Final Fantasy XIII: Slaves of Fate

Akira screamed as Grey and Leo fell and she fell backwards from the King Tonberry. "Wh-what? Lightning! Leo, Grey!?" Her confusion didn't help but it had an effect on the Junior Tonberry attacking her. The little thing turned to look and she kicked it away from her, casting water to aid in getting it as far away from her as possible.

Lightning's vision dimmed from the loss of blood and the amount of times the Tonberrys had hit her. Odin lost a great deal of his energy and time. WIth the King Tonberry's attack, Odin slowed considerably and swung his double sided scythe at the King. Light, praying to herself that she wouldn't let Snow down, turned just in time to see Leo and Grey fall over the cliff. "Leo, Grey!" Her panic spurred Odin back into battle. Her battle-set mind was so focused on killing that she'd forgotten to take care of everyone. "Ryou, it's time to get out of here! Akira, get going!" she ordered. Her blue eyes sharper than ever and colder. There wasn't much even Odin could do agianst a King Tonberry at the moment after fighting so much of the Junior Tonberries. For a moment of distraction, Light raced into her Army of One skill and repeatedly slashed, shot and kicked at the King Tonberry. Anything to keep her apprentices safe. Odin followed her lead, covering her from the small knife the King carried and the Junior Tonberry's attacks.

 

Ryou nodded at Light's command and ran towards Jaden before grabbing a hold of his collar and with some force, pulled him and myra, letting go as Jaden seemed to lose his footing and his rear end happily cushioned the fall as Mya was also brought up. "Okay, we're retreating." He said firmly. "Jaden, go and join Akira and run as fast as your legs are able from here."

Ryou turned quickly, gving no time for any feedback. "If Akira gets stubborn, drag her if you need to, I don't care how but not even Light will handle this thing alone so we gotta make the the time she's giving us, now go!" He commanded before focusing an Aero at the cliff behind the King Tonberry. "Light, here comes an avalanche!" He shouted as hard as he was able before letting the Aero loose at the cliffside as a piece fell off and gravity took ahold, coming down upon the unsuspecting King Tonberry, what can Ryou say, it's on the rocks.

 

He heard the a faint sound of collapsing rock outside where the others were as he listened to Cid, but thought nothing of it. "So Pulse was right when he said that there was a fourth, missing piece. Nevertheless, they are still fal'Cie. That is what matters in the end and that alone is their weakness. And that single weakness is what classifies them as such." Omega turned to leave for the Mah'habara Subterra. "You know, don't you? What the weakness of every fal'Cie is? It's quite obvious when you think about it," he asked Cid as he left.

"Go with them." Shinryu recalled what Omega said to him in the tower earlier that day. When the rocks fell on the King, he decided to stick with Lightning and meet with everyone later up ahead. He figured that the others have each other to rely on while, no matter how strong she was, Lightning would fall eventually and Odin won't last forever. She'd be in need of backup and support when that happens. Using whatever strength he had left, he met up with the ex-soldier. Judging from her wounds, he saw that she was in as bad of a condition as himself, though a bit better as she wasn't struck in the vitals as severely. He motioned for her and Odin to go on and clear a path ahead while he'll watch their back.

 

OOC: Well warn me next time >>"

BIC: Mya gasped as she saw Leo tryingto grab Grey, but falling with him. LEO! NO!!! She then felt herself being pulled out of the cliff by Jaden. No...I let him fall...I'LL KILL EVERY SIGLE ONE OF YOU!!! Before she could react, she was dragged off and away from the battle.

 

"Ryou... since when did you become so bossy? But meh... whatev." He said as he picked up Mya and put her over his shoulder as she tried to run off and join Lightning and whoever was still there. "Mya, it's not your fault. You tried... and those two are tough, we have to trust our friends okay." he told her as he walked over to Akira.
"Sorry Akira, I'm just doing as I've been told." he said as he picked her up under one arm and started to walk away, "Please make this easier on me and don't struggle.." he begged.
"Ryou, Mia, everyone! Come on already!" he called out to the others who were left.
Dammit, this so is not my style to be running away from a battle like this... even being surrounded by cute girls still isn't helping me feel any less bad...
He looked over a Lightning and called out to her. "Hey! old lady! We'll be seeing you again, or I'll come straight after you and drag you back myself!" he told her as he started to leave... as fast as he could considering he was carrying two girls who were likely to be struggling against him.

 

Mia walked up behind Jaden and hit him on the back, causing him to let Akira and Mya go. She helped them and walked away with them. Touching the bandanna on her arm, Mia looked ahead and began to run. Surprisingly, Mia couldn't think of what to do, but she didn't let bother her. She looked behind at the others and motioned them to follow her.

 

"Naivete and innocence. Such is the mind of youth."
"Don't let-" The word 'go' never escaped Leo's mouth since he and Grey were then falling. As every profanity known to man escaped Leo's mouth in grunts and rumbles, Leo let go of Grey and rolled down the slanted cliff, hitting every joint and limb against hard rock. "Mother-Son-of-Fuc-AGH!" He quickly reached up with his Gunblade and stabbed it into the rock, hoping to stop his fall. It worked, kind of. His fall slowed down, but after a few seconds, Heretic's steel slipped from the cliff and Leo's descent sped back up. After several more swears, rolls, and grunts, Leo finally landed on his back and let out an extraordinarily loud grunt. My head...and everything below it hurts, he thought to himself as he rolled onto his stomach. Two fists hit the ground, then his knees, and Leo slowly pushed himself onto his feet. Heretic was laying at his feet, but Leo's eyes were set on Grey. "What the hell? Why did you let go? Your chain sword couldn't hold on? So much for the strongest!" He yelled, swiping his right arm in anger. "Freakin' useless!"

As long as I have a want. I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.

Cid frowned and looked at Omega. "Since when am I one to think, Omega? I will tell you this, though, so listen before you leave." Cid's body began to glow pink, signalling the end of his time in the Springs. "Linzei, Pulse, and Etro are all God fal'Cie of Buniberzei. Jenova is the God fal'Cie of Muin. However, their allegiances are...blurry at most. Lindzei and Pulse, forever in competition against their sister Etro and cousin Jenova. The only thing Jenova wants more than Lindzei and Pulse dead is Etro dead." The details of Cid's appearance were hard to see as the glow increased. "Pulse and Etro bear no ill will. God fal'Cie...these 'Makers,' I don't understand a single thing about them. All I know is I have a Focus. And walking around eternally damned as a zombie ain't appealing to me. Lindzei's utopia is crashing down and her Divine Dragon can't save it. Pulse's world is burning to ash and her so-called Beast of Destruction can't save it. Etro's creations are dying and neither her Final Focus nor her messengers can save them. Jenova will destroy all. Choose your side, Omega. I kind of like you, you know?" And with that, Cid disappeared in a pink flash, only to find himself on top of the apex of Taejin's Tower. The entire scenery was crystallized. Snow was inches from him, his eyes were closed and yet, Cid still felt a piercing look stare into his soul. Several feet from him, Ren Lawson was frantically looking around.
"So, boy, is that a dislike of Cocoon I sense in your heart?" Cid bluffed as he took a step forward. "Seems like we're kin, then."

King Tonberry kept slashing its tiny knife at both Odin and Lightning. Though there was no way the Eidolon nor the pink-haired l'Cie could defeat it, it was getting tired of fighting. The only way they could live would be to escape. Unlike its tiny subjects, the King was slow, choosing pure size of speed. However, it didn't plan on letting them escape and slashed at Odin again before jumping onto the edge of the cliff. It failed to notice the cracks below its feet.

​

 

Omega grew tired of Cid's ramblings. It all seemed very...preachy to him and that was made it irritating. "We believe what we want to believe. That's all we ever do," he said to himself. Dark magic began to flow out of his right forearm. The attack he held back from using on Leo before was escaping, so why not put it to use? "Descend, Heartless Angel," he began while raising his arm straight up, "Wherever that l'Cie is, give him my regards." Heartless Angel was an attack that barely ever used. It never kills, but instead almost kills. It was also never meant to be used in his current form, so should he actually do that...well it won't be good for anyone who happens to run into him afterwards.

A dark red bolt of magic fired from his palm, burning through the rock to reach the skies, and started homing in on Cid. In a chain reaction, his entire body took a glassy sheen as he was engulfed by an intense light coming from his brand. His laughter echoed through the springs during the transformation. When the light died, all that remained was a grotesque monster twice the size of a Behemoth King: Omega Weapon: Model VI. With the cavern being too small for him Omega Weapon burst through the ceiling and landed on the outside plateau. He let out a piercing roar into the night air, signaling his return.

Shin, in the meantime, froze with a look of complete terror on his face as soon as he heard the Weapon's roar. No...No way...

 

OOC: The Jaden's an idiot comment made me laugh.. :P

BIC:

Jaden sneezed... Someone is talking about me... he thought... Suddenly he felt Mia lightly hit him in the back. "Woah, okay okay!" He exclaimed, getting the message and letting the two girls go.
"Just don't try to run back or I will have to drag you guys like Ryou told me too... jeez.." he followed them and took a glance back.
The Tonberry was precariously close to the ledge... a ledge with more cracks forming. Sweet! We might not have to fight it after all!
...
...
...
Shi-!
despite what he had just said to the girls, he started running back as fast as he could manage. "Don't let it fall!" he yelled. "Leo and Grey are down there!"

 

OOC: Wut...You used my name :O

BIC: Mya walked with Mia in silence. Her head kept repeating the scene where Leo fell. He was probably dead with Grey. Gone like that. Why? I could've saved him. I let him die though. Is this my fault? She sniffed and rubbed her eyes that were treatening to drop tears.

 

Ren turned to look directly at the man who had just appeared, confused.
"Kin? The hell are you talking about?" he replied, reaching for his Submachine Gun's holster on his back, but not quite drawing it yet.
"Listen, I don't know who you are and I don't have the time to find out, so how about you step aside before we both end up as extras on a Fal'Cie's switchblade?" he asked, figuring his answer would probably be somewhere along the lines of 'No'.

 

"Naivete and innocence. Such is the mind of youth."
Leo's mouth dropped at Grey's words. In the distance, an echo of a chilling roar was heard, but the two l'Cie were too far deep in the canyon to make it out. "What are you talking about?" the blue-eyed blonde demanded. "Those are our friends!" He felt his heart crack when Grey mentioned "crying for Mommy" and "Snow." "You can't destroy Cocoon! You'd be no better than the Crystal l'Cie then!" Leo yelled and swung his arm in frustration. "We need to fight Jenny! Just like Snow and Lightning fought Orphan. They beat their Focus, remember?"

As long as I have a want. I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.

"What are you so afraid of?" Cid asked Ren as he took a step forward. "You're going to be a part of history! Everyone will know your name. Whether they revere or hate it, well, who cares?" Cid took a step toward Ren in full battle crystal form just as the dark red bolt of magic reached him. In an instant, Cid swung his body around and swiped his claw at the blast. The sound of crystal shattering filled the air along with a loud "DAMN IT!" Cid was then on one knee, his left fist in the ground to keep his balance. His right arm was held in front of him. It was no longer a claw, but it was still crystal. Cracks were filled across his arm and blood as well as smoke were coming out.

Snapshot of the future.

"Worry not, my warriors," Jenny said whimsically as she walked out from behind Ren, seemingly out of thin air. "Omega's defiance shall not last longer." The auburn haired girl raised a hand and rubbed it across Ren's face. As soon as she was in front of him, she thrust her palm into his chest. It glowed pink as a brand burned into the center of his chest. "Forgive me if I forsake the theatrics, Mr. Lawson," she said, smiling with glowing eyes, "but more urgent matters require my, and now your, attention." She moved her hand from his chest, revealing a l'Cie brand. "You are now my tool, Ren Lawson, a l'Cie of Pulse, but your ties lie with Jenova, not that 'Hallowed' wretch. The Focus I bestow upon you is," she paused for dramatic effect as the sound of bells filled the air, "There are other Pulse l'Cie. You are to push them to fulfill their Focus, by any. Means. Necessary."
​

 

"Naivete and innocence. Such is the mind of youth."
Leo's eyes dropped to the ground as he started to tremble slightly. "But...we're heroes," he whispered as Snow's smiling visage appeared in his mind. Then, Snow's eyes closed and his face became glass. What do I do, Snow? Leo asked himself. Cieth or eternal Crystal? The choice seemed so obvious when he talked to Snow and Lightning, but now that he was a l'Cie himself, the reality made it complicated. It was then that Snow's words popped in his head, the words he told them before they split up at the tower: Go save the world and we'll kick some crystal butt, alright? Leo's eyes snapped up to look at Grey. Snow may not have kicked any crystal butt, but he still gave Leo and the others a mission: save the world. There was something ironic about that, especially how that one phrase just made Leo decide to save Cocoon, not destroy it, though the irony was lost to Leo. "I'm not letting you destroy Cocoon," he muttered as he knelt down and picked up his Gunblade. "Snow and Lightning risked their lives and lost everything to save it," he said as he shifted into RAVAGER. "I can handle becoming a Cieth, Grey," he clicked the hammer of his Gunblade back as fire quickly devoured his blade, "But there's no way in Hell I'm letting you become a Crystal!" He ran forward, yelling and swung his flamestrike at Grey's shoulder.
​

 

Omega Weapon sensed magic in use: The magic of a l'Cie. Instinctually, the monster moved towards towards the source, causing the ground to shake with every step. When he reached the edge, he leaped over Lightning, Odin, and Shinryu and landed between them and the King Tonberry. Slamming his massive tail into the green creatures, the Weapon faced the trio. He walked towards them to avoid the cracked rock behind him, Junior Tonberries scurrying out of his way. Communicating directly with Lightning's mind in voiceless words, they poured in:

"Dismiss your Eidolon, Claire Farron. I will not ask twice."

 

Ren flinched slightly as the girl spoke from behind him, then again as she touched his face. He wanted to run, full pace in any direction, to just get away from the tower as fast as he could. But as he went to do so, he found that he couldn't do so much as breathe. He stood there, frozen in place, with no choice but to just watch as the girl seared the brand into his chest. To Ren, it felt like his heart was in a furnace, and it was all he could to stop himself from yelling out from the pain of it. But then, as suddenly as the pain began, it stopped. The girl removed her palm from him, and the brand itself showed clearly where she had touched. He heard her words as she declared his focus, and for whom he was now a tool. Motion once again available to him, he turned to face her. He suprised even himself when he spoke.
"Then what is their focus? And how do I find them?" he asked, deciding that, for now at least, he would go along with the task he had been set.

 

Lightning had almost turned around to laugh at Jaden, but the battle demanded her attention. As soon as Omega jumped in front of her and spoke to her thoughts she growled back to him, speaking aloud, "You'll have to ask me a thousand times to dismiss him! I don't take orders from a Crystal l'Cie or your fal'Cie! I. Am. Not. A. Slave!" she yelled even as Odin switched to his gesault mode. Also...stop using my real name. It's Lightning to you. she though coldly toward him. Weak from the attacks and unwilling to fight Omega too, she grimaced and grabbed the double sided scythe and climbed onto Odin's back. "Shinryu! C'mon, we've gotta get away while we still have blood in our bodies." Without leaving the boy much of a choice, she grabbed his hand and pulled him on behind her and took off away from the King. Odin's time was running out and he movd somewhat slower. Light moaned in pain as she tried to keep him here by sheer force of will, though she didn't leave much will to keep herself conscious.

Akira had yelped when Jaden picked her up and again when Mia made him drop her. Akira slowly moved backwards, watching Light. When Lightning started to come towards them, she ran full on away from the King Tonberry. "Jaden, follow you're own advice and move! Mya, c'mon!"

 

Ryou quickly turned on his heel and began to run in the same directon as the others, not looking back at all as he had sheathed his nodachi as well, to cover a bit more distance, focusing on what was ahead of him and keeping track of his steps, tripping up now wouldn't do any good right now. "...Running, attacking and dodging constantly is tiring, I pray we'll all rest soon because I think I'll be too tired out after this despite my training." he thought to himself.