Post by Hayate on Oct 18, 2006 20:17:35 GMT -5
Chapter 7: Lucius
Midiyus “Time to finish this!!”
Midiyus’ dark aura suddenly intensifies. He proceeds with crossing his arms and spinning around to create a hurricane.
Midiyus “Dark…TORNADO!!!!!”
The tornado swirls around the entire room as it continues to increase in size. The wind eventually gets too forceful and carries Xavi into the air.
Xavi “Oh, geez!”
Just then, Seifer grabs onto Xavi’s foot to keep him from flying.
Xavi “Thanks, Seifer!”
Seifer “Just don’t say…I never did you…any favors…!”
Mickey “How are we supposed to get close to Midiyus!?”
Yuffie “You tell me!!”
Ayane “This wind…is so…strong…”
Leon “Hey, where’s Shiro?”
The group notices Shiro forcing his way through the dark wind to reach Midiyus.
Ayane “Shiro!”
Yuffie “It’s too strong for him!”
All of a sudden, Shiro also begins to glow black and makes his way to Midiyus even faster.
Xavi “Go get ‘em, buddy!!”
Shiro “Grrrr… Dark Sonic Blade!!”
The intense speed allows Shiro to strike Midiyus more than 20 times and the tornado gradually weakens. Midiyus clenches his stomach from the massive attack.
Midiyus “Master Orion…did not tell me…that you too…could wield the dark…as your weapon!”
Shiro “That’s because he doesn’t know that!”
Midiyus “No matter… I’ll still defeat you!!”
Midiyus’ Oblivions appear once again and a sword clash ensues between him and Shiro. The sounds of clashing metal were enough to shake the foundation of the room.
Midiyus “You’re weakening!! I can sense it!!”
Shiro “Can you? Then sense this!!”
The three Keyblades interlock with each other, giving Shiro an opportunity to strike Midiyus’ stomach with…
Shiro “Dark Firaga!!”
The severe fire was enough to melt a hole straight through Midiyus. Midiyus’ eyes go completely blank as he backs away from Shiro and drops to his knees.
Midiyus “Master…Orion…”
Shiro “I have a message for your ‘master’. Too bad you won’t be able to give it to him!”
Shiro faces towards the ceiling…
Shiro “ORION!! I know you can hear me!! Once I find you, this is what I’m gonna do to you!!!”
…then he again faces towards Midiyus, as well as raising his Wings of Exile.
Shiro “Zantetsuken!!”
A powerful downward slash cuts Midiyus in half straight down the middle. His remains disintegrate into nothing.
Shiro (sigh) “It’s over.”
Facing towards the others, Shiro could see fear in their eyes.
Shiro “What’s wrong?”
Mickey “It… It was…”
Leon “Before you dealt the final blow, Shiro, you…”
Shiro “What? What happened?”
Leon discusses what had happened just before Shiro had struck Midiyus with the Zantetsuken: Right when Shiro finished his speech to Orion, he looked at Midiyus and raised the Wings of Exile. Shiro’s aura intensified, his hairstyle was taking a different shape, and his outfit looked like it was changing. It looked somewhat like Riku’s outfit when he was taken over by Ansem. When Midiyus vanished however, the outfit dissipated as well.
Yuffie “It’s the darkness. It’s gradually changing you, Shiro.”
Shiro “Changing me…?”
Shiro’s vision veers towards his hands. The darkness inside his hands alone felt slightly different.
Shiro “Oh, man. What’s happening to me?”
Orion watches the group through the same camera Midiyus was watching them through. His shocked expression wasn’t like him.
Orion ‘No… Midiyus was my most powerful Darkling… How did that boy become so powerful in the ways of darkness so quickly… Hmm? Oh, I see. That was very clever, Kaizo. So you tutored the boy when you rejected me, is that it? It doesn’t matter… I’ll still be the most powerful being in existence!!’
Just then, a rush of pain surges through Orion and he drops to his knees.
Orion “Gah…! No! Please, forgive me, Lord Lucius! I did not mean to belittle your superiority! No… I beg of you, don’t do this! NOOOOO!!!!!!!”
Back in the room, the group proceeds through the open door. Mickey walks in front. Shiro walks behind everyone else.
Shiro ‘Leon said that I’m changing. Then, that means…’
Shiro recalls the promise he made to Ayane.
‘Just promise me one thing… Don’t ever change, okay?’
‘…I promise.’
Shiro ‘Ayane…’
Xavi “Hey, Shiro!”
Shiro “Huh?”
Seifer “Try to keep up, will ya?”
Shiro “Oh… Right…”
Sooner or later, the group comes across what looks like an elevator.
Mickey “Hmm…”
Pressing a random button on a console, Mickey causes a platform to appear.
Ayane “I guess it is an elevator.”
Leon “Everyone be ready. This may be a one-way trip.”
Yuffie “Right.”
Xavi “Uh-huh.”
Mickey “Gotcha.”
Shiro “…”
Mickey steps on the platform, followed by Ayane, then Leon, Yuffie, and Xavi. Shiro is the only one who doesn’t.
Ayane “Aren’t you coming, Shiro?”
Shiro “I… I don’t know.”
Yuffie “What do you mean, you don’t know!?”
Seifer “You callin’ it quits already?!?”
Xavi “You can’t back out now!!!”
Mickey “What’s wrong, Shiro?”
Shiro “It’s about what happened back there. You said…I changed. The darkness inside me – maybe it is changing me little by little. If it changes me completely, I’m afraid of what I might do. It could turn into another Origin City Chaos.”
Leon “So…you’re not gonna fight?”
Shiro “I’m…not sure. I know I have to, and I also know what would become of us if I don’t. It’s just…”
Shiro is startled to feel a warm hand rest on his shoulder. It was Ayane’s hand.
Shiro “Ayane…?”
Ayane “You’re stupid, you know that?”
Shiro “Huh?”
Ayane “You’re too busy thinking about something that might not even happen instead of what you should be doing now.”
Shiro “…”
Ayane “Just know this: You’ll always be Shiro to me, no matter what happens… Okay?”
Ayane removes her hand from his shoulder.
Ayane “So…what do you want to do?”
Shiro “I want…to fight…by your side… By everyone’s side.”
Ayane “I thought so.”
Xavi “Well, it’s about time! I was beginning to think you were chickening out!”
Yuffie “Would you shut up!?”
Xavi (gulp) “Y-Yes, ma’am!!”
Ayane steps onto the platform again. Shiro quickly follows her. Just then, in front of everyone, Shiro raises a fist in the air.
Shiro “To victory!!!”
All “TO VICTORY!!!!”
The platform begins to shake and carries everyone to the top floor, where Orion was supposedly expecting. Ayane looks up towards the top, looking forward to battle. Just then, someone kisses her on the cheek, causing her face to deeply redden. She looks over to see Shiro.
Shiro “Thanks a lot, Ayane.”
Ayane “Uh… Sure, Shiro, anytime.”
Ayane’s face was red for the entire elevator ride… After about 5 minutes, the platform finally screeches to a halt at the top of the Nest. The room the group had entered had a heavy amount of darkness in the atmosphere.
Leon “This air…”
Mickey “Yeah… I feel it, too…”
Xavi “Whew! This room reeks of darkness!”
Yuffie “Show yourself, Orion!”
Ayane “We’re ready for you!!”
Seifer “Prepare yourself!!”
Shiro “…”
Ayane “Shiro?”
Shiro steps several feet ahead of the group and projects his dark aura.
Shiro “Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of the darkness anymore. Whatever happens to me, I’ll face it with courage. Because the darkness isn’t my only weapon…”
Shiro’s aura starts to mix in a little white with the black.
Shiro “…But also, the light.”
Mickey ‘Amazing… A boy who walks both the paths of light and dark… So he isn’t the only one…’
Shiro “Orion!! Quit hiding!!!”
The room then goes completely dark for about 3 seconds before the lights return, and Orion reveals himself before the brave group.
Leon “There you are, Orion!!”
Orion “Orion? Heh… Hahahaha… I think not…”
Xavi “Come again?”
Orion “You see… Orion was getting too hungry for power… So, I gave it to him… After all, he was my dear apprentice…”
Shiro (gasp) “Now I see!”
Yuffie “See what, Shiro?”
Shiro “Kaizo refused to teach Orion in the ways of darkness. So, for attacking his teacher, he was banished from Origin City. With nowhere to go and hungry for power and revenge, he turned to darkness itself. And in enters THIS guy!!!”
Mickey “But…who is he?”
Xavi “………Lucius!!”
Lucius chuckles upon hearing his own name.
Lucius “The boy is very intelligent. Indeed, it is I, Lucius, king of the Darklings! Or to be more precise, KING OF DARKNESS!!!”
Ayane “King of… Oh, boy…”
Lucius “Orion was too weak in the state I found him in. He wanted to be more powerful than any other. I gave it to him in return for one thing: absolute loyalty to me. But as the years rolled by, he began to become rebellious. He even had thoughts of becoming more powerful than me. That I could not let happen! So, I decided to rid myself of him…by seizing his body as my own!”
Yuffie “That’s nuts!”
Lucius “Quite the contrary. With his power united with mine, I feel better than ever!”
Mickey “That’s enough of that! We’re gonna stop you from covering our worlds in everlasting darkness!”
Lucius “Heh. Who said anything about that?”
Xavi “Say what?”
Lucius “I don’t want to blanket your miniscule worlds in darkness… I want to destroy them!!”
No one could believe what Lucius had just said.
Ayane “What…did you say?”
Lucius “As the king of darkness, I want only to destroy things weaker than myself. Like Orion, for example.”
Shiro “You’re evil…”
Lucius “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Mickey “To annihilate all of existence… That’s madness!!!”
Leon “And we’re the ones who are gonna stop your diabolical plans!”
Lucius “Oh, please! I may be mad, but I’m not stupid!”
Lucius begins to laugh boisterously, until a blast of dark & light fire strikes his stomach. Looking at Shiro, Lucius notices his left palm facing straight forward.
Shiro “Like Leon said, we’re gonna stop you…”
And like always, Shiro’s aura intensifies.
Shiro “…No matter what the cost!”
Lucius “Hmph!”
Lucius leaves Orion’s body and it collapses onto the ground. In his true form, Lucius has a lean body, piercing red eyes, long dark-blue hair, ornate clothing, and a frightful smile.
Lucius “Orion was right about you, boy! Your insolence very much precedes you! Nevertheless…”
Lucius unleashes unique weapons: in each hand, he holds a black double-bladed Keyblade.
Lucius “…I absolutely refuse to be defeated by mere mortals!!! PREPARE YOURSELF!!!!!!!”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Midiyus “Time to finish this!!”
Midiyus’ dark aura suddenly intensifies. He proceeds with crossing his arms and spinning around to create a hurricane.
Midiyus “Dark…TORNADO!!!!!”
The tornado swirls around the entire room as it continues to increase in size. The wind eventually gets too forceful and carries Xavi into the air.
Xavi “Oh, geez!”
Just then, Seifer grabs onto Xavi’s foot to keep him from flying.
Xavi “Thanks, Seifer!”
Seifer “Just don’t say…I never did you…any favors…!”
Mickey “How are we supposed to get close to Midiyus!?”
Yuffie “You tell me!!”
Ayane “This wind…is so…strong…”
Leon “Hey, where’s Shiro?”
The group notices Shiro forcing his way through the dark wind to reach Midiyus.
Ayane “Shiro!”
Yuffie “It’s too strong for him!”
All of a sudden, Shiro also begins to glow black and makes his way to Midiyus even faster.
Xavi “Go get ‘em, buddy!!”
Shiro “Grrrr… Dark Sonic Blade!!”
The intense speed allows Shiro to strike Midiyus more than 20 times and the tornado gradually weakens. Midiyus clenches his stomach from the massive attack.
Midiyus “Master Orion…did not tell me…that you too…could wield the dark…as your weapon!”
Shiro “That’s because he doesn’t know that!”
Midiyus “No matter… I’ll still defeat you!!”
Midiyus’ Oblivions appear once again and a sword clash ensues between him and Shiro. The sounds of clashing metal were enough to shake the foundation of the room.
Midiyus “You’re weakening!! I can sense it!!”
Shiro “Can you? Then sense this!!”
The three Keyblades interlock with each other, giving Shiro an opportunity to strike Midiyus’ stomach with…
Shiro “Dark Firaga!!”
The severe fire was enough to melt a hole straight through Midiyus. Midiyus’ eyes go completely blank as he backs away from Shiro and drops to his knees.
Midiyus “Master…Orion…”
Shiro “I have a message for your ‘master’. Too bad you won’t be able to give it to him!”
Shiro faces towards the ceiling…
Shiro “ORION!! I know you can hear me!! Once I find you, this is what I’m gonna do to you!!!”
…then he again faces towards Midiyus, as well as raising his Wings of Exile.
Shiro “Zantetsuken!!”
A powerful downward slash cuts Midiyus in half straight down the middle. His remains disintegrate into nothing.
Shiro (sigh) “It’s over.”
Facing towards the others, Shiro could see fear in their eyes.
Shiro “What’s wrong?”
Mickey “It… It was…”
Leon “Before you dealt the final blow, Shiro, you…”
Shiro “What? What happened?”
Leon discusses what had happened just before Shiro had struck Midiyus with the Zantetsuken: Right when Shiro finished his speech to Orion, he looked at Midiyus and raised the Wings of Exile. Shiro’s aura intensified, his hairstyle was taking a different shape, and his outfit looked like it was changing. It looked somewhat like Riku’s outfit when he was taken over by Ansem. When Midiyus vanished however, the outfit dissipated as well.
Yuffie “It’s the darkness. It’s gradually changing you, Shiro.”
Shiro “Changing me…?”
Shiro’s vision veers towards his hands. The darkness inside his hands alone felt slightly different.
Shiro “Oh, man. What’s happening to me?”
Orion watches the group through the same camera Midiyus was watching them through. His shocked expression wasn’t like him.
Orion ‘No… Midiyus was my most powerful Darkling… How did that boy become so powerful in the ways of darkness so quickly… Hmm? Oh, I see. That was very clever, Kaizo. So you tutored the boy when you rejected me, is that it? It doesn’t matter… I’ll still be the most powerful being in existence!!’
Just then, a rush of pain surges through Orion and he drops to his knees.
Orion “Gah…! No! Please, forgive me, Lord Lucius! I did not mean to belittle your superiority! No… I beg of you, don’t do this! NOOOOO!!!!!!!”
Back in the room, the group proceeds through the open door. Mickey walks in front. Shiro walks behind everyone else.
Shiro ‘Leon said that I’m changing. Then, that means…’
Shiro recalls the promise he made to Ayane.
‘Just promise me one thing… Don’t ever change, okay?’
‘…I promise.’
Shiro ‘Ayane…’
Xavi “Hey, Shiro!”
Shiro “Huh?”
Seifer “Try to keep up, will ya?”
Shiro “Oh… Right…”
Sooner or later, the group comes across what looks like an elevator.
Mickey “Hmm…”
Pressing a random button on a console, Mickey causes a platform to appear.
Ayane “I guess it is an elevator.”
Leon “Everyone be ready. This may be a one-way trip.”
Yuffie “Right.”
Xavi “Uh-huh.”
Mickey “Gotcha.”
Shiro “…”
Mickey steps on the platform, followed by Ayane, then Leon, Yuffie, and Xavi. Shiro is the only one who doesn’t.
Ayane “Aren’t you coming, Shiro?”
Shiro “I… I don’t know.”
Yuffie “What do you mean, you don’t know!?”
Seifer “You callin’ it quits already?!?”
Xavi “You can’t back out now!!!”
Mickey “What’s wrong, Shiro?”
Shiro “It’s about what happened back there. You said…I changed. The darkness inside me – maybe it is changing me little by little. If it changes me completely, I’m afraid of what I might do. It could turn into another Origin City Chaos.”
Leon “So…you’re not gonna fight?”
Shiro “I’m…not sure. I know I have to, and I also know what would become of us if I don’t. It’s just…”
Shiro is startled to feel a warm hand rest on his shoulder. It was Ayane’s hand.
Shiro “Ayane…?”
Ayane “You’re stupid, you know that?”
Shiro “Huh?”
Ayane “You’re too busy thinking about something that might not even happen instead of what you should be doing now.”
Shiro “…”
Ayane “Just know this: You’ll always be Shiro to me, no matter what happens… Okay?”
Ayane removes her hand from his shoulder.
Ayane “So…what do you want to do?”
Shiro “I want…to fight…by your side… By everyone’s side.”
Ayane “I thought so.”
Xavi “Well, it’s about time! I was beginning to think you were chickening out!”
Yuffie “Would you shut up!?”
Xavi (gulp) “Y-Yes, ma’am!!”
Ayane steps onto the platform again. Shiro quickly follows her. Just then, in front of everyone, Shiro raises a fist in the air.
Shiro “To victory!!!”
All “TO VICTORY!!!!”
The platform begins to shake and carries everyone to the top floor, where Orion was supposedly expecting. Ayane looks up towards the top, looking forward to battle. Just then, someone kisses her on the cheek, causing her face to deeply redden. She looks over to see Shiro.
Shiro “Thanks a lot, Ayane.”
Ayane “Uh… Sure, Shiro, anytime.”
Ayane’s face was red for the entire elevator ride… After about 5 minutes, the platform finally screeches to a halt at the top of the Nest. The room the group had entered had a heavy amount of darkness in the atmosphere.
Leon “This air…”
Mickey “Yeah… I feel it, too…”
Xavi “Whew! This room reeks of darkness!”
Yuffie “Show yourself, Orion!”
Ayane “We’re ready for you!!”
Seifer “Prepare yourself!!”
Shiro “…”
Ayane “Shiro?”
Shiro steps several feet ahead of the group and projects his dark aura.
Shiro “Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of the darkness anymore. Whatever happens to me, I’ll face it with courage. Because the darkness isn’t my only weapon…”
Shiro’s aura starts to mix in a little white with the black.
Shiro “…But also, the light.”
Mickey ‘Amazing… A boy who walks both the paths of light and dark… So he isn’t the only one…’
Shiro “Orion!! Quit hiding!!!”
The room then goes completely dark for about 3 seconds before the lights return, and Orion reveals himself before the brave group.
Leon “There you are, Orion!!”
Orion “Orion? Heh… Hahahaha… I think not…”
Xavi “Come again?”
Orion “You see… Orion was getting too hungry for power… So, I gave it to him… After all, he was my dear apprentice…”
Shiro (gasp) “Now I see!”
Yuffie “See what, Shiro?”
Shiro “Kaizo refused to teach Orion in the ways of darkness. So, for attacking his teacher, he was banished from Origin City. With nowhere to go and hungry for power and revenge, he turned to darkness itself. And in enters THIS guy!!!”
Mickey “But…who is he?”
Xavi “………Lucius!!”
Lucius chuckles upon hearing his own name.
Lucius “The boy is very intelligent. Indeed, it is I, Lucius, king of the Darklings! Or to be more precise, KING OF DARKNESS!!!”
Ayane “King of… Oh, boy…”
Lucius “Orion was too weak in the state I found him in. He wanted to be more powerful than any other. I gave it to him in return for one thing: absolute loyalty to me. But as the years rolled by, he began to become rebellious. He even had thoughts of becoming more powerful than me. That I could not let happen! So, I decided to rid myself of him…by seizing his body as my own!”
Yuffie “That’s nuts!”
Lucius “Quite the contrary. With his power united with mine, I feel better than ever!”
Mickey “That’s enough of that! We’re gonna stop you from covering our worlds in everlasting darkness!”
Lucius “Heh. Who said anything about that?”
Xavi “Say what?”
Lucius “I don’t want to blanket your miniscule worlds in darkness… I want to destroy them!!”
No one could believe what Lucius had just said.
Ayane “What…did you say?”
Lucius “As the king of darkness, I want only to destroy things weaker than myself. Like Orion, for example.”
Shiro “You’re evil…”
Lucius “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Mickey “To annihilate all of existence… That’s madness!!!”
Leon “And we’re the ones who are gonna stop your diabolical plans!”
Lucius “Oh, please! I may be mad, but I’m not stupid!”
Lucius begins to laugh boisterously, until a blast of dark & light fire strikes his stomach. Looking at Shiro, Lucius notices his left palm facing straight forward.
Shiro “Like Leon said, we’re gonna stop you…”
And like always, Shiro’s aura intensifies.
Shiro “…No matter what the cost!”
Lucius “Hmph!”
Lucius leaves Orion’s body and it collapses onto the ground. In his true form, Lucius has a lean body, piercing red eyes, long dark-blue hair, ornate clothing, and a frightful smile.
Lucius “Orion was right about you, boy! Your insolence very much precedes you! Nevertheless…”
Lucius unleashes unique weapons: in each hand, he holds a black double-bladed Keyblade.
Lucius “…I absolutely refuse to be defeated by mere mortals!!! PREPARE YOURSELF!!!!!!!”
TO BE CONTINUED…
