//------------------------------// // 43. The Prelude pt.7 // Story: The Ninth Fantasy - Gaia // by MrAlterad //------------------------------// The man with the red dreadlocks looked to the moon. In Alexandria, the sun was now rising, but in Treno, it was always night. Feeling a bothersome presence approaching him, he took up a hostile stance, turning to the blond rogue. “You're up early.” The rogue observed, ignoring the hostility the man was projecting towards him. “And?” “Oh, just... Nevermind.” He scratched the back of his head as he let out a sigh. “Look, Amarant. I wanted to thank you.” The man faltered a moment, not understanding where this was coming from. “For?” “For looking after Pinkie. Applejack may not have noticed, but I do. You helped her, back in the Iifa Tree,” he then nodded in assurance, “Eiko told me. And, you've been looking after her since, so I just wanted to thank you.” The man scratched the back of his head as he appraised the man that framed him. He's showing gratitude for Pinkie? After having spent a over a week with these people, he's noted the friendship between them. The friendship that clashed with his notion on the matter. He still didn't understand it. He watched them make each other smile, and watched the worry for each other, but he didn't understand why. Does he think I... “I didn't do it for you," the man declared resolutely, "and I didn't-” “If you say you didn't do it for her, I'll call you a liar, straight up.” The rogue declared, a fire in his aura, and the man glowered at him, crossing his arms as he turned away. “So, you're saying that I did it for her.” The man considered that, thinking about Pinkie. He didn't like to see her aura tainted by sorrow. He didn't like to see anyone's aura tainted by that depressing color, but Pinkie, he was more drawn to her than any others. In Treno, and now on the Mist Continent in general, there were plenty with sorrow tainting their aura. He thought of when he and Pinkie first talked, after his defeat by Applejack, and nodded to himself. I'm simply making us even. He affirmed to himself. He then recalled when he saw her happy, truly happy, yesterday, and reflecting on it, he noticed that he had adopted a smirk, to his confusion, which made his brow instantly furrow. Now's not the time for this, it's pointless. This time a time to act. “Kuja needs to be hunted down. I-” he paused for a moment, then faced the blond rogue, “we need to be ready.” The rogue nodded, giving the man a smile. “I talked to an informant, Shadow, last night, he should have some answers for me soon.” The man scoffed upon hearing that. “What?” The rogue asked as he raised an eyebrow. “Just surprised. I would assume Shadow not to take to you, since you're close to the Princess. Too close.” The man stated, making the rogue's aura fluster as he blushed. Hmph, his emotions are too obvious. “Yea yea, Shadow is super loyal to protecting the crown. It's okay, him and I go back, he trusts me.” Zidane's brow then furrowed, “I think.” “You go back? What? One, two years?” The man asked mockingly, appraising the young rogue. “Did ... you just crack a joke about my age?” The rogue asked, clearly taken aback, and a little bemused. He then shook his head. “Look, there are other things I gotta check out. Will you stay with Pinkie and Eiko? Treno isn't the kindest place for them to wander around unaware.” “Then why invite Pinkie?” The man was certain Eiko would have stayed in Alexandria if Pinkie had as well. “Because Treno could use someone like her, even for a day. And it'll make her happy, helping the slums.” The man considered that for a moment. “So, you think to wash away her grief with happiness.” The man appraised as he folded his arms, neither supporting or condemning the idea. “I intended to watch them regardless, I didn't need your pleading.” The rogue gave him a sly grin, nodding to the man's words before leaving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATE: A Blade is a Heavy Thing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Applejack and Beatrix stared each other down, swords drawn in the middle of the training field. Once again, Applejack was ready to charge, and Beatrix was ready to take her. That's how it always started, to Applejack's annoyance. Beatrix always waited, and Applejack was always quick to oblige, standing still and wasting time just wasn't something she did. Always being the aggressor in these sparring matches, she's picked up on some of Beatrix's defensive habits in combat. Certain she'd get the general this time, she charged, initiating their third bout this morning. Beatrix stepped to Applejack's right, as she always did, and Applejack swung to the right, her attack parried as the mare turned towards her opponent. This time, it was Applejack's turn to parry as Beatrix made a riposte. Their blades met, and Beatrix was knocked back half a pace from the force of Applejack's defensive blow. Applejack was stronger, physically, but Beatrix was more experienced. She charged Applejack, bringing her sword down in an overhead swing, and Applejack moved to dodge, stepping to the side. She noticed the typical expression her opponent gave when Applejack did something wrong, and it made the mare falter for a moment. Oh horseapples! I overstepped! Indeed, now she was too far to get a good counterattack against Beatrix. Applejack spun around, parrying a blow she felt was coming, the ring of metal hitting metal sounding very satisfying as Beatrix's holy blade struck Icebrand. Applejack quickly followed-up the attack, stepping towards her momentarily off balanced foe. She brought her sword to the side, and saw Beatrix shift slightly, causing Applejack's blade to bounce harmlessly off her armor. Well, almost harmlessly, she saw Beatrix wince from the blow, but otherwise remained composed. Still... a hit's a hit! She assured to herself, better understanding her blunder earlier. A small amount of movement to defend against an attack. That's what Beatrix had been expecting Applejack to do earlier, instead of overstepping the dodge. Beatrix then counterattacked, her swing coming in too close for Applejack to dodge or parry, and she felt the blow connect with her armor, a good amount of the force being sent into her side, wincing from the blow as she slide back several feet. Still on her hooves, sword in mouth, she looked to Beatrix. Beatrix was now breathing just as heavily as Applejack was, which brought a smile to the mare's face. They both eyed each other for several seconds before Applejack broke the spell, charging forward again. Before reaching Beatrix, the general shifted her sword slightly, reflecting the light of the sun directly into Applejack's eyes. Momentarily blinded, Applejack followed her intuition, parrying to the right, feeling her blade connect with Beatrix's. Then Applejack felt lightning run down her blade, coursing into her body, making her drop her sword in pain as she staggered back, almost stumbling over, looking to Beatrix as her eyes readjusted. The general halted her attack, the bout over. “That was a dirty trick,” Applejack accused, her brow furrowed, “flashin' my eyes like that.” Beatrix nodded with a sigh as she sheathed her sword. “Applejack, Gaia's future counts on you and the others surviving. My 'dirty trick' would have cost you your life. Kuja will not hesitate to use such methods; and neither should you.” Applejack considered those words as she downed several potions. She then shook her head. “I, I ain't gonna fight dirty. Not now, or ever. Besides, I won't be fightin' Kuja alone, and any time he wastes figthin' dirty 'gainst me is time fer my friends to make him pay fer it.” Not to Applejack's surprise, Beatrix looked disappointed by her reply, but she didn't press the issue. “That aside, something's been on my mind since yesterday." She then looked to Applejack, her stare demanding the mare's full attention. "Applejack, can you promise me, when the opportunity presents itself, that you'll slay Kuja?” Applejack blinked at her request, and felt her stomach turn as the notion played out in her head. She didn't like Kuja. To say that was an understatement. But slaying him was outside the window of things she wanted do to him. She suddenly found herself thinking of Black Waltz No.3, and her brow furrowed. She considered the monsters of the mist to be just that, monsters. She felt nothing when she slew Black Waltz 1 and 2. Now, she pictured ending No.3, and she shivered. No.3 had changed, he wasn't a monster anymore, now that she saw him that way, she couldn't stand the notion of killing him. So, what makes a monster? Is Kuja a monster? She considered it for a moment before shaking her head. Kuja was a man, a villain, but a man all the same, just as Zidane was a man. She doubted she could bring herself to slay Kuja, regardless of what he's brought upon all of Gaia. And that realization, filled her with dread. Does the will to, kill, make one strong? If that's the case, then, I don't want that strength! She wouldn't be able to look at her friends and family in the eye back home if she did that. The Black Mage's she slew in the grotto and Burmecia still haunted her. Maybe Kuja deserved it, but Applejack had a feeling, that if it was her blade that ended him, the core that remained unchanged since ending up on Gaia, her core, would be broken. “I, I can't promise that.” Applejack admitted, avoiding Beatrix's gaze. After letting out a disappointing sigh, Beatrix left, saying nothing to Applejack, who looked to the general. If, it's to save Gaia and Equestria, I'll do it. She admitted to herself, troubled at the notion. But, I truly hope it doesn't come to that. Sighing to herself, Applejack looked to the castle, and after sheathing her blade, headed off to talk to Garnet, hoping to find some reassurance on this subject. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “...You didn't have to come.” The man declared as he entered a particular shop in Treno, Pinkie at his side. After splitting up with Eiko and Freya, who were heading to Dr. Tot, Pinkie tracked down the warrior, and refused to leave him alone. “Why not? I wanna watch~!” Pinkie replied, not giving him an inch. “You said to do what I want, so that's what I'll do~!” she added as she gave him a smug grin. He resisted letting out a sigh as he asked the attendant to get the owner. Seeing the man, the store attendant quickly left to do just that, his aura showing fear as Pinkie and the man were left alone. Many people feared him, especially in Treno. He had a large bounty on his head, but it didn't stop him from strolling through the open streets. The thugs of Treno have long abandoned trying to cash in the man's head. “Well, Amarant, this is an unexpected surprise.” A crodgy old voice stated, its owner coming into the room. An elderly noble with little hair left on his head, dressed in red regal garments appraised the man, then Pinkie as he adopted a sly grin. “And you brought a friend too. Quite unexpected indeed.” The man felt the smallest of urges to correct Stratgo, and chose to ignore it. “I went to the Outer Continent.” The man proclaimed, knocking the smile off of Stratgo's face. “And I'm here to fight. As many as you can offer.” “Oh~?” Pinkie asked, looking to him, confused. “What are we fighting?” “I am fighting monsters. You want gil, to host a large feast, party, whatever. Well, he pays those that defeat his monsters.” Stratgo nodded at the man's explanation, getting a nod of understanding from Pinkie. She looked to the man, concern lightening her aura, getting his attention. “What?” “You don't have to-” Pinkie began, but the man quickly shook his head. “I would have come here regardless. You didn't need to come. Still, you're here, which is fine.” Stratgo looked between Pinkie and the man, readopting his smile. “Well,” Stratgo began, turning around, beckoning them to follow, “let's get to talking, then you can fight my latest finds.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATE: Grasping at Shadows ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Zidane was waiting in a small dock underneath a noble's home. He didn't have to wait long, as a figure garbed in loose concealing clothes appeared nearby, greeting the blond rogue. “Well Zidane, after snooping for a bit, I've decided to spare you the cost.” Shadow stated as he leaned against a supporting pillar. “So, you found something big?” Zidane asked, prompting Shadow to shake his head. “What I found isn't going to help you much. The mansion that hosts the auctions belongs to a man simply named King. This man perfectly matches your description of Kuja. He regularly stayed at the mansion for half a year, but hasn't been seen since Cleyra was leveled.” Zidane nodded, his brow furrowing. “The people he associated with, and the auctioneer, knew little of his origins or capabilities. At the most, he was simply known as a weapons dealer.” “That's still news to me, why's it free?” Zidane asked, and he saw Shadow's brow furrow as he looked to him. “Because he killed our queen.” He then let out a sigh, “Honestly, what you've told me on the man was more than anything I've gotten on him in the last six months he's lived in Treno.” Zidane considered that for a moment before looking back to Shadow. “So, what's up with Treno? It seems more, alive, than usual.” Shadow nodded, motioning to the buildings above them. “The dirty nobles are gone. They left yesterday by caravan to be in Alexandria for the coronation. Only a small handful stayed behind. Many rats are itchin' to cause a mess while the cat's are away.” “I see. That's good to know.” Zidane considered that for a moment, then handed Shadow a decent amount of gil, getting a confused expression from the cloaked man. “Someone named Pinkie Pie will be hosting a party of some sorts later on for the slums. I'd like you to spread the word,” Zidane's brow then furrowed, “and make sure no one gets any funny ideas.” Shadow looked into the bag, appraising the gil before nodding, and with that, Zidane made to leave. “Zidane.” Shadow said, his cautionary tone catching the rogues attention, “Don't wind up dead chasing Kuja. A man who can bring about ruin to two nations without breaking a sweat is someone you don't screw around with.” Zidane nodded, and left Shadow alone. Well, so much for delivering a grand tale for Dagger. Zidane thought with a sigh. I guess coming here was a waste of time. Zidane thought, then corrected himself. Well, for me anyway... As he returned to the streets above the waterways, he recalled the airship he had gotten a glimpse of yesterday. If that is Cid, I suppose I should track him down. I can at least fill him in on what's going on, for Dagger. Nodding to himself, he walked past the Card House. As he passed it, he noticed a tournament was going on. He wondered why such a thing would be hosted the day before the coronation, as he proceeded towards the city gates, to fill in the leader of Lindblum. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATE: Tell Me the Story! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I see,” Dr. Tot said as he looked over his large globe of Gaia, a book in hand, “So you're the last of your tribe.” He looked to Eiko, giving her a small, considerate nod. “I'm sorry about that.” He added as he looked back to the globe, his brow furrowing. “It's okay,” Eiko said passively, before adopting a smile, “So, whatcha looking for?” Dr. Tot sighed as he looked back to the young summoner. “I was trying to find Ipsen's landing, but he didn't seem to mark it on the globe. I have no idea how your suppose to get to the castle, short of flying.” He put the book down, leaving his large globe in contemplation. “Just how did Ipsen get there?” Tot asked nobody in particular as Freya let out an annoyed sigh. “Mr. Tot, there are no books here concerning Kain's legend.” She proclaimed as she started putting books back where she pulled them from. The doctor appraised Freya for a moment before he started pacing again, his eyes wandering to Eiko's earring. “Hmm...” He said out loud as he stared, making Eiko raise an eyebrow. “What?” She asked. Dr. Tot's eyes opened wide as he realized he was gawking. “My apologies, Eiko. May I ask, where did you get that gem?” “This? This is the sacred stone of my tribe!” She declared proudly. “Tot...” Freya said impatiently, making him turn to her. “Do you know anyone in Treno that would have a copy?” He nodded as he fixed his glasses. “You'll want to talk to a noble named Stratgo.” Dr. Tot informed, “I wouldn't be surprised if he had a copy of the legend, he does love anything concerning unique monsters, such as the Mist Dragon.” “I see,” Freya said, giving him a small smile, “thanks again, Dr. Tot.” With that, Freya started to leave, and Eiko strolled after her. “Thank you again, young lady.” Tot said to Eiko, prompting her to turn around with a smile as she addressed him. “If you have more questions, feel free to ask anytime, I love talking about home!” Dr. Tot nodded as the two left, and Eiko turned to Freya, giving the warrior her smile. “So, you're chasing down an old legend to save your betrothed? That sounds so romantic! It's like something a hero in a story would do!” “Heh, I'm no hero.” Freya admitted, her failures starting to bubble up at those words, and she quickly pushed them down as she looked to the child. “Do you want to find Pinkie? I intend to visit this scholar.” Eiko considered that for a moment before shaking her head. “I'll go with you! You can tell me about that story you want to find!” She then nodded to herself. “Pinkie's with Amarant, so she'll be fine! Nothing bad's gonna happen to her while he's around!” She adamantly declared. Freya looked to Eiko, considering her words for a moment, before nodding. “He does seem to take a liking to her.” With that, the two of them traveled through Treno, assured that Pinkie was going to be just fine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATE: Blue Light ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pinkie had watched in awe at Amarant's fighting. Stratgo had a caged room set aside for fighting monsters, and Amarant had just finished his fight against the second. It was a large green bull with a single eye on its head, like a cyclops. It was called a Catoblepas, and it had given Amarant quite the challenge. With the monster's defeat, Amarant left the cage, being handed a generous amount of gil by Stratgo. Pinkie quickly healed Amarant's bruises with her potions, getting a grateful shrug from the man. “So~~, I wanna fight the next one!” Pinkie declared, getting a skeptical look from Amarant. “This isn't a game.” Amarant quickly stated. “Actually, it is.” Stratgo interjected, “I've got the monsters under my spell, they cannot cause lethal harm to their opponents.” “Seee~, it's a game~!” Pinkie affirmed, “So let me play!” She wanted to see how she fared on her own. The last time she fought a monster on her own was the day she reunited with her friends. “Alright, young lady,” Stratgo began, “The next monster I have is called an Amdusias. It can fly, will that be a problem?” Pinkie shook her head as the old man adopted a smile, “Alright, get in the arena and show us what you're made of.” Pinkie nodded, giving him a fiery glare, then paused when she caught Amarant's look. “Be careful.” He asked of her, making her heart skip a beat. She gave him a hard nod, determined not to disappoint him, as she turned to the caged arena, and entered. Alright Pinkie. We can totally do this! This party pony is tough on her own, just you watch! She thought to nopony in particular. As she waited inside the arena, she heard a metal grate open, and looking to the closed bars the monsters were let in from, she saw her opponent. It had a body similar to a muscular horse, which Pinkie found surprising. It's skin was purple, it had no fur. On it's head was a long horn, as long as one of its legs, and its yellow mane was composed of bladed barbs standing on end. The Amdusias had a long, serpentine tail, and four bat-like wings. Its red eyes met Pinkie's, and it glared at her, tapping the ground with a forward hoof several times, waiting for the bars to fall. Pinkie got her cannon ready, and with a metal , the gate opened, and the Amdusias charged forward. Pinkie rolled to the side, avoiding its horn, only to get cut by its surprisingly sharp wings. Bouncing away from the monster as it started to turn around, Pinkie called on her magic, summoning forth some cake, and scarfed it down. Feeling the affects of her ability kick in, she saw as things around her seemed to slow down, and the cuts dealt to her started to heal up. The monster whipped around, and she easily dodged it under the affects of Haste. Bringing her cannon to bear, she hit it with a stream of water, slamming it against the arena's walls. Pinkie smiled as it crashed to the ground, then her eyes widened as it started channeling a spell. She felt the tingling sensation she's come to associate with her learning a monster's ability, as the Amdusias fired off its spell. From its horn shined a white and blue light, and Pinkie was caught in a moment of awe. Holy light bloomed forth from the monster's horn, filling the arena with its serene glow, quickly surrounding Pinkie. Her awe was immediately replaced with worry as the light closed in around her, blinding her as the light struck her very being. The holy light poured through her, bringing to light every wrong, every terrible, despicable, evil deed she's ever done- The light faded, and Pinkie stood there, surprised to feel completely fine after the attack. Not only fine, but even rejuvenated. In fact, she felt that, including a new spell for her cannon, she had also gained a new ability from Holy. The monster, and her two spectators, seemed just as surprised as she was. In fact, Pinkie was fairly certain that the monster's mouth was hanging open from sheer surprise. Pinkie considered the distracted monster a moment. Holy caused no harm to her, and now she was curious if the same was true to the monster, as she brought her cannon to bear. A light-blue light, radiating holy life and all good things, fired from her cannon, sending forth countless beads that flew out and circled around the Amdusias. The beads closed around the monster, and it let out a cry as it was swallowed by a white explosion, a billowing cloud of holy energy radiated out from the blast, momentarily blinding Pinkie. When she could see again, she saw the monster. Charging her. Its horn half a pace ahead of her. The horn was lined up to skewer the mare. Still under the affects of Haste, Pinkie jumped up, just in time to avoid the horn, but only the horn. The two equines crashed into each other, and Pinkie was sent smashing into the caged wall of the arena, the air knocked out of her lungs. She felt the healing magic of her cake start to heal her, as she rolled to her hooves. Pinkie cradled her chest, wincing in pain as she saw that the monster was just as staggered as she was. Turning towards her, it lowered its head as it beat the ground with a forward hoof. Oh no! You're not charging me again! She mentally proclaimed as her brow furrowed. Getting her cannon, she fired off another Holy, and felt the last bit of her magic drain away, making her eyes widen in surprise as the monster was caught in another holy explosion. Not risking getting hit again, Pinkie bolted to the side, her eyes peeled, hoping she wasn't in for another lung crushing charge. As the light dispersed, the monster stood there, on its last hoof, looking around, confused. It then cast Holy again, but in its confusion, caught itself with its own spell, and when the explosion of light died down, nothing remained but mist. The fight over, Pinkie adopted her usual smile as she drank a potion, satisfied, and proud that she managed the monster on her own. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Something about Pinkie changed when he told her to be careful. It had drawn the man's attention. Her pink aura, always wearing a smile, shifted to something he's only seen from her once before. When he fought her in the Iifa Tree. The fire in her eyes when she nodded to him only reaffirmed his suspicions. The Pinkie he was looking at now, was taking this battle very seriously. Thinking on it, this was the first time he's truly seen her fight. The monsters they fought at the Iifa Tree were too out numbered by her friends to pose a threat. For the first time, he saw Pinkie in a light similar to when they first talked. Now, she was as not just a weak pony, but something more. He watched her fight, not daring to look away. He felt his brow furrow when the monster collided into her, his anger flaring towards the beast. He cared for her. What? He thought as he realized how his aura flared towards the beast. Confused by his own emotions, his aura shifted, its target falling to the source of his confusion, Pinkie. His brow furrowed as he appraised her. He had wanted to see her get stronger, but he hadn't realized that there was another side to her, a strong side, that she had kept hidden, which she was now thoughtlessly putting on display. The man watched as the monster was caught in its own spell, signaling the end of the fight. Stratgo nodded to himself, his aura showing that he was pleased by the battle, but what for, the man was unsure. “You should have told me she used blue magic.” He said as he gave the man a side glance. “I wouldn't mind teaching her a few things.” He stated as Pinkie joined them, her aura returning to its mirthful color, giving the man a very satisfied grin. “Totally had it~!” She stated smugly as the man crossed his arms, his aura now radiating disappointment, making Pinkie's aura falter as she looked to him. “What was that?” He asked as he pointed to the arena, “You were different, just now.” His voice carried an accusing tone. He now saw her bubbly self as a facade, and wasn't amused. She caught on to his implications, and took a step back, her aura now flustered. “I- Well- That was-” Her brow then furrowed, seeming to think on something before nodding to herself. “That was me, fighting to win.” She said sternly, not backing down as she looked to him. “I, I wanted to show you that I could do it. And I lost track of me when I did...” She finished as she looked to the ground, rubbing her forehoof over the other. She then glanced to Stratgo, who was appraising the two of them with interest. “Can we talk about this later,” she asked, looking up to him with honest eyes, “Please?” The man's aura faltered at those eyes, and the unspoken promise that the talk would be very soon, so he nodded, and she gave him a smile. Something about this smile was different, it wasn't the silly ear-to-ear grin, but a small, considerate, and thankful smile. “Well,” Stratgo began, “since you've both gotten that out of the way, here's your reward.” And he presented Pinkie with another large sum of gil, which she eagerly took, distracting her from what just transpired. “Young lady, are you perhaps interested in learning more blue magic?” Stratgo asked, getting a surprised look from Pinkie, which quickly turned into her typical grin. “That's monster magic, right?” She asked, getting a nod from the old man, which in turn got a smiling nod from Pinkie. The man looked on as Stratgo and Pinkie spent half an hour with each other, Stratgo teaching Pinkie several new abilities. Pinkie conveyed her gratitude before she and the man left the old monster scholar, returning to the streets of Treno. “So,” Pinkie began, “we still have four or five hours till we should be heading back! Let's buy all the awesome food we can, and get a party going for everyone~~!” The man nodded, hiding his uncertainly that this plan would go as Pinkie expected it to. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Moogle Notes: ~~~~~~~~~~~ 'Greetings Equestrian! Mois here to tell you how it works!' 'Pinkie's good nature is shared between most ponies of Equestria, making them heal from Holy type damage, or simply not take damage from it at all; just like how fire can't harm Spike because he's a dragon! However, it also means ponies are more susceptible to Dark type damage. So they gotta look out for those kinds of attacks! Kupo!' ~~~~~~~~~~~ Amarant Coral ~~~~~~~~~~~ Items Equipped: Poison Knuckles: Spare Change, Counter Add ST: Poison Ritual Hat: Counter, Bright Eyes, Undead Killer Bone Wrist: Add Status Raises Earth Elem-Atk. Brigandine: Ability Up, Return Magic Germinas Boots: Alert, HP+10%, Flee Lvl-30 HP 1822/1822 MP 94/94 AP 1/30 *HP+10% (4) - Increases HP by 10%. *Undead Killer (2) - Deals lethal damage to undead enemies. *Add Status (3) - Adds weapons status affect when you Attack. *Counter (8) - Counterattacks when physically attacked. Alert (4) - Prevents back attacks. *Ability Up (3) - Characters learn abilities faster. Bright Eyes (4) - Prevents Darkness. *Return Magic (9) - Returns magic used by enemy. Abilities: Throw: Action Command - Throw a weapon at an enemy. Flair: Chakra 4 MP - Restores HP and MP of one Party member. Spare Change 0 MP - Causes Non-elemental damage to the enemy by using Gil.