Yuffie: Hey Guys it's time for CHAPTER THREE YAY!!!
Auroki: Yes my little chair bound ninja, it is!
Yuffie: Yeah about that. Can you please untie me from the chair?
Auroki: So you can steal more of my stuff? Nope.
Yuffie: Damn
Auroki: This chapter will be a special REALLY LONG ONE to include all the awesomenesscity I want it to contain!
Yuffie: In other words the guy doesn't respect his own laws of writing or the laws of his country for that matter!
Auroki: I told you once the ransom gets in, I'll release you from the chair! Ahem! While Yuffie is being punished for her antics last chapter, I've gotten a quick replacement for the disclaimer, *drum Roll* Basch!!!!
Basch: I swear as a Knight of Dalmasca that Lord Auroki doesn't own Final Fantasy or anything else he steals or references. If he did, may the fates stay out of his way.
Auroki: Damn right!!
Key
"Character Speaking"
Character thoughts
(Switching to another character)
*see author notes*
Notes and stuff after the story
Another Journey
Chapter Three
"What you mean I can't take an airship flight!" Shiroki yelled at the guard in front of the Aerodrome. He had gone to Dalan to retrieve his weapon the Hadron, a large rifle designed to channel mist into energy for its ammo. He then spent the rest of the week getting ready for his mission by training with Thextera by practicing battle tactics with her. Together the both of them had developed several attack patterns that could be implemented in almost any battle situation. Thextera had proven that she was capable of understanding Shiroki's language and learned the attack patterns quickly. "Look I really need a flight to Bjhurba and this is the only place I know that can get me there." He added getting angrier by the second. It took all he had to not take the guards head off. "I'm sorry, but this place is off limits to civilians. Leave now or else there will be trouble runt." The Imperial grunted. Shiroki stomped away from the guard and towards the chocobo rental bin. "I can't let that tin head stand in my way of seeing Anya again." He muttered staring at the yellow birds. Suddenly he got an idea. Thextera when I give the signal, we break into the Aerodrome as fast as possible ok? He called out to the wolf standing next to him. The fact that the beast had a high mist content allowed Shiroki to communicate with her telepathically. Chanting quietly, Shiroki cast a small thunder spell breaking the chocobo pin and causing the birds to run wild. Now!! He yelled to the wolf with his mind. While the guards were trying to contain the chocobos and calm down the civilians, both Shiroki and Thextera ran into the Aerodrome and due to a couple chocobos running in as well, were able to board the next flight to Bjhurba without being caught. "Well we made it." Shiroki gasped as he released a breath he was holding in. He and the wolf then made there way up to the top of the airship to get some air. Some people screamed at the wolf but calmed down once they saw how tame she was. It was truly a beautiful sight to see all of Ivalice below them. "In the sky once again. Almost feels like home." Shiroki said smiling as he pulled his hood down and let his red and black long hair blow with the wind, with his earrings doing the same. With all of this going on all he could think about was put into one word. "Anya."
(Agrio Slinghander)
"Damn birds, stay in your cage!" Agrio yelled as he helped his fellow guards force the lat chocobo into the cage. He had just got into the Western Gate when he saw the birds running wild. During the chaos, Agrio thought he saw a cloaked stranger and a large wolf run into the Aerodrome but merely dismissed it as a hallucination of the desert heat and the fact that his armor wasn't helping with that problem. His gear was designed for moving around the capital not running around in the desert. "Well that's the last of them sir!" Agrio said removing his helmet to catch some air. His face revealed one of a man in his late thirties, with blue eyes, dark skin, and long black hair tied back in a ponytail. "How do the guards in the desert put up with this heat everyday?" he gasped taking in as much air as possible. The judges leading his unit chuckled, "Not used to the desert yet are we Slinghander?" he asked coming up form behind to pat the soldier on his back. "Well don't worry cause we're going back to the capital right now to report our findings to the Doctor." He added pointing to the Aerodrome. Agrio smiled and put his helmet back on. "Finally and maybe I'll take a break to spend some time with my wife and twin kids."
(Shiroki)
The airship ride was long, but Shiroki didn't care. The fact that after he handled the job Montblanc gave him meant that he would be closer to obtaining his goal in getting into the capital. If he were to take an airship there, he would get caught and end up nowhere. Suddenly a large winged shadow had flown over the ship causing everyone to look up. In the sky was a large purple dragon. Every except Shiroki and Thextera fled into the inside of the airship as the beast landed on top of the deck and roared. Shiroki immediately drew out of his coat Hadron. It was an all black gun with gold flames detailing the handle. He opened fired at the dragon with several small black fire bursts from the gun barrel, but the dragon didn't even flinch. "Crap there's no mist around, so of course the gun's weak!" he yelled angrily. Thextera had run and locked her jaws into the dragon's left leg. "Smart wolf." Shiroki chuckled as he began channeling energy. The lack of mist meant that he had to focus more to get the spell ready. His body glowed white after a few seconds indicating that the spell is ready. "Alright, Thextera release it!" Shiroki ordered as the wolf let go of the dragon's leg and ran out of the way to avoid its counterattacking jaws. "Eat this you scaled freak!" Shiroki roared as he released a large white blast of heat and light against the dragon. The beast roared in pain and took off from the ship swerving in its flight. "I see you don't like flare spells." He smiled as he made his way down the steps to the lower part of the top deck and sat down. Thextera came over and laid down next to her master and fell asleep. The passengers who had heard the dragon leave came back out and walked over to the two. "They chased Deathguise off!" one of them yelled and at once a large crowd assimilated in front of the wolf and warrior. All began bombarding Shiroki with questions on how he did it and what not. "Look all I want now is a room for me and my wolf to sleep off the rest of the trip. Can any of you hook us up with that?" he asked as his green eyes began to droop. Thankfully it was daylight and no one could see the glow that his eyes emitted. One of the Nobles on the ship offered to pay for a first class room for saving the passengers from Deathguise. A few minutes later Shiroki and Thextera walked inside their room, and immediately fell asleep on the bed.
(Doctor Cid)
"Perfect! Now we know where he is!" Cid cheered happily as he readjusted his glasses. "Test subject two wasn't really responding well to the experiments anyway." He said turning away to look out a window. "The reins of history back in the hands of man. Subject one could be the very key, that does that." He spoke as his personal guards paid attention to his every word just to be safe. They've heard rumors of experiments done to those who didn't respect the doctor and didn't want to test those rumors. "Great so now we just set up a massive search party around the Rabanastre area and soon all operations will continue as normal." He said apparently talking to himself. "Judge Cornelis, I thank you for this information. And Slinghander, your higher ups have been informed of your pay raise as well. Now all of you are dismissed." He spoke walking past them out of the room and down the hallways to an elevator. He pushed the buttons in a special order that led all the way to a hidden floor in the Draklor Labs. Stepping out he found one of his assistants working at some equipment monitoring a large tank. "How is she doing?" he asked the man. "Well doctor, she seems to have regained slight conscience from the last experiment." The assistant replied pointing at the tank, which contained an unclothed girl who looked to be in her twenties floating inside. She was pale skinned, with long pointed ears, and large amounts of white hair that fell past her feet that swirled around the tank. The girl slowly lifted her head and opened her eyes which revealed a Sapphire blue that emitted a faint light of the same color. Cid smiled and pressed his glasses to his face, "Well now it seems you're finally awake Anya."
(Shiroki)
After a long nap, both Shiroki and Thextera had arrived in Bjhurba. So this is the floating city huh? It certainly is something." He said looking over a rail to take in the view. "Let's see the moogle boss said that this guy we're looking for was last seen around the mines here right? And the Lhusu Mines are used for magicite farming so it should smell of mist. Thextera can you sniff it out for me girl?" he asked the wolf who nodded and knelt down for Shiroki to hop on. After he got on, the wolf took off at full speed to the entrance to the mines. "Thextera stop!" he commanded as the wolf halted. Getting off his animal partner, the two of them hid behind the stairs. "That's one of the Five Judges!" he exclaimed as he saw Judge Ghis and a group a soldiers walking in talking to some old man. "We'd better take caution to not give ourselves away to these guys." He instructed the wolf who nodded in acknowledgement. They waited for the Imperials to go in and leave their sight range before sneaking in from behind. They kept their stealthy approach in the mines until the Imperials took off in another direction. "Ok let's go partner!" Shiroki spoke as he took off down a tunnel using the light from his eyes as a weak lighted flashlight. The two tore their way through the skeletons and steeling that populated the mines. The mist in the area was strong so Shiroki's Hadron was able to fire at a stronger level. Everything they ran into went down after on black fire shot from the large gun. "I guess the Draklor Labs can make something useful after all. Good thing I stole it from there before I broke out." Shiroki chuckled as he blew another skeleton away. It made the journey into the mines much easier without having to use his magic as much.
About a half hour into the mines, Shiroki stumbled upon an odd site. There in a mined out cave stood four Bangaa looking over a scared blond girl on the ground. One of the Bangaa, apparently the leader caught notice of him and alerted the others. "Well now look what we got here boys." The green one spoke as he picked up a staff with a bladed ring that rotated fast like a saw on the end of it. "Leave nothing of him!" he shouted as he and the other three rushed Shiroki. The warrior had no time to react and was about to be cut into pieces when Thextera leaped in front of him. She opened her mouth and howled at the Bangaa gang, releasing a large beam of golden compressed mist at them knocking the four assaulters against the wall. The blast after hitting them knocked them out.
`"Well I see hanging out with me for so long has started to affect you." Shiroki said to the wolf after he regained himself from the shock of what just happened. He then walked over to the girl who was apparently more scared than ever now. "Don't worry, we won't hurt you." Shiroki smiled as he knelt down and untied the girl. "Keep going that way and soon you'll find the exit." He instructed her. "Just who or what are you?" She asked looking at his strange appearance. "Just a ghost that died in these mines a long time ago. I guide those who are trapped out so that they may not share my fate." He lied quickly making up the story as he went. "Please do not tell anyone of me for it will bring misfortune. Now hurry the Bangaa are beginning to wake up." He added, indicating the four lizards that were now beginning to groan. The blond girl nodded and ran towards where Shiroki told her to go. "She has the look of someone to innocent to involve in my troubles." He told the wolf as they went deeper into the mines. They killed more bats and skeletons along the way, although the fiends in this area had absorbed a decent amount of mist making them tougher. Shiroki had to resort to using some of his magic a few times to deal with them when the creatures began grouping up on him and Thextera. The two had eventually took a break in a tunnel right outside the upper bridge to feast on a small group of bats they killed to fill their stomachs. Shiroki bit into one and let the mist the creature had absorbed flow through him replenishing his strength. Suddenly a strong wave of mist surged in from the bridge area outside, catching the attention of the two. "Well it looks like our guest of honor has arrived." Shiroki smiled as he got up and walked out to the bridge with Thextera following behind.
(Agrio Slinghander)
"Figures I get back to the capital and this happens!" Agrio yelled as he put on his helmet and grabbed his two handed sword called the Save the Queen. Apparently an accident had occurred at the Labs and the armed forces were called in to calm everything down before it got out of hand. Running down the hall he saw Judge Cornelis, fully armored and ready for battle. "Sir what's going on here?" he asked as he caught up. "Apparently another one of the mad doctor's crazy experiments got loose again and this one's really tearing up the place." Cornelis explained as more guards showed up at the rally point in front of the elevator. The door of the elevator opened and out walked Doctor Cid who looked as if he saw a ghost. "I'm counting on you boys to handle that mess down there." He spoke hastily as he walked quickly away from the area and out of sight. Cornelis looked around and addressed his troops. "Ok men, we don't know what's down there so we must take every precaution. Enter the Elevator with the Archers in the back of the elevator and with me and Slinghander in front so we can storm whatever is down there with our full strength. Then use battle plan Cerberus to eliminate the enemy. Then guards nodded and filed in according to plan. As Cid's personal guard they had access to the code that led to the secret basement, but none had been there before. What awaited them was a strange sight to behold. The entire lab with its equipment was destroyed and the assistant who worked there was dead as well. In front of them holding her knees on the floor was an unclothed girl, her white hair sprawled out on the floor. "Keep to the plan, this could be the target!" Cornelis ordered as the guards filed out and assumed the battle plan. Agrio looked at the girl's face and saw that she looked terrified. "Sir, are you sure about this? She doesn't look like trouble and besides she's absolutely terrified." He spoke pointing at the girl. For some reason he felt sorry for her and wanted to help. He than began walking over to the dead assistant and removed his lab coat. "Agrio don't break formation! What are you doing?!" Cornelis yelled but the soldier paid no mind. Walking over to the cowering girl he threw the coat over her and removed his helmet. "For all we know, something else could've done this damage and that girl is innocent!" he finally replied helping the white haired girl to her feet. "I give you my honor as a Knight of Archades, that I won't hurt you. Now can you tell us your name please?" He asked looking at the girl who kept her head down and replied in a quiet tone. "I am Anya, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Agrio Slinghander."
(Shiroki)
"No sense trying to hide yourself swordsman now come on out!" Shiroki yelled on the bridge that was apparently empty. Just then a voice replied, "Well now I see a challenger has sought me out! I accept your challenge warrior!" and with that a man jumped off a railing above Shiroki and landed gracefully in front of him. The warrior was clothed in rich noble red clothing and had blue skin with a face of one who has seen many battles. "I am Gilgamesh the greatest warrior of all time and after this match, you too shall know that truth!" he boasted as he drew two swords, one a long katana and the other in the shape of a gun. "Now feel my power!" he yelled as he rushed Shiroki. The warrior barely had enough time to duck under the swordsman's incoming attacks. He then spent the next five minutes dodging his attacks while looking for an opening to draw Hadron. But Gilgamesh would not let up. "A true warrior would've come prepared instead of waiting like a fool for his opponent to reveal themselves!" he bragged as the katana finally connected to Shiroki's chest leaving a nasty cut there. Shiroki screamed out in pain as he hit the ground clutching the wound. Gilgamesh landed in front of him and sneered, "Couldn't even land a hit on me, pathetic!" he roared as he brought the gunblade down attempting to finish Shiroki off.
All of a sudden Thextera came from behind and knocked the swordsman away from her master. "Good job partner." Shiroki said as he began building up magical energy to heal his wound. After picking himself up from the ground Gilgamesh assumed his combat stance again, "Well I see your companion knows how to fight! Very well, let's even up the numbers, Enkidou!" and at once a green wolf like creature landed in front of him and stared at Thextera. This had given Shiroki enough time so heal himself as well draw out Hadron. "All right you loudmouth listen! You're in my way of helping a friend of mine! So I'm going to scatter you across this bridge!" he yelled as his green eyes glowed brighter than usual. Gilgamesh stared at Shiroki and replied, "Well in that case consider me an obstacle to overcome! Your eyes show the determination like that of a powerful warrior, now prove them right!" he yelled as he rushed Shiroki once again. This time the red haired fighter was ready. He grinned and summoned the mist within his body "Have a taste of this!" Shiroki roared as he summoned the green orb known as the Altanai Strike and thrusted it into Gilgamesh's chest, causing a massive explosion of mist. "Had enough yet!?" he yelled as the smoke cleared revealing a slightly off balance Gilgamesh. "That actually hurt me quite a bit but judging by your condition that was a one time only trick! You're a fool to play your ace so early in the game!" he yelled bringing the katana down only to have Shiroki repel the blow by Shiroki firing Hadron at it. Gilgamesh countered by rotating his body bringing the gunblade in for a low strike. Shiroki thought quickly and jumped upward the blade barely missing his feet. Damnit my cloak is slowing me down! Shiroki quickly realized in his head and immediately knew that he had to ditch his disguise. He cast off the cloak over the bridge revealing an outfit that was comprised of a black sleeveless shirt, a pair of silver gloved gauntlets, and a full set of lightweight silver leg armor. "Alright let's get serious!" he yelled putting Hadron on his back and proceeding to fight Gilgamesh unarmed. "My you're a crazy one aren't we? However if you want me to be serious then I will oblige!" he yelled as two more arms came out each one holding a large sword with a skull in the blade while the other was a transparent blue blade. "What the Hell?! Four arms!?" Shiroki shouted as he used his armored arms like shields to block Gilgamesh's onslaught. "You see now that you stand no chance against me!" he yelled as he continued attacking. "That armor your wearing will crack soon leaving you defenseless!" he added as he unleashed a powerful four hit combo that sent Shiroki flying across their battle field. Had he been knocked in the wrong direction the red haired fighter would've found himself falling towards Ivalice for a high speed death. "Well I see that didn't kill you so maybe it's time I go all out!" Gilgamesh boasted as he drew yet another set of arms, one holding a huge oversized sword with the kanji for 'Fake' inscribed on it while the other was a golden blade with a sunflower shaped hilt. Thextera I know you're busy dealing with the other wolf, but I need a little help here if you can make time! Shiroki called out telepathically to his partner who was currently locked in combat with Enkidou. The wolf nodded quickly and unleashed that same mist beam used against the Bangaa earlier at Gilgamesh knocking him backwards and causing the giant sword with the 'Fake' kanji to fly out of his hand. Shiroki quickly realized his chance and grabbed the huge sword in midair and landed heaving the large blade on his shoulder. "This thing is a little heavy, but it'll do! Thanks partner!" Shiroki shouted giving the wolf a thumbs up with his free left hand. "How dare you steal my blade from me you little pest?! That weapon is a true treasure obtained from the mighty warrior I defeated to obtain it! I demand that you give it back or else suffer the consequences!" Gilgamesh yelled has he used his now empty hand to pull out a long silver blade. Shiroki was stunned at this, "Just how many weapons do you have!?" he yelled in disbelief. "Whatever, I've got a sword now and I'm gonna beat you here!" he yelled rushing the six armed warrior swinging the Fake Buster Sword with all of his strength. The power of both warriors strikes were so powerful that the bridge itself was beginning to shake and tremble occasionally when the two clashed. "Yes this is it! You are exactly what I'm looking for! A warrior oof such power that even I Gilgamesh have to fight you at full power to defeat!" the Swordsmen yelled, his face smiling like a thief finding a king's treasure. "More I crave more from you red haired one!" he cackled as he pushed forward with his attacks, the power of his blows increasing with each strike. Shiroki channeled the mist around them into his own body and increased his attacking strength as well. After a clash of blades both fighters jumped away from each other and locked eyes with each other. "Let's finish this in one go!" Shiroki yelled as mist leaked from his body. Gilgamesh nodded and replied, "Cutting straight to the fun part huh? Very well I accept your challenge!" after a few seconds of staring at the other, both warriors rushed along the bridge and clashed swords one more time.
It was said that the explosion of mist that occurred afterwards could be seen all the way from the Phon Coast on the shore. However the fight wasn't over yet. Just because the arena was gone didn't mean the fighters were finished. While falling towards the ground both Gilgamesh and Shiroki had continued fighting in midair, despite having nothing to stand on. "Not the type that gives up eh? I like that in a warrior!" Gilgamesh exclaimed happily as he continued swinging his six blades at Shiroki who had gotten used to the weight of the 'Fake' Buster and was repelling and counter his moves easily. "If we survive this fall I'd like a rematch with you!" Shiroki said as he parried another one of Gilgamesh's strikes. The multi armed warrior smiled and replied, "The same here! Enkidou!" and at once the green wolf flew to Gilgamesh's side. It's eyes glowed and there was a flash of light. Shiroki found himself and his opponent at the spot he and Thextera rested before going onto the bridge. Speaking of Thextera, the wolf had been smart enough to go back to the tunnel before the two warriors destroyed the bridge with their final attacks. "What just happened?" Shiroki asked looking around confused. Gilgamesh chuckled and answered, "Simple I spared you, my new dueling rival! I will be the one that defeats you not death! I'll let you keep that sword as a reward of your skills against me!" he spoke loudly as he ran with Enkidou to where the bridge once was both jumped high into the air and out of sight leaving Shiroki and Thextera with one last message, "We will be back for that rematch!" Shiroki stood there scratching his head trying to figure things out and then realized, "Son of a bitch I forgot to get that sword back for Montblanc!" he yelled into the mines.
Well there's chapter three! I had a lot of fun writing this one! I never made a fight scene that long, but seeing as how it was Gilgamesh I was obligated to make it as long and as epic as possible. Next chapter will show some stuff to what Cid was doing in Archades as well as more clues to the identity of Shiroki and Anya's species.
*the Penelo scene* It never really made sense to me. Ba gamman didn't seem like the type to show mercy to anyone. He wouldn't just take candy from a baby, he'd sell it on the slave market! So I put in my own twist to make that whole deal make sense. We'll just say he lied to Vaan's crew about letting her go freely rather than admit they got wasted by Shiroki and Thextera.
*the last scenes* During the midair fight Gilgamesh warps himself, Shiroki, and Enkidou back to the tunnel leading to the bridge. How it that possible? Well it says in his profile that he can travel through dimensions so teleportation like what he and Enkidou did should be possible in my opinion.
I'd like to give thanks to Occuria who gave me the perfect third weapon for Shiroki. I'd also like to thank Striking Dancer for the useful advice on writing this story!
Auroki: Well there's chapter three!
Yuffie: YAY! Now has my family paid the ransom for me yet?
Auroki: Still waiting. *Mailman on a chocobo delivers a letter* hey this might be it!
Yuffie: Please let it be it.
Auroki: *reads letter* Well this letter is from your father and he says I can just keep you here as long as I want and they'll protect me from the authorities!
Yuffie: Well Damnit all to Hell! Wait that means I'm free from from my family telling me what to do! To reward you, I shall be your personal ninja!
Auroki: Awesome and I decree that as your new boss you must hereby address me as Auroki-Sama or Overlord Auroki the Awesome!
Yuffie: uh sure Aurok-Sama!
Auroki: Please Review and let me hear your opinions on this story
Yuffie: All reviews go to funding Overlord Auroki the Awesome's future kingdom of Awesomenesscity!!!
Auroki: WOOHOO!!!!!!!
Auroki and Yuffie: STAY TUNED FOR CHAPTER FOUR!!!!!!