Event || The Revival of King Moggle Mog XIV

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Undead Heroes and Surviving Heroes of Light participating in the event.
Where: Start in Aqures Ixen; Ends in a Forest East of Aqures.
When: The 31st of October.
Summary: People have died, now they're back with a need to kill those who didn't die. Well, kill them if they have to at the very least. The OOC Post for detailed explanations can be found here.
Warning: Friends killing each other.

Undead Mingle || Living Mingle
Speakers: Yeul and Saori (Aqures Ixen) || Kobato (Forest Entrance)
Support & Bosses: Forest Core
Boss Battles: Sephiroth || Snow Villiers || Shun Aonuma || Tifa Lockhart

Comments

Sparks Nevada

[red_planet_blues]

[It looks like there's a lot going on in this clearing, with all the Moogles there. The area is less foggy than the rest of the forest, but something is casting an eerie purple glow. One person stands still guarding something that will be familiar to a lot of heroes - Baltoro's Seeds. Those who had gone on that trip know that the field the seeds needed to help the Shopkeeper's daughter had been pillaged before they ever arrived.

Sparks stands guard over them, arms folded, a serious look on his face. He's wearing his paladin armor and his robot fists. It looks like he might be ready for a fight, if anyone gets close. For now, he's keeping a close eye on the Moogles, and on Genesis. They better not mess this up. It was critical that this ritual succeeds, and Sparks is going to make sure it happens.]

[theredplainsrider]

[Red didn't care who came with her. She was going to hunt down Sparks Nevada even if it killed her. As soon as she had learned where he was, she was gone. She didn't even wait for Cactoid Jim and they worked well together. She knew that it was reckless, but she didn't care.

She might still have a few feelings left for Sparks, which was why she had gone off as soon as she could. She knew that at least Cactoid Jim would be after her. Red also wasn't sure just what her feelings for Sparks were right now. She had gone off to try and figure that out before she arrived. She stopped a good distance from Sparks, just staring for a moment and waiting to see if anyone else dared to show.]

[iknowtheconsequences]

The man in archer gear would be unfamiliar to Red, but Sparks was the person Kaji wanted to hunt down of those who had- died? disappeared? Kaji isn't even sure what is really going on here anymore. The Marshall is firmly in Kaji's books as one of the few stable, sane, reliable people around here. Something has gone wrong, but Kaji will listen to what the man has to say.

Kaji approaches cautiously, and glances at Red. The way she's looking at Sparks, she's clearly here for the same reason. He'll be the first to speak up. "Marshall?"

[red_planet_blues]

[Sparks looks over at them, and while he isn't surprised to see the cavalry arrive, he's not happy about it. Especially with Red being there.]

...Reckon y'all should just turn around and get outta here, if'n ya know what's good for ya. It's too late for y'all to be involved in this.

[desertbloomed]

Involved in what?

[Ashelia appeared behind Red, having followed her when she separated from the others. Red seemed upset - she had good cause to be, but Ashelia worried the other woman would do something reckless.]

What is going on here?

[red_planet_blues]

We're fixin' this place, that's what's goin' on here. Best thing ya'll can do now is wait 'n see if it works. Keep yer fingers crossed.

[Sparks wouldn't admit he didn't know how the ritual was supposed to work - all that magic stuff was beyond him, but he knew it was the right thing to do.]

[empty_smile]

It would be best if you listened to him...

[It's in this moment this young man -- dressed in clothing that's unlike that of any of the Job Classes they might know -- steps out. His expression is calm, but it's clear he isn't letting his guard down.

There's a strong need to keep Sparks safe, and he doesn't intend to let anyone risk undoing all of this hard work.

Too many things are at risk, and the people showing up...will not get in the way. He's already set his mind to this, and will shove aside any and all kindness if he has to.

It's not as though he hasn't done that before...right?]

[enduringflower]

[Yeul is standing behind the young man, looking out on the others silently like an animal debating what its next move will be. She appears to be normal except for the sharp fangs between her lips.

Her eyes look up at Shun curiously as if waiting for instructions before falling back over the others in the gathering. Her expression is detached but still filled with her curious innocence.]

[theredplainsrider]

I ain't goin' no where without ya, Nevada.

[Red had listened to everyone around her, but she wasn't going to leave without Sparks. At least not without dealing with those robot fists of his. She didn't care though.

She had gone through hell to get her ex-husband back and she was willing to do the same to make sure that she got Sparks back as well.]

Yer gunna have ta make me leave.

[red_planet_blues]

Don't think I won't, Red.

[That doesn't come out strongly as he wanted it to.]

Can't have y'all stickin' yer noses in here. So uh, how 'bout y'all mosey before this has to become a thing.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji looks carefully between Red, and now Shun and Yeul. Out-numbered, and if it came down to a fight, Kaji wouldn't like his odds against just the Marshall alone, let alone everyone else. So, Kaji is going to fall back on what is actually his most powerful technique: running his mouth.

"What, exactly, are you trying to fix? We came here, because people we'd heard were gone are here, and someone claimed you had a cure for this illness going around. Ib is among those who are very sick. If you're going to save the life of a little girl, I sincerely doubt anyone is going to want to stop you."

"So long as that's all that you're up to, of course."

[red_planet_blues]

Cure for-- [He has to think on that, looking confused for just a split second.]

Yeah. Prob'ly just another way to manipulate all the "Heroes". Well, we're here to fix all that. Which is why it'll be best if y'all just stay back.

[He's being vague on purpose, not wanting to give too many details just yet.]

[theredplainsrider]

Sounds like yer tha one bein' manipulated here, Nevada.

[This really didn't sound like the man she knew on Mars, but she could be wrong. She spent a lot of time with him, but this place can change people and he had been here a lot longer than she had.]

Ifin ya really want ta help, you'd be helpin' get all them people outta tha city before that crystal blows.

[empty_smile]

[Maybe he can't shove all kindness away, after all...]

...........

[While he's never heard of Ib, before, there's a softening in his eyes at the mention of her being sick. Even with his current determination towards ensuring this ritual a success, he can't help but feel concerned for this unknown little girl...but a lot of people have died. Even more have fallen sick. That's the way this world works...And that's exactly why he must help put an end to all of it. If they could all just return home, it can be over. There will be no need to worry about finding a cure, so long as this ritual comes to be a success.

Glancing to Yeul, he nods...and then looks to Sparks. Without saying a word, he begins walking. Stopping once he's standing next to him, Shun's gaze rests on the one being referred to as Red.]

Then, perhaps, you should heed your own advice. If those people truly need help getting out of the city, don't you think it would be best to stop wasting time, here?

[desertbloomed]

And yet, you have us brought here, telling us that it is all connected. But how? What is this ritual for? The sickness? To calm the Crystal?

Red's right. [Ashelia stepped up next to the red headed woman, turning her attention back to Sparks.] If you were in your right mind, you would forgo looking for a cure to the sickness that took you if it meant saving the people of the city from the Crystal of Fire.

[Ashelia looked at Red and Kaji for a tense moment.] Marshal, you know you can trust us. We've fought side by side several times - you needn't withhold any information from us. Instead of dodging our questions, explain yourself - what is happening here?

[theredplainsrider]

There are other's workin' on gettin' tha people safely away. Cactoid Jim's runnin' it. He'll get everyone out safely before tha crystal blows.

[That was a lie. Red had no clue if anyone was getting the citizens out safely, but she knew that Sparks would buy the story of Cactoid Jim saving the people. It was something that Jim did.

Her eyes turned to the newcomer. She didn't know him, but she had no ill will towards him either.]

Partner [She addressed Shun] I got no business with ya. My business is with Nevada.

[enduringflower]

[Yeul stays behind Shun listening curiously to the conversation. Up until now she hasn't needed to say anything but at their last words she couldn't help but wonder.]

Is one persons life worth the life of everyone else? If we fail, all will die and every world will meet its end.

[Her tone is calm as she goes through the facts realistically. Her destiny is to die and she knows its something that is hard to face but she can't help but wonder. Would they sacrifice all for one life? Just like Caius?]

[red_planet_blues]

[There's some conflict on Sparks's face before he speaks. They did need to bring them here, even if it was too late for them to be directly involved. But maybe it wasn't too late for his side to save them.]

Look, I-- We're tryin' to fix this situation. This planet. And what's goin' on here is the way to stop it. But y'all've been manipulated up til now. What's goin' on here's the real deal. Reckon ya won't believe any 'a that, so that's why y'all either need to stay back, or get movin'.

[Because after all, the rest of them that have been brainwashed by Aqures Ixen. But maybe, just maybe, this ritual will clear their heads, like Sparks's has been.]

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji looks at Red and smirks. "I don't think you're going to get very far with that. This lady obviously wouldn't be standing anywhere else at the end of the world. You're a lucky guy, Marshall, you should listen to the woman."

"Can it wait?" He looks between Sparks and Yeul. "Can whatever this all is wait, just a few hours, so that you can explain, let us help, if we can. The only way this makes any sense is if it's all connected, I'd been starting to come to the same conclusion myself, but I just haven't figured out how?"

"If this will truly save the world, good! Great! But how will this ritual do it? I know nothing about magic, so you might have to dumb it down a little for me. Just a little explanation, is all we want. Well, all I want, I'm pretty sure she," another nod to Red, "might have other things in mind."

[red_planet_blues]

Lucky, huh. [Kaji, you tread onto treacherous there. Sparks's eyes dart between Kaji, Ashe and Red, looking none too trusting.]

I can't tell ya everythin'. It-- It ain't yer fault, technically. Y'all don't need to get involved in it, at this point.

[Sparks tilts his head in the direction of the moogles, Baltoro's Seeds that Sparks was looking over, and the ritual.] They got it covered. And no, it can't wait. The sooner they get done, the sooner y'all be thinkin' straight again, and maybe it'll all be enough for us to get out of here.

[desertbloomed]

Can't, Marshal? Or won't? [Uh oh, this is a tone she usually reserves for talking with Biggs, Wedge or Jessie.] If you truly believe that I have been successfully manipulated by our incompetent hosts, you are not the Marshal that I fought beside in that facility. Perhaps in body, but not in mind.

You are spitting contradictions constantly - we needn't be involved, yet three of your number is sent to bring us here. Marshal, we are not your enemies. In the past several minutes you have been dodging our questions, you might have explained everything already. I can only think...

[And she hates that she's the one saying this.]

...I can only think that it is you who has been manipulated. We have been brought here for a purpose, just as you were brought back from death for a purpose. It seems as though these purposes conflict. But why? And by order of whom?

[red_planet_blues]

[He looks affronted. A bit of that stony facade slips a bit as he lapses into something that's definitely more Sparks-like.]

What? No. It ain't me, it's you guys. And as much as I'd rather done this without y'all interruptin', or takin' it the wrong way, it's too late now. Yer here. I ain't ever said you were the enemy, but I can't exactly trust y'all, either.

And-- "brought back from death"? I don't even know what that's supposed to mean. We're here to do this ritual, with them-- [He points back to where the moogles are] in order to fix you guys, this world, and get us home. That's why we need the crystals, and the seeds.

[theredplainsrider]

Really, Nevada? You think that after wakin' up here after everything that we've been through together would make me brainwashed?

[She takes an angry step towards Sparks. The Martian vigilante was getting angrier with each word out of his mouth.]

As much as I want ta go home, this ain't you, Nevada. You never fully believe in somethin' like this.

[Sparks usually was very sceptical of things like this. It just didn't sit right with Red.]

[red_planet_blues]

[Sparks holds his ground, trying to remain level. Believing they've been brainwashed, he doesn't want to fight, especially against Red.]

I said I wasn't yer enemy, Red, but yer makin' it awful hard to stand by that. I ain't gonna say it again. Reckon ya oughta just trust me on this already.

[theredplainsrider]

Yer tha one makin' it hard not ta be enemies here, Nevada.

[Red was tired of being reasonable. She was itching to shoot him, but she didn't have her guns on her and shooting him might not be the best of ideas.

So instead of trying to shoot him, Red simply walked up to the Marshall and slapped him.]

Ifin yer gunna be like this, I'm done. Get yerself killed or whatever. Goodbye, Nevada.

[And with that she turns around and heads off. It doesn't matter what anyone else says. She's not sticking around.]