The springtime breeze blew through the countryside traveling across the ground before making its way to the water, tickling the reeds poking up from the river.
They would sway slightly as the breeze travelled passed them following loosely along with the bend and sway of the riverbank. The river was same color of the bright clear blue sky reflected in it, yet wide and winding like a road.
And like any road it led you to new places and there were many that lived along its path.
Nestled comfortably amongst the roots of a tree along the riverbank was a small house. Hardly larger than a box but large enough for its occupant who stepped out at that very moment to call home.
Rat stepped out onto the dock taking in a deep breath to get a nice dose of the spring air and bright sunlight.
Despite the pleasure he took from it, Rat looked rather rigid in his enjoyment. One arm was tucked behind his back while the other held his unlit pipe. Rigidly with a tired expression his head turned from one end of the bank to the other. It was the very same riverbank that if you followed like a road would take you straight to Toad Hall, the pride of the community and home to his dear yet terribly impulsive friend J. Thaddeus Toad.
But though he had association with the old madman and his manias, it didn't trouble him here in his home, save for the brief time when they said a Christmas prayer for Toad, and he appeared straight out of prison just like that and on his doorstep.
But with that affair taken care of, Toad's estate returned to him, and a new mania to boot, Rat retired to the comfort of his own riverside home.
It was dashed, quiet, quaint and cozy. Just as it was to be expected and appreciated. The breeze was pleasant and the sunlight not too bright. It was not time for tea yet so he was not expecting Mole since he would not be on time, nor MacBadger or Toad for that matter. So, in their absence he decided a sit on his porch to take in the spring air and have a pleasant smoke along with it.
Needling his pipe Rat lifted his other finger with a match. The flame caught the open circle of a pipe lighting it in red as the flame grew and flickered with each puff. Once smoke was produced rat waved his hand and the match went out. A small trickle of smoke rising up from it.
He took a few puffs of his pipe, before removing it to release the smoke mixing in with the remnants let off by the match. He took in another view of the riverbank as the breeze blew down overtaking him from his left side, blowing his mustache and pushing the smoke away to travel with the wind downriver. He then put the pipe back in his mouth and reclined himself on his porch as another spring breeze overtook him. It was as light and quiet as he was. The trail of smoke he produced twisted and twirled shapelessly above him as he sat.
But so relaxed and reclined was he, that he did not notice that though the wind blew one way, the water seemed to run the opposite. And a darker patch was forming below the water and heading its way upstream against the current and towards his home.
With no knowledge of that and no mind to give it, Rat continued to smoke and sit on his porch enjoying the calm weather. He was offered only a slight hint of what was coming his way when he heard the close ripple of water. Peering down over his nose, he saw the water surged, and it broke his concentration and line of sight.
When he looked down to his porch, he saw the dock where Moley would bring his boat and the small steps which had a slight characteristic bend like the riverbank itself. The water began to sway, the shimmering light off of it breaking as it began to thrash slightly. But then the water even began to overtake the dock, his porch and the root it sat upon. Something he would only expect during a storm though it was still bright and sunny out with that quaint breeze bringing no indication of anything.
He wiggled his nose as he starred on at the oddity. Then suddenly the water broke open as a great figure shot up from beneath the water. Large and looming, it cast a dark shadow over Rat's entire home. But even more than that when it broke up from the water, it brought a great share of it with it to crash against the dock completely. And as the large figure rose the water did with it until it came back down right into its own shadow and Ratty within it.
"I say!" he exclaimed his last words and flailed his arms as a wave of water rushed over him. Caught in a torrential downpour, it was over as soon as it began. The water crashed on top of him but continued its way down to go back to the river, dripping off his porch but leaving it and him completely drenched. And still under a shadow. Shaking his head to get the water off, it did him little good for he was still very wet. But peeking through his water doused eyes, Rat looked up and saw that as sudden as the figure appeared the water receded back off of him and his porch to go back to the river.
Dripping soaking wet and with his pipe out, Rat shook himself fully. Yet despite his shaking his clothes drooped, his moustache sagged, and he was no closer to being dry.
Rat sniffled as he slumped. As he did the great figure, and its shadow overcame him again. His eyes rolled up as he saw a towering figure looming over him though he could only make out darkness as it blocked out the sun. He flinched bringing his arms up, expecting another wave to wash over him and take him away this time.
But the figure and its shadow passed over him and finding the strength, Rat peered ahead to see that it fell before him and back into the water in a more controlled manner. And shooting out in its place was another smaller wave.
Rat scurried in place as the water rushed over him to crash up against the side of his house overtaking him again. He lost his footing this time as the water rushed past him and then flowed back past his deck hitting him again on its way back to the river where it rightfully belonged leaving Rat sprawled out on his porch, only to shake himself dry again in vain.
"Why I never!" He blustered as his shook himself but remained dripping yet, unable to alleviate that feeling. He turned his head back to the river ready to see this culprit and cause of all the commotion.
He saw nothing at first as the figure fell beneath the water line, but then as if answering his call the figure returned, sprouting up from the water like a whale, though it was no fish he had ever seen, nor any boat that travelled along the river before. It shot upward and its great shadow casting over his whole house. Then as it peaked it fell back down and Rat threw his hands up again to cover his face though it would do him no good. Yet this time heard the sound of something heavy sinking into the water and though he heard the water thrash it did not overwhelm him like before. Though it did break against his dock and feet.
Darkness overcame him again and looking forward through his hands Rat saw that whatever this was, it was now idle. Bobbing at first, but now resting right before his house disrupting the peaceful tranquility of the river.
Whatever it was, its back was to him and was even larger than he was. Bare and smooth it was large and defined, dwarfing him and his home. The river seemed to rise from its mere presence, being displaced by it. Its skin was dark, yet flowing from its head was long pure white hair. Counter that however as Ratty looked up, he saw rising from its head two long white rabbit ears.
Sniffling and tugging a finger across his nose, Rat grew angrier at this person who eased against his house like it was a resting pose and if he wasn't there and who so rudely washed out his home. Taking no notice of him, the toned bare back of this figure leaned back comfortably against his porch and roots he used to hold his house up. Rat's cap fell off, but he snatched it before it could do back to the water, and he wrung it out. Still, he went unnoticed as this figure now seemed to lay peacefully, doing exactly what he wished to be doing at that very moment as it took in the view of the river while at the same time being submerged within it. But Rat could only be ignored for so long.
"Do you mind?!" He wailed, voicing his offense.
At that moment the figure stirred, and the shroud of white hair rotated pulling back like it was a curtain on a window as a woman's face was revealed turning to him to look over her shoulder to peer at him. There was a blank, serious expression in her eye and face. The one eye he could see focused on him, and she saw a dripping wet water rat glaring up at her. Silently continuing the turn, she came around to face him fully, revealing her face to him which showed just as serious as the other half that looked over her shoulder. Her bare shoulders popped out of the water while the rest was hidden from his view by his porch and the waterline.
Rat let out a huff realizing a woman was before him. He cleared his throat and stood himself up straighter.
"Madam." he said politely bowing a bit but simmering with discomfort and annoyance.
She said nothing to him but instead started down with a stone cold stare. Seriousness was all over her face matching his own stuffiness. Yet nothing made either one break the stare they gave the other even as water dripped from it.
"Well," Ratty turned his chin up to maintain eye contact for even at the same level and leaning down she was much larger "who are you to disrupt a pleasant afternoon such as this? And to come unannounced?" he crossed his arms. She said nothing and only maintained the hard stare the entire time. "Quite rude." Rat said stiffly as he looked up at her. She was much larger than him, and he was not intimidated but dropping from her eyes followed down to see her bare neck and shoulders poking above his dock "and indecent." he turned his head up and averted his eyes "Have you nothing to say?" he asked and as he pratted on, she brought two arms up to lay them across his deck. The length of her forearm took up the entire length, so she crossed the other on top of it. Then she rested her chin on the pedestal she made of it bringing her head down closer and her eyes focused on him "No apology to give when you come unwanted in someone else's doorstep? No name to offer when you flood out-" he berated.
"Fran." a stale static voice spoke aloud breaking his rant. That small utterance silenced Rat entirely as it took him a moment to register what she had said.
"Wha-oh I see- well.." he huffed and shook more water out of him as he did. As he found his words, Fran remained looking down at him, though her stare only seemed to be one that acknowledged something was before her and not much thought was given otherwise. Rat then stomped his foot "Now!" he said wiggling his nose. He may know who she is now, but not why she was here or for what purpose "Who are you to come up the river in no boat?" He asked looking past her wide shoulder to see her laying along the river "Very out of the ordinary." he said impatiently tapping his foot. As he tapped a wet foot against the wet planks, he looked at her waiting for an answer. She remained staring at him.
Whatever answer he wanted from Fran, he would not get it. Fran did not look to him but everywhere else. She had said little so far, and it seemed she was intent on continuing to do that. Despite Rats demands for answers. Eventually, she found her voice.
"It has been long since I've been welcomed in a place like this." she rose her head to look around, her long ears rising higher. Though they found themselves on the river, all around them on the ground were the tall trees of the forest "The woods speak. " she stated, sounding in awe of her voice showed any emotion.
"Welcome?" Rat repeated puzzled "I say, I have certainly not invited you!" he waved his pipe at her, of which water dripped off the step instead of smoke rising from it. His frantic scolding and flicking of his pipe made her turn her eyes back to him and her head followed. She flicked her hair causing some droplets to sprinkle him like rain causing him to stop his scolding to flinch at them. Settling her eyes back on him she spoke again.
"It is not by your leave I am here." she refuted.
Ratty crossed his arms "Certainly not." he huffed tightening them. The two were caught staring at each other in the aftermath of their agreement. Rats was one of stern disapproval while Fran's seemed almost of indifference. As he spoke, Rat saw looking past her shoulder one leg rise from the other end of the riverbank, only to splash it before sinking back down beneath it. Rotating the other one did the same over her other shoulder. So long was she that she stretched from one end of the riverbank to the other.
"The master of Toad Hall has given me leave to his home. And he lives along this river no different than you." she stated as if he didn't know. But of course, he did, and that revelation not only took him off guard, but rocked him to his core.
"Master- of-the master of hall-Toad Hall-" Ratty began to fumble as his arms unlocked and he shakes "Toad!" he then fumed tensing up and tightening his fist that he felt he would snap his pipe. He should have known, if anyone had the audacity to do such a thing in their riverbank community, it would be Toad.
Fran was perhaps amused the change that came over him though it didn't show in her face, and she moved her head away from him.
"You know of him too then." she concluded coming out of her lean.
"Yes." Ratty righted his hat on his head "And I shall very much go to him, to tell him I disapprove of his new mania- inviting odd guests to the Riverbank!" He exclaimed before turning heel to march off.
"You take your leave then." Fran's voice called to him stopping him dead in his tracks "And I'll take mine." Rat turned around as he saw a shadow drift away like the tide and Fran dip below his dock into the water, submerging long ears and all. Though he did not catch notice of it before, he now saw the dark shadow beneath the water's edge that was her continue to swim down the river and head back to Toad Hall.
"Hm." Rat turned his head up and marched along himself. The two shared the same destination, and that was that.
Ancient and esteemed Rat headed for Toad Hall at once. He travelled along the road that followed beside the riverbank.
He marched with a purpose, just as he did when he went out to find Toad with that dangerous Gypsy Cart and it seemed to be for a similar reason again. As he marched, he would occasionally glance down at the water beside him to see if there was any sign of Fran lurking within in. But there was no sign of her, nor sight or sound. So, he turned his head up and continued on his way. Eventually, the bend in the road took him out of the woods. The Road widened and the woodlands thinned as he came to a stout little bridge and on the other side looking like a mighty fortress home, standing proud and formidable at the end of the road he walked was none other than Toad Hall.
The pride of the community, giving it respectability that it might not have otherwise had. Though there was an air of uncertainty with Toad as the head of the estate, it seems that has come another dilemma for them to deal with; that of unsavory characters calling upon the house.
He crossed the bridge to come there. His stern eyes under his hat were now so focused forward on the house that he did not dare look below the bridge he passed over. For had he, Rat would have noticed the stairs leading down to the river, the very same one that connects his house to here. There was a darker blot among the stones one that seemed to rise up from the water. The darker blotches then trailed up along the stairs to come to level ground, the lawn and then the very same path he walked on. Though like his vision, Rats ears did not pick up on the fact that he was walking along larger footprints that had already wet the ground he walked on.
As Toad Hall became larger overtaking his entire vision so that the sky was obstructed by its great roof, the lawn passed by to be replaced with great gray arches that held up the towers. Rat had become only a little drier from his brisque walking pace. He remained disgruntled and had run through his mind many times on his walk what he would do and say once he arrived. Of course, that could and probably would all change rather quickly once he came face to face with Toad. He wondered from there why he would continue to entangle himself with such nefarious characters, seeing as no good could come with such foolishness. Those weasels and Mr. Winky were one thing, but he didn't forget about that Gypsy Cart debacle. It got Rat wondering if Fran was as terribly an enabler as Cyril was.
But whatever thoughts he had or words he would say were dashed away when he heard a very loud crash erupt from his side. Stopping mid step from going up the stairs to the main door, Rat looked over to the far end of the house. A small pathway lead around the estate and to the yard. It was from there that this terrible sound began and echoed out from but was no longer heard. Snuffed out just as Rat's thoughts were.
Yet in the aftermath of that terrifying sound, he could hear the exact opposite, not as loud but still very noticeable and very off putting given what came before it.
Laughter.
Puzzled at the odd combination Rat returned his foot to the ground and continued to listen, for it seemed whatever it was, something was happening at Toad Hall. Likely the same reason he was here now.
Starring out to the corner of the house, mesmerized though perhaps not exactly surprised by the contradicting sounds coming from it.
It was at that moment a figure rounded the corner of the mansion. Not Toad, MacBadger, Cyril or any animal for that matter. Instead, it was a full grown man, finely dressed in a golden vest. The gold shined off of him, as did the bright smile and demeanor he had. He seemed filled to the brim with confidence.
He ran a hand through his brown hair and judging by the look on his face, seemed to be finishing a laugh or chuckle himself. As he rolled his head, he came to a sudden stop when he saw standing beside the steps and looking at his direction, was the small stubby Rat. A curious look of amusement came over the man's face. He turned to head towards him, his body followed, and he made his way to him.
With the man approaching Rat composed himself, pulling on his coat and holding the pipe in his hand to look just as presentable as this man was, stranger of not. He did so right as this full-sized man came to stand over him, though Rat was not intimidated by his size. Standing smally being dwarfed by both the house and the approaching man, who finally came to a stop before Rat.
"Enter stage left." he said in a suave voice as he came to a stop.
Clearing his throat Rat spoke "Hello there." he greeted up to him " I beg your pardon?" he asked unsure of what to make of his first words to him.
"Just setting the stage." the man replied coolly.
"Oh," Rat sniffed "very well," he looked him down and then brought his head back up "and who are you?"
"The leading man." he replied coolly. Rat thought back to when he first met Fran and she seemed disinterested in talking to him. It seemed similar here where this man introduced himself, though he had no name to give. So, Rat had half a mind to dismiss the notion as preposterous, he stopped just short of doing it. "Balthier." he introduced himself.
"Water Rat." he finished the introduction.
"I see." Balthier began "What bring you all the way to Toad Hall? The setting of our next act."
"Setting? Act?" Rat questioned at first but then answered the question "I've come to see my friend Toad, and hopefully to talk some sense into him." Rat said very sternly.
"Talk sense?" Balthier repeated "What mistake could he have made, I wonder?"
"He's gotten into the habit now, of inviting some unscrupulous characters into Toad Hall."
"Nothing wrong with some hospitality is there?" Balthier rationed.
"Certainly not." Rat walked back from his previous statement, if on principle if nothing else "To invite one's friends for Tea is one thing, but to give strangers free range of the river is another. I dare say one of them came up and washed out my entire house." he cleared his throat recalling the very manner of it "In very indecent fashion I might add." he said tugging on his collar and sticking is hand into it.
"Oh" Balthier let out slyly as he crossed his arms and straightened himself out. It sounded like he came to a conclusion all his own, amusement growing in his voice" You must be the one Fran told us about." he said as he crossed his arms.
"To-told about bybyby-" Rat stammered to speak, unable to make sense of it all. Here was Balthier who spoke respectfully to him. He looked and acted like a gentleman. Carrying himself like a showman of sorts, yet it seems was here no different than Fran was. Which meant he was also the source of Rat's ire. But as Rat stammered to make all of that into words Balthier spoke again.
"Well," he uncrossed his arms "If you have words with Toad, you can come and say them." he told as he began to turn around "Setting up the conflict for Act two." he put up two fingers to show them.
At a loss for words, Rat tightened his collar and followed Balthier walking behind him as they walked the length of the house and then around it. The sunshine came back instantly once they rounded the corner. The gardens of Toad Hall were as large as the woods themselves though much more open. There were still trees and bushes here, but now there was something else.
Scattered across the entire garden were countless blocks, cubes and squares. Some were sprinkles across the ground while others were placed in the bushes like they were growing there but were not natural enough to do so and looked very much out of place. Squinting Rat thought he would even see some had landed on the roof. He'd say landed because he was able to deduce that they were originally conjoined before they were blasted apart, hence the noise he heard before. Another reason for that belief was the fact that there was one lone chair resting in the middle of the garden and the epicenter for whatever had happened. The chair was not the kind that belonged in a dining hall or study, but of a motorcar. And sitting in that chair acting as if he was still driving something that was in once piece was none other than Toad himself.
Turning a wheel that wasn't there and making a whirling sound, he then let out a sharp whistle as he leaned back and pulled up on the wheel that wasn't there. It seemed to send him upwards as he leaned back farther in the seat. It was much to the amusement of Balthier who chuckled just as he had when Rat first saw him. Rat, however, was in shock, his mouth gaping open at the sight.
Strange as the sight was, it was not complete. For scuffling across the ground picking up every individual piece of whatever was littered across the ground was none other than another one of his dear friends, Mole.
Bending over and reaching a pudgy hand down low he picked up one of those blocks from the ground and taking his hat off his head dropped it into it. Not having to go far for the next one, he merely rotated on his feet to get another one.
"Mole!" Rat exclaimed. Mole flinched at the loud sound and turned up to see that it was none other than Rat looking down at him.
"Oh!" he said much more happily getting over his initial fright "Hello Ratty." he greeted raising his hat over his head only for the block he just picked up to fall out of it and onto his head.
"Moley." Rat stepped forward as Mole rubbed his head "What's going on here?"
"Well," Mole straightened himself up and put his hat on his head "Toady's said he's going on a great new adventure. And he wants us to come along!" he said excitedly.
"New adventure?" Rat questioned "Preposterous." he crossed his arms.
At that moment the babbling from Toad in his chair ceased. Deep droning sounds from him ceased as he turned his head over to see Balthier, with Mole standing beneath him and newcomer Rat between the two.
"Oh Ratty!" he exclaimed "Here for a visit?! Splendid! Come on!" he waved him over to the chair "We're set for an adventure."
"To where and how?" Rat asked looking around at the debris all over the garden and Mole who returned to picking them up and Balthier watched on.
"Why with my newest machine!" Toad cheered "With the help of my newest friends!" he waved a hand out, no doubt extending it to Balthier. But he said 'friends' meaning there was at least one more. Hopefully, there weren't any more than that.
"Ahem." Rat cleared his throat loudly.
Toad let out a cheerful laugh as he slapped his chair "How stupid of me!" he said before he hopped up to his feet and then bounded up from his chair, clearing the garden and landing with the other three "Allow me to introduce my newest associate; Balthier." When his name was announced, he took a ceremonial bow as if to an audience though there was no applause, save from Mole who was already acquainted with him and the situation though Ratty was not.
"Yes." Rat said turned an eye up to him "We've been introduced." he said before turning him back to Toad.
"How splendid." Toad tapped a foot "Then you know" he brought up a finger to shake it "that I first encountered them when I was in one of those flying machines. Turns out, they have one as well. And we had the most marvelous crash!" he threw his hands up excitedly. Balthier let out a laugh at his events of the story. Mole was very enthralled, but Rat was far from it.
"Don't tell me you gave them Toad Hall as payment for damages." he said covering his face from hearing more. Toad laughed off the suggestion, but it didn't lessen Rat's fears.
"Not in the slightest!" Toad said "I offered them my home and hearth." he widened his arms to showcase his expansive and expensive estate. It was one to marvel at, but not one that any old person could just find their way into "and in return" Toad brought his arms back down "They promised me a flying machine of my own."
Rat let out a sight "Another one."
"Nonono." Toad shook his head and moving a hand forward opened his pal to showcase one of the many orange blocks and if he hadn't noticed them yet. They had got unanswered until now "do you know what this is Ratty?" Rat shook his head "This is a marvelous little device that their ship was made of. It's called a Gummi Block."
"Gummi Block?" he repeated, since despite naming it, it still did not reveal what it was.
"Yes." Toad hissed. Balthier leaned in over them to listen and hear more, though it was nothing new to him. The giddiness of Toad was a sight all its own "And now that we have enough, I shall make my own Gummi Ship and go on brand new adventures to other worlds."
"Other worlds?" Rat questioned again "What preposterous notion is that?"
"A good one." Balthier answered above him. Turning up Rat saw a confident smile looking down at him followed by a wink "They're out there just as there are stars in the sky."
"Is that so?" Rat questioned as Mole looked up to him starstruck and Toad remained restless.
"It is!" Toad said jumping up and now "After all, I'd expect some well-travelled Sky Pirates to know a thing or two about that."
"Sky what?!" Rat exclaimed, whatever wonder of feigned delight he was getting out of this was gone when he heard that word "You mean to tell me you've allowed some rabblerousing, nefarious, no good-" each description only made the grin on Balthier's face grow a little wider, while Toad mischievous as ever hardly seemed to give it notice. Rat's his rant was cut off as the sudden sound of footsteps clopping along the lane behind them.
"What's that noise?" a dry dismal voice droned from above. Turning upwards and Balthier to his side, they saw descending the stairs to come down to their level was a woman. One that all who were present were familiar with, and one who spurned Rat to Toad Hall in the first place. With dark skin, tall white rabbit ears popping out of long white hair, dressed this time thankfully in a pitch black armor. The seriousness Rat last saw her hadn't seemed to change and it was focused down on Rat who returned with his own glare in reply. "It's him." she said aloud, announcing she had seen Rat, but not speaking to him.
"Yes." he said "It is." he said, his voice like a whine as he starred up at her in disapproval and she remained silent did back at him. Moley at that time took his hat off to help cover his eyes, unsure and uncomfortable of where this would lead next. Balthier watched on in the opposite fashion, amused but confident this would be over soon enough. His assumption proved correct when Toad interjected.
"Come Ratty." Toad chirped gripping him by the wrist and leading him forward "I want no foul feelings from my new friends to old ones." he said tugging Rat along "Now that you're here we can continue where we left off! Hurry!" he let him go "Pick up a Gummi block so we can make out own Gummi Ship!" he said as he had already left rat behind hopping from one piece to the next. Defiantly Rat crossed his arms and remained in place. He watched with a sneer as Moley crouched by picking up one piece at a time. Rat watched him go before a shadow reached over him and Balthier's leg stepped in front of him. Rat flinched at the sight as his other leg stepped over him and he went about with Toad and Mole through the garden picking up pieces.
Rat was left behind but not left out as another shadow overtook him this time from the side. Glancing upwards he had an idea of who it was, since no one else was there. Fran was standing at his side looking outward to see everyone else picking up the pieces of Toad's latest mess. In Ratty's mind there were two big ones still remaining.
Looking up to her Rat let out a hefty huff of breath "Hmph!"
Fran's eyes now rolled down to him disapprovingly standing beside her. With him there and Balthier out there she said nothing to him and instead walked off from Rat to join them.
Rat shook his head as she left his side, and she spared only one quick glance back at him before reaching down to grab a Gummi piece and drop it into Mole's now overflowing hat.
"Ratty!" Toad cried out "If you won't help clean up, find Angus and Cyril!" he cried out "They will have a part to play in our new adventure!"
Rat, however, did not share the sentiment even as all the others did.
Olympus Coliseum
The applause was like the greatest thunderstorm he ever heard, which was high praise considering who his father was. The cheers were never ending even as the matches always had to come to an end.
Hercules waved a hand up to wave at the audience, then bringing his hands together to shake them in the air in a congratulatory victory. He continued to smile and wave as he left the center of the arena to walk out to the gate and the small hallway to take him to the vestibule. Yet even as he left the arena behind the cheers followed him, down that dark corridor echoing down into a muffled, diluted sound before finally being snuffed out.
And by the time the silence returned Hercules had appeared out of the other side, trading the wide open space of the coliseum with room for competitors and spectators alike for the vestibule. Condensed and smaller than even a corner of the arena it didn't take long for Hercules to look around the square room.
Claustrophobic as it may seem, his eyes naturally went to the corner of it. Between the door to leave on the other side of the room and the pedestals which held the trophies of many tournaments that he participated in-one even bearing his name- there was the list of competitors. And standing before that list was another figure.
He was strong, though not as muscular as Hercules. He bore dark clothes and had a distant, dismal look on him, quite the opposite of the smiling godly Hercules. And he could see that, though they both worse swords Herc's own paled in comparison to his. Strapped over his back it was just as tall and wide as he was, yet it didn't seem to weigh or slow him down.
Not that he was moving at the moment, instead he was just staring blankly at the roster, his eyes glued to what was coming, the semifinals.
Smiling and amused at the sight Hercules walked over to him.
"Hey! Cloud!" he called. Cloud stiffened in place but rotated his head ever so slightly to see Hercules approaching. And due to the small size of the room, by the time he looked over he was already next to him. He said nothing to him, but Hercules had something to say to him "Not surprised to see you made it this far." he congratulated.
"Yeah." Cloud agreed simply before turning back to the roster, studying it closely. Herc however, kept his eyes on him.
"So whatta think?" Herc asked before answering "One more match and then we can have a rematch. Whatta say?" he asked before slapping Cloud on the back playfully, causing Cloud to hold in a grunt as Herc buddy slap sent him reeling forward though in a controlled manner.
Glaring over his shoulder at him, Cloud eyed the sunny God of strength, before looking back to the roster just like before "We'll see." he said simply looking to the name opposite him again.
"Hm?" Herc crossed his arms "You don't think that'll be fun?" he asked.
"There's one more name between us." Cloud said facing away from him. Hercules may have just won his semifinal match, so his spot in the finals was guaranteed. Cloud however, had one more fight to go before that,
"Well yeah, but I was just thinking..." Herc said and trailed off as Cloud didn't seem interested at the moment. Finally taking notice of Cloud's fascinating with the roster. Hercules had only known him to be so focused on one thing alone. A small dread grew in him as he wondered if the warrior Cloud had been searching for this entire time was his next opponent. Worried but curious at the same time Hercules leaned in to look himself "What's that?" Herc asked as he came closer. Cloud said nothing so Herc looked himself. It was the semifinal match up. One bracket showed Hercules, coming out of the match he just won and advancing to the finals. Opposite him was the last semifinal match. One of the competitors was Cloud as he already knew, so his eyes shifted to the name written opposite him and that's when he saw it. Not Sephiroth like he initially thought, but... someone else.
"Ken Mishima." Hercules read the name aloud.
"Yes." Cloud agreed "That's him."
"You know him?" Herc asked looking over to Cloud who stilled looked at the roster.
"He's a mercenary… or he was." Cloud admitted.
"Just like how you were a Soldier." Herc said giddy at the comparison. Cloud acknowledged it but was much less amused by the prospect. He merely nodded and as he continued to stare and the name he said more.
"I fought him in another tournament. One on his home world..." Cloud paused "It seems he found a way out of it to here." he paused "They call him Godhand." he finished, his voice low and almost sounding like a warning.
"He should feel right at home them." Herc said pleasantly, thinking that it was the Coliseum Cups hosted by the gods that brought him here, though Cloud didn't share his enthusiasm and would say nothing else. So Herc did "Well, if you beat him and then me, you can have two rematches. A perfect warm up for your third." he said and regretted he did. For the cold feeling from Cloud seemed to grow off of him. Herc thought he was showing sportsmanship when he said that, but Cloud didn't seem to want it. If anyone was going to deal with Sephiroth, it was going to be him.
"We'll see." Cloud said as abruptly as he turned from away from the roster for the first time and walked past Hercules. The hero watched his fellow competitor leave, travelling across the room in only a few steps to head through the dark hallway on the other side. Where the second and last semifinal match would be held, and where his final opponent would be waiting for him.
Having traded places with Cloud, Hercules kept himself busy in the small vestibule. Whether it was doing push-ups, eyeing the trophies on the wall or even looking over the roster again, it felt like quite the long wait until the final round would come.
Suddenly he heard a pair of footsteps echoing down the hallway. Excited Hercules look up for whoever emerged from that small doorway would not be his final opponent.
Cloud had returned.
Herc slumped in surprise unable to hide the shock on his face. He knew Cloud was strong, and while you can't win every battle it was surprising to see it happen to him. Cloud's demeanor however hadn't changed since when he last saw him. But Hercules knew what had happened between that time.
"Hey." Her let out getting his attention "What happened?" he asked coming towards him. Cloud was naturally stiff and silent. He had nowhere to go since the larger Hercules blocked his way, so he seemed to be trying to avert his eyes from Hercules. Hercules peered in closer to him, but quickly caught on "Didn't make it huh." he concluded.
"No." Cloud said hiding his closed eyes behind his bangs. As Cloud went quiet again, Hercules took in a deep breath. Releasing it as a sigh, he came to a simple conclusion.
"Well," he let out "it's a shame we couldn't have our rematch."
"No." Cloud said.
"But there's always next time." Herc said, but Cloud didn't say anything or nod his head to him. Looking at him, Herc felt the darkness of his mood and clothes mesh in with the dark hallway he exited from. The same one where he could have to go to have his final match. This time against a new opponent, this 'Godhand' "But as for this time." he said peering over Cloud's shoulder and hearing the rumbling of the crowds waiting for the final match "I'll beat him for you." he said.
Feeling his gaze leave him Cloud stepped out of Hercules path so he could leave for real. With it now unobstructed the demigod took a step forward to enter the hallway, but before he could disappear in it Cloud turned sharply towards him and called out.
"Be careful with him." he snapped suddenly causing Herc to stop abruptly and look back to him "He's strong." he said.
Looking back over his shoulder Hercules couldn't help but smile "Thanks." Herc said "I wouldn't expect anything else." Cloud followed up with a silent nod that Hercules returned. Then he turned around to head to the arena, leaving Cloud behind.
A strange sensation was building up in Hercules. One of eagerness and anticipation. He had faced many opponents in these games; Heartless, Soldiers, Keyblade wielders, Guardians, Gods and Titans. But this was someone new entirely. It was hard not to get excited about it.
Encased in darkness he looked ahead to see the smallest of lights shining at the end of the square tunnel. Every step he took made his large footsteps echo out of it. Whatever applause he heard before seemed to be gone now. But it would sound soon again, once there was a victor.
Emerging from the tunnel, he came to the arena. Square, level and even it was the perfect place for a fair even match.
His eyes naturally went to the only other person standing within the blank slate. He stood like Cloud had, in a neutral stance with his hands by his side.
His face was like it was etched from stone, hard strong and dangerous. He had spiky hair that rise off of his head like pointed flames and was silver in color. He wore no shirt and displayed his muscular body. On both his hands were black fingerless gloves with 10 dots that formed a triangle.
So, this was the 'Godhand'.
He didn't look in Hercules direction. Only when the sound of his foot stepping inside the arena was heard, did his eyes shoot up to him. Startled by it, Hercules paused under his gaze. When he made no other movement, he brought his other foot up so now he was completely in the ring, surrendering himself to the battle. Both of them watched each other at first. Ken remained stiff as Herc slowly eased into his fighting stance. When he finally was, Hercules heard him speak.
"This tournament…" he let out a breath and words with it "it's not like the other I fought in."
"Hm?" Herc perked up easing out of his fighting stance.
"A sword was the prize then… tell me." he turned his head up to look at Hercules "The sword for this tournament..Is the Keyblade the prize for this one?"
"This one?" Herc questioned "Nope just a regular trophy. Besides" he waved his arms "The Keyblades are all accounted for."
"Are they?" Ken Mishima questioned "Then I should be there and not here." he said taking a step forward "Wasting my time with you. I should be out there battling them." he said as he closed in on Hercules to go past him,
"Not without going through me." Herc said tensing up. It made Ken stop and he looked over Hercules, now viewing him as an obstacle in his path.
"Very well." he relented "But you will regret getting in my way." He flailed his arm up in a stiff and rigid motion like him. Bringing it back down his right arm pointed forward as he did. Above the elbow his forearm and had disappeared revealing a long rifle barrel.
He let out a round at Hercules who jumped out of the way barley managing to dodge it.
"Alright." Herc said picking himself up from the ground "Let's see if a Godhand is all it takes to defeat a real god."
"It will be." Ken assured him as the two readied for battle.
Character Appearances: Rat, Toad, Mole (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad) Fran and Balthier(FF12)
Hercules (Hercules), Cloud (FF7), Ken "Godhand" Mishima (Ehrgeiz)
