Intro Log || The Return of the Heroes

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 5th of September. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in Aqures Ixen and are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and what their destinies are. This a log for them to react to the situation, meet each other and be welcomed by the former batches of Heroes of Light. It marks the first time since January that Heroes of Light have appeared in Aqures Ixen.
Warning: N/A

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you knew it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had, are now gone. It is silent, cold and it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. Upon doing so, you can hear a soft, soothing voice speaking:


"Wake up."

Soon, the void itself vanishes and is replaced by distant noises of engines. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call one more time, but is soon replaced with a much less graceful "Wake up Kupo." Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally wake you up. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Fire, in the third district of a city called Aqures Ixen. At this point, you may realize the engine noise actually originates from an Airship flying low over the city and headed to dock beneath the castle. As if it wasn't strange enough, your clothes have changed as well. They are now a reflection of the Jobs you are wielding. Last but not least, you are surrounded by Moogles, small and fluffy creatures who are more than happy to tell you about everything you want to know, about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light, about what awaits you.

Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

The only people around you are like you-- There are quite a few of them, all clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. If somehow you do not realize it, the Moogle who woke you up will be more than happy to inform you there are others like you around. In fact, there are other Heroes who have arrived in the course of the past year and they will come soon! Like you, they have Jobs and a Crystal.

If asked, the Moogles will mention that the city was recently attacked by the Heran Empire and nearly destroyed by Ultima Weapon. What's the Heran Empire? What's Ultima Weapon? Better to ask to the heroes who saw it all.


The Other Heroes
— Shortly Thereafter —
Thanks to the efficiency of Mognet, it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around: those who arrived in this world within the past year. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they fiercely battled each other past month. And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.


The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
With the recent attack, Aqures Ixen is under reconstruction. The city was saved for the most part, but there are ruined buildings, the Sixth District is nothing but wasteland now and the Thirteenth District has become a graveyard. Even so, there are a lot of things left to do in the city for newcomers. A few groups of Triple Triad players are playing before Mognet Office in the ninth district, mostly Moogles as many of them are not working after what happened. And of course, they are more than happy to teach the rule to anyone passing by. Characters are free to enter and play games of Triple Triad, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. This may be the start of a promising career!

Characters are also free to visit the city-- Mognet Office just behind the Triple Triad games is filled with Moogles, most of them panicked, tired, busy or slacking now that their director has disappeared. They can also visit Airship Port in the twelfth district from where characters can board for free Airships from Shoopuf Airline-- Though they have to make a request 48 hours in before to do so.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.


Close Encounters of the Third Kind
— 19:00 —
Characters venturing by the city's outskirts at this specific time will be able to see a most peculiar sight: a flying saucer seemingly abducting a cow before flying away and disappearing into the sky without leaving any traces of its presence. If your character do see it, hopefully there will be someone with them. Otherwise, nobody will believe their story.

Was it an UFO or just a hallucination? Only the future will tell...

Comments

[damn_juicebox]

Still apart from the others, Rukia Kuchiki was examining her new body, completely perplexed. Her thin brows were drawn inward, a small frown on her face as she stared at her palm and flexed her fingers. She was human now, according to the Moogle that stood patiently beside her, arms folded behinds its back. Rukia had never known what it was to be "human" given that in the living world, she had died as an infant. Growing up in the Soul Society was all she'd known.

It didn't feel the same as it did wearing a gigai, or false body that a shinigami inhabited to traverse the living world without drawing undue attention. Her responses were more in tune with her thoughts. But she felt...heavy. And her ability to feel the presence of others was gone.

Rukia lifted her elbow, then glanced back over her shoulder. As far as she could tell, her appearance hadn't changed. Even her clothing wasn't all that different from what she normally wore as a soul reaper. But this sword certainly wasn't her zanpakuto, she she felt vulnerable without it.

"If you wished for a hero, I would have been far more capable to assist in my original form," she stated, turning her attention back to the small creature standing before her.

It shrugged. "It is what it is, kupo. I don't have any control over things like that!"

[silencesfate]

Minato had made something of a small commotion with his lack of movement earlier; making people think they had brought in a comatose (or dead) Hero, but now he was up and looking around for a bit, decidedly... well, kind of... alive? In the end, even while awake sometimes he seems to be in a zombie state that just goes about directionless. His Moogle followed behind him, awkwardly. Maybe their combined lack of presence even let them wander closeby while being mostly unnoticed.

The Moogle approached after a small distance of flapping, while his charge stared off into the scenery.

"If you're willing to help, then... that's already one thing kupo!"

Kharon tried to be reassuring, with a tiny smile. It was a lot more than could be said for his own boy, who he turned to with a dejected expression. But he looks back at Rukia and continues.

"It's true, we don't really understand much about how it works. But you have new powers too that can become very great powers, kupo."

[damn_juicebox]

"I'm expected to begin a new training regimen, am I? Hm." She didn't look entirely dissatisfied. This was a lot to get accustomed to. She wasn't completely on board about being summoned to do heroics, but there was something attractive about it too. Still, she had no desire to forsake her own world, and she decided to ask what her friends back home were expected to do in Rukia's absence.

It was then that she noticed the young man who didn't seem to be taking the change of situation quite so well. Rukia blinked, then frowned, concerned. Was he a human, or had he been forced into a change much like herself? There was no real way to know, not without asking.

"Oi," she called out to Minato. "Are you feeling ill?"

[silencesfate]

"It's nothing as solid as a schedule or instructors, but many Heroes go and help each other out! So no one gets forced into anything they don't want... aside from being here to begin with..." As Kharon rubbed his head with a sigh, remembering how his own Hero had responded to that 'reassurance'. He did have a point, in the end it was still tantamount to being forced into the situation.

Minato's battle experience was tantamount to one fight that he barely remembered, so he had his own reasons to be uncooperative too.

"Huh?"

When the other Hero calls out to him, Minato turns to her and blinks. But he doesn't seem to have properly heard what it was she had asked, seeing as he only has a face of confusion, and no further answer.

[damn_juicebox]

That was definitely a sign of shock. She'd seen it many times before, particularly on spirits who hadn't yet accepted the end of their mortality. Rukia frowned, glancing at Kharon, then stepped forward. "I asked if you were ill," she repeated, coming to a halt directly in front of the taller youth. "What is your name?"

That seemed like a good place to start, asking him questions that he surely had to know. Once he came back to himself, then perhaps together with the help of their Moogles, they could discover more about why they were here and what they were meant to do.

[silencesfate]

"Um... no, I'm not ill." He's about as tired as he is on any other, normal day. Maybe he really should be more worried about it, but...

"It's... Minato Arisato."

There are at least, some things he hasn't become slower in, among those the most basic things like his own name. He didn't usually just introduce himself to whoever, but she did ask. It might've just been her (lack of) height, but looking at her a little closer, Minato couldn't really tell if she was an adult or not.

[damn_juicebox]

Most people had that kind of reaction around Rukia. It had helped her to infiltrate a human high school, despite claiming to have lived ten of their lifetimes.

He recalled his name, at least. Rukia nodded. Good. "Rukia Kuchiki." She decided not to mention that she was a Soul Reaper, just in case he took it to mean that he was now dead. Perhaps later.

"Do you need something to eat?" Food generally seemed to help, she found.

[silencesfate]

"Um. Food would be nice."

Though, he's not sure what brought up Rukia's sudden offer. Hey, if this place was generous with food then maybe being stuck here wouldn't be so bad...

Minato rubbed the back of his head.

"Did you have someplace in mind?"

And here, Kharon interjected, pulling something out from his bag with a frown. "I was saving this muffin... but you can have it kupo. You should've mentioned you were hungry sooner, kupo."

"Oh. Thanks." These two's relationship with each other continued to be awkward in its early stage... "Do you want half of it, Kuchiki-san? Or would you prefer Rukia-san?" In his short time here so far, he's found a lot of people went first name basis practically straight off.

[damn_juicebox]

"Just Rukia is fine. You don't need to be formal with me." But if he insisted, she would allow it. Orihime still persisted in calling her 'Kuchiki-san' after all.

She smiled at the thoughtfulness expressed by hero and Moogle alike, and she shook her head. "I'm not hungry at the moment, thank you," she said, holding up her hand to politely decline. Once he had some food, he would likely feel a little better.

"If you need to rest as well, I will escort you to your destination." Not that she knew where it was, but the Moogles probably did.

[comeoutswinging]

A certain part of that quite piques Allenby's ears as she lurks around. She's not sneaking or hiding, but rather kind of just there, and not realy focused on Rukia until that one comment.

'...in my original form'.

Is that just bad wording, or... literal? She has to know!

"S'cuse me. Did you say "original form"?"

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia turned at the sound of the voice, just to make sure she was indeed the one being addressed. That seemed to be the case. While Rukia might have hesitated to reveal her identity in the Living World, this place was far enough removed that she harbored few reservations.

"Correct. I am a shinigami. Are you familiar with the term?" If so, that would make things easier. If not...? Well, at least she'd have a general idea of how humans reacted to soul reapers, and whether or not she should practice greater discretion in the future.

[comeoutswinging]

She pondered for a moment...

Were this SRW crossover, she'd have heard it from Duo Maxwell. Shinigami Duo/Deathscythe

"Isn't that the Japanese term for Death God?" she asks, which, is rather basic. Given this girl fought a corruptive machine that consumed an entire space colony... surely belief could be suspended to listen to and grasp the concept.

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia nodded, the smile on her face indicating that she was pleased at the recognition. "Yes. It was my duty to guide souls to the Soul Society, exorcising them when necessary. However..."

She looked down at her open hand again, and closed her fingers into a fist.

"My abilities are no longer present. I cannot tell if they have been sealed, or removed altogether. It is troublesome." Her hand relaxed and drifted to her side. "What are you, then?"

[comeoutswinging]

"Oh, that? That's... I think they're MOSTLY gone? Like... I hear you can really tap into your natural powers when you're about to die but that's... It's not something I want to just test... And I haven't been pushed there either." Yanno, limit breaks!

"Me? I'm a Gundam Fighter." she says, but knows more than likely she doesn't know what that is. "I'm part of a federation of fighters that get together every four years, to fight and see who among countries will rule for the next four. Strongest fighter wins for their country. It's better than War."

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia nodded slowly. "No, I can't see that it would be wise." But it was good to know, just in case she was ever brought to the brink. She folded her arms, hands resting comfortably atop her sleeves.

A Gundam Fighter? Judging by Rukia's curious expression, she'd never heard the term before. "All the other countries are in agreement about this? I see... I am impressed." She nodded approvingly. How advanced this girl's race had become! Even Soul Society didn't have that kind of peace.

"Kuchiki Rukia," she introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

[comeoutswinging]

HAHAHA, she'd left out details from this last year's tournament. Things went bad... SUPER bad.

"Allenby Beardsley." she says, holding her hand out. Oh boy... culture clash already... bowing versus handshake...

[damn_juicebox]

It took Rukia a moment to understand the gesture, but she was adaptable, and extended her hand as well. There, she was being a normal human! "Well met."

...She was supposed to shake the hand, not just hold it out there. But she sure looked pleased as if she had got it right on the first try.

"May I ask how long you have resided here? I have many questions."

[nobugs]

Kija would agree with her, especially because he had lost both his ability to sense his dragon brothers as well as the power of his right arm. While he didn't mind to step into the destiny - even if it made him confused, he wasn't nearly as well prepared for this one as he was for the other destiny he had been following, which was the only thing he had been waiting and living for his whole life. It was strange, to say the very least, to suddenly be met with another one and to have the power taken away on which his whole identity was built on. That is why he couldn't help but overhear this girl. "I, too, wonder what is the meaning to turn us into normal humans if they desire our help in such a way."

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia turned, curious to see who had addressed her. The young man's face was unfamiliar, so she did not think he was a shinigami like herself. But it was possible; she didn't know everyone in Soul Society, to be sure.

Her head inclined slightly in greeting. "I am certain there must be a reason. But as to what it is, I cannot guess." She turned to fully face him.

"Kuchiki Rukia. I am a shinigami." Or, at least, she was. "What of yourself?"

[nobugs]

"The only thing I can think of is that it might make us more compatible with the new powers that we can gain here.! And to be fair, his right hand did cause him sometimes problems, especially when it came to mundane tasks like washing or sewing clothes. There was always the chance that he would accidentally rip them apart, even if he meant to fix problems. A shinigami, though? Did that mean she was bringing death? "I am Hakuryuu Kija. I have inherited the power of the White Dragon within my right hand."

[damn_juicebox]

"Oh? The White Dragon, you say." Not just *a* White Dragon, but *THE* White Dragon.

Rukia had never heard of it.

That didn't mean she wasn't curious, though, and it prompted her to lift his wrist and inspect his right hand. She turned his palm, but seeing nothing significant, she released him. Ah, of course... No matter what power he'd held previously, he was human now, much like herself.

"Do you still possess access to this power?" she asked, even though she had a feeling she already knew the answer was 'no.'

[nobugs]

Of course he said the White Dragon. As far as he knew, there wasn't more than one White Dragon around (unless you of course counted all of his predecessors as White Dragons as well). The hand usually covered in bandages was indeed nothing but normal right now. It was strange to have it recalled like this.

"I... do not feel like I do."

Did that mean that in his world a successor would be born now who inherited all his power? That was kind of upsetting, considering he wasn't dead.

"You do not have your powers either, do you?"

[damn_juicebox]

"No," she confirmed, her expression darkening with frustration. "I appear to be cut off from my spiritual senses as well." It would take her some time to adjust.

"But you have access to new abilities," Rukia's little Moogle chimed in helpfully. "It will take some time to get used to it, but you'll be able to do some incredible things with a little patience and a lot of training."

Rukia regarded Chappopo seriously, then glanced back at Kija. It made little sense to her, but perhaps the Moogle was correct. There had to be a good reason for it. "I suppose we have to trust in those who summoned us. I do not think it was for an ill purpose."

[nobugs]

"From your spiritual senses?" Reflexively, he raises his hands to the sides of his head. He didn't sense anything, that was true, but he couldn't be sure if any of his brothers were here. "It might be the same case for me. I am not sure if any of my brothers are here." Of course, new abilities might be interesting. He didn't mind learning new things, new abilities, it would only serve to broaden his horizons. "I think you are right. Perhaps we could train together some time."

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia inclined her head as well. Was her brother here as well, or would he find her missing from their home? She didn't know. Perhaps she would ask Chappopo later.

She was about to ask if he would be all right without the aid of his immediate family, but at his suggestion, she paused. Then smiled.

"I would appreciate a training partner," she replied with full sincerity and gratitude. There had to be some place for new Heroes to train and test out their new abilities, if not within the city, then without.

All right, now she could ask. "What are your plans now? Do you intend to find the house to which you were assigned?"