melodiesoflife | Event || Genesis (Conclusion)

[While he would normally have been one of the first to try and help, Ven is still severely outpaced thanks to his injury -- so as the others run forward, he does his best to hurry to a midway point, tensed and watching the surrounding edge of that pit and the crystal hanging over it instead. There's still an uneasy vibe to both of them...

And then that spell, a blinding flash -- and he cries out even as he has to throw an arm over his eyes, that scream telling him what undoubtedly occurred.]

No!

[His eyes need a second to adjust, but the sound of footsteps and the trajectory of that spell were enough of an indication. He's already pivoting towards the stairs with Keyblade raised.]

To the right!

[Things had happened so suddenly, at the pace of a lightning strike that even he could not process everything after all was said and done. The woman they'd long been searching for was now gone, and the world that kept them prevented Luffy from being able to stretch his arms to help.

What little he can do in this instance is see to it that whoever fired the spell be held accountable for their actions. It's the least he can do, and the conjured fires of anger that swell inside of him would be a fitting release to whomever it was approaching from their wing.

He turns at the sound of footsteps, hearing the other young man's shout to the direction in which the attacker emerges. He was more or less the sort to leap before looking, and this time was no different. A solid planting of his left foot pushes him off the ground as the pirate takes to a dash in the direction which Ventus decrees, moving as fast as he can so that his body is like a battering ram. He yells wildly as he charges, arms tight against his body as he puts the full weight of his attack into his right shoulder.]

[Yugi was about to move to help when the spell occurred and everything happened before his eyes. His eyes widened as once more he could feel the tears welling up. They couldn't do a god damn thing. As much as people tried they seemed unable to do anything. He slowly found himself sinking to the ground, not caring who it was that was coming down the stairs, at least for the moment. Instead he punches the ground, flinching slightly as he did. It hurt, but he just wanted to understand it all but just didn't seem able to.

At Ventus yelling, he looked up slightly, turning his head to the right to see who or what was coming down the stairs. Whoever it was he wasn't going to forgive them.]

[Yuffie snaps out of it and runs to Yugi's side. She gently pulls him away from the hole trying to get him to stand.]

Hey, come on. We already know she survives. That's probably how she manages too.

[She doesn't really want him to blame himself for this.]

[Everything had spiraled out of control fast, and Vincent couldn't say he was surprised. He had some answers now, but not enough. Filed away in his brain, as he like other shifted his attention with the sound of the footsteps. Drawing his gun, ready, but not firing yet. Taking note of who was turning with him to face this possible new threat.]

[When Luffy charged to attack, something happened. Before he could strike at whoever was coming, his right arm crystallized-- And the crystallization process spread slowly throughout his entire body. It would take at least a minute to be complete, but by the end, Luffy would be in Crystal Stasis.

And then, a familiar voice came from the shadows.]

You can't change the future. This is why Crystallis won't allow you to harm me.

[The person who stepped down from the stairs couldn't be mistaken-- She looked exactly the same, and for a good reason since Tarutarus didn't physically age the way humans did. Only her clothes were different, but it made no doubt it was Jessie.

Behind her, a Moogle was following her, holding a now emptied Mognet bag. He looked pretty scared and uncertain, but even though his fur was not dyed, some may recognized him as a younger Artemicion.]

[Kidd bit back a curse. Her instinct was the same as Luffy's but the younger pirate had been quicker and she got a very good view of what happened to the lad. As the tarutaru came down the stairs the anger on her face only grew more palpable. This was the woman at the center of it all, and one that they had been helping up to this point.]

Some of us damn well might try. I don't know if you noticed but we don't seem to be the most sane lot.

[She flexed her wrist, readying her blade once more...but she didn't move. The odds were too highly stacked.]

No! Hold on!

[She stares as Kalki goes down, then she turns to look at Palitutu. Her eyes widen, before she looks back at the Crystal.]

Can this be stopped? Can this--can you stop a crystal from overloading like this, if it were to ever happen again? Because for whatever reason we were brought here... I can't imagine that it would be worth the deaths of thousands!

[…she doesn't understand any more. That's Jessie, surely? Her senses can't be lying to her. But all this…

She steps towards and a little in front of Ven, hands loose.]

…I should have thought… the reason we were brought was to prevent that. But this world…

[she shakes her head, gaze flicking between the two figures, wondering at the moogle. What part has he played, exactly?]

[Jade had been about to speak to the tarutaru -- Jessie? Palitutu? -- when Robin's words sank in.]

The Imperial assault... It was all to cause enough deaths to charge the crystal again, wasn't it? [That was the only explanation he could think of for such a foolhardy attack. What did that mean for Aqures Ixen when they got back?]

I suppose you're planning to have quite a laugh at our expense over the next few decades, Jessie.

[Sonic held his hand in pain, burned pretty good. Hearing "Jessie"'s voice was enough to grab his blade and turn to face her.]

Are you happy?! Are you happy with this?! Are you happy with the blood on your hands, the blood you forced on us?!

[He stood up and pointed the sword at her.]

If not here, then we're gonna kick your sorry butt when we get back!

The Ultima weapon...

[Everything that they've missed in the present. Did Kalki really want this to happen? She wants to think poorly of the woman but Vincent's stupid words keep ringing through her head.]

When we get back... will it all be gone? What is Kalki and everyone doing?

[She hasn't time traveled before and she doesn't think they'll get back at the time they left. Can they really just watch as it plays out as planned?]

[…oh. Oh. The blood drains from K'pandolu's face at that, and she reaches for her soulstone, holding onto it tightly. She's no idea if time could have passed in Aqures Ixen, but if it has… Hydaelyn forgive her.

Her voice is soft, when she speaks.]

… We'll see. And we'll think of something. We have to…

[Ven shoots a brief glance at K'pandolu, but makes no move to go around her. Honestly, that's a good thing; the more that's said, the more he's tempted to rush at Jessie despite that previous display.

If Jade's guess is right, then the attack -- all that pain, those meaningless deaths, all that horror and loss -- all for this? For the sake of someone's ambition?

The war. Jessie's push for the Ultima weapon... This whole scenario is way too familiar, and far too personal for that reason. He should have followed his instinct and done more than just walk away at that time -- he should have said something, voiced his concern to others who would listen--

But he can regret that later. For now...

...his anger flares.]

What's the point? Why bring us here to help if it means killing so many people? What's gonna be left to save in the end?

Just -- who are you? Why would you do this to your own world?

It cannot be stopped, and I wouldn't stop it even if I could.

[She doesn't seem to be scared in the least by the Heroes threatening her. She briefly looks at the Moogle following her.]

Artemicion! [The Moogle said Kupo before flying out as quickly as he could. Then she turned and looked at all those who were asking her question.] That blood is as much on your hands than on mine. Didn't you hear Kalki? The Crystal of Fire is devoid of energy. It doesn't even have enough energy left to refill itself and I do not have the means to start the process.

[With that said, she walked toward the exit. Anyone trying to attack her in any manner will suffer the same fate than Luffy and slowly turn into crystal.]

I surrounded myself with Doppelgangers in the hope they would resonate with the Crystal of Fire, but this wasn't enough. This is why you are here now.

[So that was why. It wasn't a coincidence, after all, that most of Palitutu's research team were Doppelgangers.

More importantly-- Jade paled at Jessie's last words.]

We need to leave. [Jade turned to the other Heroes, urgency sneaking into his voice.] Get away from the crystal! Whatever is about to happen, it's caused by our presence here!

This was a trap!

[He growled as he put away the sword and recalled the clone.]

I'll race out ahead and get everyone I can and warn them!

[And he's off!]

[Yuffie is sticking close to Yugi but she just blinks at Jade. She really doesn't understand what's going on.]

Isn't it already happening?

[Even so she's going to begin pulling her friend to the door.]

A trap, maybe, but we've been so in the dark about everything that there was no way of us knowin'. [Is it a trap, or is it predestination? "Jessie" said the past couldn't be changed, after all.

Before he leaves, Sparks has one thing left to say to her.]

Ya killed everyone in this city, and 20-plus years from now, Aqures Ixen is a smoking hole in the ground thanks to you too. I hope yer happy, because ya won't be for long once I find ya there.

[Yugi had been pretty out of it for the most part, but he could still hear everything that had been going on, but he didn't really know what to say or do. At least until he could feel his friend pulling at him slightly. That was enough for him to finally move his head slightly and look over at her. His voice clearly de voided of his usual tone]

I assume it's started at least... In RPG's sometimes the bad guy doesn't say there plans until it has.

[Which was worrying to say the least, but he just lets Yuffie drag him off, all the while he couldn't help but look back.]

[Cloud is still on his knees at the edge of the pit, where he's been since Kalki fell. All of this is happening so fast, everything crumbling around him, and learning that their true purpose here really wasn't as noble as he hoped.

He punches the ground, his teeth clenched and a tear running from one eye.]

Is this it? Is this all a Hero really is? Are we all just puppets?

['Beccause you are...a puppet.']

[Cloud shudders as he hears that voice. He knows it's just burned into his memory like so much other pain but he can't help but look at the silver haired man as it comes to mind.

He stares at Sephiroth for a long moment before pushing himself to his feet. What if this is just a sign of all else in his future. What if the future can't be changed. What if tragedy and loss is all he as to look forward to while grasping for happiness?

The others are calling to make their escape before things get even worse and he has no reason to argue with them. Still, as he makes his way to the exit he slows and turns to look at the pit once more. And then at the crystal. He lingers for as long as he can before departing, waiting for some sort of sign of hope.]

Edited 2015-08-13 17:18 (UTC)

It might be too late, but if by any chance it's not, running is starting to sound like a lovely idea right about now.

[Jade snapped a retort at Yuffie. In all honesty, he was feeling less and less hopeful about avoiding what was about to happen, but it was either that or sit still and wait.]

[Ven's still glaring after Jessie -- Palitutu, whatever her name is -- and debating trying something, anything, but that warning gets his attention, fortunately, and he controls the urge.

After a glance around the room to make sure everyone seems to be of the same mind, he hurries towards the exit as well (of course they're running, thre had to more running involved, didn't there) and keeps his thoughts to himself.

Again, he's been used. Again, he's been set up in the hopes of doing the right thing, only for it to -- literally, maybe, this time -- blow up in his face. His memory, months before... in hindsight, maybe it was a warning. And he'd overlooked it.

The fact that he isn't the only one isn't a comforting thought.]

[At hearing what sounded essentially like giving up, Tear can't keep her silence any more. Yes, everything was happening quickly and with every development it felt as if it was slipping further out of their hands, but that didn't mean there was absolutely nothing.]

You wanted to be a hero, to help before, why is now any different? [They were brought here through so many sacrifices...] What's done is done, but if running from here is going to help at all, like Jade is suggesting, then do it. Too many lives have been lost already for us to just sit here and do nothing.

[Albel couldn't believe it. The absolute chaos. It was entirely different from a battlefield. Hero killing Hero, followed by betrayal, followed by...]

[He couldn't think. He wouldn't think. It was too much to think about. What he saw was an enemy -- a target. That he could focus on.]

[Abandoning Logen, Albel threw all of his anger, all of his hate, into a charge at Jessie -- or Palitutu's -- back. He didn't get much further than Luffy's body before he stumbled to a halt, feet crystallized to the ground. In another last-ditch effort to attack, he thrust his hand out to cast -- ]

Blizza--!

[The spell was cut off mid-word as crystal overtook his arms, torso, neck, and the last that was heard was a gasp for breath before Albel had completely turned.]

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