wrfmlogsarchive | is this what we deserve, can we break free

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is this what we deserve, can we break free

Who: Everyone
What: The Darkness has taken the Denizens of Light. How will they retaliate, having reached their destination?
Where: Alexandria
When: Sunday, June 12

Koios stood silently looking out of the window of Jagannatha's former quarters. He watched as their enemies rose from the Darkness that had pulled them in, stealing them away from their safe havens and bringing them here, where perhaps all of their worst fears would come true.

Alexandria's sky had turned black. The only things illuminating the false world anymore were a scant few lamps and candles... and the Hearts of the Allies of Light themselves. One had appeared with a fortress of Light, destroying many of the homes around them as Darkness threw her out of its arms. He watched, morbidly fascinated, as one by one, they rose into their cage.

Chernabog glowered down at them from above. He was a fine choice for the role of sentinel, boasting nearly as much power as the First Darkness himself. Koios, as well as the Heartless and Nobodies swarming about below, were nothing short of a safety measure - not that Jagannatha found it particularly necessary. In truth, it was more of a courtesy for the Nobody, a chance to properly boast to the losers, should he wish to take it. But for now, he remained where he was, observing the scene unfold impassively.

If Koios knew anything about the Key Bearers and Refugees, they wouldn't give up simply because they'd been trapped here, in Darkness, with no way discernible way out. No. That would only empower them. But the question remained: what would be their next step?

In any case, he thought, it would definitely prove to be a good show.

OOC: If you were not on the list of exceptions, you are now in Alexandria. Anyone who has any way of sensing the Hearts of others will know that any people native to this world have no Hearts, just as the world itself is lacking one. And yet, not a one of them is a Nobody.

All methods of transportation will fail.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hex silently walked through the castle, her foot steps echoing in the silence.

The inside of her head, however, was much less quiet.

Direct confronation is a bad idea. The ideal attack would be a direct strike from an elevated position behind the target. However, given it's probably skill set, using portals to move in would be a foolish move, given that it has demonstrated the ability to block transportation to a target area. The possibility also exists that it could read my exit point and react accordingly.

Also, there is a strong possibility that removal of magical capabilities may happen. Conventional weapons have been prepared, along with Conceptual Weapon. Use of Conceptual Weapon will require close range, and may, in fact, not actually work. Best chance to use it would be as soon as possible, confirming functionality, and ending the fight.

Best possible plan is to close in casually, making conversation, and determining threat factors. Based on conversation, conflict resolution may be possible without resorting to extreme measures.

Regardless of how unlikely it actually is.

Possibility of conventional weaponry working directly against Jagannatha: Possible but unlikely. More than likely that any attack would be negated either by shielding, regeneration, or evading the attack.

Possibility of unconventional weaponry working: Highly unlikeley. Elemental affinity would theoretically allow for any and all attacks made this way to fail.

Possibility of Conceptual Weapon working: Approximately fifty-fifty. While still in the prototypical stage, the basic theory is operational. Weapon has performed well in laboratory testing. However, outside of a controlled environment, and against this target, results may very. Possibility exists that the target may have to power to shrug off the attack entirely.

A reminder, on top of all this, is that the target will probably not be alone. Mobilization of unknown allies, Grimhilde, and a large amount of Heartless is very likely.

Recomended plan in this case, once direct assault is attempted, regardless of success or failure, is to flee the premises and avoid being crushed by reinforcements.

Overall likelihood of success is theorized at four to one, against.

Success is defined as survival of the operation, and neutralizing the target. In the event that taking out the target becomes too costly, success shall be redefined as a successful escape.

... Why am I doing this again?

The end of the hallway was drawing closer now.

There's a pretty good chance I could end up dead, or worse given that he has a real Witch working for hin.

Her feet stopped before the massive door. Imposing brass tinted her reflection into a gold hue.

Oh, right. Because the distinct possibility exists that this particular loony has got the Refugees between a rock and a hard place, and I like the universe as is.

Dear Lord, everything must be pretty screwed up if I'm acting in the interest of Light. I really hate my sense of pragmatism sometimes.

With that final thought, Hex opened the door.

"Jagannatha. Sorry to burst in like this, but I've got a few questions for you."

"Ah. I wondered when you would make your appearance." He smiled pleasantly at her from his throne, not a trace of suspicion on his face. "Please, successor, come in. Make yourself comfortable."

"If you don't mind, I'll stand." A promising start. He's obviously been expecting me, but hasn't reacted by immediately taking action. No visible sign of suspicion either. Weapons are concealed beneath my coat, so he shouldn't notice them unless he closes in and tries and tries to grapple me or something. I've got the Ten-Chi Ken tucked into my sleeve, but I don't think he's noticed that either.

"Say, I've asked a couple of times before, but I've never actually gotten a straight answer from anyone. Just, what kind of place does the universe become, if you 'win', and the Refugees don't come tearing it all down?"

"It will be a sanctuary for my kind, of course. A place where we are not threatened and ruthlessly destroyed by those of the Light for no other reason than we are different. We will rule, we will be safe, and we will prosper." Jagannatha's golden eyes glittered as they watched the girl, his would-be successor. His voice, when he spoke, was saturated with cold passion. Nothing would threaten his goals. "You should be well aware that not all Denizens of Darkness are Heartless. Some, like your fellows in Maleficent's Academy of Shadows, are the purified Darkness of a person, with all their intelligence intact. What you may not know is that all Heartless have the potential to grow into such beings, and in my World, they will all become so. Without the Denizens of Light to constantly thwart the path of evolution, all of Darkness will thrive."

Golden eyes. Probably one of the biggest give aways for a user of dark magic, along with loss of hair pigmentation. What I've come to call 'Corruption'.

Hex hadn't noticed it in herself, just yet. But then, what with how much dye she used on one occasion or the other, she probably wouldn't notice her hair changing color. And she certainly never spent much time looking into her own eyes in a mirror.

Still...

"You know, you didn't actually answer my question, did you?" Confidently, but make it clear that he's still the bigger fish. "What, exactly, happens to the larger universe? A silent death? A fiery ressurection? A final war against light, to put out the last burning embers?"

"And, of course, the biggest question of all, subjectively speaking. What happens to me, in this new world of yours?" Well, I suppose it all hinges around here. I listen to the wind, and decide whether or not to cast my dice.

"As I told the little bird, destruction of the Light would be pointless, resulting in the death of all creation. No, that is not our aim. The universe, as you call it, would not die, nor would there be any need for resurrection. It would simply change, for the better of Darkness."

A slow smile spread over his lips. "And you, successor mine. You, if you so choose, would be welcome in this World of Darkness. You would be the next in line for inheriting my power. And you would be the proud owner of the rare magics which you seek." Jagannatha took a deep breath, reveling in its taste. "You would be safe here, Hex, with your powers, and there would be no need for you to attack myself or anyone else. You would finally have a home, where you truly belong."

He knows.

It wasn't that much of a surprise. She had all but announced her plans to the worlds. But still, it was disheartening to hear it from his own lips.

The part about the attack, at least.

Her own home, or lack there of, was the more shocking part. She had spinkled details here and there, yes. Truth was always best, to give everything else versimilitude. But still...

It's a trick, a calculated gamble. He knows you want something, and is offering to give it to you. He can't know much you... He just can't.

Why did she want it so much, then?

Hex had spent a very long time being a Witch. She had thrown part of herself away, cutting off a bit of her own heart for it. She had passed the point of no return long ago.

Could it really be so easy?

Another part of her mind caught something else, and to drive the silence in the room off, not to mention buy her time, passed it on to her mouth.

"'Proud Owner'? 'Inheriting'? There's no point in just giving someone magic." Still cool and confident. Totally sure sounding, and completely at odds with herself. "Power must be earned, experience gained, and technique refined, for it to have value."

Internally, the wheels kept on spinning.

Her own choices had led to what had happened, there was no doubt about that. With that thought, an old numb feeling returned to her chest. It had been awhile she felt this last. Disconnection. Weighing the lives of others against my own needs.

Personal security could potentially be increased. Mental needs for socialization, satisfied. Resources for research could improve. Personal magic could be greatly empowered.

Parts of her own heart began to resist that cold process. Many would likely die. Increased darkness in the world spark more wars, and Heartless would rise to consume the survivors. By failing to act here, millions of lives would be lost.

No, not failing to act. Just choosing not to. And what were the lives of people she didn't know worth anyway?

Another piece of her mind thawed. Home... could he really just...?

Then, her Heart began to burn. Return it? Return what? Everything that happened was my own choice. What can he do to change that? Home doesn't exist for one such as I. Homes have to be made. This isn't like some spell you can just conjure and be done with. It's not so simple as even creating a conceptual weapon.

Home is a creation of the Heart, a place that is shared with other Hearts. To just wave his hands, execute some big master plan, and just do things like that? It couldn't be that simple, that easy.

And if something felt too good to be true, it generally was. Especially, in her case.

Chuckles bubbled forth. "Now, now, successor. I never said that anything would be served to you on a silver platter. You're exactly right. Even if I wanted to simply give everything to you, it would not be true power. That would have to be earned, and refined, over time. But I am offering you a safe haven in which to work toward what you wish. I would personally help you do as much, should you ask. Such is hardly the life you could expect from one with the Denizens of Light still around, always ready and more than willing to thwart you. I daresay you have had experience with that already."

He leveled his gaze on her, his voice empty of passion, challenge, or any other emotion. "And yet, you are still here to challenge me."

Silence reigned.

After a moment, Jagannatha breathed a deep sigh of resignation. "The decision is yours, of course. It isn't as if, by allowing you to remain free, I stripped you of your freedom. Therefore, successor, the question remains: what will you choose?"

Almost all potential for surprise attack lost. The longer this drags out, the lower the odds of success get.

Of course, now he's giving me good reasons to not want to try.

Hex wanted to distrust him. To hate him. To go over, and shoot him in the face.

But she couldn't. Or if she did, it wouldn't the kind of decisive blow she would need in order to win.

I'm paralyzed, Hex realized. I can't make up my mind. I don't know what to do. I actually almost want him to win, to see it come to pass. But, at the same time, I know he's probably lying about something. I can't trust him, no matter how much I want to. I need more time. I can't just make up my mind like this.

Wait a second. This is an ideal point in time for this kind of thing to happen, but that's it. An ideal point. It can be recreated, repeated. If I can't make up my mind now, then I can stop it now and just choose later.

It sounded flimsy, and very much like a desperate rationaliztion. Her mind flicked back to the nature and nurture argument. Was she trying to rationalize because of her base nature? Was her inner 'light' trying to manipulate her? Possible.

She needed to think, but it was thinking too hard that got her into this, made her question herself.

Her heart was tugging at her alot today. It hadn't done as much for ages, and now it practically wanted to rip itself out of her chest.

What to do, what to do?

What to choose?

'Not choosing, is in itself, a choice. To let the winds of fate blow where they will, and see what is uncovered, there is nothing wrong with that.'

Old advice. She felt it was cowardly somehow. But...

It made sense.

"You know, something else occurs to me." The confidence in her tone felt more honest this time. "I don't know what you'll be doing, on that 'other side'. Ruling? Trying to pull off another trick like this?"

She'd wait. Make some honest conversation, learn, and worry about choosing if it became neccesary.

The world was at a cross roads, and she had a choice in where it might go. She'd choose when she decided to.

"I suppose one could say I would be 'ruling,'" he replied, choosing his words carefully. "The primary goal, of course, would be to ensure that the peace in this World of Darkness would not be disturbed."

The shroud around Alexandria must be kept intact at all costs, he added silently. But there should be no one outside it short of Maleficent or Jagannatha himself powerful enough to destroy it. But of course, this should be a World that Maleficent and her disciples would very much enjoy. Why should they attack him, or the shroud itself? As far as Jagannatha was concerned, they had every reason not to.

Of course, the World of Darkness would end, sooner or later. It was simply how the World worked. But for now, it was his turn to dominate.

No one Denizen of Light or Chosen of Darkness would keep him from that.

"Is this a problem, Hex?"

"Peace, hmm?"

Another disturbingly sane idea. Nothing about 'absolute rule', 'religion', or even 'taxes' came into it. But, for the sake of that one precious treause, it was easy to just throw some things away. And, unless one was careful, they might spend far too much to preserve it.

"No, I suppose not. In the end, it'll be almost like nothing at all has changed. The same stars under the night sky, the same lands under them, and the same people walking them." There. Her last trap. If you could call it that. Judge the reaction to the statement, and then use that as a basis to make your choice.

The last fork. The very last thing she could think of to trip him up.

Look at his face, look closely, all without seeming to. As he's listening to what you say, as he thinks it, as he responds. Take it all in. This is the final criteria that you'll have, before he makes his move from 'very powerful' to 'extremely powerful'. Look at him, and decide if this is the man you would trust with the fate of infinity.

"No, successor," Jagannatha corrected her, eyes flashing. "True, it will be the same stars, and the same lands, albeit minutely altered to better suit the new order. But there will not be the same people walking them. The Denizens of Light have had their time. Now, it is mine, and that of my people. It is our turn to roam freely throughout the World, to build our lives and shape the world themselves as any creature would, or die."

He turned from her at that moment, eyes looking haunted as they glazed over in his silence. Queen Grimhilde watched Hex with wary disinterest in the meantime. "I suppose those 'same people' will still be walking the lands. As I have told you, they are safe and will remain so unless they move to harm me and mine. But they will not walk all the lands. Nor will they see those stars. The Denizens of Light have lost, dear successor," his voice turned cold as he looked back to her, "and if they wish to ever see the stars again, they will have to seize them from me, once and for all."

Right when her heart had calmed down, he had spoken. The last 'trap'. The last thing, the one that would allow her to make up her mind. The words seemed to vibrate in her head like a tripwire.

He's going to disconnect the worlds. Enshroud them in darkness, and then break the roads between them.

It wasn't exactly an accurate interpretation. Transport would still be possible. Just not by gummi-ship. The Corrdiors would still work.

Jagannatha means to steal the very stars from the night sky, to sever the bonds between them.

It shouldn't bother her.

Except that it did.

Jagannatha had clearly made his point of view clear. For the sake of his people, he would strike the heart of another people. Just as had been done to them. A cycle of violence, that he had long accepted.

Within strike range.

So, why did what he said make her sick to her stomach. She was fine with theft and murder.

Grimhilde is shifting attention to us. In the event that an attack is launched, there at least two vectors for the counter to come from. Most likely it will nigh simultaneous.

But this? This was something that could fracture and break... so much. Her mind flitted, just for an instant, to a little grey house on a lake. Of looking out the window, and seeing the moon rise in the sky and on the water. Of the hundreds of tiny little stars in the sky, and the people in that house.

The house was still there, and so were some of the people. She couldn't go back. She had taken that right from herself.

But she wouldn't just allow someone to take the night sky from that little grey house on a lake.

It's highly unlikely that this is going to work, or I'm going to survive. It's stupid to even try. I barely even know why I'm doing it. I'm probably going to die, doing this. I'm going against my own philosophy here, that dictates that survival comes first!

Hex took two steps forward, and crossed her arms over chest.

She sighed, and closed her eyes.

Then her hands jerked out and threw a yellow sphere on the floor that she had somehow pulled out of her coat without opening it properly.

The room turned a searing white.

The attack, as any such light could only be, was not at all unexpected. Darkness instantly surged around Jagannatha, shielding him, and just as quickly flying toward Hex in retaliation.

"A fool's choice, successor mine," he said softly, eyes squeezed shut in the light. "You could have had so much. Allies. The power you so desire. A home."

Queen Grimhilde held an arm up to cover her eyes, even as she called out to her mirror. It responded without hesitation, calling forth its own magic to pull Hex in.

"And yet, you still decide to rally to the side of Light," Jagannatha continued. "You prove my point to the little bird, if only she were here to see it herself. Light is your nature, despite being chosen by Darkness and having accepted it. When it comes down to a crucial choice, even one such as yourself will always revert to their nature, without fail."

He opened his eyes all at once, glaring into the light Hex's orb had produced. If it bothered him anymore, it certainly wasn't showing. "Come then, Denizen of Light," he said as calmly as ever. "Show me what would have you refuse all that I offer. Show me the strength of your fear of Darkness."

There is no turning back.

By the time the flash had gone off, she was already running straight at him.

Her foot stepped into a shadow. Seven blades erupted from behind Jagannatha.

Once you've made a decision, you must follow that path.

Not one of them hit. They melted into his own shield like quicksilver.

But then, the flash and shield prevented him from seeing her. His own shadows were thrown almost blind, for all that darkness needs no eyes.

You can worry about wether or not the decision is right later. If you don't keep your mind in the present, you won't live to think about it.

She barely managed to evade them. But she still had dodged them.

Hex felt something tugging at her coat, ripping it open. She threw another grenade without even looking over shoulder. It was sucked back. She kept moving forward.

Twenty feet.

An explosion, and a scream. The blast threw her forward. Mentally, she began throwing together a corridor. The path would start in front of her, and lead directly behind Jagannatha. Hex landed on the floor, and managed to throw herself into a roll, triggering the portal. The entrance was mere inches from her side, and she got kept herself moving forward. She doubted the fake out would work, seeing as he was using his eyes again, but any diversion at all would be worth it.

Five feet now.

And then, she was within strike range.

"Ten-Chi Ken!"

She practically ripped the hilt from her sleeve, the crimson blade already streaming out of the hilt.

With a single cut, I sever Heaven and Earth.

The slash moved straight through. It passed through the shield, the clothes, even flesh and shadow. There was no visible cut.

But then, that was not the purpose of the Ten-Chi Ken.

I bet everything, on this one blow. Let's see if I'm as smart as I like to think I am.

Maybe you shouldn't have mentioned that last bit, a voice mumbled, sounding cowed by the entire show. Jagannatha gritted his teeth as the blade slashed through him, tearing away bits of his power as it went. No, the cut wasn't a physical thing. But neither was Jagannatha, in his true form, and by this blade, he still felt a wound quite unlike anything he'd felt before.

"You mean to strip me of my power?" he growled, grabbing the wrist that held the Ten-Chi Ken in a vice grip. "Do you not know that you are diminishing your own abilities as you harm me in a such a way? You do not know realize what you are doing, Denizen of Light!" With a roar, he turned and threw her at the wall, summoning strength the likes of which no one would suspect of one with a host like Patsy, an old, unemployed man who did nothing but play games around the house until he had been chosen.

Jagannatha's chest heaved as he followed after her in a slow walk. "You are a fool, Hex. Just another fool of the Light. You wish to strip me of my power, do you? To reduce me to a mere human?" He stopped a few steps away from where he'd thrown the girl, glaring down at her. "How would you like it if I did just that, dearest successor, to you?"

Even with his power diminished as it was, he still had the ability to take back what was rightfully his. And so, looking down on the girl, he began to do just that.

Hex was unacquainted with pain. That wasn't to say she had never hurt herself, but that she had never felt experienced a sensation one might term as agonizing.

She was now becoming intimately knowledgeable about it.

She could feel the magic being ripped out of her. Her tricks, her swords, her corridors, being torn out of her. Like someone had insert red hot irons into her chest, and was now slowly pulling them out. Hex screamed as she fell down off the wall. She had managed to cushion the blow with magic, somehow, before he had decided to tear it out of her.

It was over as soon as it had begun, and had left her gasping on the floor.

That... hurt... But...

"Say, Jags..." She coughed out. No need to be really formal now. She could feel the grin tugging across her face. Jags. That was a funny name. "You know the thing... about... humans... mortals..." Somehow she struggled to her feet, her hand fishing under her coat for something. She didn't know what yet. But it was there.

I'm in shock. The world's going all tilty on me. Must stay up. Must stay focused. Get him distracted. Where's Grimhilde? Can't see out of that eye very well. Forcible removement of minor Corruption along with Dark powers, taking 'tainted' matter? Probably swelling from bruising.

I'm probably going to die. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. And I find myself not caring all that much. Huh. I must hate this guy a lot more than I think. Or is that like him? Maybe I finally went nuts?

Who knows. I didn't plan much beyond 'run away' if he took my powers. Time to see just how much I can bullshit. Shouldn't be too hard. I came in here with a plan. I'm in shock. Getting a little unhinged. Just have to convince him that I have more plan than I actually came in with...

Oh, and hey! If I somehow live, the Ten-Chi Ken actually worked! Betcha that's going to be something useful to have and refine down the line. Maybe start work on Caster guns, so I never end up in a position like this again.

And then Hex started to laugh. It was joyous, a little crazy, and the loudest sound that had ever come out of her mouth. It echoed around the crackle of flames from the grenades.

"We ain't so mere, you know?" Cool, I can manage complete sentences without wheezing now!

"You know what else? That hurt. It really did. A lot. But I'll manage. I always do, one way, or another. Hahahaha-Oh god, my ribs! ... Say, what kind of situation do you think I consider a win? Would it really be so simple as killing you, throwing the balance out of whack again? If I could cook up something that could 'remove' your power, cutting you off from you host, why wouldn't I just make something to kill you? Just take a few potshots with a sniper rifle, never really revealing myself? A couple of bullets enchanted to flow through Darkness like air, and you'd be dead."

"So, why aren't you? What would I have to gain, by crippling the both of us? The answer? Better think quickly, that silver haired pretty boy is still around, and quite deaf if he didn't hear the explosions. So, he's going to come and check them out. I know I can't fight him like this. And you'd have to run. You've still got a lot of power, true. But the pretty boys got a sword. And, unless you have one stashed up your ass, or copied my sword trick, you don't."

"And he's never seen me personally before. All he's going to see in this room is some girl, all pathetic and wounded, and you, standing all triumphant, wreathed in power. For all he knows, you kidnapped me to have your wicked way with me. Definitely no brownie points there! That's when he demands to know what's going on. Or charges you with the sword. Which, normally, wouldn't be a problem for you. Normally."

"But, right now, courtesy of a certain humble Witch, you're surprisingly squishy. And your own little sidekick is still walking off getting a frag grenade to the face. Making you relatively vulnerable."

"But then, you know that's not the point of this particular charade, if you were listening. No, that's just the insurance. Like I've said before, I kind of like the status quo. I get to play, do my research, and not worry about plagues of Heartless beating down my door. Well, no more than usual at least."

"And the key thing that's what is actually closest to knocking out the balance, isn't you. You're a driving force, can't get rid of you. But, the fact of the matter is, that you're responsible for it. Say, how's Alexandria at this time of year? I hear you've got all sorts of people locked up there. That's gotta be hell on traffic. But, what with all of that majestic power of yours, I'm sure you could keep it under wraps. Oh, I suppose that's 'Could'. Can you do it now? Can you contain a million struggling souls, now that this humble Witch has pricked you with her dagger?"

Hex's lips were tugged thin by her smile, and with the amount of teeth showing, she looked a little disturbed.

The red blade of the Ten-Chi Ken was still humming in the air, she noticed absently while the echoes died off. Of course, a conceptual weapon meant to strike against mages would have to remain effective in the hands of a 'normal', person. I designed it that way. But, I've probably only got two slashes left, before the internal reserves wear out. Of course, it worked once on him. No telling if the 'curse' would be effective if used against him again. No sense in not trying though, if this doesn't pan out.

"So, Jags, what's it going to be? Kill me? Run away before the pretty boy gets curious? Try and contain Alexandria? Or something else? Kidnap and torture, maybe? But you're smart. Perhaps you have already have a different plan worked out already? But is it one I've predicted? Is it something I anticipated, but just haven't told you yet? The key thing to remember here, is that everything's still going according to plan, for me." I'm just not mentioning how much I planned in advance. Although, I did predict that I would probably loose all my magic doing this. Well, for a certain value of 'all', I suppose. Starting over would hurt, and be hard, but it's not like learning the first time was easy either. On the plus side, I now know that elemental magic falls outside of his control. Something to keep in mind, if I ever decide to go charging in against some great big bad 'Master of Darkness' again.

Assuming I survive this one, anyway.

"So then, Jagannatha, what will you do?"

"'Not so mere,' you say," he scoffed. "Humans are fragile little creatures, my dear Denizen of Light. Look at you, so blinded by pain that you can no longer think rationally. You ramble on without saying anything of merit as you suffer. You speak, babble, and say nothing.

"And you still believe yourself able to destroy me, or, failing that, that the Remnant would do the job for you." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Foolish mortal. You think he would care about someone like you? You know just as little of him as he does of you. We have had our eyes on him for some time, and even I can see that he only cares for the one Refugee, and no other. Why should he endanger himself for a pathetic creature like you? And even if he should choose to move against me, as you have, he would not be capable of killing me. My host, perhaps, but he is nothing short of a vessel, all the better for interacting with my allies, and fools such as yourself. Kill him, if you so desire. It would not matter."

I, uh. I disagree, dude, Patsy protested timidly. It matters. A lot. So what if you don't need my body, I do! I like being alive!

Jagannatha turned suddenly, taking a few ambling steps as he surveyed the damaged throne room. "Look at what you have done to my throne," he murmured angrily. "A beautiful trophy, wasted." He turned back to her. "But that is all you can do. Boast all you like. I have been following you and your actions, just as surely as the Remnant. You have nothing left to fight with, or very little. Lie there and accept your fate gracefully, Denizen of Light. You are outclassed."

He paced before her. "What will I do?" he echoed. Grimhilde groaned from somewhere nearby. Jagannatha paid her no mind as he walked, eyes on Hex the entire time. "There is no danger from the Remnant. Doubtless I can expect the same from you." He closed his eyes momentarily. They glittered in triumph upon opening again. "Alexandria's cage remains intact, but there is movement within. It seems that Chernabog is less than pleased with his guests."

She's got a point, though, Jag. What are we gonna do? I'd rather not have Sephiroth come flying in here and go all "One Winged Angel" on my ass, thanks.

Jagannatha hushed him, weighing out the options and finally coming to a stop. "You believe yourself clever, Hex. You've crafted yourself a respectable trump card. You've delivered yourself straight into the arms of death in order to make proper use of it. Somehow, you still think yourself able to attain complete victory over me, either by your own machinations, or by using others to do your dirty work. Perhaps congratulations are in order."

Uh, Jag? What are you doing? Patsy's voice took on a touch of panic.

He spread his arms wide, lips curling to form a smirk. Darkness rose from the ground, covering them both in a black shroud.

Jagannatha, what are you--

The voice was cut off entirely as they traveled. Jagannatha felt a light layer of sweat coat his skin. The transportation was taking much longer than it should have, and he should never have been so affected by it. Patsy's worries had been drowned out by the effort and concentration - a fact he was not at all comfortable facing, even if it granted him respite from the idiot's incessant commentary. The Darkness began to recede, and daylight shone down on the two as it had not in the Radiant Garden's throne room. Dust was in the air, the barren ground crackling under their sudden, unexpected weight. Thousands of colorless keys glittered in the sun, only serving to emphasize what a wasteland this world had become.

Having expected Jagannatha's arrival, a group approached, each bearing a key similar to those surrounding them all, but these bore color and chains, their power very clearly still alive. They stood behind him, staring curiously at the girl, but none spoke a word.

Jagannatha stood before Hex, smirk turning into a full grin. "Congratulations, Denizen of Light," he shouted. "Congratulations on finding the most direct path to your death."

Seph watched from a far away cliff. He couldn't make out faces at this distance but, Jagannatha was being a bit loud with the dramatics.

How predictable. But why is there still a Denizen of Light outside of Alexandria?

Of course he'd thought Jagannatha would end up here eventually. He just didn't really expect to be right.

I suppose I shouldn't let him kill her.

Since his power came mostly from Darkness he wasn't quite sure what he could do. Killing Jaggy's host would be an inconvenience at best.

He absently picked up a fist sized rock.

I'm not sure getting too close is a good idea. Hmm... She'd almost die laughing if it works...

He opened a Corridor. When the other end appeared, right behind the girl, the rock flew out of it, aimed right for Jagannatha's head.

"A path straight to my death, huh?"

So, let's analyze the situation. These are the forces I'm fighting. A living wannabe avatar of Darkness, with enough power to forcibly transport the both of us to another dimension. Not to mention I don't know much about the Graveyard, so the environment here has fairly high odds of being able to kill me. Plus, he's got at least five Keyblade users over there.

What've I got?

My wits, One more frag grenade, one WP grenade, two more slashes in the Ten-Chi Ken, and that's it.

The grenades which were only really useful with the element of surprise, and against a Keyblader who drew their power from within the Ten-Chi Ken would be about as useful as a flashlight.

Hex drew herself up straight, looking Jagannatha directly in the eye. She had stopped laughing.

"You know, I don't really like that path. I suppose I'll just have to make another one, again."

She still had that same grin.

Damn it. Fancy posturing and cool words won't get me out of this alive, but neither will negative thinking! There's always a way to survive! Just grit your teeth, stand up and think!

She felt as much as heard the rock whiz by her ear. Her head jerked back, spotting the Corridor it had been thrown from. Not even looking around to see if the rock stuck Jagannatha or not, she threw herself through.

Were this part of the illustrious video game series, there would have been a comedic little clink as the rock struck home.

Fortunately, it wasn't, meaning most of Jagannatha's dignity could remain intact. That did not, however, mean that it didn't take a small hit as the rock clipped him. Oh, no. One of the Keybearers behind him failed to stifle a laugh at the scene, quieting only upon realizing that Hex had fled and that there would be hell to pay.

Jagannatha, for his part, didn't move an inch, even when the first spots of blood started to slowly trickle down his forehead. "Find her," he ordered his Keybearers, staring at the place where the portal had been. "Find her, and kill her. Make sure she will never be capable of defying us again."

Hex landed squarely face to boot with the caster of the Corridor. She had a suspicion as to who it was, and a glance up confirmed it.

Oh, thank god. I don't think I've been this happy to be right in a long time.

"Yo." She spent a second flat on the ground, just relishing the fact that she was still alive. A relieved sigh flowed out of her mouth. Right in time for her to hear Jagannatha's declaration.

Immediately, she planted her hands on the ground, and began to push herself up.

"Thanks for the save. May as well be honest. 'M Hex. You're Seph, right?"

Seph was a bit disappointed that the rock seemed to have only clipped Jagannatha.

"Correct," he muttered quietly. He looked at Hex, pondering. It seemed even the so called First Darkness couldn't trace someone's Dark Corridor.

"It seems we're in quite a difficult situation." His attention was more focused on possible ambush as he spoke. "Keybearers are not to be taken lightly and we do not have numbers on our side."

But with the keybearers searching for Hex it may be the best time to take a shot at Jagannatha.

"If you have any plans, now may be the only chance you have to fill me in on them."

He'd been putting off coming up with a plan until he found out what exactly he'd be fighting. The addition of several keybearers made things far more complicated.

As she finished struggling to her feet, her world tilted slightly to the left. Hex's had shot out to grab the handle of a rusting blade, steadying herself.

"In most of my plans for this situation, I'd be about a dozen worlds away, leaving about four or five false trails. I don't have the advantage of my magic right now, so that's not an option. Give me a second to think."

New plan.

I don't have much fight in me, and I'm not sure just how much more juice Jagannatha has in him. Mix in the five Keybladers, and in a direct confrontation, we're toast.

Luckily, non-linear combat planning is a specialy of mine.

First, the win condition: Neautralization of Jagannatha. The Ten-Chi Ken has only two slashes left in it, but if I break the regulator it should be able to manage one 'Overload' slash, before the fiddly bits fuse. Well, either that or it'll explode. If one slash managed to weaken him like this, that 'Overload' slash should send him packing.

Now, how do we get it there? Well, that's easy enough. Seph can use corridors, and I don't think Jags is up to blocking them right now. A distraction to draw attention, and then have the attacker sneak up on the bastard. Crit' him, and that should be game over. Hopefully. Either way, since that leaves the Keybladers still, our best bet would be to make a very hasty retreat to... well, anywhere but here, really.

"Got it. Now, two questions. One, how good are you at using corridors in rapid succesion during combat? And two, what kind of weapons did you bring?"

It Begins...

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... God damn it, I can't just go a long with this....

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Part Two

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The Boss theme is Nightmare Fiction!

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