The Observatory

[ultimecia]

[glow=white,2,800]Shantotto never seemed to surprise the creature of darkness, if anything she looked anything BUT amused by her childish actions. "So headstrong, so stubborn... you will never learn at this pace... so let us begin, " the wings upon the heartless creature spread to its sides and the space in front of her began to distort until white arrows protruded from them, and faced the small one.

"Time..." the Ultimecia look-a-like whispered seductively into the wind, and vanished in a whirlpool of purple and darkness only to appear above the Tarutaru and her Aces with a hand extended, " ... is only an Illusion!" she called out, a symbol appearing at the creature's feet and quickly hasting toward the four... Shantotto will recognize this as Apocalypse coming closer!

Once that attack was done, the creature vanished from sight once more, and with great strength, the arrows poised before shot out toward the distracted group while the creature prepared for its next attack, seeming a big one. [/glow]

[Shantotto]

[glow=teal,2,300]Up until now Shantotto was rather annoyed with Heartless invading her domain. It was technically hers now with Ultimecia’s death. She had got what she wanted at this point. To have the Heartless mimics removed from her castle. What more reason was there for her to humor these creatures? Furthermore, she was become quiet restless with these Heartless.[/glow]

[glow=white,2,300]“So headstrong, so stubborn… you will never learn at this pace. So let us begin."[/glow]

[glow=teal,2,300]Her purple and blackish hues still flourishing like legs of an octopus, continued to flow up from the ground following her small body up and fading quickly as they neared her pig tails. Shantotto let out a slight humph, as the Heartless spoke; giving a slight smile with a calm disposition came across her face. “This is not your typical mage; for no absolute reason shall you disengage. My castle walls this creature will not breach, or my own private lesson will I teach.” Shantotto whispered to her Cardian’s in secrete. Hoping these three will hold a decent fight against the mimic.[/glow]

[glow=white,2,300]“Time… is only an Illusion!”[/glow]

[glow=teal,2,300]Living and… fighting for ages against the Witch of Time, this ability was one she was surprised to see a Heartless mimic use. Its power could be felt as though identical to that of Ultimecia. Though her speed was fast, it still wasn’t as fast as a Red Mage. (The Cardian’s had far known Shantotto’s departure from the castle was imminent. Cardian Ace of Diamonds had simply been waiting for its opportunity.)

Apocalypse now heading for Shantotto, the Cardian quickly unleashed its own time magic, “Chainspell.” With nigh-instant speed “Warp II” was cast upon its master. Shantotto was gone. However, this didn’t help the Cardian’s much with the on coming barrage about to befall them without quick action…

*(Shantotto) Off too > Shantotto's Study*
[/glow]

[ultimecia]

[glow=white,2,800]The spell known as Apocalypse would hurl forth toward the Cardians, since their master had been taken from them. It was only right for their demise to take Shantotto's place. The seal broke, and instead of a shimmering light spewing from the cracked insignia underneath them, a splatter of darkness took its place, and swallowed up the three Cardians, launching them into three different directions, away from one another.

Acceptance seemed rather happy with the card-like mages, and decided to give them an temporary "disassembling" by making dark arrows rain down upon them. They pierced and cracked their armor mercilessly, but strangely, they were not completely out of order. They could move, but barely. If they wished, they could pick themselves up and heal one another if the distance allowed it, but the strange Heartless would leave them be. She stood center equivalent to their distances, looking up toward the darkened sky, " . . . Shantotto . . ." the creature would whisper, before chuckling somewhat proudly.

". . . You three . . ." she spoke, regarding the ones whom had vowed their lives to their master, " . . . Rest . . . for she will need you more than ever. . . worry not about me-- I am not your battle."

She would sigh softly, walking a few paces to her left, and closing her eyes in thought, " . . . once she is ready, I shall present to her. . . my true gift. . . but until that time comes," she would pause, sitting back upon the nothing behind her, suspended in a sitting position. A soft smile would cross her expression, as she remembered something not yet placed. A certain promise that has not been created, or has been, and forgotten.

" I will be waiting here. . . . . . I promise." [/glow]

[Secondary Characters]

[glow=cyan,2,300]"Such...pain, sorrow and unrest I feel," came a voice from seemingly nowhere and yet everywhere, until an accompanying bright flash of white light appeared to produce the figure of Corridor of Light.

Cosmos took her place between the gate to Her realm and that of Castle Oblivion and surveyed the current state of Ultimecia's dominion with a hurt expression. She saw Acceptance in all the radiance that Cosmos had seen in the Witch and winced slightly, knowing all too well the work of Darkness.

"What has my dear child done?" she asked, speaking of Atticus--before he became the beast he was, mind you--and his mutation of Ultimecia's memories. "Shantotto," called the Goddess. "Heed the words of your former rival...or what is left of her, for this conflict will soon draw to a close, and you are needed. You heart must be repaired..."

Cosmos left the Corridor and hovered nearby to where Acceptance was, circling her slowly, simply looking at her...

"Again I ask what has he done to you?" She dared not touch the monster-remnant and retreated back into the light very soon after getting no response.

"Shantotto...protect your heart." she said finally, giving one last look of longing over near Acceptance, and took her leave through the Corridor.[/glow]