Event || Revelations

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the Heroes of Light and their Moogles.
Where: Order's Sanctuary, The Interdimensional Rift and their Homeworlds.
When: August 03rd - August 30th

Summary: Following the battle against Palitutu, all the Heroes of Light were transported into the Interdimensional Rift. They were told by Palitutu they would have to find her to prove they can break the cycle-- But before they could reach their destination, a malevolent entity from the Rift stripped them from their immortality...

And now, they woke up in a decaying and dying world, most specifically in a place called Order's Sanctuary. From there they are ready to jump... Into their homeworlds! Feel free to use this post for the Mingle at Order's Sanctuary and should your homeworld be the stage for the Heroes of Lights' next adventures, feel free to make a thread for it and as many sub-thread as necessary! Please refer to the OOC Post for questions and plotting.

Warning: Whatever you come up with.

Comments

[forcegalactic]

[The Barkeep takes up the rear. He has no quick reflexes, but magic should be a good enough deterrent against back attacks.]

Here's to hopin' your crystal ball is right.

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud swallows and nods. He hates that he's been brought down in power like this. In a small way he can understand what Sephiroth went to when he arrived in Crystallis. At least when they go back he should be fine again...right?]

Right...I'll do my best.

'Kweh!'

[At least they have Zack with them. He could count on his bird to help pick up the slack. And he still has his training with his weapons, even if much of the power he's gained to put behind them is gone.]

Come back when you figure out when we are, okay?

[runandneverstop]

The Doctor grins at Duster's proclamation that he won't abandon the people on Crystallis, itself. "Quite right, too! No sense in doing a job unless you're going to do it all the way. Save everyone, you said?" He shoots that grin at Sparks as well. "Now...Energy source..." those words start to strike an idea in the Doctor, and he looks thoughtful for a moment.

"The crystal is sort of the problem, but, well, Owen described it as almost an autoimmune response. We had an idea, though." In brief, Jack explains what Palitutu and Jade spoke of about the Soul Divider, what their plan has turned into, and the idea of funneling the broken part of Crystallis, through the Rift, through the Soul Divider, to attempt to make the planet whole again. Throughout it all, the Doctor's face remains contemplative, and only once Jack falls silent does he straighten up.

"There's a way I could help. It would be better if I were there-"

Jack shakes his head. "When we go back...I'm pretty sure this is a one-way trip, Doctor. And this world needs you."

The Doctor breathes out a sigh and ruffles his own already messy hair. His eyes scan over the faces of everyone with Jack. "Then I can offer a piece of Time Lord knowledge. If they were still around, they'd be veeeeery cross that I was even making this offer. But the Time Lords knew how to safely tap into a void, time travel was created by feeding off a gap in time and space. If you want to feed energy from one of those through something designed to clean and purify energy, then this might help."

The Doctor's face grows grave. "I can leave one of you with the knowledge, telepathically implant it. But I can't give it to Jack. He's too...." The Doctor pauses at the look on Jack's face, and he knows that he needs to choose his next word carefully or he's about to get punched. "...antithetical to what the Time Lords are. The knowledge wouldn't take."

"So it's got to be one of you. And I'm really sorry about that."

[bag_has_snapped]

This is getting more and more ridiculous. She just wants this to get over with and go home and deal with the much bigger problem than Palitutu's inflated ego.

But, they need something to stop her, huh? Thanks to Jade's Haste, she has just the thing.

"CHOCO METEOR! TWICE!" Tsubomi shouts, allowing two Meteors to fall from the sky on top of Palitutu.

[mindofathief]

Bees. In Duster's world, a person would throw honey at an enemy to attract bees (or a bear), but this was more efficient. Having lost his Bard abilities, he had relegated himself to tossing things at Palitutu or Artemicion. The smoke bombs in his pack would do well as a distraction, but with Palitutu appearing to charge up an attack, they needed to get as many hits as they could.

His hand jerked towards the jar of bees. He had a good throwing arm, Job or not, but the stinging foes would make melee attacks difficult without getting hurt.

Then it was settled. Duster dashed at Palitutu, still fast despite his natural abilities being locked, and kicked her in the face. His legs were strong from years of training, and with the hard shoe, he could get in some damage despite his weakened state.

[shinrasfinest]

It was very hard at the time, to keep the pride at Cloud's use of the mega-elixir, not to spread out too far in a smile on his face but it turned out that it was short-lived. Sephiroth's eyes narrow again and his expression turned back to it's standard level of all-serious as Artemicion revealed his use of -guess what- a Black Crystal!

Those things should have been hunted down right when they had first gone missing. It would have saved them all no end of trouble, all considered. It makes Sephiroth feel doubly sour as he recognizes that he's one of only a handful who remember when those Crystals had gotten out into the wider world in the first place. Oh how little they had known then.

As Jade, in particular, works to shore up as many others' stats as possible Sephiroth takes those few moments in which others are spending their attacks to cast protection of his own. ShinRa Guard, first on himself and then consecutively on one or two others who were nearby; aiming for those who he knew weren't Crystal Knight equipped, or part of the small group who had enhanced gear.

Shortly after Duster's kick, there was an opening.

Now wasn't the time for hesitation no matter how something of an ache deep in Sephiroth's bones followed that rush of palpable energy that charged his frame; priming for a Deathblow. A second later he rushed Palitutu himself, Masamune up and poised, the blade flashing as it came down and up for that first smooth uppercut slash after which Hellsgate came down.

Making a point to jump back a distance, after the maneuver, so that others could get in.

Re: Meeting the Family

[not_most_days]

The foods were unfamiliar to Mary, but her gaze was more captured by the servants. She was familiar enough with foxes, but the eastern and western connotations of them were vastly different. This was something well beyond what she expected of them. Looking down at the tea, she was familiar with this at least and gave Kenichi and then the foxes a nod of thanks while waiting for the tea to cool for the moment.

"Aye. I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking it as much a fantasy. Then again your world seems a bit more in line with what we've been encountering than my own. I think among our number I've been one of the ones who's been most surprised by what Crystallis holds."

She listened quietly to Kenichi's explanation of their situation. The prospect of a lifespan well beyond a normal mortal's wasn't something she could grasp, nor was she sure she wanted to. She wasn't sure what she'd do with a life so long and leaving those with normal lives behind. Briefly she thought to her friends back home and her passing there, and then to the thought of doing the same to Saori. She mostly hid her own distaste at that thought.

"I'm honored to have your trust I suppose, though I must say I'm not sure what to think about being called 'spice'. But I know that she wouldn't keep me merely as a whim or plaything. And she's been able to help me through some hard adjustment of my own." She smiled and took first a tentative sip from the tea and then a longer one.

"I no longer wish to dwell on it, but I came to Crystallis at the end of my life in my home world, and after losing a child of my own. It was a hard time for me, and she has taken care of me as much as I've watched out for her." She looked up at the man and smirked, "I won't promise you that I'll continue because that was something that was never in question."

[shinrasfinest]

Jade wasn't the only one for whom Rikku's quick insight had only opened questions as opposed to answers, much less the clarity that non-Spirans needed to be able to figure for themselves what was the course of action they needed to take to ensure that none of them were going to die here.

Jade's shrug was met with a returned shrug, as Sephiroth turned back to where Rikku had jogged ahead. He couldn't see Yuna ahead, and given what had just been said it concerned him instantly but once he'd caught up to the small inlet along the wall of the mountain. Releasing the breath he'd been holding in a mist of vapor as he shrugged his arms out -better to keep them moving in the cold- and paused to listen to the conversation between K'pandolu and Yuna.

[damn_juicebox]

'Hated?'

[Rukia blinks at that, puzzled, but she doesn't seem all that concerned about being hated. This is all contingent on whether or not she's even seen anyway. She nods firmly once.]

Yes. Understood.

[She steps forward to stand at Reno's side, a proud defender half his size who looks to be taking her duty seriously. As Reno said, she doesn't think they'll be gone all that long. She inclines her head to the others before looking to Reno, turning to follow his lead.]

[not_most_days]

Mary took note of what Jack was looking through. Photographs were another thing beyond her time, and while she'd been made familiar with future developments by other Heroes and by different things across Crystallis, she didn't really have the connection to make. She could tell they were important to him though, and that's what mattered.

"Sonic...Seems like a useful tool. You're sure it's alright if I take it?" It'd certainly be of use. Especially when she didn't have her Thief job equipped. Her voice remained light but she watched the way he moved around the room, the care he took with the tie, the tapping on the desk. She'd ask him about this, but not until later. His every movement in this room felt almost too...sacred to interrupt.

She was silent for a moment as she considered his question, her eyes going to the photographs, the desk drawer. He'd lost someone he cared about, someone who was still alive at this point. That's what she could read from this. Spinning the sonic screwdriver in her fingers she slowly paced around the perimeter of the office.

"I might. The temptation is there. To be honest I didn't think much of him when we met. The man was impulsive and greedy and put other people's lives on the line for his own sense of profit. Seemed he was trying to find a way to get rich and prove himself to his wife's father, but the longer he spent at sea the further he drifted from her and the grander the treasure he found himself seeking to bridge the gap. All he really needed to do was go home, I expect."

Finding the button on the sonic again she gave it a tap, nodding at the little whirring noise it made.

"Hunting the Observatory became his obsession. I tried to encourage him to work with the rest of the Brotherhood, that our goals were aligned even if different. I expect the Sage I was chasing was the one who wound up landing him in prison. And Edward wouldn't have even escaped if it wasn't for the rescue that was mounted for my own sake." She sighed, remembering the look in his eyes in those last moments.

"I don't know what he did from there, but I don't think I could do any more than I have to try to save him. I suppose the real temptation would be to find a way to remain in that world and then replace myself when the time came, but that would mean turning my back on all of you and the situation on Crystallis. I couldn't count myself as an Assassin any longer if I did that." She bit her lip. She drifted a bit from his question, but she had an answer for him.

"When we wound up in Aqures Tosf, you warned us to take care of doing anything that might alter the future. That trying to intercede in historical events might change things for the worse." She recalled a few Heroes being frozen in crystal when they tried as well.

"The Creed states that 'Everything is Permitted.' When Kenway first heard it he laughed. Called it an invitation to do whatever he pleased. But that's not what it means. It's a call to be wise. In life we may make any decision we choose, but that doesn't mean it's without consequence. Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should. The freedom to do something is entwined with the responsibility of understanding and accepting the consequences."

Slipping the screwdriver into her pocket she looked him in the eye, "If you do what you're thinking, no matter how happy it makes you, can you live with the consequences of it? Can your friend live with it? Can everyone you know live with it?"

:)

[ninjainviolet]

Sheena didn't treat Lydia like a child for one simple fact: she didn't see her as one. Unfortunately, she hadn't had time to inform her about Zelos and his powers of observation. Because really? Knowing the chest size of every woman in the world? That takes some serious observational skills.

So, seeing a lack of shadow beneath her won't be hard for him to miss--even if she is being diplomatic.

Turning to Albel, she nods. "Yeah, he's a friend, but I trust him." She'll explain about that "uh oh" later. Right now, she'll follow the Chosen and lead the others, leaving the introductions until they get to the room. Taking a deep breath, she begins.

"Okay, Zelos, like she said, this is a secret and can't go past this room--you can't even mention it to me the next time you see me."

Hard to explain really doesn't cover it.

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud sighed and shook his head, "Fine...we gave you every chance to work with us." Raising his fingers to his lips he blew hard and a shrill whistle filled the air. The call was answered by a loud 'KWEEEHHHHH~' and Zack came charging out from the back lines. Wings flapped and feathers flew as the chocobo rushed out at breakneck speed before leaping into the air to deliver a hard kick. However, this time instead of being aimed at a large tough target like the Ultima Weapon's core, it was being delivered to a much smaller and lighter target instead.

If Palitutu could keep her spellcasting focus after being belted in the head by a Chocobo's foot, Cloud would honestly be impressed.

[shinrasfinest]

The way that Sephiroth didn't quite look up as Sheena approached, but at the same time did turn his head in her direction as she sat down at least acknowledged without words that he'd seen her. Despite his inward pondering, he still always kept something of his awareness around him. Old habits died hard.

Maybe etiquette would indeed have schooled him into standing to greet her but Sheena wasn't far wrong with the initial assessment. Their trip through that other place -wherever exactly in the Rift that had been- while restoring all their injuries that had been taken in the battle preceding it had also dispelled whatever statuses they'd had on them at the time. Including deactivating a certain SOLIDER's initial skill which was now more than partly responsible for the aching in his body as the exhaustion started to creep in.

It wasn't so unlike the aching one might get from having pushed themselves in a gym, a day or so on into recovery, but at the same time off the back of that pain they'd all felt from having their Crystal attacked, Sephiroth was having trouble categorizing one pain from the other. Muddy and bloody remnants which still stained his attire, hair and parts of his bare arms probably didn't help the image.

"I'm fine." The critical look she was giving him needed a further assurance. "Honestly, I'm just aching. It'll pass in a few."

He wasn't going to try and explain that the exhaustion that sometimes came with the use of his custom job would sometimes have him lying in for half of the next day, after all, it wouldn't help any of them to share that right now. That they still had a mission ahead of them, and he were going into it anything less than ready. That his thoughts wandered around much like his glances about did, looking for any sign of Tempest or Terra.

Spencer made an almost joyful noise in response to Corrine's happier response. He even flitted closer to the other moogle and patted him on the arm that wasn't now holding the nut.

"Don't worry. We make cookies and sometimes cakes, kupo, with Tempest all the time. You could bring some by soon and we'll make enough for everyone to share."

[not_most_days]

The goal was to stop her, to bring her down, certainly to stop her from casting this spell. But Mary felt the need to do this properly. "Saori!" she called out, inviting support as she rushed forward. The Assassin broke out into a full run, adjusting her approach through the volley of attacks launched at Palitutu. She leaped up, vaulting off of the chocobo as it backed off from its own attack and raised her hand high. She soared through the air impressively before coming down on Palitutu with the intent of driving her hidden blade into the tarutaru's neck.

[line_piece]

"I'll take it."

There's no hesitation whatsoever from Chiaki as she steps forward. The knowledge the Doctor is talking about sounds vast enough to be risky to absorb, and given Chiaki's origins as an AI, she feels like she can handle a sudden influx of information like that. Besides, she isn't going anywhere anytime soon - she's resolved to see this thing through to the end.

[scriptrix]

[Levy's face goes white, and she clutches the towel tighter as she takes a step backward.]

I-I'm not afraid of you!

[not_most_days]

Mary frowned as the other Heroes got Kalki's attention so quickly. She lingered in the crowd, watching as unobtrusively as she could. With Jack tipping his hand she now had to be ready to react if things went south. Hopefully she'd merely be confused or call for the soldiers than try to attack him herself in front of these children. She was in no mood to get an innocent's blood on her blade right now.

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud nodded, unable to help but return Sheena's smile. "I'm Cloud. Cloud Strife. I'm from the same world Reno's from but from an earlier time point." He wasn't sure why he felt compelled to mention that, but there it goes.

"So what does this Goddess require before the collar starts tightening?" He had a feeling he wouldn't like the answer. He already had enough of people with god complexes pushing him around on Crystallis.

[not_most_days]

Mary listened quietly for the moment, but at the mention of Thanatos' relation to the collars and giving something up her gaze slipped to the middle distance. Caught in her own thoughts for a moment she touched the collar again, not to pull it off, but to make sure it wasn't tightening any further.

When Cloud spoke up she looked to Reno, a bit more concerned than the blonde was. She wanted to make sure she was going to be able to leave this world without paying a heavy price.

[not_most_days]

Mary watched the exchange, taking all of it in while considering the space around her. She watched Jack and the Doctor talk. She watched the others as they stepped in. When Chiaki volunteered herself she offered a nod of agreement. The girl was probably the best to take this information, considering the group they had with them.

She settled herself against one of the railings and waited. She had little to offer right now, but she wanted a word with the Doctor before they departed.

[linkpearls]

Unlike her comrades, Minfilia chose against attacking Palitutu but only because there is a much bigger cost than the first time Ultima was used. It hurt and they were saved thanks to her Limit Break kicking in but she doubted that she could call it again now. So she had to think quickly before it was too late. If Crystal Knights like herself could manage to protect someone at least from Ultima's blast, it would logically be a healer...one who knew how to cast Life.

In other words: hello Jade, there is a woman heading close to you as she casted Shell on the party just as a precaution. Thanks to her Crystal Shield ability, she can absorb the upcoming Ultima attack AND protect another from it.

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack listens very carefully to Mary's story, her tone pries his eyes away from the photographs to get his full attention. Situation wasn't quite what Jack had thought, but he can all too clearly see a man drifting further and further away from his goal by doing what he thought would lead him closer to it.

Everything is permitted? "There's no- rule set for how we do things at Torchwood. I have been making this up as I go along for the last century and a half." And in that moment Jack gets a faraway look in his eye that makes him seem very old.

He puts a hand to his own chest. "Either way, I don't get to reap the benefits of this. This isn't to make me happy. I still have to live with what I did. One wrong choices that lead to an even more wrong choice. Because I didn't know the cost."

Jack looks back down at the photos that he holds in his hand. "Maybe that's what I actually wanted. If I knew the cost, would I still make the same decision? Maybe all I'm doing is giving myself the chance to make the same mistake all over again. I can live with it. I always live with it."

"But he can't live without the consequences."

So, it's wrong, it's terrible, it goes against everything that Jack has ever done before. But he is still going to do it. He shuts the desk drawer and very carefully tucks the photos into the inner pocket of his coat.

"Keep the screwdriver." Jack smirks. "You'll get more use out of it than I ever did."

Jack finds the crates that he had come up here for, and after a moment of thought, he opens a panel behind his desk. There are a few pieces of tech that required his handprint in order to be able to unlock, which he sweeps into the bottom of one of the crates. Muttering something about an idea.

He gives one last smile to Mary, as if to try to convince her that he's okay. Really. "Thank you."

Jack emerges from his office, too distracted to notice where some of his compatriots have hidden pilfered items. He holds up the packing crates that Duster asked for, "This should help us transport everything back."

Lydia and Betel-po, on the other hand, have found one last discovery. It looks like a data drive, something so insignificant that Chiaki passed it over, but for some reason it's calling to Lydia. If she ever explores what's on it, she'll find a backup of the legacy of Toshiko Sato, including her final message to the team, one that she knew would be delivered after her death.

Jack plunks the crates down on the top of a table. "Maybe we should go check the...." And then he trails off, staring at one of the monitors on Gwen's desk, the one that is showing the CCTV of what is happening above on the Plas. His entire face lights up, and he whispers a single word.

"Doctor......"

With no other explanation, Jack takes off running the way they entered, charging up the stairs at full speed.

[not_most_days]

[Mary frowns, sorry that she forced that memory back to the surface of Saori's mind. She recalled the last time she gave that shudder. The whole deity concept is a bit odd but it seems to work for them. It's difficult to think of those children in such a way but...perhaps if one is born into such a role it's easier. And they didn't seem any different from normal kids.

Her thoughtful expression drops to an unsurprised one at Saori's comment about the door. Of course this wouldn't go so simply. She shouldn't have allowed herself to expect otherwise.

Feeling Mordecai's gaze on her neck she turns and looks at him. Somehow the look on his face gives her a larger sense of impending doom than the door that Saori is worried about. She shoots him a raised eyebrow before returning her attention to the task at hand.]

Given our experiences, I doubt it. Here's hoping the miners are safe.

[provenworth]

[It doesn't make sense. None of it does. The planet had been healing. Slowly, yes, but they were looking for ways to stop using the Lifestream. Providing that all-curing medicine to those still infected with Geostigma. They were getting better as a planet. But then, if that was the case, why was he here. His presence brought nothing but calamity.

It didn't matter that he didn't carry the famous blade or wore the usual standard uniform for 1st Class instead of leather - Leather that was always present. Leather that never stained with blood or 'stigma. He always wore leather, that much she remembered. So why..?]

As you shouldn't, if you know what's good for -

[She knew this sensation. Of her world shifting, moving under the influence of Haste, and being taken away from where she wanted to be. Its a dizzying feeling, one that causes her to wobble only slightly, her body frozen in its posture, unwilling to bend for whoever dared move her against her will. Her firearm threatened nobody now but a cave wall.]

W-what... [The voices come at her from different angles. Different genders. One unknown, one known. Eyes snap from the woman, to Vincent just to her side. Her weapon too moves to square at the woman's chest, her attention returning to her.] Friend? You call that monster a friend?! Who the hell are you and why should I let you live if you're protecting that - that...

[Her breathing is quickened, almost gasping, the a major visible sign of her distress. Her panic. Caught in a trap, moved where she could not see the one who had caused so much harm to this world. And to be trapped. Tapped by people she didn't know and were clearly affiliated with the enemy. Trapped by people she knew; people she trusted. ]

If it was understandable, Valentine, then you should have been the first to put an end to him. [She speaks low, just barely audible enough so that he can hear her. She had held a lot of respect for the man. She can't imagine how he had found himself in this situation.] How could you let this happen?

[Its a low blow, and in all honesty one she would not have said if she didn't feel so betrayed. Which is only amplified by the sound of Reno's voice behind her, speaking to Sephiroth. She's outnumbered and she knows it, feeling the trained aim of Vincent's own weapon on her. She moves slowly enough to not pose as a threat, returning the weapon back into its holster, now taking the pose Sephiroth has been in moments before.]

...... [Her lips press into a thin, angry line when she glances over to Reno. She lets her eyes say what she won't. That she's hurt by his actions. That he's betraying her by standing there, with him. For allowing them to hold her now as hostage.] Nothing complicated about it, Reno. A bullet to the brain ought to do it. Or do you really want to go another round? Cause if you asked me, I'd rather pass.

[Its all anger she speaks with, and utterly warranted in her book. But she doesn't miss that pointed look through the haze, the question just beneath it. Its a stupid question, considering she had left Rufus in his and Tseng's care.]

He's better, as you should already know. All signs are gone and we're just working on physical therapy.

[neverfirstclass]

Copies...of warriors...made of crystal?

[No...it couldn't be...]