My Legacy lives on...

[The Brass Duke]

A man and woman from one of the nearby tents carrying rather large cases (most likely filled with research equipment) came knocking on the leather curtain what served as Brass' tent door. When Cobalt answered for his master they informed the younger man of a great discovery around Pride Rock; what they had found was yet another small, barely important reserve of HeartSteele jutting off the side.

Though this place--many, many years ago--was filled with the raw material Brass had been rather annoyed to find such little quantities left over from the ransacking long ago by the false wielders of Keyblades. Cobalt quickly informed the Duke, who ordered the scientists to collect the samples while he left the comfort of his tent to speak with Barium and Cerium about their progress in recalibrating the massive Colossus Cannon.

"Ah, I see. Well let it cool down and we'll begin assaults again in the morning."

[Culaki]

Culaki tore across the desert plains, his steady clip eating away the miles as he tracked down the Colossus. The giant machine was docked, tents and a small encampment set up with obvious haste. He observed groups of people carrying large cases of strange equipment and technology he had never seen before.

Culaki was naturally suspicious as he made his way towards the camp. He was a trained predator. Getting low to the ground and smearing the dry, chalky savannah dust across his body, he masked the bright cerulean blue of his fur, becoming one with his landscape. His nostrils flared once, twice, searching for the...there!

The sharp, robust smell of foreign herbs and flowers had to be the strange man. Culaki grunted, slinking his way across the ground and using his predatory instincts. He was on the prowl now. His body camouflaged from normal view, he began to slink through the scrub and small brush, barely making and noise and keeping his weapon concealed in its dust-colored leather cover.

Sneaking his way through the camp, he observed a hastily constructed, albeit fancy and lavishly decorated tent. It must be the human's, and so Culaki continued on his merry way, stopping as he heard a lone voice. It was some sort of guard, a man walking through camp talking to himself.

He stepped on Culaki's tail, and the Ronso panicked, holding in his growl of surprise. A low rumble went throughout his body, shaking some of the dust off. The guard, he knew, would see him momentarily. Culaki rose up to his full height in seconds, grabbing the guard by the face and hurling him into the camp, away from the scene.

He knew that the man would hear his guardsman's cry, so he immediately pushed aside the leather curtain, his nose wrinkling in disgust at the smell of all the ornate and exotic perfumes, spices, and...chocolate? His belly rumbled at the thought of food, but he concentrated on the task at hand.

He simply walked into the leather flap, letting it fall closed as he settled himself on the ground cross-legged, staring calmly at the notably surprised young boy and his master. After a moment of -somewhat- awkward silence, he spoke, his voice rumbling from his chest.

"Culaki knows not of your strange ways and customs...but he knows you come here to destroy. Make your case known before this Ronso, so he can judge whether you are fit to be amongst my people..."

[The Brass Duke]

When both Duke and Head Mechanic returned to their larger tent with the two scientists in tow, they began discussing newer, more efficient ways to attack the Pride Lands in order to make for better, more luxurious land. They argued for a long time, their banter drowning out Cobalt's pleas for people to calm down.

And then the Ronso crept in, guards outside now clamboring to find the source of their fallen comrade. Cobalt was the first to catch a glimpse of Culaki, and then the Duke; the others backed away slightly, coveting their notes so that nothing would harm them. Brass stood up, collecting his cane from its resting place at the side of his chair and took an imperial stance.

"How dare you enter the tent of the Brass Duke?" he exclaimed with much anger in his voice. "How dare you sit before me and demand a statement?"

Raising his cane he pointed at the beast, regarding its filth-covered body with a snort, and lowered the sceptre again, tapping it lightly against the ground.

"Such audacity..."

Cobalt quickly stood up and took his place between Duke and beast, always the one who tried settling matters in calm, reasonal ways...of course usually taking his master-and-lover's side.

"Please, before we do anything rash," he said. "just what's going on?"

[Culaki]

Culaki brushed the dirt from his body, leaning outside of the covering of the tent as he did so. Now noticeably cleaner and dirt-free, he sat cross-legged on the floor, casually uncovering his weapon and leaving it in plain sight in case of an emergency. He regarded Cobalt with a cool gaze before speaking.

"Allow Culaki to introduce himself," he said, bowing while sitting down.

"Culaki Ronso, of the Ronso people, formerly of Gadgazet. Culaki has been living here among his other kin for quite some time, although the method of his getting here has not exactly been...explained. He is confused, and yet he has adapted to his new land. These animals share the same blood as Culaki, and it is not right for YOU to prosecute them for the sake of your gains!"

Culaki pointed an accusing finger at Brass, folding his arms and waiting plaintively for his response...

[The Brass Duke]

"Lothar, I thought you said the area specs of this place pointed out the obviously uninhabited nature of this land?" asked Cobalt, a bit of a hurt look in his eyes. "You lied to me?"

"Now now, Cobalt," said the Brass Duke, waving his arm in a nonchalant manner, snapping his fingers over to one of the scientists; they promptly grabbed a decorated chair and, cautiously, moved it over behind their master. Once it was ready, he sat, crossing his legs and giving off the air that he was the highest authority present.

"I may have bent the truth for my own means, but you'd understand; I am building you your own workshop, you know." the younger man's eyes widened at this slight manipulation. "Yes, yes. You're coming closer to being finally good enough to work alongside me in a full-on Cobalt and Brass industry. But not just yet. You've still got a ways to go, and I thought you could stretch your legs on a land such as this while I worked on relaxing and building my empire. But if you'd like to take the side of a malformed cre--"

"Mister Ronso..." said Cobalt with a hesitant start, "can't we come up with a compromise? I mean, you heard the Brass Duke. I understand you've got friends and possibly family here, but don't you think it's a small price to pay for crafting a civilized empire? It's quite an honor, don't you agree?"

[Culaki]

Culaki looked Brass and Cobalt, thinking for a moment. While he pondered what good could possibly come out of the building of more industry and pollution, he licked the back of his paw, cleaning it of dirt as he rubbed the moist fur across his eyebrows, fine dust particles catching. Finished at last with his self-bath, he turned to regard Brass carefully.

"Lothar..." he said, the word sounding strange and foreign in his mouth.

"What exactly do you mean by a 'workshop'? Culaki has seen the effects of pollution and industry on the homeland where he hails from, and he does not wish ill harm to befall his people here."

He cast his gaze at Cobalt.

"Young one, you are still tender and fragile. Culaki may not know you, but he can sense your emotions, smell your fear and concern for my kind...and for that, he is grateful. Let us lay out the terms of some sort of agreement, for Culaki is respectful of all once they have proven themselves..."

He clasped a hand over his heart, bowing slightly to Cobalt before resuming his position on the floor, massive paws resting slightly on his knees.

"What good will come of it for my people, and how do you plan to build this...workshop?"

[The Brass Duke]

"Workshop," said Cobalt, rubbing his palms on his knees while he spoke, a bit entranced with the Duke's promises. "Well I am Lo--the Brass Duke's Head Mechanic, and with the others I assist in building all of His Excellency's designs. Right now we're working on an airship, the pieces from which we took from the chunks of our home world at Radiant Garden."

The Duke nodded, folding his arms. "Indeed, we're going to craft one of the fastest in all Hyperspace and, with the power of all the HeartSteele I've gathered, some day we'll have a ship that can be run completely by myself and my heart."

"Tch, that cold black thing?" sneered the chuckling Cobalt.

"...Nonetheless, I'm afraid your world will not be spared in my quest for HeartSteele and crafting this as my new, luxurious bastion." Brass shrugged.

[Sai]

Within...

One of the many engine rooms would fill with an inky blackness... and from this dark void several strangers would enter a world they did not expect to visit. From the ceiling, they would fall, as though this portal was uncovered directly below their feet. First, a man in silver would topple downward, landing hard on his shoulder, which caused it to pop out of place painfully.

A hiss escaped him as he kicked his way over to a wall to lean against, one hand holding at the now throbbing joint. He groaned, his eyes held tightly shut in response to pain raking through him. He did not possess the knowledge of popping is bone back where it belongs, so naturally, he'd have to just sit there until someone assisted.

Opening one eye to take in his new surroundings, Sai would find the others nearby, and the portal closing above them. He'd take a breath and call to them. "Is everyone alright??" he asked, trying to take it all in. From what he could tell, this was some kind of prison... but with gears and cogs running all around. Maybe a giant clock?

Forcing himself to stand, Sai found that the arm he had injured was in fact his casting arm. And yes, while he COULD use his other for minor things, exact control was an issue. Shame he was right-handed... This meant that he'd be unable to summon corridors for a bit. Even if it was healed, he'd need time for his muscles and his mana to recoop.

Looking back to the others, he watched as they all got up in their own time. "It would seem... we've been cheated."

[General Beatrix]

After Agrias' disappearance and then the ridiculous nature of that awe-inspiring performance put on by both members of the light and dark, cast before throngs of human and shadow alike, Beatrix was exhausted, both emotionally and physically. Perhaps this was the hell she was charged to live in after all she'd done.

When Atticus punted them out of the Opera House she was relieved to find her headache not pulsing so hard against the inner skull anymore. Instead her whole body slammed into marble flooring, coated over with a mess of scratched metal. Beatrix was lying beneath a green-clad mage, who was also working on regaining his composure. They nearly bumped heads when separating, and she assisted the man in collecting his battered Wall-E, handing it to him and brushing it off.

"I'm fine. Excuse me," she whispered, and turned over to Sai. "Cheated...Would you like to explain this, then?"

It wasn't so much of an accusation as it was frustration being taken out on everybody who wasn't Agrias. "Or you," she said, gesturing to the mage and his robot, as well as Abby. "Does anyone know what just happened, and where the firaga we've been sent?"

When Oeilvert received Wall-E with the assistance of the general, he continued to brush the automaton off, and even backed away, somewhat frightened by the woman's frantic interrogation.

"I'm at a bit of a loss, myself, miss..." said the prince, setting down his companion and tilting his head to glance up at the crow what perched up on his shoulder as he stood. Where had he hidden?

"Anyway," he stated, dipping into a low bow. "Masheck Octavian--Oeilvert, if you please--at your service. Prince and Court Mage of the Wonderful Land of Oz. These are my companions Locke, Sai and Wall-E."

The general nodded her head to him. He looked over to Abby, and quickly went to her side. "Is this one all right?"

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Unfortunately for Abigail... her landing was not quite so benign. When everyone came falling into the new location, she had the bad luck to fall oriented downwards. Yes... she landed on her head.

The fall itself wasn't too bad, thank Cosmos, so her neck was still intact. However, her own weight combined with bad angling would ensure that a nasty "KRAKK!" would be heard when she landed, and she'd fall limp. A small trickle of blood would escape the point of impact. Again, it wasn't a fatal injury, but Abigail Crescentlight was now knocked unconscious.

This meant a few things for the group at large. One, this meant that there weren't any among them with healing powers. Two, because there was no one who could heal Sai, the only one who could create and use a corridor without the taxation of his heart would be unable to do so. They were stuck!

The white mage laid there, eyes closed and unable to move. Thankfully, she was breathing and her heart was beating. It would just take a little time, is all...

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix surveyed the condition of her friends and frowned; she hadn't used any of her healing White Magicks in a while, and she was unsure whether she could still. Knowing full well her power had dwindled since her fall from grace, a Cura spell was simply out of the question, but...

Kneeling at Abigail's side she pressed her hands on the woman's shoulders, calling out "Cure".

When the light dissipated, she hoped the White Mage would be at least moderately healed...now for Sai.

"Would you like to be healed, Sai?"

[Sai]

Sai waited a moment for the frantic nature of Beatrix's raving to cease. One advantage of not feeling, he couldn't panic. So, while she whirled from one thought to the next, unable to collect herself, he merely watched as she turned first on him, then Oeilvert. The other wizard introduced himself, which was an odd thing all together, seeing as Sai and Beatrix were already aquainted and Oeilvert insisted on introducing his companions. Not that it mattered. When all was still once more, Sai spoke.

"There was to be a voting, yes? Obviously, we've been corridored somewhere removed from the situation so that the Fallen can asure his victory. I wouldn't be suprised if this were a dungeon somewhere, a place we were not intended to escape..." he looked to the metal walls, trying to recall where this place might be in the vast unyielding universe. From his pocket, he produced a small, holographic map of the known worlds, the very same he used while travelling with Lexia and Lilith. Where those two were was anyone's guess.

Sai murmured silently to himself, trying to think as Beatrix attempted to aid Abigail. His concentration was broken when Beatrix turned to him and asked if he required healing. Looking to his his shoulder, he felt this much was fairly obvious, but the more pressing question on his mind was... "Do you...?"

After all, they had just been corridored. Part of the reason Abigail might be unable to be revived is due to the darkening nature of the thing on one's heart. He and Oeilvert were immune, fortunately, as their hearts were not part of the equation. Where was Locke, anyway? Regardless, that left one among them who was in danger... "How are you feeling, Beatrix?" Sai asked pointedly, being sure to punctuate "feeling".

[Oeilvert]

When this exchange began, Oeilvert was surprised to find that apparently Beatrix and Sai knew one another; he shrugged his shoulders, kneeling down beside the automaton and allowing Locke to hover down onto its head. He smoothed the feathers of his crow backward, Locke cooing like a purring cat.

"Hm...is she going to be all right?" he asked again, watching as the energy from Beatrix' spell seeped into the White Mage's body. "And...is something the matter with you two? A problem?"

[General Beatrix]

"How am I feeling..." she responded, glancing downward at her hands, the white aura fading; tilting her head she shook once, and then momentarily glanced to to Nobody.

"I've no clue as to what you could possibly be talking about, Sai," she said, wringing out her hands and moving about the chamber, looking for something that would lead them outside. After she found a door-like mechanism, she spun the dial what served as its handle and it clicked, popping open only slightly; outside she could hear metallic voices mixed with moogle "kupo"s. This meant that Beatrix and the others were not the only ones inhabiting this prison.

Closing the door some she turned back and put a finger up to her lips to silence the others, leaning her head against the door to eavesdrop.

"If you thing that we're not efficiently working, then be my guest and call in The Duke, kupo!" sounded the voice of an irritated moogle, followed by the grinding of gears in the distance. The metallic, robot-esque voice accompanying it seemed to be agreeing with the moogle, and turned to leave.

"Good. I'm going into Engine Room Seven and Eight; I've gotta make sure, kupo, that the gummi blocks stay in place--they weren't cut right and it's been difficult managing, kupo."

"Someone's coming!" Beatrix yelped in a slight whisper, leaning her back up against the door.

[Culaki]

Culaki grunted in dissolution, shaking his head. He needed to find a way to make Brass come to a compromise. He ran a paw across his chin, ruffling the fine white hairs and letting a deep rumble come from his chest as an idea struck him.

"Culaki does not know you, Brass, but he does know that you are a man of strange technologies and a very scientific mind. Would you be willing to barter the destruction of certain portions of Culaki's home land and his people for...say...Culaki?"

He knew it was a dangerous gamble, bargaining with his life for the sake of the Pride Lands, but he could think of no other choice...