//------------------------------// // Disc 1- Spacial 1 part 2/2 // Story: Setting Sun of Thieves // by Shadow Hero //------------------------------// The group woke the next day and saw most of the chefs in the dining car. “Why are you here?” Zidane asked as he rubbed the sleep out of his eye's. “Well you're friend kicked us out and said ‘must cook'” One of the chef's said with his head on the table. “I heard cook!” Azure scream, popping his head from outside the window. Screams of abject fear filled the room from the sudden outburst. He crawled in and clothed himself with Ultra Guardian robes. “Mornin’.” “Mornin.” Zidan said as he did some squats before setting down.”So what's the plan for today?” “Uh...we wait. Wait...check this out.” He said as I hand him the garnet. “Its nice looking.” Zidane said as he held it up to the light. “Where did you get it?” “One of the passengers had it. It may prove important to any summoner you come across…I think. Speaking of summoner’s, who’s in your party so far?” “Me, Quina, Sunset, and Cid Pollendina. Why?” “Thief, Blue mage, Engineer...what's Sunset’s job class?” “Red mage, but she is trying to learn how to summon.” “A Freelancer then? Heh, shouldn't be too hard for her. Give her these next time you see her,” He retrieve two spell scrolls from my inventory. “Don't worry about returning them, they're copies.” He was just about to hand them to Zidane, but Gilda had rushed into the room panting. “Black Knights! All hooves on deck!!” Everypony rushed to the window to see Rainbow clashing her blade against three black armored dragoons. A carriage then pulled up to the window. “Ahem! Salutations young ponies. Fear not, the royal guard shall handle this! Charge!” “Oh my God they just flew in. Zidane, you and me on the roof. Gilda, keep those idiots safe. Elemental magic will harm them, but nothing can dent that metal!” “Ok. Gilda here.” Zidane though a yellow materia at her. “This should help.” He said as he flipped out the window onto the roof “Oh my various...why...Gilda, are they ponies or…” “Dash told me, yeah, they're ponies. Good luck dude, I’ll see you when they're dead.” She flew out to join her comrade as elemental magic filled the air. The speeding train threatened to push me off but Azure managed to keep stable balance as he began to aim. “Well, the only good thing about this is they aren't on the roof too, right Zidane!?” “I guess.” By Murphy's Law a squadron of Dragoon's landed on the roof. “Me and my big mouth…” Azure charge his magic, the back of his hand glowing with a lighting blue XI. “Numbered Beast! Thunder Stalker!” An etheric etheric boar rushed through the Dragoons, eliciting pained and muffled screams. “Wow thats..” Zidane was awestruck. “Pfft, watch this!” His magic charged again, and an ice blue VIII appeared on my opposite hand. “Numbered Beast! Ice Beast Attack!” A large serpent like creature assaulted the group with tendrils and tossed them off the roof. “Feh, too easy.” ‘That's not what your heart beat says.’ He steal a glance at his arm and his HUD shows his heart rate rose to caution. “Peachy…” “Is everything ok?” Zidane asked as he shot a Fireball out of his dagger with the red materia in the hilt pushing back a Dragoon. “Everything's A-OK! But I think it's time for more unorthodox methods,” ‘Gather your mind...gather your soul…’ He pull back, slamming his feet on the roof. Darkened energy gathered on his palms as he took aim at an airborne group assaulting the carriage. “Messatsu!” He hurl ball after ball of dark spiritual energy, only stopping when the disk on his arm appeared and kept blinking out the word “Empty”. A few managed to strike wings, but most either missed or had been dodged. “I really need better aim…” “Here take this it well help.” Zidane said as he haned him a Hi-Potion. “Now lets see what I can do.” He said as hee shot a mix of ice and fire balls hitting a few. “I guess I need more practice with magic.” “I could probably teach you someday, but for now…” As he pulled another scroll, The destruction burst, and hand it to Zidane. “Most if not all the magic I use is pinpoint accurate, this one will lock onto an opponent and blast them with three consecutive bursts of Dark/Fire magic. Don't use it too much, it requires health to cast.” “Ok then.” Zidane said as he chugged his own Hi-potion before reading the Scroll. Dark Fireballs started to fly and hit the remanding Dragoon's out of the sky. “Huff. How did I do… I am soo not made for magic.” He said as he knelt down on one knee. “I’d say you did better than most. Just keep that one from Sunset, she’ll kill herself mastering it.” The carriage began to pull up to us, as well as a battle scarred Rainbow and Gilda. “Well met lads! The Pactagonal knights of the royal guard thank you for your aid!” Said one of the knights in the carriage. “The Pactagonal knight's!?” Azure shout. “I thought they were a myth!” “Well isn't that Sir Prizing!” Shouted one of the pegasi pulling the cart. “Pay no mind to Sir Cus. He’s off his meds again. Fare thee well lads and ladies!” Gilda tapped me on the shoulder and stopped me from destroying the carriage for their bad pun. “Griffonstone is up ahead. Let's get our gear and get some food, I’m starved.” “Dig in.” Pinkie said as her and Quina pushed a cart full of food. “Hey hero, you notice how none of them could speak or scream?” Asked Gilda as she swallowed a halibut whole. “Yeah...muffled. Why do you ask?” “Their mouths had been stitched,” Said Rainbow Dash. “You think…” “Don't know what to think. I'm sorry for dragging you into this Zidane.” “It’s ok, we have time before the field trip,” Zidane said as he took a bite of the pancakes. “We were just training till then anyway.” “Well, I hope your group is up to some treasure hunting,” Azure said as He pulled out a map. “Now our targets are located on the bottom of this gorge.” I point to the part of the map labeled impassable. “The Abysmal Abyss,” Stated Gilda. “The entrance is covered by a howling wind that pushes everything back.” “Count me in. Quina?” Zidane asked getting a shake from her/his head. “I guess this isn’t for everyone. You stay and make sure Choco doesn't do anything stupid.” “Kewwe.” Choco said as he lift his head from his bowl of Gysahl Greens “We may need Quina anyway. How good are you with pastries?” Azure ask the Qu. “Good, very good.” Quina said “Excellent, you Pinkie and Gilda will be baking scones for the town.” “Do you know about my family’s recipe?” Asked Gilda. “Yup! Spoiler, you forgot to add flour! You ninny…” Pinkie started to guffaw while the others just gave me strange looks. The train had come to a halt and we began to exit the car. Everyone had left but Pinkie had held me back. “Um...I...had Quina prepare this one,” She gave him a glass of viscous red liquid. “Don't worry, it isn't from a pony or anything…” She scurried after the group, leaving him to down my drink. “Where the heck they find an otter?” The city was...in horrible condition. Houses were nothing more than shacks, griffon lay upon tattered blankets, beggars lined the streets. In the center of the city stood an elderly vulture. “Gather round and I shall tell you of the fall of this once great nation! That is if you have the bits!” Shouted the old bird. “I have bits!” Cried Pinkie, who Azure stopped before she could humor him. “Not interested.” He saidsoullessly as we walk past the annoyed bird. “Psst, how was my Cloud impression?” He ask in a whisper. “Cloud... Great.” Zidane whispered back The group stopped at what was another broken down shack, in front stood an old metal stove. “Well, welcome to my place. So we gonna rest first or-" Gilda would have finished her sentence had Pinkie not built three more, brightly decorated stoves next to the old one. “Eeerectin a dispenser!” Cried Pinkie. “I won't even ask how you know that reference.” Azure said dejectedly. “What reference?” Asked Pinkie. She had a pair of goggles and a hard hat on. “For the sake of everyone’s sanity, We’re just gonna leave you to it.” Our group once again split in two, Gilda, Pinkie and Quina taking care of fixing Griffonstone’s pastry problem and Rainbow Dash, Zidane and Azure left to find the Idol and the Staff of Awe!!. The Abysmal Abyss lay before us, the torrential wind's whipping at the loose debris that so much as grazed it. Rainbow flew head first into the howling winds. “Last one in’s a rotten-WAH!?” The poor mare was bounced back like a ball hitting jello. “Okay second time’s the charm!” “Rainbow wait!” Azire cries went unheard of course as she was once again jettisoned backwards. “Let me do this part,” He said as he switch into my Frostval Mercenary Garb. and he wait...and wait some more…’Well that’s certainly unsettling. Guess Frost is asleep,’ He throw a few loose punches and build meter. Health:///100%/// Mana:///100%/// SP://27% “Let’s rock!” He pull a thin and sharp kunai from the aether, a long rope attached to it. A quick spin and thorw his blade into the storm. “Wait for it...wait for it…*CHINK* NAILED IT!” ‘Oh God this is harder than I thought! Looks like I’ll have to break my limiter…’ He felt his muscles tense with each successive tug. Then he felt his muscles shift as his body changed beneath the armor. The suit stretched with each limiter, Werewolf, Vampire, Dragon. One final tug and the once torrential winds were ripped from the canyon it once defended, what remained of the barrier turned out to be a pure elemental orb of wind. ‘Nope, nopity nope nope nope.’ “Zidane catch!” “So the thing is down there.” Zidane said as he held the rope. “Oh yeah, So, you wanna climb down or let Rainbow fly you down?” Azure ask. Zidane looked down. “I think I can climb this.” “Right, have fun. Look out for a statue made of gold and a wooden staff with feathers on it. Rainbow, let’s fly!” He waste no time in unfurling my wings and jumping into the abyss, a Rainbow blur shooting past me. ‘Poor guy should have taken that ride…’ The bottom off Abysmal Abyss “I wonder what's taking them so long.” Zidane said as he passed back and forth “Thats easy, stuck in time.” A voice said from behind “What the .” Zidane turned around. “It's you.” “Its nice to see you Tyler, or is it Zidane now.” Kuja said “Kevin.. Yes Kevin, what have you been.. Wait it was you who killed the King and Queen of the Changelings.” Zidane said in a shocked tone “Yes, but not just me. I was just playing my part, and its Kuja now.” “So, just like that. You turned evil just so you can play your part.” “Yes, well I'm not here to talk about that, just a helpful hint if you well.” Kuja said as he walked around Zidane “That would be?” “Hasty as always. Past the city of Amour is where you can find what you are looking for.” “Amour. What does that mean?” Zidane said in a confused tone “it means.. It seems my time is up, bye for now.”Kuja said as he got swallowed up by darkness “Wait.” Zidane said but it was too late, Kuja was gone. “...yeah I get it, it looks cool, but can you change back!? It’s creepy!” Cried Rainbow as we exited the portal. “But...fine.” He close the portal and revert back to my base human-ish form. “ Well, we made it, but where’s Zidane?” “You think that creep got to him too?” Asked Rainbow. “Oh. There you are.” Zidane said as he came out off one of the many cave's “How long were we gone?” Azure ask. “Not that long..” Zidane said “Good, let me grab what we came for and we can get out of here...Seriously, all that’s left is for the stupid skeleton to reanimate its-” He don’t so much as reach for the staff that lay on the floor, when of course murphy reared his ugly head. Bones began to fly and reconnect to age worn sockets as the ancient skeleton rose to it’s feet, the golden idol locked inside of its rib cage, my Staff of Awe!! held firmly in its bony claw. “Fools...I live!!” Cried the one eyed skeleton as it began to cackle. “...Ultima.” A burst of volatile green magic tore the undead demon apart. It’s bones once again began to reform. “Let's see how you burn.” Zidane said as he shot a fireball out of one of his daggers that had the red Materia.. It's leg now has a Scorch mark on it. “...Ahh…”Zidane said as he searched his bag. “Uh. Thought I had a Holy Materia in here.” The undead swung the staff, three waves of wind elemental magic pushing us to the wall of the abyss. “Grr, this may not end well. Zidane, catch,” Azure sad as he throw a copy of my Green Dragon Ocarina. “When and if I say play, you play! Rainbow, try and dislodge the idol!” “My Idol! I didn’t die stealing it to have it taken from me!!” Yelled the demon as it swung the staff, the orbed relic pinning and pinning Rainbow to the wall. The staff returning to it’s grip. "Mm.I wonder.”Zidane mumbled. He concentrated on the daggers, after a bit one had a blue aura around and the other had a red aura. “Now we're talking.” Zidane said as he charged at the skeleton The demon had tried to swipe at the agile Zidane, only to fail miserably as Zidane carved into the demon’s skull. This in turn allowed Rainbow a chance to slice off some of the demon’s rib cage. “You. Shall. Not. TAKE. MY IDOL!!” AS if reacting to it’s rage, the staff began to glow and the Abyss was saturated in magic. “Play the ocarina…” Azure whisper in fear. “Right.” Zidane said as he put the ocarina to his lips and played it. It wasn’t a moment too soon, as before us descended the Guardian Dragon. “BURNINATE!! Please don’t sue.” The mighty dragon sent a torrent of void flame at us, only to be blocked by our own Green Dragon Zard. The beasts flew skyward, the magic in the air slowly fading as the sounds of clashing metal and scale echoed through the walls. “That would have killed us…” Azure said nonchalantly. “I didn’t even know the staff could DO that,” Said the skeletal demon. “That just means I have more to keep from you!” The demon began to cackle only realize it had a sword jutting from its skull. “Hi, how’s it goin?” Asked Rainbow with a sly grin. “Other than the sword through my head? Rather well.” “Yeah that’s good, that’s good. Now could you stand there while my friends pummel you with their build up of light magic?” “I don’t see why-wHAT!? NOO!” Only it was too late, as Zidane and I shot our collective payload of Light and Holy magic. The bones, finally fell, and with it, the Staff of Awe!! And the lost Idol of Borealis. “Well...that was anti-climactic. I just hope the others are-NOPE! Not tempting fate again!” Azure yell at no one in particular. “We’re done here, I want to go home, and shower, and eat. AND I’M FLYING YOU UP THIS TIME! I’M NOT GETTING STUCK IN A TIME WARP AGAIN!!” Azure scream as he grab Zidane and fly back to the top of the Abyss with Rainbow following close behind us. The flight back had been weathered in silence, the light of day our only sign that we had left the Abyss. But all was not right with the world...gazing into the distance, our pastry group had been surrounded by griffon soldiers in rusted armor. The vulture from before holding Gilda in a vice grip. “Oh fuck me sideways can nothing go RIGHT TODAY!!!” “What happened here?” Zidane asked “It’s a bit far to see, but our group is surrounded, and Gilda might die. How good are you with falling and landing from great heights?” Azure ask. “Good,as long as I am warned first.” “GREAT! I’mma coat you with magic now.” The monkey-like human in Azure grasp began to glow with a bright golden light, wings unfurling from his back. IHepull back...and launch my living projectile at the group closest to Pinkie. “HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!! Rainbow, catch him if he falls.” With a salute she was off. He re-don the mercenary, its resident spirit finally talking to me. Azure launch his kunai at the vulture, flying behind it. Zidane found his target, the area exploding in blinding light, Rainbow had similar success, freeing up a large portion of the field as she cleaved through various guards. He had no such luck. The vulture batting the weapon away with one of his… “THAT’s MY AX!!!” Azure scream as he land in front of the vulture and Gilda. The vulture holding the weapon to her throat. Normally the axe glows with a white flame, but it seemed to be dead. “Ah..the heroes arrive!! Now...give me the idol.” “Don’t...I’d die first!” Protested Gilda. “None of that grand daughter! Or would you rather your friends see you die?” “You’re in no position to make threats, old bird. Hand her over.” Azure said with as much venom as he could muster. The vulture only laughed as he drew blood from Gilda’s neck. “I’m in a better position than you hero. Guards! Arrest them!” More griffon soldiers had begun to descend, their forces dwarfing us ten to one. “Hey, where is Choco?” Zidane asked as he saw he was nowhere “Kewwe.” “Charge!!” Two voice said as they landed, one was Choco and the other was a grey coated griffin. “Gabby! What are you doing!” Gilda yelled “Me and my friend her saw that you need help. Take this.”she said as she punched one off the guards. “Kewwe.” Choco flapped his wings and a strong gust of wind came and blow some of the guards back abit “Humph, youthful treason. Guards, seize them!” Four guards had managed to separate the duo, though there had been some trouble. The entire event devolved into an all out brawl, yet despite the sounds of cannon fire and magic I couldn’t stop staring at the vulture and Gilda. “Funny isn’t it hero? All this for a simple artefact? Foolish, but only I know it’s true worth, and with it shall come my rise to power! The world shall fall TO ME!!” “...stop.” “What’s that hero, I don’t think we can hear you.” “Stop.” “Louder, let the world hear your screams!!” “STOOOOP!!!” And the world stopped. Azure moved slowly, held the ax and tore it from the vulture, it’s fire once more flared to life. He Then removed Gilda from her grandfather’s grasp as the world once again began to move. Gilda let out a feared gasp, as my blackened dragonic arm held Gruff by his neck. The battle had since died down, rainbow and Gabby still punching the guards they held. The vulture struggled in my grasp. “Heh, you...won’t actually kill me will you? Heroes don’t kill.” “No, they don’t. But I’m no hero...I’m just a Demon.” Azure couldn’t see his fear, he could only hear his realization as he snapped his neck. The body falling to the floor, the image of Griever flashed for a second. Silence...followed by a yell. “The old king is dead!” “Long live the king!!” “Hail to our beast king!!” The cacophony of soldiers became deafening, ending only as I plunged the ax into the dirt. “I am no king!! I am only death itself!” The staff appeared in my hand, he began to swing the weapon as it glowed and changed. It’s transformation ended with a portal ripping into the air. “To hell with this lost soul…” He then promptly kick the dead body into the void. “Zidane, gather the group, I’ll meet you in the castle.” Azure sat alone, in an empty throne room, the only sound was that of the various exclamations of the kingdom’s new ruler. Zidane and co. walked briskly into the throne room. “Soo. How's it going?” Zidan asked what's on everyone's mind “I killed another sentient being in cold blood. Not very good all things considered.” “H-hey, look on the bright side...the fighting stopped, and the scones are selling pretty well.” Said Pinkie, her hair had straightened out and darkened. “Zidane, I think you may have a few problems facing you when you get back to your world…” He said absent mindedly. “Ya. I know.. Having to face a friend in battle..Maybe too the death…” Zidane said as he leaned on a post “Your world’s Kuja I take it. He won’t be your only problem…” Azure said as he mindlessly remove my new limiter. Griever’s form hung over himlike a cruel punishment. “Gah!? Put that away!!” Screamed Dash. “Sorry,” the limiter once again in place, he continue. “It seems Chaos is hiding somewhere in your world. The coward…” “If that's the case am not alone in this. They are more heros off light out there.” “True, but that doesn’t change the fact that you will need help once Chaos decides he’s tired of hiding. Take these,” He finally give Zidane the summon scrolls to the two numbered beasts, and another scroll sealed with the sigil of the Elements of Harmony. “The summons are yours, as well as the ocarina. Flick the ocarina if you want to call and take up a moment of my time. The other scroll however, is for Cosmos. Tell her it’s up to her if she wants to hire me for whatever your world will face.” “Thank's. If I ever met her in person I am sure it give it to her.” Zidane said as he pocked the item's. “This is goodbye then, it’s been a trip,” I pull out my copy of Zidane’s token and bite it. The destination locked, and I ripped a portal back to his realm. “I almost forgot, give this to a white mage,” He remove another scroll from his inventory. “The healing wings are a basic spell, novices can cast it to heal for how strong they are, and experienced mages can do what I did when I threw you at the soldiers.” “Noted. Bye then.” Zidane said as he walked towards the portal but stop to see Choco hiding behind Gabby. “It’s time to go.” Choco made a pouty face, then hugged Gabby “Kewwe.” “You too.” Gabby said as she wiped a tear away..Quina just bowed too Pinkie before running into the portal. “What a band we are.” Zidane said as he walked through the portal with Choco behind. The portal closed behind them, . Back on the airship “Were back.” Zidane said as he walked on board “That was fast.” Cid said as he walked up from the engine room “What do you mean?” “You have only been gone for two hours.” Sunset said sipping tea with Yuna sitting with her “I see..Hay got something for you.” Zidane said as he haned her the Garnet ring. “It supposed to help with summoning.” “I see…” Sunset said as she put it on “My it looks nice on you. What a nice boyfriend you have.” Yuna said right before getting a face full off tea as Cid let out a chuckle. “He/she is not my boyfriend/girlfriend.” Sunset and Zidane said at the same time