TN: And here we are, three days later. Now that's what I call fan service!
TUH: See this is what happens when people review. What did we learn kids?
TN: Um. . . that I write really fast?
TUH: Shut up Nathan, no one likes you. . .
TN: Whatever.
TN and TUH: This one goes out to our most enthusiastic, hyper, over-the-top, Ghanaian-New Yorker where the art is limited but the creative juices flow. . . ANDRE COOKE!
Here ya go man.
*DISCLAIMER AS USUAL* You all know the drift.
Chapter XIV
The Olympian Cup: Battlement Converging
Olympus Coliseum
August 31, 2010
"Please beam down if you are able," the woman over the call said to them.
"We are," Sora replied to her.
"Thank you and good luck," she replied.
After a refreshing week of rest, food, and relaxation, Sora, Kairi, and Merideth were ready for the Olympian Cup. Sora personally saw it as another win to go on his record in Olympus. He and the girls walked over to the warp room and beamed down, just like the nice lady had asked.
They had warped into a massive group of people and creatures alike. Sora's eyes bugged all over the place, taking in the sights of all the different possible contestants. While he was looking around, Kairi had grabbed his arm.
"Sora, look! It's Riku!" she told him. His eyes followed her pointing finger and sure enough, there he was with all of the Radiant Garden gang, and a girl he didn't know. Sora surged through the crowd.
"Riku!" he shouted. Riku swiveled his head around, his silver-lilac hair swinging, too. A grin stole over his face at the same time that Sora's face broke into a smile. Sora ran up to him and gave him a hug.
"It's great to see you, again," Sora said as Kairi and Merideth caught up. Sora then made his way to greeting everyone while Roxas and Naminé made themselves whole to speak as well. While everyone was happily greeting each other and talking, Sora was grabbed by Riku.
"Sora, I'd like you to meet our new ally and my newest friend, Alexia," Riku said, introducing Sora to the girl he had seen from a distance. She had silver hair, just like Riku's and dark purple eyes. A naginata rested over her shoulders and back.
"Hi, Sora. It's great to meet you after all the things I've heard from Riku, here," she said. Sora smiled and blushed.
"It's nice to meet you as well," he replied. They shook hands and she was then introduced to Kairi and Merideth.
"Oh, hey, hey! If it isn't the little kid with the Key," a voice said from behind him. Sora turned around and found Hades, tall and looming over him. "How're you doing? Well, I hope," he said with a sick smile, exposing his jagged teeth.
"What's it to you, Hades?" Sora asked, feeling no need to be threatened. The god looked down at the mortals.
"Hey, details. Why get caught up in them? I'm here to compete, and I will NOT lose to you. . . again," he said angrily. He swept back his blue, fiery hair.
"We'll see in the prelims," Kairi said, standing up next to Sora.
"Oooh, if it isn't the little miss princess. . . big whoop," Hades replied anticlimactically. He rolled his eyes. "I swear all you 'hero types'," he said, mimicking quotes with his hands, "are all the same. Just stay out of my way. And, hehe, enjoy the show while it lasts," he said, strutting away into the crowd.
"Ugh, he gets on my nerves," Sora said.
"I don't know, he seems funny," Roxas told Sora with a grin.
"That's because he's never tried to murder you," Sora replied. Before Roxas could retort, a large horn rang through the outside of the coliseum. All went silent as a voice came to life.
"You will all receive small electronic tablets to be aware of the proceedings over the next days," the nice woman said as every registered contestant magically acquired said tablet. Sora's showed a picture of himself, goofy grin and all. His prelim number was seventy-one. Kairi's, next to him, read number fourteen.
"Within these tablets, you will notice your picture, status and preliminary number. Also located within is the coded key to allow you in your assigned hotel rooms. Any questions outside of the tournament can be asked via calling the request hotline within the tablet. At the sounding of the horn, all contestants are to enter the coliseum. When your preliminary number is called, please make your way to the entrance lobby where Phil will direct you. All other contestants please direct yourselves to the stands. All peoples not contending, please enjoy the games! Will the first ten contestants make their way to the lobby!"
The announcer cut herself off as the flood of contestants made their own ways to the coliseum stands.
Sora and Kairi followed the Radiant Garden gang through the halls. Along the walls were past Cup Top Ten posters and champion names for each cup. Sora was at the top of each and every list.
"Wow, you weren't kidding!" Kairi exclaimed, passing all of his wins. He smiled in answer. The large group, minus Cloud and Aerith, made their way to the center of the stands. The perfect seats.
"SORA!" Sora looked around for the source of his name being yelled. He soon found it and smiled warmly.
"Tidus! Selphie! Wakka! You all came, too?!" Sora asked in disbelief as his Destiny Islands friends sat down with him and the group.
"Of course. We got the message and the King said we could come," Tidus explained.
"Which is why we are here," came the drawling voice of Seifer from behind Sora. He turned his body around and saw Seifer, Rai, Fuu, Hayner, Pence and Olette looking down on them, all smiles.
"Guys! This is great! All my friends are here!" he happily exclaimed. With Roxas on his left and Kairi on his right and everyone else around him, the prelims began!
"And here we ARE! Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Olympian Cup! Hello, my name is Mike!" one announcer shouted.
"And I'm Chris!" said the other.
"And we'll be your commentators for this spectacle of fighting and prowess under the home of the almighty Zeus himself!" Mike shouted. The crowd erupted into cheers.
"The rules are as follows. All summons, drives (if you have them, Chris added), and items are allowed. Teams are limited to four members and there is no out of ring penalty. Luckily the stadium has enlarged, giving our contestants much more room than ever before! You must win by knockout or if the opponent willingly gives up!" Mike informed.
"And let's get to it!" Chris announced. "First off! Numbers One and Two! Contestant number one is a mysterious girl that goes by the name of. . . ironically One! Yes, her registered name is One!" Chris shouted. The crowd applauded. Sora looked down on her, his smile unbroken. He could see no defining features except for the cloak she had wrapped around herself. The black hood hid her face. She gripped a claymore with one hand.
"How can she even do that? Has she been taking lessons from the SOLDIER Cloud? Oh well! And here comes contestant number two by the name of Langrin! It is uncertain who he is, but he is MASSIVE in muscle and his massive war-hammers are here to back it up. I don't like to take bets, but I think I know who has this one in the bag!" Mike shouted.
"BEGIN!" both announcers screamed.
The small and fragile looking One stared up at the monstrous Langrin. He brought both hammers down at her in one fluent motion. What!?
"WHAT is this!? Where did One go?!" Mike yelled. Sora had missed it, but she was high in the sky. She landed behind Langrin from her vault deftly. She ran forward fluently and quickly, hitting Langrin in his back with the blunt of her pommel. He flew out of the arena!
"WHOA! How did she even accomplish such a feat!?" Chris asked. The crowd was going insane.
"How did she do that?" Kairi asked in awe at seeing One's highly impressive show of strength.
"I don't know," Sora responded. Yuffie was screaming about girl power while Leon chuckled. Everyone watched in awe.
"ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!" Chris said, counting for the knock out. Langrin lay on his large front, not even twitching.
"SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! AND TEN!" Chris finished. The arena exploded with applause.
"And One is the WINNER! And in Coliseum Record time!" Mike declared. She walked out of the arena, not even basking in her win.
"Numbers three and four please report!" Chris said.
And so, the next two rounds went smoothly, and not nearly as impressive as One's show of power. Every one watched in anticipation and wonder. Then numbers nine and ten made their way out.
"And now we have two teams facing off. Number nine is a team of four calling themselves The A-Team," Mike shouted into his mic. "It consists of Hannibal Smith, B.A. Baracus, Faceman, and H.M. Murdock!"
"And facing off against them is the duo (rumored couple, Mike added) of SOLDIER 1st Class, Cloud and Aerith. This should be a very interesting match up! And. . . BEGIN!" Chris said.
"Kick some ass Cloud!" Roxas shouted. Sora could have sworn he had seen Cloud smirk as he rushed forward, his sword pointing right at the first man. They all dodged. Cloud took no time in twirling around and backhanding Hannibal in the head, sending him out of the ring. Hannibal's count begun.
"Cloud!" Aerith shouted, throwing her rod at Baracus, stopping him from pummeling Cloud's skull in. She ran and retrieved her rod. Baracus met her while Cloud met with Murdock. Hannibal was counted out as Aerith dodged the rugged swipes made by B.A. And then she rolled. She stood up, now to his side and struck him with the rod in the ribs, making him double over. She then cracked him in the head, knocking him out.
"OOOOH! Who would have known such a fragile looking girl could be so vicious?! I guess we better watch all the females tonight!" Mike screamed.
"Go get them, AERITH!" Kairi and Yuffie shouted, reveling in their girl power. Within another twenty seconds, Cloud and Aerith had destroyed the A-Team. They waved to the crowd and made their exit.
"Ah, what a rip-roaring first five rounds! And we have plenty more to go, right Mike?" Chris said.
"You bet! Will the next ten contestants make their ways to the lobby!" Mike announced. Kairi stood up and started making her way to the lobby. At the last second, Sora grabbed her hand. He felt his blood rush to his face. Her face became red, too, when she looked at him.
"Good luck, Kai. I'll be cheering for you," he said to her. She blushed harder.
"Thanks, Sora," she replied. She walked away as Cloud and Aerith walked to the stands. They took Kairi's spot next to Sora.
"Hi, Sora!" Aerith said happily. Cloud actually smiled for once.
"Hey, Aerith, how are you?" Sora asked.
"Well, right now I'm doing great!" she answered with a laugh. She leaned over to Cloud and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed slightly and scowled. Before Sora could speak more with Aerith, the announcers Mike and Chris went back at it.
"And here are numbers eleven and twelve!" Mike announced as the prelims continued. More fighting commenced and the coliseum was ecstatic with energy and hype.
"OOOOH"
"AAHH"
"OUCH!"
The Cup continued.
"Ah, that was a bruiser, performed by Rai and Vivi, Rai being the winner! Now we have numbers thirteen and fourteen!" Chris announced.
"Number thirteen is a burly man named Buron. He is a blacksmith and axeman on his home world. And number fourteen is the small and hyper Kairi! Let's not be fooled folks, we have seen many things come from the underdogs today. And all women! I can't wait to see this one!" Mike shouted.
"GO KAIRI!" Sora shouted as loud he could. She looked his way and he flashed her his goofy traditional grin. She smiled and then faced down her adversary, who was hefting up his large battleaxe.
"BEGIN!" They charged at each other immediately.
"OH and this one kicks off excitingly! Kairi dodges a lethal sweep of the axe, rolling under it and snapping back up, throwing a Fira spell over her shoulder, missing Buron's body and marking his axe instead!" Chris announced. Kairi whipped around and launched a volley of Thunder spells. Each bolt crackled down and struck around Buron, a couple actually hitting him. He gruffed in pain.
"OOH! That's gotta sting!" Mike yelled. The crowd was going crazy! Kairi rushed him and stopped suddenly as he swung his axe, surprising him into a stumble. She stepped ever so neatly to him and cracked him with her blade in the head. He was easily knocked out.
"TEN! And that's it! Kairi, with some wit, has moved on in the tournament!" Chris shouted.
"WOOO! Go KAIRI!" Sora shouted! She smiled and walked back to the stands, allowing more contestants onto the arena.
Hours passed.
"The last match of the night! Numbers twenty-nine and seventy-one advance forward, please! We have had an amazing day and evening of sport, and these two will determine the the Cup rounds themselves!" Mike said into his mic.
"Number twenty-nine, a four man team of Turk Mercenaries against the one many army, SORA!" Chris shouted. The entire arena was on its feet for Sora.
"Ah yes, Sora. The undisputed winner of every single tournament held in both the Coliseum AND the Underdrome! Yes, he is a definite must-see at ALL TIMES!" Mike yelled. Sora flauntingly waved at the crowd. He smiled at his group of friends.
"BEGIN!" they both shouted.
"The four elite mercenaries rushed Sora. He froze the ground at their feet, making two of them slip and slide. He vaulted over them, added a flip for style, and landed behind. He threw his Oblivion at them, striking the other two down, only for the blade to return. The crowd erupted.
"Oh, we all know too well that Sora is just playing with these poor guys! I can't wait to see him in the finals!" Mike said confidently. Three of the men rose to their feet and shot at Sora. He dodged and then evaded a sword. In the process he struck each one in the legs, all smoothly falling and executed.
"I'm just going to end this one!" Sora shouted.
"GRAVIGA!" he shouted, pointing at the four downed men. The spell took affect and crushed them all into the concrete, knocking them all out in one go.
"AND THERE WE GOOOOOO! It's over! The preliminaries have been done! Now, the twenty-four contestants for the Cup, tomorrow are. . ." Mike began. Chris read them off.
"Team Cloud and Aerith!"
"Team Roxas and Naminé!"
"Team Donald and Goofy!"
"Team Hercules and Pegasus!"
"One, the mysterious power!"
"Bowtress Merideth!"
"Keyblade Princess of Heart Kairi!"
"Mage Pence!"
"Teen Seifer"
"Woman of few words Fuu!"
"Rai, y'know?!"
"Blitzballer Wakka!"
"Teen Tidus!"
"Mage Selphie!"
"Riku!"
"Alexia!"
"Governor of Radiant Garden Leon!"
"The Great Ninja Yuffie!"
"Brawler Tifa!"
"Pyromaniac Axel!"
"Underdog Olette!"
"Hayner!"
"God of the Underworld HADES!"
"And the Keyblade Chosen One himself. . . SORA!"
The crowd erupted.
"We thank you for watching the preliminaries and we hope to see you tomorrow for the the tournament itself! Here are your announcers signing off! Chris, out!"
"Mike, out!"
And the stands began to empty. Sora was feeling on top of the world. Nothing could ruin this cup.
He strolled out with his friends towards the new hotel, the moon rising.
HoL:TS
Later that night, Sora was in his assigned room with his roommates. Luckily enough, it had been himself, Riku, Tidus, Cloud and the addition of Roxas. The rooms were outfitted with top-of-the-line electronic entertainment devices. Gaming consoles were spread everywhere along with a massive flat-screen television. There was plenty of food and drinks for the boys and there was plenty to do. First off, they each took a shower and got comfortable. Cloud apparently didn't own anything but black as he was dressed in his sleeping attire. Sora, Riku and Tidus, being from Destiny Islands, opted to go shirtless and in their sleeping pants. Roxas did the same, emerging from Sora.
"Sora?! What happened here?!" Riku nearly screamed, looking in horror at Sora's scarred back.
"Oh. . . that," Sora said. He then began to explain what had happened. The other guys just admired him in stunned shock while Roxas sat and played video games without them.
"Wow. I can't believe all the things you've done for her," Tidus said. At that moment there was a knock on the door. Tidus, being the closest, walked to and answered it. Aerith and Selphie were standing there. Sora watched as Selphie gave Tidus a certain look. Tidus turned and came back in the room. He rummaged through his bag until he retrieved a small item. Sora could have sworn it was square, but before he could ask, Tidus was gone with Selphie.
"God, can't he ever learn to keep it in his pants?" Riku said in disbelief. Aerith grew immensely red. "Oh, I'm sorry Aerith," Riku muttered, ashamed with himself.
"It's okay," she replied. "Sora, I have something for you. We found it in you room when you left. You must have forgotten it there," she said, handing Sora a very folded and creased piece of paper.
Memory flooded him.
HoL:TS
Hollow Bastion Castle
Almost two years ago
Sora weaved in and out of the halls of the Castle. He came upon the massive oaken doors of the library. He pushed them open and walked into the beautiful library, lit by the sun outside. Thousands upon thousands of books lined enormous shelves on all sides. He marveled at them all as he walked in between them, coaxed in their lanes. Yuffie and Leon were on the bottom floor, looking through the massive archives of their world's history. Upstairs he could hear Beast and Belle talking and Aerith rummaging through old files and other pieces of work. He ascended the carpeted stairs, his smooth hands (yet to become as rough as they were now) gliding over the even smoother mahogany railing. He leveled off, the sun striking his back.
"Ah, Sora!" Beast and Belle both said, gaining his attention. He strolled to them, wondering what it was that they wanted of him.
"Thank you for rescuing and waking Belle," the Beast said. Belle look flustered but extremely happy.
"Yes, Sora. We would like you to have this," she said, giving him a Keychain.
"No problem," he said. He was about to go find Donald and Goofy for the final confrontation when Aerith called him over.
"You know, Sora," she said as he approached her, "I found something sacred, old, and valuable. And when I read it, I thought of you." She handed him a piece of paper, but it was different. He felt something come over him as he touched it. He looked down and found that it was a poem.
When you look out afar
And you
See
That shining star
What do you think?
Are you on the
Brink
Of despair?
When life isn't
Fair?
You fight from your morals
Against all odds
Only mortals
Yet you achieve more than
Expected
Aspire when not
Accepted
In a world of catastrophe
And ranking mastery
Your dreams you try to conquer
Growing ever stronger
Dreams come true
But only so few
What about the Fantasies?
The flying thoughts through your sanity
Can you live those out?
Can you scream and shout?
Your Fantasies
How can you live, love, and yearn them?
They are like the shining gem
Your Fantasies
How can you?
In a world so abysmal
In a universe so proportional
In a life so cataclysmal
Your Fantasies
Are
Final. . .
He read the poem a few times, trying to figure out why it reminded Aerith of him. He couldn't figure it out, but what he did know was that the poem was very beautiful. He asked her why.
"Because I think about how you fight against all odds and you have come out on top. You have your friends' strength to aid your heart in the darkness and how you have saved the worlds. I think about everything you have done, and I think about this first half of a legendary poem," she explained.
"Wait. The first half? Legendary?" Sora asked, perplexed.
"It is a legendary poem, titled 'The Birth of Darkness' and this is but the first half of the very original copy. Didn't you feel something when you touched it? That is the magic coursing through it. The second half of this poem has been lost since the separation of the worlds. That would explain the title. You should take it. Maybe, in your travels, you'll find the second half to a greater whole."
Sora looked at it. He marveled at the beauty of the worlds.
He folded it and pocketed it, ready to fight Ansem. . .
HoL:TS
He looked at the creased piece of paper Aerith had just handed him for a second time.
"Thank you, Aerith," he said happily. She smiled before turning without another word and leaving them. Sora took the paper and placed it in his bag next to the bed he would be sharing with Riku. Suddenly, he felt ready for sleep. It was about fifteen minutes later that he fell asleep, just as Tidus walked in, proclaiming he was ready for another shower.
HoL:TS
Kairi sat at the window of the room she was sharing with Aerith, a now showering Selphie, and Yuffie. They sat watching the television while Kairi sat looking at the stars. Naminé appeared in her nightie.
"What's wrong Kairi?" she asked, the other girls looked over as well. They must have noticed something was wrong as well. Kairi sighed.
"Oh, nothing," Kairi lied. The girls wouldn't take that answer.
"Oh come on, you're thinking about Sora, aren't you?" Yuffie said, giggling and poking Kairi. Kairi smiled a little at that.
"Maybe," she answered. There was a collective 'ooh' from them.
"Well, about what?" Aerith asked.
"Well, my birthday is in less than a week," Kairi said. "My sixteenth birthday," she added. There was a rush of squeals of delight and hurried questioning. The girls bombarded Kairi with questions about her birthday, but someone (Naminé) finally asked that one question.
"What do you think he's going to do for you?" she asked.
Kairi only shrugged her shoulders.
HoL:TS
Sora dreamed late into the night.
"Thank you I—" Where was she? Right where she, her stand, and all of her wares were, was now just an empty bench, the wind rustling some wrappers under it. He looked back down hurriedly. The necklace was still in his hands. The 25,000 munny was still gone. And so was she. He flipped over the amulet.
May the Love of Anuwëy guide you when all Hope is lost.
He made his way through the crowded market of Radiant Garden, set on getting her the second gift.
The one he needed to get for her.
He found his way into the apparel section of the open market, trying to find it. It had to be perfect. He came upon them. He sifted through them delicately, looking at each one in turn.
He gasped.
It was perfect!
He could not resist the invitation.
It was such a beautiful—
HoL:TS
Olympus Coliseum
September 1, 2010
"Sora! Get your lazy ass out of bed!" Riku shouted, waking the teen suddenly. And it had been a good dream, too. Sun streaked into the boys' room, the early thoughts of morning seeping through the windows. Sora got out of the soft and comfy bed, all tangled in his mass of body and blankets. Riku and Cloud were both ready. It seemed that Cloud had just woken Tidus, given the fact of his appearance. Sora rushed, clothes in hand, to the bathroom before Tidus could realize what time it was. After a quick shower, he was ready for the tournament.
Like before, the entirety of the masses were in the stands, ready for more action. The contestants had special seating on the grounds itself, level with the arena block. All twenty-four contestants, including Hades himself lined up and sat down, ready for the matches to ensue. It took a little while for the viewers to seat themselves for the festivities, and once that happened, they began.
"AAAAAAANNND LET US BEGIN THE OLYMPIAN CUUUUUUP!" Mike shouted, stirring everyone up even more than they were before. Sora's blood pumped hot and fast through him in expectation.
"Let's kick things off with one hell of a starter, pun intended," Chris began. "Can we have contestants Hades and Pence step into the ring!" The crowed roar like the fires of the Underworld. Pence turned a ghostly white while Hades strutted into the square, smiling as he did so. Pence walked shakily out there, looking at Hades with a downright fear. There was a deep inhale of breath from the announcers, ready to begin the match. Hades lit up his hands. And Pence. . .
Pence brought out a white flag from nowhere.
He surrendered.
The crowd was stunned into silence at first, all trying to compute this unexpected turn of events. Then, they all cheered and laughed at the same time. Pence's white face flushed to a deep red of embarrassment. Hades' flare lessened as his jaw went slack.
"C'mon!? What is this?" he asked as Pence left the ring to sit humbly by his friends, his face in his hands. Hades was happy and upset at the same time as he walked out of the ring, ready for the next match.
"Well, folks. I did not expect that, but here we go for the next match as Hades advances!" Mike announced oddly. The crowd cheered while they readied for the next match.
"Next! May we have contestants One and Tifa enter the ring for what is hopefully a real match!" Chris blared, much to the eager anticipation of the crowd. The girl in the black cloak rose and walked from the end of the contestants to the square arena. The crowd became rather quiet, mainly to stare in awe at what One would be capable of doing. Sora knew better.
"C'mon Tifa! You can take this joke down! Yesterday was just a fluke!" Sora roared, trying to make Tifa more confident than she already was.
"I wouldn't count on it, Sora," Cloud said from his right side. Kairi shifted uncomfortably on his left, nervous about the match.
"What?" Sora asked, perturbed.
"What I mean is, One, whoever she really is. . . she isn't a fluke," Cloud said with knowledge, his piercing blue-green eyes surveying One.
"BEGIN!" the announcers yelled, cutting off Sora's next thoughts.
Tifa brought up her fists like always, her black attire billowing in the subtle wind grazing into the coliseum. One's cloak matched as they stared each other down. Then, in an unexpected swift movement, Tifa surged forward, and did a roll underneath the outward fist of One. Tifa sprang up and hooked a blow into One's ribs. A powerful blow at that. People in the stands let out a hiss of sympathetic pain. Everyone then was stunned into silence.
One turned slowly on her heel, a small smile breaking her face as the sun briefly flashed over it. It was gone in a second as well as her smile. A look of disgust and fear had replaced it before all shadow was back under the hood. She slowly approached Tifa. Tifa ran back at her and aimed a powerful jab at her face. One barely adjusted her stance. Tifa passed right by and lost her balance tripping forward. One raised her leg in a flash, almost impossible to see. Her knee connected with Tifa's stomach in a bone-crunching snap. Tifa dropped to the arena, screaming in pain.
One knelt next to her opponent, said something to her, and walked away as Chris made his way to ten.
Tifa had lost and the mysterious One advanced.
"I don't know what to say folks. All I know is that One just demolished Tifa with the smallest amount of effort possible. One ADVANCES!" Mike said as a couple of what looked like twins rushed out. They had pink hair that were in buns, large ones at that. They both wore nurse outfits.
"And let us all take a second to thank our paramedics on hand, Nurse Joy and all of her cousins that look just like her and happen to have the exact same name as her, Joy! Let's give all the Nurse Joys a round of applause!" Chris announced. Everyone clapped their thanks for the Nurse Joys. They carried Tifa away.
"Well, then, let us have our next contestants! These two are well known in our community here at Olympus. Let's give a warm welcome to Leon and Yuffie! BUT, this time. . . they fight each other!" Mike announced. Tension broke through the crowd at the thought. Leon and Yuffie both stood up and walked into the arena, Leon shouldering his gunblade while Yuffie produced her massive shuriken. She twirled it in her petite fingers as the sun shone down, gleaming off their weapons.
"Ready?" Leon asked.
"Are you?" she asked as she disappeared in a puff of smoke, initiating the battle before it was officially called.
"Well, they're off at an exciting start!" Mike said.
Yuffie had appeared behind Leon, but her shuriken had been thrown at him from where she had been originally.
"Clever girl," he muttered.
She had launched an assault of five kunais at him from behind, all aiming for his back. He swung his large gunblade around in a whistling arc to his back, deflecting the kunais. At the same time he did a backflip and shot his gun at the shuriken, deflecting it. It was magically drawn back to Yuffie. She surged forward and evaded his slashes agilely, bending her body in odd contours to avoid the bone-and-muscle-slicing blade. She laughed at his futile attempts and he smirked with her. Those were definitely good friends.
She stopped and did a backflip, throwing her five kunais again, having sneakily picking them back up in the midst of battle. Just as he swung at them, she threw her shuriken, lacing it with fire for good measure. She ran after her weapons, ready to blitz Leon and make him falter in any way possible. Sora watched with avid fascination.
Leon evaded them and knew that Yuffie was hot on his trail. He shot his blade directly at her and grazed her side, singeing the muscle protecting her ribs. She let out a squeal of pain and tossed some smaller shurikens from another spot of her attire, which Sora thought impossible to hold anything else. One of the shurikens sunk deeply into Leon's leg right below the groin.
"Close. . ." he said as blood slowly dripped from the wound.
"And now we finally have some sort of injury to our participants in this match!" Chris yelled. The crowd swelled with anticipation. Yuffie trudged to him, using her large shuriken like a melee weapon. He deflected the blows skillfully. They danced their war fluently, spinning and skittering their feet around. They looked like two lovers dancing the tango.
Then Leon did something daring. He grabbed at her shuriken with a free hand, blood loosing from the laceration it caused. Her weapon stopped. He kicked her right foot at the ankle, snapping it, and then finished her with a whirl-around leg sweep. He pinned his blade at her throat. She breathed hard, small tears of pain leaking from her eyes, her foot pointing in a direction that it should never be. She looked up at him with respect.
"I surrender," she said smoothly, hinting no pain in her voice. He smiled as he helped her up and cured her himself. He helped her back to the seats while he cured himself.
"WOW!" Mike shouted. "That was some action right there, ending in a surrender. It's a good thing that he healed her. Now, Governor Leon advances while, sadly, the Great Ninja Yuffie has been eliminated!"
The crowd roared with applause. The two friends waved to the crowd. Sora clapped hard. It was a great match, and here came another. He was anxious to fight. He really wanted to fight Riku and show him up. That was his hope.
"Okay, next up! We have Cloud and Aerith going against Wakka, who aspires to be part of Destiny Islands' Besaid Aurochs!" Chris said. Wakka walked in cockily, looking like he was going to easily beat Cloud and Aerith. Fat chance, Wakka, Sora thought to himself.
"BEGIN!"
Wakka launched his blitzball as hard and fast as he could to them. Cloud stood in front of it, caught it with one outstretched hand. He looked at it bemusedly. He then playfully tossed it from hand-to-hand. Then, without warning, he shot it at Wakka, hitting him square in the head, knocking him out instantly.
"Well, how was that unexpected?" Mike asked the crowd, which burst with laughter. Wakka was carried away with some Nurse Joys.
"Well then, let's have Alexia come on out to go against Roxas and Naminé," Chris said. The crowd applauded while Alexia and the couple walked out into the arena. Two Become One and the Aubade flashed to existence. The naginata was drawn, a sheen of metal ringing.
"Begin!"
Roxas surged forward as Naminé crackled thunder from above. Alexia split her naginata into a katana and staff. She pirouetted her staff above her head, disbanding the lightning bolts. She flicked her right wrist and deflect Roxas' stab. He backpedaled as she readied in a fierce battle stance, eying the couple down with her truculent purple eyes.
"Come at me," she taunted.
"Oooh, we have a hothead here, don't we Chris?" Mike announced.
"We sure do," Chris answered.
"You think Roxas and Naminé will win?" Kairi asked to Sora. He looked to her and smiled.
"I'm sure they can," he replied. He turned his head back to watch the battle.
Roxas fell for the taunt and ran forward again, raising his blade as he did so. He jumped forward and over Alexia, landing behind her. Naminé began to launch spells at Alexia's front while Roxas engaged her from behind. Alexia turned her back on the spells and decided to fight Roxas head on. Her left hand continually tried to deflect the spells, but some made it through, but not enough to harm her. She paced towards Roxas. He swung at her in a wide arc, toward her left ribs. Using her right hand she parried the blow awkwardly, and Roxas captivated by kneeing her in the gut. HE doubled over for a moment, catching her breath, before she straighten again. She rolled around Roxas and faced the duo head on. She reconnected her Naginata, a smile splitting her face.
Her hands met in the middle of the naginata, and she began twirling. Electricity brimmed around the staff and blade. She advanced without warning, aiming at Naminé first. Naminé brought the Aubade up and deflected a blow, but the electrical current cut through and and surged into her, making her squeal in pain. Naminé retreated a few steps to let Roxas take over. Alexia began a fast swordplay with him, using her twirling abilities to block and parry every one of his swift attacks her threw at her. They grunted in effort when Naminé joined in. The naginata split in two and she fought both at the same time, blocking and attacking each. Metaphorical sparks flew from the fight.
"Wow, who knew Alexia was so good at fighting. Roxas and Naminé had better watch out!" Chris shouted. The crowd was roaring with anticipation and energy.
Blood lust.
"Fira!" Alexia shouted, aiming and Naminé. The ball of raging fire blasted her head on, knocking her to the ground. Her skull cracked sickeningly into the concrete and the crowd cooed in sympathy. The count began and Roxas started to go to her aid.
"No, Roxas," Alexia said. Roxas hesitated and looked back to her. Her stance had loosened.
"In a time when it matters, you need to always think about the enemy, not outside materials, even people. Focus on me, not her," she explained. Roxas nodded and readied his blade as Naminé was counted out and the Nurse Joys carried her away.
"Blizzara!"
"Fira!"
"Thundaga!"
"Reflect!"
"Cure!"
"Gravira!"
Spells rebounded between the two, aiming but never inflicting to much damage. Alexia ran through them and ended it with a blunt crack to the head and a Thunder spell to keep him down. Roxas was out and Alexia moved on.
"Wow! What a magical match!" Mike said. The crowd groaned at his pun.
"Okay, let's just move on! Next we have the Master Sora against the underdog Rai!" Chris announced.
Sora literally glided out to the ring from a super high jump. He could feel the adrenaline and excitement course through him. He was ready to fight, and he was definitely ready to pound someone as easy as Rai.
"You're going down, y'know?" Rai said to him, gearing himself up.
"As if. . ." Sora replied.
The announcers began the fight.
Rai charged at Sora and began battering him. Jabs here, punches and hooks there. A headbutt or two with some kicks of all kinds. Sora watched him and smiled. Was this supposed to hurt or affect him? Rai started to slow his attempts until the point where had drained all of his energy, his sweat glistening off him as the sun shone brightly.
"Pfft," Sora mocked. Sora jumped and did a spinning kick to Rai's head, sending him out of the arena and into a wall. Instant knockout.
"And the winner is Sora! Didn't need clairvoyance to see that one coming," Chris said.
"And now we have Sora's best friend Riku up against Selphie!" Mike blared. The two Destiny Islanders entered the arena and faced each other down; Keyblade against staff.
Obvious turnout on this one, Roxas said from a few seats down.
Yeah, Sora mentally muttered.
"Fight!"
Riku dashed forward, not even waiting. He thought concisely on how to defeat his adversary. He wasted no time and took no chances. He sidestepped a Fira spell from Selphie and swung in a whistling arc, striking her in the back. She flew forward and rolled in the grit of the concrete. A hiss of sympathetic pain ran through the crowd. She coughed a few drops of blood and stood back up, wiping it away with a pail hand.
"You know you can't beat me, Selph," Riku told her. She smiled weakly.
"But I can try," she retorted.
"That's the spirit. That's what I taught ya!" he shouted as the collided with a duel of spells. Selphie became overwhelmed as Riku unleashed too many spells at once. She cast a Reflega, which was a mistake. Riku capitalized and beat her down.
"I surr- surrender," she sputtered.
"Well folks! That was quick but fun!" Chris announced as Riku healed his friend.
"Now we have Tidus and Hayner to come out and battle!" Mike said. The two teens trudged out onto the arena, ready to face off.
HoL:TS
The World That Never Was
August 30, 2010
"Will you do something for me?" Kefka asked.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"I said NO!" he blared at Kefka. He looked at his comical brother with both a smile and a scowl. Kefka told him what it was anyway. Now THAT sounded like a lot of fun.
"Well, I don't want to go! Besides, isn't this your sort of thing, bro?" Kefka asked him. Well, yes it certainly was, but he didn't feel like traveling to Olympus. He also had no affiliation for Hades whatsoever.
"Oh yeah, now I can finally have some fun," he replied. Destruction and chaos was his sorta thing. Just as much as Kefka liked it.
"I'll go, but why don't you want to, Kefka?" he asked.
"Because I'm busy with other things!" he retorted.
"Like what, pray tell."
"Well, it's simple really. . . NONE OF YOUR BEESWAX! " Kefka shouted at him, small embers forming around him, heat radiating.
"You really are something else, you know that?" he answered.
"Yep, now get going!" Kefka said.
"Fine, I'm going." A portal was summoned and he went through to do his brother's dirty work. Ooh, this is gonna be spectacular!
HoL:TS
Beast's Castle
September 1, 2010
"No, no, no. You string the lights like so!" Lumiere said to Chip, showing him how the decorations should be going in the grand ball room. Mrs. Potts wheedled around the room, decorating the set-up tables with flowers and all sorts of lavish items. Cogsworth ran around, cleaning the room and making it all tip-top and in shape.
Prince Adam, no longer the Beast, worked at moving heavy things around the ball room, mainly setting up tables, chairs and the grand piano. The piano went onto the stage set in the corner of the room, where Uematsu's orchestra would be playing. He sighed in relief as he finally adjusted. He stood up tall and wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked over to find Belle, his love, working away and singing. The sun streaked into the ball room. It was a wonderful day outside and inside, especially with Belle's voice ringing in the air.
"Are you happy about working?" he asked playfully, hopping down from the stage and walking over to her. She looked back at him.
"Of course. I'm happy and excited for everyone to come," she answered.
"I am too," he replied, looking around the ball room and all of its magnificent decorations. It was amazingly beautiful. He watched and chuckled as Chip was trying to reach a higher pillar to string lights to. Lumiere stroked his face in annoyance before helping the boy. Belle shifted and hooked her arm through his. He looked down to see a troubled face.
"Do you think Sora will come?" she said to Adam.
"I hope so," he simply replied.
HoL:TS
Olympus Coliseum
September 1, 2010
"And Herc surrenders as seeing Pegasus knocked out by Goofy! Wow! Who would have seen this one coming?!" Mike blared. They had only one more match to go before the second round would ensue.
"Yes, let' give them a hand!" The crowd applauded. "Now we move onto our next and final match before the intermission! Let's have Fuu and Kairi take the arena!" Chris said. The girls got up and took their spots on the arena. The sun was high in the sky, it had just passed noon. Kairi flashed her Keyblade to her hand as Fuu readied her blue chakram.
"Begin!"
The blue chakram raced at Kairi, spinning violently and whistling loudly. Kairi ducked and rolled forward at the same time. She cast a blizzard spell at Fuu's feet, making her slip and slide. Fuu regained her balance as she caught her chakram. He readied it again and threw it, this time laced with fire. Axel would be proud, Kairi thought.
Kairi blocked it away with her Keyblade and met at Fuu again. She cast a Fire spell, launching a fireball at her. It hit Fuu in the chest and knocked her to the ground. Kairi took no time to run to her and place the blade at her throat. The blue chakram fell to the concrete.
"Surrender," Fuu muttered. The crowd erupted in cheers, absolutely happy that Kairi won.
"Woo, go KAIRI!" Sora shouted. She didn't no what she was doing when she ran to him and hugged him, her Keyblade disappearing. She suddenly felt her face become hot and broke the hug, finding any reason to get away. She chose to talk to Aerith, leaving Sora shocked behind.
"And there we have it! The first round of the Olympian Cup comes to an end!" Chris announced.
"And the contestants to move on are Sora, Kairi, Riku, Merideth, One, Alexia, Donald and Goofy, Leon, Hades, Tidus, Axel, and Cloud and Aerith!" Mike blared.
"Who will win the next round!? We'll see after our thirty minute intermission!" Chris said and then the mics cut off.
HoL:TS
"So, long time no see, Merlin." He turned around and he smiled brightly.
"Ah, wha- my- my- holy Jehoshaphat! But, how- and. . . what? And why, b-b-b-b-? TIKI!?"
"Calm yourself, Merlin. I have good news," she said.
HoL:TS
"Wow, Sora, you didn't even flinch!" some little boy said to Sora. He just stood there and smiled, looking down at his fan.
"Ah it was nothing. The more you train, the stronger you get. Maybe one day you can be like me!" Sora said. The little kids around him cheered as he went on blushing and smiling. It was almost time to go back out and start the second round of the cup. The contestants had all been magically refreshed. He was ready to go back out and fight. He had been looking around for One, trying to find her and talk to her. And that was exactly what he did.
He found her in a secluded corner talking to Merlin of all people.
"Now, I- I thank you dearie. This means a lot to me. Now you have fun in the cup," he finished saying to her as he walked away.
"One!" Sora yelled running over to her. Kairi had found him and joined him to meet her.
"Ah, Sora. It's nice to meet you," she said. That was all, she tried nothing else.
"You have been amazing out there!" Kairi said to her. From under the hood they could see a smile spread.
"Thank you. You two are very strong as well," she replied. She extended a hand this time to each of them. Kairi shook first and look stole over Kairi, very quickly. It was gone as soon as it was there. Sora shook One's hand next and felt a surge of something go through him.
It almost felt like pure light.
"I hope to meet you Sora, in the Cup. I would very much enjoy to fight you," she said.
And as she said this, the horn blared for everyone to return. Sora walked out with the other eleven contestants that were remaining. He sat along them and waited for the announcers to return and kick things off.
"AAAAAAAAAND WE'RE BACK!" Mike yelled. The crowd roared and they were ready for more.
"Yes we are and I bet you are all ready for some more fighting! Can we please have Hades and Axel step into the arena!"
Burn Baby Burn.
TUH: There were some. . . interesting victories.
TN: No there weren't. Those were all predictable.
TUH: Not how they happened.
TN: Well, enjoy your freedom while it lasts.
TUH: Now, I wonder, what was that flash of light when they shook hands?
TN: Or that poem?
TUH: What was in the letter?
TN: And what are Adam and Belle up to?
TUH: And what was Sora's dream telling us. What apparel?
TUH: But more importantly, who's coming to the coliseum? *laughs maniacally*
TN: TEASER TIME!
BEGIN TEASER!
"Who are you and what do you want?" Sora screamed at him. He just smiled and brought up his gloved hands.
"Well, I want to have some fun, that's a definite. Poor brother Kefka sent me here, and now I relish in the festivities to come. But, as for who I am, well, you can call me-"
END TEASER!
May the Love of Anuwëy guide you when all Hope is lost
TorNathan
THE Unknowing Herald