Final Fantasy: Incarcerated RP

[Always 309]

As Scardigne jumped into the air, Mariah realized that her leg was headed toward one of Chuck’s, and she would end up tripping him. However, she didn’t have time to stop herself, nor to notice the mini tornado heading in their direction.

[Azure Flame 670]

Chuck got tripped by her, but stabbed the gunblade into the ground. He spun around and landed on his feet, pulling the gunblade out of the ground and swinging in the direction he was spinning in. This action, combined with using some of his magic, send a burst of wind at the tornado, negating the attack.

[Always 309]

Mariah was glad she hadn’t hurt Chuck. She felt a small gust of wind from behind as Scardigne’s attack was nullified, and she stood up. “Sorry about that, Chuck,” she said. Then she turned to face Scardigne and leaped at him for a kick.

[Azure Flame 670]

"It's alright." he said. "No harm, no foul." He leaped up as well and slashed at Scardigne.

[Not-with-a-whimper 144]

Scardigne, unprepared for the negation of his tornado, attempted to charge up energy for a concussive repulse burst, but wasn't fast enough and was kicked in his ribs, perhaps breaking one, and slashed, leaving a large wound on his shoulder. He stood his ground, however, and unleashed the burst right as the two of them were closest to him. He was exhausted and hurt, but had a duty to complete, and one thing was for certain. He would get it done.

 

(AzureFlame, it'd be great if you could tell us where James went, that way the story with Marcus, August, Cain, and Jared can continue. Thank you!)

[Azure Flame 670]

Chuck got blasted back by the attack and flupped in the air to land on his feet. He dashed toward him, ready to slash him again.

[Always 309]

The sound made when Mariah's boot came into contact with Scardigne's ribs was sickening, and for split second, Mariah felt remorse. No, she thought, I can't be weak like that. I have to focus. Still, she had never hurt someone else that badly before--not on purpose, anyway.

 

"It's just something to get used to," Tifa told her empathetically. Mariah was glad it wasn't just her.

 

The next instant, she was knocked back by a blast of energy. She regained her coordination just in time, and "landed" feet first against a wall. She used this to spring herself back at Scardigne and punch him, suppressing all her sympathy.

[WakingDawn96 1,166]

(Could someone tell me where I can come in at?)

[Not-with-a-whimper 144]

Scardigne was briefly elated with the feeling of victory, though confused by Mariah's look of worry as she'd hit him before. "Why would a demon feel remorse?" he asked himself. Could it be that they weren't truly monsters? They had been fighting to protect the world, after all. Was he wrong in his snap judgements?

 

Gabranth spoke up. "They are not normal! They do not follow the laws of reality that this world does. I am a Judge, and judge them I shall!" Gabranth shouted within Scardigne's mind. Scardigne looked out to see the two individuals and for the first time he saw them as they really were. People. The gleam in their eyes revealed as much to him. "You may be the Judge," Scardigne responded, "but I am the jury! I find these two, among their allies, to be not guilty!" In that moment, Mariah's fist connected solidly with Scardigne's face, sending him flying away as Chuck followed it up with a critical strike. Scardigne lay on the floor bleeding out and turned his head to face the two of them.

 

"I'm sorry, to both of you. It seems that I have discovered too late the falsity of my actions. Fate, for whatever reason, has brought you here and connected you with your inhabiters. I pray that you use their power for good, instead of being used like me. Take what little strength I have left, and use it to once again right this world," Scardigne spoke between pained breaths. He then raised both hands, one to each of them, and passed on his power, his soul leaving his body shortly after.

 

(I figured that the battle had been pretty long, so I decided to end it. Besides, battles like this do generally end. I didn't want my guy dying as a total jerk, so I wrote in that redemption scene. As far as the passing on of power goes, I figure that you could decide between getting a new ability from his set or simply "leveling up". If I need to change anything, just let me know.)

[Always 309]

Mariah was stunned. She and Chuck had defeated Scardigne. And now Scardigne was lying on the floor, dying. Just like that. When he raised his hands toward them, she took the one closest to her, though she didn’t know exactly why. To comfort him? Or maybe some part of her thought that her touch could somehow save him from the fate she had helped bring upon him. She shut her eyes as Scardigne exhaled for the last time, holding back tears. I know this was what I had to do. I had to keep myself alive so that I could protect Joy. But I can’t help feeling so ashamed, she thought. Is this what it felt like your first time, Tifa?

 

“This is my first time,” Tifa replied sorrowfully. “I’ve had to hurt people, but never kill. Unless you count Sephiroth, who had given me every reason to end him, though he won't seem to die anyway. And even when I thought he was finally gone, it wasn't satisfying in the least." There was bitterness in her tone as she remembered. "But this certainly doesn’t feel very good. Scardigne didn't deserve it.”

 

It was nice for Mariah to know that she and Tifa were going through the same thing. Though a fighter, Tifa was still completely human, and possessed human emotions. The fact that Mariah was saddened over what she did wasn’t weakness--it was to be expected. She wondered what Scardigne would’ve been like as a person were he not under the influence of Judge Gabranth. Probably not someone whose life she would want to end. Without these fighters Inhabiting her, Joy, Chuck, Scardigne, Marcus, August, James...each of them was just a normal person. And one of them had died because of her.

 

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, letting go of Scardigne’s hand, although she knew it was far too late for any apologies. It was now that she noticed something strange. When Scardigne had died, she felt that some of her stamina was renewed. This was a good thing, because she knew she would have to fight Livia now, and she had been nearing exhaustion just moments before, after two long battles. Would she have to help kill Livia, too?

 

Don’t think about that, she thought to herself. She’s trying to kill Joy. All that matters is he needs help now.

 

EDIT: (BTW, Not-with-a-whimper, could Mariah have Scardigne's energy-blasting ability? Haha I don't know what that's called, but it would be nice for her to finally have a long-range attack. The thing with her getting more stamina wasn't meant to be leveling up, though it did come from Scardigne. Mariah just needed a temporary energy boost after fighting James and Scardigne, and hauling both Chuck and herself up the side of a building. So is that alright? Energy boost and a new ability?)

[Azure Flame 670]

Chuck fell back, exausted from the fight, though he did feel stronger from the energy Scardigne gave him. He felt bad for the guy, his mind twisted by his Inhabitor. "You know James is probably the same as this guy, right?" he asked. "His Inhabitor twisted his mind to think like him. Scardigne was lucky to have been able to break free, but I fear James may not be. Do you think you can bring an end to another innocent life just to get rid of Sephiroth?"

[Always 309]

Mariah shook her head. “I...I don’t know,” she said, her voice wavering. “If it will prevent the destruction of this world, the deaths of millions of other innocent people, I’m going to have to find it in me.” She recalled when she had first met James. He’d had a pained expression, probably from fighting against Sephiroth’s influence at the time. Yet his face was kind. She could see that hurting other people would’ve been the last thing on his mind. “But I’m still hoping that he’ll be able to break free of Sephiroth before it’s too late for him as well,” she added.

 

She wondered how Chuck was feeling about all this, but then she her gaze fell on Joy, and she decided to put the conversation on hold. “Sorry,” she said, “gotta get over there.” With that, Mariah ran towards Livia. Fortunately, the feeling had returned to her right hand, and she used this fist to throw a punch at Livia.

[Azure Flame 670]

"I'll catch up soon." he said. "Still not used to all this fighting. I'm out of breath."

[Not-with-a-whimper 144]

(AzureFlame, I'd really appreciate knowing where Sephiroth is headed so that Marcus and the others could head that way. Don't worry, I've got a plan to keep them from reaching him immediately, but I'd love some direction. Thank you!)

[Always 309]

(@Azure Flame: Haha I agree with Not-with-a-whimper!

@Xeveemon: You can have Paul and Vicotoria jump in to help fight against Livia at the TV station any time, unless of course the battle ends before you're able to get them there. Otherwise, just have them catch up with our characters some other way, I don't think it really matters when or how--that's what your imagination is for. It would be good to finally have some Lightning and Zack action!

EDIT: One of them has August's phone number, right? In that case, you could have them ask August where he is, and they could possibly meet up with him, Marcus, and Jared. It's really up to you.)

[Azure Flame 670]

(I don't know where he's heading yet. He's currently just flying around, looking for a spot to wait until the Meteor hits so he can fuse with the Lifestream. I already told you that last time you asked.)

[Damion Strife 130]

Caius then found his target flying around. He then stopped infront of him and reverted back to his human form, and then let Cain take control.

"Hello...I take it you are the one who I get to thank for plundging this world into chaos?" Cain asked him.

"Cain...perhaps a more civil approach was needed. Introduction and such matters are...needless. This man is from a different world than me, but I can sense that he is a bit more than my equal. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Caius Ballad...the man I'm inhabiting is...well Cain. I'm sorry Cain, I've forgotten your last name, but not that it matters. Who are you?" Caius asked curiously.

 

"Everyone. We are getting close. I can feel Sephiroth's evil from here...only about three minutes or so..." Vincent said darkly. He then made Marcus grab Jenova from August. "I think we need to hold onto her. Just in case," Marcus said. He then put Jenova in his messenger bag and tied up the straps on it.

[Azure Flame 670]

James stopped in mid-air in front of Cain. "James Seraph." he said. "Sephiroth is my Inhabitor. And yes, I am the one whom you speak of. I summoned the meteor to crash into the Earth, so that I may enter the wound and merge with the Lifestream, becoming the god of this world." James, I sense Mother is close. Sephiroth said. James began looking around, knowing that people were coming.

[Always 309]

(So, Cain and James are both in mid-air, right? I'm wondering if they're supposed to be at about the same altitude as the jet, or much lower, just so I have a general idea of how Jared is supposed to approach them in the jet. )

[Number XV 490]

Calder gasped, and pulled himself out of the wall. He saw a man die in the distance. He pulled out his sword, and hit Livia in the back of the head. Livia fell to her knees, and gasped. "You have fought well, but I now must take my leave. Your friends will eventually gang up on me with you. Sorry you don't feel the same way as we do." And then she was gone. Calder fell to his knees, but then grinned. "Great fight, huh?" Joy's face could best be described as Cloud-like. "I guess." Joy closed his eyes. So I am getting more like Cloud.

[Not-with-a-whimper 144]

(@AzureFlame, sorry for re-asking the question earlier! I was just confused. Xeveemon, this post is relevant to you.)

 

August, aware that the exchange of Jenova probably wouldn't put an end to the violence and James' plans, prepared himself for a vicious battle. Now that he was more synchronized with Vaan, he should be able to do a lot better, but James and Cain were on a whole other level. Deciding that it would be best to get as many reinforcements as possible, August tried calling Victoria up to get her and Paul out here. From what he remembered, both Zack and Lightning were amazing fighters. August just hoped that instinct alone would allow them to do well, because Victoria and Paul had a total of zero fighting experience. August dialed the number and let it ring.

[Always 309]

Mariah’s fist nearly went into the wall when Livia vanished, but she was able to stop the motion just in time. Though she was a little frustrated that there would be another enemy to chase down, she mostly felt relieved that all the fighting was over, if only for a few hours. None of them could keep up all this exertion forever.

 

She ran to Joy and embraced him. “Are you okay?” she asked, running her fingers through his hair with one hand, and caressing his cheek with the other.

[Damion Strife 130]

"They are right below us..." Vincent said. They had only gone unnoticed because of the dense clouds...it looked like it was going to storm. Just then Marcus's phone rang. "Hello?" Marcus said. "Son, great news. I just got word from the president that the ICBM's are ready in all the nations. As soon as the meteor hits our atmosphere it will be hit. This will cause multiple astroids to be birthed from the mother meteor and will cause a lot of massive damage, but over all the planet will not be destroied," the govenor said gravely. "Which contenants?" Marucs asked. "Any cities along the Pacific Ocean will be destroied...they are being evacuated as we speak...I'm not sure if they'll make it in time..." the govenor said. "Damn...we have to stop him!" Marcus shouted.

 

Cain looked up and said," Nice to meet you James...perhaps we can be of some assistance, I tell you what...I'll get Sephiroth Jenova, and you can have fun blowing up the planet...sound good?"

[Always 309]

“Alright,” Jared replied, “I’m coming down on top of them.”

 

Okay, Sazh, how am I going to fight without a weapon?

 

“You do have a weapon--two of them, actually,” Sazh said. “As soon as we land, look in your satchel. Both of my handguns are in there, as well as their holsters, and you’d better take good care of them.”

 

Whoa. Yes, sir. Jared could now see James and Cain, two small, black dots in the distance. Almost time, he thought to himself.

 

Jared overheard Marcus talking on the phone. “Sounds like bad news,” he remarked to Marcus when the phone conversation was over.

[Not-with-a-whimper 144]

August was still waiting on the phone for Victoria, but knew that if she didn't pick up soon that they were going to have to do this without them. He wasn't very fond of that thought. Vaan began to sort through and consider different battle tactics and weapons to summon for different situations, which worried August even more. Vaan was never one for planning, so this must be some pretty bad business.