll remember that time fondly." Minato smiled pleasantly with closed eyes, "And when she came out dressed in Aerith's Corneo outfit for the first time I swear I nearly broke a hip-"
"KILL HIM! KILL HIM! SOMEBODY KILL MY DAD PLEASE!"
"I got this!" Nora charged forward from the group and faced Minato directly. The older man raised his weapon and prepared for battle before she stopped a few feet away from him, "Mr. Minato, I have something you might want to hear!"
"And what is that?"
"This game isn't a remaster of the original but a remake! A remake made over two decades after the original! Two decades where a lot of stories, tropes, elements, themes, and storytelling changes have altered the way we ingest game narratives! So do you think it's possible that the people making this game...may take liberties with the story?!"
...
Ren palmed his face as the others sighed in disappointment.
"What?" Minato chuckled and lowered his guard before shaking his head, "Well that's just stupid. They're not gonna change anything." The older man just laughed and shrugged, "Why would they?"
"Well-"
"I-I mean what would they have to change? I-It's a perfect, complete story! There's nothing to add or change!"
"I just meant-"
"They wouldn't change anything!" Minato dropped his knives and grabbed his hair, "They can't! They can't change it! It doesn't make sense! They can't! THEY CAN'T! AH! AH! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH-"
Minato jumped through the window and fell through the air with his mad yelling following behind him before he teleported away.
The students watched the scenario unfold in silence before Nora turned with a bashful expression, "I - um - I just meant to distract him so I could throw a grenade and disorient him. Uh - sorry for breaking your dad."
Naruto shook his head, "It's fine."
"I really didn't know that would hurt him so badly."
"Seriously it's okay."
"I mean I figured he was a pretty diehard fan when he said it helped him sleep with your mom-"
"CAN WE JUST GET THE GAME?!"
((((((((Hunted))))))))
Kicking the door in, the cosplaying students barged into the main office and aimed their weapons, "Ozpin, we've come for the games! Surrender them now and we - holy shit, Ms. Goodwitch!"
"Stop!" Glynda covered her chest from their desperate gaze, "Focus on the task at hand!" The red-clad teacher drew her riding crop and swatted it aside, knocking the weapons out of nearly everyone's hands except Naruto and Sasuke. She announced, "Children, it's time to surrender!"
"Not a chance!" Naruto drew his giant sword and started spinning it in his hand to mimic the classic animation, "Time to finally show everyone how I-"
The giant sword slipped from his fingers and flew out the window. Everyone watched as it fell and heard it whistle through the air before it pierced into flesh, "OH GOD! MY LEG! SOMEONE GET A PHOENIX DOWN!"
...
"Yatsu's gonna be so pissed at me."
Glynda raised her weapon up and prepared to subdue her students properly-
But a flash of black disarmed her of her weapon and held her at the end of another giant sword. Glynda looked across the massive blade at Sasuke's stern expression before she gulped, "When did you become so fast?"
"Squats. Each day, every day." When he got some questioning looks he shrugged, "I loved Crisis Core."
Naruto pumped his fist, "Way to go buddy! I expected nothing less of a first-class SOLDIER! But, uh, I'm the hero this time so I'm gonna need you to give me that sword." Sasuke looked back at him and motioned him over. When Naruto was within distance Sasuke's hand blurred out and smacked him across the cheek. A red handprint throbbed over his whiskers as he sighed, "Okay I deserve that."
"Professor Ozpin, we demand some answers! Why did you take all of the copies of the game before anyone could get one?"
"Because I've seen this before. Countless times." Ozpin stood out of his chair and sullenly looked out over the city, "People so excited for a game they believe will be to answer to all their problems. A hype train that could quite possibly derail and ruin everything. Expectations and reality crashing together and perverting a once beautiful world. If we allow things like this to happen without check, we're simply inviting the Grimm."
"But taking the game and denying everyone a chance to play it is just as bad! They're disappointed and sad!"
"That's alright. They won't be for much longer after I drop the Atlas Flagships out of the sky and onto the city."
...
A moment of complete silence was shared between everyone in the room.
Everyone present, Glynda included, looked at the headmaster like he was crazy and tilted their heads, "What?"
"People can't be sad and disappointed about not getting what they want if they're dead." He tapped his temple, "Super genius IQ level thinking there, right?"
"No. You sound like a child. A dumb, possibly psychopathic child. Even Shinra wasn't that dumb!"
"You sure? They drop two sections of the city on top of each other to kill at most 6 people. That sounds pretty much like what I'm doing."
"THAT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!"
"Regardless, I'm sure this will all work out!" Ozpin pulled out a remote, "Now, time to wash the slate clean-"
His body was suddenly blasted out the window and sent flying over the city.
The students looked at Glynda as she sighed and lowered her riding crop, "I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep doing that to him with all of these little schemes."
"Why do you help him in the first place?"
"He gives me days off to play the games." She looked at her students, "I need as much time to myself away from you kids as possible."
"Are we really that bad?"
"Yes. Yes you are." Glynda used her Telekinesis and brought down thousands of copies of the new game they had hidden in the gears of the tower. The students cheer and squealed with glee as their teacher nodded her head, "I'll be returning these to the stores soon. So take your spoils and relish this victory."
"We did it!" The students celebrated, "We got the game-"
A loud explosion behind them drew their attention to the door as four new figures appeared, "We heard there was a little trouble here. But no worries...we're here to fight."
Coco walked in blue flight jacket, long spear in hand, and dressed like a gruff pilot with a heart of gold.
A giant hard light shuriken flew through the air before returning to Velvet's hand. She was dressed like a young, peppy ninja ready to help with the good fight.
Fox was dressed in a long red overcoat and red bandana, drawing his pistol out of its holster.
And Yatsuhashi had cat makeup over his face with the rest of his body dressed up to look like a big marshmallow like cat robot.
...
"Well?" Velvet stood up, "Where's the fight?" The others looked at them uncomfortably and failed to meet their eyes, "What is it?"
"You...you know the game only covers up to Midgar, right?"
"Midgar?!" Coco exclaimed, "What the fuck?! Then when do the rest of us come in?! When's the next game?!"
"Probably not for a while."
Velvet collapsed to her knees, "We spent so long on these outfits."
"It's not easy moving in these things." Yatsuhashi said hollowly, "It was hell making it up those stairs."
"Oh no, you took the stairs?"
"Yes we took the stairs!" Coco seethed and growled through her teeth before letting out one spiteful hiss. She marched over and snatched the game out of Naruto's hand, "We're taking this!"
"Hey-"
"Shut up!" She barked back, "Next time give us a little warning before we spend all day getting ready! Come on guys we're leaving!"
"We're not taking the stairs again, are we?"
"Suck it up Fox!"
"It's not easy taking all those steps when you can't see shit."
Velvet sniffled and wiped her eyes, "I just wanted to be a part of the fun with everyone else."
"Aww-"
"Don't patronize me!" The bunny Faunus yelled while running away and crying. It left everyone else standing their with a guilty expression.
...
They still grabbed their games anyway.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"And now comes the most difficult trial."
"We knew this was unavoidable, even when we made this alliance."
"Now we must decide..." Naruto stood across from Kiba, Sasuke, and Akamaru, "Who gets to play first?"
...
"WRAH!"
All three boys charged at each other and started to fight. A bloody, truly glorious battle for the fate of playing their new game first.
Tenten casually slid the disc in and started to play with a smile on her face. She didn't even mind as blood splattered over the screen.
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"Go ahead Jaune," Pyrrha smiled, "You can play first. I know how long you've waited and how much you love this game."
"Are you sure Pyrrha?"
"Yep, I'll just be happy to watch you play."
"Cool. Um...can I change out of the dress please-"
"Nope." She pulled out her Scroll and started to film, "Get started Jaune."
"A-Are you recording-"
"Less talking. More playing."
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"Me first!"
"Yang no fair!" Ruby banged her fists against her big sister's back as she laughed maniacally and sat down in front of the screen, "I wanted to go first!"
"Sorry little sister, you snooze you lose!" Yang chuckled and looked back at her teammates, "You two might wanna leave. Don't wanna get spoiled, do you?"
"God she's smug."
"The worst kind of winner."
"Ahaha-"
"Hello Yang." The blonde and her team went silent when Tifa appeared on the screen, "So I guess you got your hands on a copy after all. I expected nothing less from a tricky bitch like you. Luckily I had already planned ahead. Every system registered with your name won't be able to play the game and will instead only play this message. Hope it was worth the trouble."
"Damn you Tifa!"
Weiss shook her head, "She put this on every copy of the disc but only has it play for Yang? How vindictive is this woman?"
"It's almost admirable." Blake said, "Almost."
"But I don't wanna leave you totally hanging, so instead you get this instead. Enjoy." Tifa stepped back from the camera and walked over to Cloud as he sat on the bed, "You ready?"
"Uh, sure. Hey, you're gonna delete this after we're done right?"
"Yeah totally whatever." Tifa pulled off her top and helped Cloud with his, "Now let's get started."
Team RWBY watched with wide eyes as the scene in front of them played out. Ruby blushed and covered part of her vision. Weiss sputtered and immediately looked away. Yang growled and cursed her former foe for her trickery.
Blake made a recording and prepared to sell this to everyone.
"Tifa, why do you keep saying 'suck it Yang' when I-"
"Stop talking!"
((((((((Hunted))))))))
Done
Hey, Tifa and Yang strike me as the kind of rivals that just keep trying to one-up each other.
I hope you all enjoy the new game! This is gonna be a stable series for any big games getting hyped for release. Because I'm just that unoriginal!
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Thank You and Bye
