My Legacy lives on...

[Sai]

Sai looked at Culaki as he spoke, declaring that the nobody was in fact a leader. An eyebrow would slowly raise at this, noting the ludicracy of the thing. He was no one's leader, and if he ever assumed the role, it was purely by accident. He didn't care about anyone, and caring was a large part of leadership. You couldn't be a captain if you were perfectly content to sacrifice everyone in your crew, or simply didn't give a damn what they were doing. Whatever this Culaki saw in him, Sai knew it was an illusion.

He was about to respond, to inform the Ronso of his mistake, when Beatrix answered his question for him. Perhaps she did this because she knew Sai would not take offense, or get upset, but even he knew when something was rude (if only as a mental note for later). With a shrug, he dismissed the thing, unable to feel one way or the other about it. Besides, the name was given. The whole point was handled, right?

Looking down the hall when Beatrix spoke, Sai spotted the over-indulgant, ultra-pretentious procession. With that same expression on his face, he watched them approach, then stop and laugh. While the others may be getting insulted, he barely moved at all.

"Lothar, the Brass Duke, I presume?" he asked, his dullness putting a damper on even the most... erm... cultured humor. He took a step forward, pointing his wand at the two, completely undaunted by the threat of a handgun, or whatever self-assurance the Duke himself had.

"Allow me to clarify..." Sai continued, so cold and empty it was hard to tell he had taken any action, if one were only to listen. "None of us had any intention to be here. We wish to leave as much as you wish for us to not intrude. Logically, there's no need for violence, and nothing to be gained through resistance. Naturally, I could leave at any time, but in doing so, I would lose a large portion of my assistance in seeking the Keyblade Notes. Ergo, the ideal would be for all of us to be allowed safe passage away from your property..."

Sai was steady... watching... calculating... He couldn't be dissuaded, distracted, or disshevled. He was the perfect standoff partner.

[Ellin Destroix]

The Darkest Knight was in disbelief when she heard Sai speak so plainly about the situation. She bit her lip when the wizard in white spoke of leaving the natives stranded without help. She crossed her arms and stepped forward...

"BRASS DUKE!" Ellin walked past Sai to strike a pose and point a finger toward the man in charge, " Stop your assault on the Ronso. What you do in this evil quest of yours is highly distasteful!"

She rested a hand upon her blade, and she remained in that strong composure. Her eyes never looked so sparked, " Explain yourself! Why are you causing such misery toward the Ronso?!"

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail blinked a bit when Culaki asked her for her name. She giggled a little lightly, then courtsied (as best she could in this more modern clothing set, anyway) and introduced herself. "My name is Abigail Crescentlight..." she thought a moment, then added quickly, "Sister of Light, White Mage of Midgar, Student of Domina Shantoto, and Defender of Children Everywhere!"

She smiled lightly over to Ellin, hoping she noticed that she had added to her titles the most recent, her new standing as a hero to the children of the world of darkness. Even if it was out of place for her to fight for the darkness, she would always protect a child, no matter what.

That's when the Duke made his appearance. Abigail frowned a bit, seeing his oddly self-serving attitude. She grabbed her staff from her bag of holding and got ready for combat if she had to. The title she didn't brag on so much was a master-class staff wielder, but she only used it when she had to. Further, she was more powerful with this staff, able to cast more effectively. In just a few seconds, she could make her group just as invincible as Brass thought he was!

She set her eyes on them, spotting the gun faster than others. She threw her staff forward, pointing it right at the gun. "SLOW!!" she demanded, creating a barrier of time around the weapon. If it discharged, the bullet would be slowed down so much that it'd be easy as heck to dodge it! She frowned at the men and shook her head. "Shame on you! Pointing those kinds of weapons at people before even asking a single question!" she demanded of the one who held the gun.

[The Brass Duke]

'Lothar'

Twitching, his eyes fluttering in an annoyed fashion, he rolled his head slightly. "Cobalt, you simply must stop referring to me by my first," he said, using his cane to point at the Ronso. "See? The ugly blue thing's remembered it and is now spreading it throughout all of Colossus. Magrim and her friends and family will soon be--"

Once he realized he was trailing off Sai removed his wand from somewhere hidden and directed it their way. Outraged, Cobalt cocked the gun, moving its barrel over to the Nobody.

"So you wish to le--"

'I would lose a large portion of my assistance in seeking the Keyblade Notes.'

"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait!" cried the duke, slamming his cane down with each demand for the Nobody to wait. " 'Keyblade Notes', you say?" a twinkle in his eye and he fumbled in his cravat which was strung around his neck until he found something folded in there; slowly he undid the old parchment and read it over once more.

"So there are more still yet to come," he said with such passion. "Simon, be a dear and accompany the moogles in escorting these riff-raffs back to the wasteland. This man will come with me."

"Stop your assault on the Ronso. What you do in this evil quest of yours is highly distasteful!"

Concealing the Notes once more he collected his cane and held it like a short sceptre in once hand. "Hmph." Shrugging, he turned over to the Darkest Knight and grinned again. "You dare to question my logic within the confines of my own palace? Such brevity comes at a price, my dear...and so too does it warrant hostility, should I deem it necessary. But not here.

"You there"--he said to Sai--", come along, then. Gods, you look like you've not smiled in years. Where are those dimples?"

Shrugging, he backed away down the hall, attempting to lead them all upstairs while not turning his back. Golems he nearly bumped into he ordered to stand between himself and the intruders, ultimately abandoning Cobalt, Mogna and Migna should the 'heroes' decide to take advantage.

When Abigail performed the Slow spell on the younger boy's revolver he was shocked, but kept the weapon aimed on the intruders--mostly Sai. When Brass left, golems separating him and them, he began to shiver, keeping close to the automatons but giving the others shifty glances.

"Such craft...will be punished here," he whispered to no one in particular, attempting to squeeze by the golems, to no avail.

"Is...this all really necessary?" said Beatrix, sheathing her sword when one of the golems was ready to punch her. "Um...and what was up with that exchange...and Keyblade Notes? Again?"

[Culaki]

Culaki grimaced as Brass remarked that he wasn't able to carry out his task. Then an idea formed in his head as Brass seemed to take notice of the fact that Sai was looking for "keyblade notes". He stepped forward, taking a defensive position in front of the others as he regarded Brass.

"Culaki does not know how he failed, Lothar." He said, matching his gaze with that of the man. "How could Culaki have failed? If Culaki had done like you ordered and destroyed these prisoners, then would you have learned of the keyblade the way that you did? Culaki believes that he, the prisoners, and his land should at least be spared for that."

He folded up his arms, motioning for the others to follow as he walked behind Sai, keeping a vigilant eye on the golems, lest it be a trap they were walking into...

[Sai]

Sai waited a moment, hearing the Brass Duke's statements. Apparently, "Keyblade Notes" were the magic words. He lowered his wand and slipped it into his coat, nodding somewhat. Apparently, this was a trade. Information for the freedom of his associates. Fair enough.

He strode forward without a word, at least until Culaki spoke up. Holding a hand outward, he gestured for Culaki to hault, both in action and in speach. Looking lightly behind him, he spoke calmly. "The youth was instructed to direct you and the others outside... Freedom is obviously what you are being offered. I suggest to all that we make use of this opportunity before these clearly fickle gentlemen decide whatever it is I have to offer is unworthy of the freedom they are trading..."

He turned his head to focus ahead once more and followed Brass down the hall. He betrayed no emotion, speaking plainly and calmly as they walked. "It is obvious based on your inquiry that you have access to at least one of the notes. Might I in turn request to know why you seek them?" Sai asked, watching the man's actions. He was on his own now. He had to be alert...

[Oeilvert]

When Brass led the group down the long hallways, passed angry-looking moogles, humans and plain-faced, grunting golems, at last they reached a golden-guilded double door. When it opened, it revealed a large service elevator. The golems what split the groups separated and took their appropriate place at the elevator's sides, waiting for everyone to enter. Cobalt scurried close to Brass as soon as he could and together they spoke quietly while the lift progressed upward.

Turning to General Beatrix and the White Mage at her side the sorcerer shifted uneasily, Locke's feathers ruffling, as well. He looked upon the Holy Knight who stood as if she were as royal as the pompous man who herded them along. Who are these people?

"Erm, Sai," he whispered, but was heard by the others because of such close proximity. Ushering with his hand he tried to get Sai's attention.

"I'm a bit worried about allowing you to straggle behind with these people," he admitted. "What if it does turn out to be a trap?" At this the Brass Duke scoffed, turning away and speaking once again to Cobalt; apparently they were mocking Ellin's heavy uniform and sniggering about it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When at last the elevator stopped on the correct floor Cobalt was the first to step out, and he called for the others--except Sai--to follow. Out they went into the grand foyer where the double doors leading out to the rampway into the Pride Lands stood.

"All right, off you go, get out, get out," said Brass hurriedly as he took stride in the opposite direction, crossing the threshold into the audience chamber, ascending a ridiculously high dais, and taking a seat on the immaculate gold throne that was cushioned with crimson silk.

"Now, back to business," he said, crossing his legs and folding together his arms. He regarded Sai with a mocking grin.

"I've got much work to do in accordance with the HeartSteele supply, and it will take a while. You must be quick. As for why I seek the Keyblade Notes for myself, that business will be mine, and mine, alone. A better question: what do you know and why should I care? What Notes have you?"

[Ellin Destroix]

"You dare to question my logic within the confines of my own palace? Such brevity comes at a price, my dear...and so too does it warrant hostility, should I deem it necessary. But not here."

Ellin curled her fingers into a tightened fist, and she scoffed when the man turned, and went on his merry way. She was about to follow, but she stopped, watching the moogles and human-folk keep a close eye on her. She sighed and stayed back and watched the silver dressed wizard move forward.

The darkest Knight turned a moment to Culaki, and frowned, "Don't worry, Culaki-- if others wish to go, I'll stay to make sure nothing happens... but I guess we have to leave this place for now..." Ellin motioned to their metal surroundings. She nodded over to Beatrix, wondering if she thought the same.

The knight then smiled, looking to Abigail, " You don't hurt anymore do you?" she asked, looking her over with a curious glance, "Nothing out of place?"

[Sai]

As they were lead along the path to freedom, Sai stood with nary a hint of caring. Even though his surroundings were quite impressive, and worthy of study and note, he had the appearance of business as usual. He stood with his hands at his side, his wand within easy reach should this in fact be a trap. When Oeilvert addressed him, he turned his head very slightly to the side to speak back.

"Regardless, you and the others are being allowed to go free. This was my main goal, and it is achieved. Beyond that, details are unimportant..." He paused a moment, looking forward. "Besides... should I be in any danger, I have means of defense I have not yet utilized to the fullest... Remain calm."

The doors of the elevator slid open and the others were herded off. Sai, on the other hand was taken to another direction. Following, he seemed completely at ease. The man ascended to his seat on high, in some vain attempt to impress the Nobody, or at the very least make him feel smaller, but Sai spoke as he always had, his expression dead set and unmoving while he answered.

"Heartsteele? You have a supply handy then... interesting," he said, looking off to the walls somewhat. "Judging on our surroundings, you're the type to value industry and exploration. Obviously, your interests in the keyblade notes must conclude in the construction of the legendary weapon, if only for academic stimulation at least..." Sai paused, then looked to Brass once more.

"I have gathered several of the Keyblade Notes. They are currently in the care of a secondary holder while I gather all. I am only four notes away from completion of my task, at which point I intend to craft the weapon for use against the Heartless known as Atticus the Fallen..."

Sai paused a moment, glancing down only a briefest of seconds before looking up to Brass. "What this means for you is multifaceted. First of all, you know from my description that intimidation at this point in time would be useless. I am immune to such tactics, and it would yield no results if I were. This in mind, we're brought to point two, in which you must realize that I have things you want, and you have things that I do. Naturally, I don't expect a man of your obvious self-importance to simply give me the notes and the heartsteele. Ergo, an alliance would best serve both our ends. We work together, complete our goals, and go our separate ways..."

Sai trailed off, falling silent. Clearly, there was nothing left to say. He simply stood there, watching the Brass Duke with calculating eyes. Wrong move, and he was gone. Right move, and perhaps the Keyblade would be within reach at last...?

[The Brass Duke]

"Judging on our surroundings, you're the type to value industry and exploration. Obviously, your interests in the keyblade notes must conclude in the construction of the legendary weapon, if only for academic stimulation at least..."

The duke shifted slightly in his seat, the thought of holding such a legendary item between his palms giving a rush of adrenaline. He nodded his head, giving the Nobody an excited grin.

"Yes, my intentions are merely academic, indeed, but if you look at it from my perspective, it also gives me such power over the shadow beasts--you speak of The Fallen like a rival, I see him as a prize to be taken down and captured."

Smirking, he pressed a button on the right-side arm rest. Four cylindrical tubes protruded from the floor. A suspicious mist surrounded them for several moments before dissipating, and the Brass Duke leaned forward when it cleared, throwing out his arm.

"As you can see I've already taken hold of several beasts by now." Within the compartments several feral Heartless from this world growled and scratched against the glass walls.

"Trophies."

After a moment of basking in his former victories, he stood up. "Very well. A partnership, you seek, then? Hm...with your notes being elsewhere, I can not prove whether or not you actually have them and have no reason to hand mine to you..."

He frowned slightly, scratching his chin. "What can you offer me?"

[Abigail Crescentlight]

The way that boy spoke to her... she wasn't too sure if she really liked that at all. Abigail usually was very considerate, but by golly he pointed a gun at them and now he wanted to make it sound like they were the bad guys? Really, that passes the realm of rude and goes right into plain nasty! She frowned as they were lead off, and was ready with her staff if she had to take action (something she was all too willing to do at this point).

When they were ushered outside, she took note of Ellin encouraging Culaki with a partial smile. It was so sweet of the knight to offer her help, even to someone who could clearly handle themselves. It was... refreshing. With a happy sigh, she put her staff away and looked around the barren landscape of the pridelands. "What a strange place..." she muttered to herself.

Suddenly, Ellin was asking her how she was! She blushed lightly, smiling as she turned to face the charming woman. She couldn't help but find some similarity in her and Agrias... and truly, she felt closer to this woman as she had already demonstrated belief in the way of Cosmos. So, when it was asked if she was alright, she couldn't help but giggle a little.

"Oh! Uhm... yes, I'm fine... nothing's out of place. I just... guess I landed bad is all..." she said cutely, wanting to seem stronger than this, but really... it was Ellin...

[Secondary Characters]

Such craziness! In the time it took Wall-E to introduce himself, all heck had broken loose! Some newcomers came, and now they were being escorted out! He rolled along, looking nervous and tapping his fingers together a bit. Every now and then he'd look up to Oeilvert, wondering what was going on, only to find at one point that the wizard was speaking to his monochromatic counterpart.

So, Wall-E did as instructed and followed the others out. He stood among them, staring out over the plains before spotting a small pride of lions! He zoomed in on them to get a good look, then looked to the others while pointing to the large felines. "Ooooh!" he whistled eagerly, then played on his little recorder the MGM opener (you know, the one with the music and the lion roaring), so that they knew what he was pointing at.

[Ellin Destroix]

"Abigail is alright," Ellin grinned at the thought, and she rested a hand over the hilt of her dark sword, tapping the tip of it lightly with the end of her finger, "Splendid!" she cheered, glancing to the others at this point, wondering what they were to do about this problem.

When she saw the small robot looking over to a random area, and hearing the sound of a lion, she guessed immediately what had caught his attention, "WHaa? You see more Ronso??" she asked, eagerly running over and curling circles with her fingers (treating them like binoculars.) She watched over the plains until she spotted some blue blurs, " Woow, look at how many! Miss Beatrix, Miss Abigail--" she also motioned the green wizard and the bird to watch, "Look, look! Isn't this place amazing?? There is so much light here!"

To Ellin, anything that involved light was amusing... can you blame a curious creature of the darkness?

"Its burning my eyes a little... but it feels so warm against my face~" she sighed happily. Whe will have to enjoy this some other time. She just watched for now...

[General Beatrix]

Throughout their whole journey from the Engine Hall to this point, being taken from darkness, where it smelled of rich metals, all the way up to the barren, smoky wasteland outside, she had kept quiet, listening and keeping wary eyes on the surrounding life forms.

When at last they were taken down to solid ground by the Cooler Ramp set up by Cobalt and several golems, she almost dropped to kiss the ground, but would not show her comrades any sign of emotional weakness now.

And then Wall-E perked up and pointed out some life in the surrounding area...Beatrix saw this, but also what she saw was destruction and death.

"This is...fowl," she stated simply with a frown.

[Sai]

When the pods were being lifted, Sai turned his attention to see them. However, upon seeing the contents, he merely closed his eyes and shook his head. "Another Ansem..." he muttered to himself, before looking back to Brass.

"I strongly advise that you keep yourself in check. Those who value the Heartless are doomed to join them. You are not the first, and certainly you will not be the last..." he paused, then looked away. "I was once very much like you. It was not industry that drove me, but information... knowledge. I thought I could be the most powerful wizard of my age, unlocking secrets that other Black Mages would shiver to dream of. But I was careless. There is no defense against the darkness save a strong heart, and the Fallen was the price I paid for my ignorance..."

Sai shook his head somewhat. "Your actions here are the kind of thing that the Heartless are attracted to. Greed, selfishness, narcisim, and a contempt for others... Like catnip, it calls to them and soon you will be overwhelmed. You will doubt my words, because that is the kind of person you are. Already, you're thinking that I am a fool, that you cannot possibly fail, that you are for all terms and purposes god-like. What darkness could possibly overwhelm your glory? Again... pitfalls all."

Here, Sai looked dead into the eyes of the Brass Duke, trying to make his message clear. "You are blind to the path you are on... But I possess the knowledge, the experience, and the design to prevent your fall which is swiftly hurdling toward you on your self-paved road to nowhere. All I need is to know what information rests on the notes you hold. Whether you trust that I have the other notes is immaterial. Lack of faith is a path to the darkness as well..."

Here, Sai paused once more. He waited for Brass' decision.