The Observatory

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]"O~hohohoho, trying to shrug me off already?" Shantotto grabbed a small round pastry off of the table and hoped off the chair. She walked over to Ultimecia, "Why so ..." she paused for a moment and then poked Ultimeica "Gloomy-woomy! O~hohoho."

Shantotto stood there laughing for a minute or two, and soon figured it was time to try and poke her recruits a bit. "Big plans I have in store, I do hope you wont find them a bore." With that, she turned and walked off a bit behind Ultimecia still smirking. Opening a rift to her study. "Do take care Old-mecia, O~hohoho" as she stepped through the warp ... and vanished.

*Off too Beast's Castle > The Darkest Day*[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]Upon hearing the Taru's excuses, she held a hand up and waved it in a dismissive manner, uncaring since all was being restored to the way it was supposed to be. She was preoccupied with her thoughts...

Of course, she soon realized she had a schedule to upkeep, so she stood. Her form entrapped in a red-purple mist getting up, and once it vanished, she was looking like her natural self, with horn-like hairstyle and all. Her eyes glowing a bright gold, as she starred to the small Taru, "... Time... is over-working... you best not complicate things further... Shantotto."

The witch walked forward, again surrounded by a purplish mist. A single feather fell from her wings, but did not vanish before touching the ground. No, this time, a feather was tainted by soil, before vanishing.

** Time Warps to Radiant Garden... Escape from Gaia**[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]** Door from Castle Oblivion: Time's Hall **

After having a sort of... meaningful conversation with the midget, the witch of time found herself home again, in her peaceful office. She closed the door and leaned against it to take a small breath to relax. With a light push, she moved away from the door, and walked; the light tap of her bare feet making a light clicking noise against the smooth mirror-like surface.

When reaching that familiar center, she closed her eyes, and began to see unfolding events uninterrupted. . . until she had a feeling.

The head ornaments she wore chimed a strange way, and it caused Ultimecia to open her eyes and look forward in a perplexed manner. "What's this...?" she asked herself, looking over her shoulder, "... A visitor so soon...?" [/glow]

[Secondary Characters]

A sudden burst of radiant color would emanate off the thousand mirrors of the Castle Oblivion Observatory. A vortex of pure light erupted from this explosion of irridescence and it soon expanded nearby Ultimecia, spiraling like that of a Corridor of Darkness. But instead of a dark chamber that spiraled out of control in a circular fashion, it morphed into a white, heavenly gate of light. And from the confines of this splendor, a woman of immaculate beauty and impeccable radiance stepped forth, a gentle, serene look of comfort and worry about her face.

When the gate disappeared, leaving the woman alone in this room with the Witch of Time, she didn't move for quite a while, instead seeming to stare Ultimecia down, contemplating, reading her. When at last she caught her moment to speak she instead moved forward several inches, and rested a warm, comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.

Still silent, she awaited the Witch's response to her visit.

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]"Ah..." Ultimecia spoke at first, a little surprised by this visit. She turned away, and looked toward the orb, an evil-like grin slowly forming on the woman's expression, "My, my," she spoke with a sarcastic, surprised tone, " what would Chaos think... of you visiting me yet again, Cosmos...? I see in the future of his speculating, and discovery. He will get jealous."

She gave a dry chuckle, and paused when she felt that warm hold upon her shoulder. Her wings twitched a little, before relaxing, her attention once again taken away from her work, and looking to Cosmos with a raised eyebrow, " Is it that you have caught attention to something? Oh, ever-forward moving light?" [/glow]

[Secondary Characters]

Cosmos frowned somewhat at the sarcastic tone in the Witch's voice, and shook Her head at this foresight. The constant, calm breeze that seemed to envelope the goddess made Her silky garmants flow gracefully over Her perfect frame, and Her golden, immaculate hair blew gently in this self-made wind. She put another reassuring hand on Ultimecia's other shoulder and leaned in close to one of her ears.

"My dearest Seeker of Redemption," breathed the goddess, Her gentle eyes staring off at the future in the witch's orb with mild interest, already well aware of what would come next.

"Your concerns should stray far from Chaos, as your path surely has...and though you have not fully accepted the light which I so richly offer, and have chosen your own road...I come with my sincere regards for your well-being."

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]"Time is on no ones side... it is to walk alone, Cosmos." Ultimecia found herself speaking softly to the deity, her eyes weary with the work she had yet to do, " Like Time, I must walk this solitary path, detached from such comforts, and sorrows of light and darkness."

The witch could feel the breath of the goddess against her neck and feathers, and it was startling of how soothing it felt. In a hesitant way, she lifted a clothed hand and starred at it a moment, before reaching back with it to rest it over the Light's hand. "Such worry, I sense..."

She turned her head lightly, watching the Goddess with the corner of her golden eye, a look of fatigue,"...It is a death warrant, yes... but fair nonetheless, and it must be done."

Ultimecia slowly let go of the Deity's hand, and she placed it again over the orb, thousands of images coming at one time, and she was able to see all of them at once.

"I cannot accept the light, or darkness. As for redemption, it is far from me, and my own time is fleeting." She gave a dry chuckle here, " but, know this... your visits have been... welcomed, to say the least." she let out a soft grin, before it disappeared, just like the falling feathers from her wings, except one or two who eventually did so after touching ground. [/glow]

[Secondary Characters]

The Goddess of Order released the Witch of Time and side-stepped so that She was facing her at another angle where She could see Ultimecia's face a little better.

"Yes, my child...though you are a stray, flickering light, your redemption is at hand...so long as you keep to your current, indifferent path, you will be closer in my heart and bosom. No matter whether in your next life you choose dark or light, I will stand tall and watch over you, as I always have, for you are my guardian in the worlds, a magister of time, now and forever."

She frowned, gently flicking the orb with Her delicate index finger, the chime emanating off the mirrored walls sounding as a peaceful song.

"Know that you are not alone, Ultimecia, in your hour of darkness...that the light will stand at your side."

This was Her cue to make a graceful exit, and She slowly backed away into an appearing Corridor of Light, nodding her head in solemn approval.

"Remember that the light loves you, O Witch of Time, and that you are always welcome on its path..."

[ultimecia]

[glow=purple,2,800]Silence. There was no way Ultimecia could respond to such solemnity, and grace of the Goddess, even as she found herself alone. She watched as the goddess disappeared into the gates most would call "Heaven" and was left to her thoughts, yet again.

"No one will be there to help me..." Ultimecia finally whispered, sighing "... no one can... neither light, nor darkness."

The witch turned to the orb and began to work once more. Her wings wrapped around her form in a comforting way. She suddenly felt a chilling breeze, the after effects of a near empty room.

"It is a battle of Time... and time... stands alone."

Her golden eyes peered down to several faces on the orb, "Now... who shall be next...? ...You...?" [/glow]

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]*From Castle Oblivion > Shantotto's Study*

Shantotto entered the hall. Still unsure of where Ultimecia was, it was difficult for Shantotto to suppress the unrelenting rage that would ensue those who stood before her. She proceeded down the hall following the growing light. It seemed to be coming from the Observatory.

After a few moments of anticipation, Shantotto had finally arrived at the doors of Ultimecia's Observatory. The doors breaming from heat. It seemed one of the creatures had started without the taru mage. Shantotto raised a had to the doors, and with a quick burst of magic flung the doors open, only to reveal a massive room of flames and destruction. It's epicenter stood a creature similar to the likes of the first, but with a rage like that of her own.

She watched as the room was set a blaze seeing nothing but the creature. "Turn all that you wish to ash, possessions never last." Her eyes unwaivering, she began her walk toward the creature. She raised a hand to her right, a mist would consume a lone bookshelf consuming the flames. "Books can be writen..." Her left hand raised. The same happened but around the tea table where Shantotto had last spoken with Ultimecia. It too was consumed and extinguished. "... and tables rebuilt..."

Now within only a few feet of the creature, she hovered and stared at it's foreboding face. "...but memories you can never touch." Her body began to glow an ere blue. A flash from her staff turned the orb blue. "Now I'm mad! Flood II" She shouted as it echoed the halls. The creature was now inside an orb of massive water and pressure. Within moments of unleashing it's devistation...[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=red,2,800]"The hot blooded Taru
did not realize her mistakes,
for being angry and most upset,
would surely bring death's grace"

Rage would seem to mock in the Time Witch's tone-- making fun of the Taru's rhyming ways. It was working to make her more than mad... it wanted her angry enough so her own rage could get the best of her! Then again... it seemed to be giving some sort of sick clue as to its own weakness... could it be Ultimecia, helping from behind the grave?

This red-masked Ultimecia would cackle and sway about violently, the fires she would emit seemed to create mist of the flood used n Shantotto's spell. The flames grew intense with every passing second of the teddy bear's rage, and the room felt like a furnace. The heartless' claws and long tendrils etching from her suit would catch fire, so that she would look like the wings of a Phoenix; the symbolic bird that represented the true Ultimecia, which lived beyond time's laws and reincarnate consecutively after death.

With a flap of her arms, she charged forward, using the flames around her, and the mist to camouflage herself, and pose a dangerous threat to the grand wizard![/glow]

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]Through the flames "Flood II" erupted and began to settle after a few moments. Though with every action comes an equal and opposite reaction. Shantotto still several feet off ground with that evil grin, stared through the falling mist of her spell. What she saw, was astounding.

She was sure she had destroyed any remnants of the creature. But through the mist appeared wings. Wings engulfed in flame. Though an enemy, it was a magnificent sight indeed, for one to stand against Shantotto. However amazed she was to be in such presence, the creature charged forward with an anxious attack.

Shantotto still off the ground, watching this flaming creature of rage charge. Caught off guard at the sudden lunge she took the force of it's attack. Falling to the ground and sliding back the the door. As she climbed from her knees, a massive stone wall seemed to crumble and fall to the ground. Her ears perked as she stood. Her eyes squinted. "O~hohohoh! Now this, this is more like it!" she said in a most antagonizing tone, as a wall of stone began to grow around her.

Holding out a hand and snapping her fingers, her staff gave off a most ominous golden glow. "Does the title Master Caster no longer garner even an once of respect!? To what have you called to me Domina!?" Echoed throughout the room as a looming spirit, ethereal in image came and stood over Shantotto, as if to be haunting. His name only known to Shantotto.

The spirit itself seem to be tied to the Claustrum. The relic staff known as the Claustrum, was but one of many created to stand against the Kindred during the Crystal War. At the end of the war the relics were taken with their masters and vanished. For these relics only present themselves and lend their power to those who have proved their worth. For Shantotto, the Claustrum indeed has chosen to give it's power.

"I demand you lend me your power. It is I who is your new owner." Shantotto replied still looking at the creature in front of her. The spirit looked upon the creature before it. It then spoke in a most dark manner, as it began to vanish. "The Gate of Tartarus has opened demon! I will soon see you on the other side." The spirit glanced to Shantotto as it's final moments came to pass. "Domina. Use my power wisely, or be consumed by it." as it vanished. Shantotto was now in possession of Claustrum.

"Now then let us begin!!!" A mist of cold would ensue there after, surrounding Shantotto with an arctic wind. "You seem a bit hot? Let's put you on ice! Freeze II" she shouted, while she began to hover off the ground.[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=red,2,800]The phoenix-like heartless would look to Shantotto after it landed its hit, and snicker coldly at its blazing glory. The TaruTaru had so much rage, that the creature overflowed with power! Suddenly, the teddy bear got up, and earth walls began to form around her, such curiosity! Rage stood there, standing in a striking similar pose as that of the Old Time Witch, with head held high, and hands with claws extended, " Do you not see?" she would begin, her head lowering in a taunting manner, "I...am more powerful than you."

Its wings would grow bigger, and the flames would grow hotter with every breath of Shantotto's words.

"Hmph...the Claustrum..." she spoke in Ultimecia's voice, the red insignia upon its face growing brighter, seeing the threat that came about now, "Do you think you can handle it...?"

"Oh..?" it spoke in amusement, seeing a spell forming, and the small thing floating once more. It took a defensive stance, knowing what was to come would be painful. "Tch... how's this...?" Similar to Ultimecia's attack, it would form arrows, but instead of a purple hue, these arrows would be made of fire, and they would hover in place in offensive and defensive positions. [/glow]

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]Shantotto began her casting. The specs of ice and snow had already begun to swarm around the heartless. This seemed to only make the creature more lively and anxious to fight, as it made it's own snide remark.[/glow]

"I...am more powerful than you."

[glow=teal,2,300]This only aided to make Shantotto push that much harder, to drive her to the brink of her most inner desires of destruction. The creature grew in rage. It's wings of flame grew brighter and more intense. Even with such a foe at hand, Shantotto almost seemed excited.

As Shantotto began her final casting, the creature spoke again. It seemed almost amused at the the attack.[/glow]

"Tch... how's this...?"

[glow=teal,2,300]And with the flick of it's wrist a multitude of arrows flooded behind the creature. The arrows engulfed in flame. Shantotto unleashed her devastation upon the creature. Claustrum's resignating sound began to echo throughout the room. "Such disrespect! How dare you unleash such an attack...." Shantotto's ferocity grew as she watched this worthless creature wield such a power of Ultimecia. "...now you must watch your back! Freeze II"[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=red,2,800]Rage stood there, and took the blast head on with a cackle in her voice. The Heartless withstanding the attack, which seemed to melt per passing second, "Oh my... someone is losing their touch." it would taunt her, trying to get underneath her skin, wanting to grow more powerful with the hate she represented. Her wings, or what appeared to be wings, flapped violently, causing fire spirals to form and act as shields toward Shantotto's icy attack.

"You can't stop me" she would chuckle, the way Ultimecia used to do whenever Shantotto proposed a challenge. [/glow]

[glow=gold,2,800]"Or maybe..." came a robotic like voice from behind Shantotto; behind her, stood ANOTHER one of the heartless, that with a yellow insignia printed on its face. Bargaining had appeared without introduction, but she didn't seem to be attacking at all, "What do you think, Shantotto? Will you be able to defeat her on your own? Do you need my assistance? I think you do." It would start, walking to the Tarutaru's side, and looking over to Rage. Bargaining was the side of both wizards which stood for logic, and balance-- and apparently, she was trying to bribe her way in.

"I mean look at her. She's on fire, and you are not. I mean-- you are only making her stronger with each passing second. Oh. Did I say that? Never mind. You did not hear a thing. What are you talking about? I said nothing. I was only trying to tell you that I could help you defeat her, because you do need help. Badly. Of course, for me to help you, I must have something of equal value. How about your heart?"

Rage began a fire spin, but before it could reach Shantotto, Bargain stood in its way, and simply slapped its hand against the attack, and deflected it elsewhere, "Seriously." she continued as if that never happened, "It isn't like you use it. Your heart. I am pretty sure it is in that small cavity of yours collecting dust. After all, if you did use it, you would at least be crying. I mean, your best friend just died after all... you monster. Well, she did not just die. She was murdered, I mean, did you miss the part were that scarecrow thing shishke-bob her? That was brutal, you had to be there to see it, It was bad. But let us put that behind us, you have a problem right now, and I can help for the right price..."[/glow]