The Final Run

[Atticus the Fallen]

Atop the ever-towering castle of naught, keeping an eye on events from his perch on the altar, a dark menace watched the skies as the final masterstroke fell into place. He could feel it even from this distant place... the horror of their kind coming to fruition. A nightmarish gamble for his kind, but a necessary move in this dangerous game he was playing.

Slowly, Atticus' eyes would drift downward from the stars still choking out and dying and fall upon the edge of the altar in thought. A Keyblade had been born somewhere in those far-distant reaches of the universe, in a place where light was gathered and clung desperately to a slim chance at survival... a single thread which the Fallen fully intended to sever forever.

He knew MeadowSong would turn on him sooner or later. It was really just a question of when the opportunity would present itself. The situation was already in motion with his allowing the demigod to follow through the portal so long ago back at the Jidoor Opera House. Yes... that was the catylist which would bring about these events.

By allowing that simple act, MeadowSong was forced to make her play. In the same time, Atticus himself had sent Attra to face off with his other, a battle he never intended for her to survive. All this... because of what he saw in the mirror. It had shown him the murder of Ultimecia, and it had granted him a glimpse of the notes which threatened his plans. How best to eliminate a threat than by tricking it into thinking it had the upper hand?

He practically put the notes into the hands of his other... knowing the fool would leap at the opportunity to make use of them, then come charging here with hopes so high. He knew because he was him. And now, as his Nobody counterpart would begin the preparations for assault, this Heartless monster already had the pieces in place to end the light's threat once and for all.

The Harbinger was already on the move. The Gates were defended by a monster even he would have diffculty handling, the Castle Proper held its mistress and the Eldritch Machine, and even here at the apex of this incredible mountain of obsticles sat madness incarnate with two points of fading light held hostage. Should they get this far... which was already highly suspect given the circumstances, He himself would enter the dying Kingdom Hearts to make the final stand.

No light will survive past this final run. This is the proverbial line drawn in the sand. One last gamble, and then... Eternal Night.

[kefka]

[glow=Yellow,2,300]A nightmarish cackle would boom in the vicinity of the Altar of Naught, and with it would appear the presence of a fiery Corridor of Darkness. A triumphant "wa-hoo!" could be heard before two lumps of flesh came hurtling from the void, wrapped with threads of darkness. And, coming up behind would be the Dancing Mad himself, his hands on his hips and a foot now resting on the fallen man before him. Edgar grunted at this, and the clown simply kicked him, a grin playing about his face all the while.

Edgar attempted to squirm closer to Terra, worming his way over top of her to shield against anything Kefka might do. The harlequin, however, raised a nonchalant hand, tossing the king of Figaro off the girl like a weightless feather.

When Kefka advanced Edgar's eyes shot open in horror as he produced a shimmering gold circlet from the confines of his costume, and his menacing smirk would be an indication that this definitely was not a good sign.

He released the jewelry item and watched as it hovered over and fought with Edgar's head in a struggle to attach. The king, however, was bound and too weak, physically, to stop it and soon submitted to this grapple. Assuming Terra was unconscious here, Kefka would place a Slave Crown on her, personally.

When all was said and done he dismissed the binds that held them pinned down, he backed away, throwing up his arms to telikinetically hoist up his new thralls and intdroduce them to hell.

"Welcome, friends!"[/glow]

[terra]

Terra awakened to filling really stiff....... no it was more then that, she felt like she couldn't move. Her eyes were open and she could see but she couldn't turn her head or anything, she started to panic and even that failed her, it was like she had no control, like she couldn't make her body move, like when she............"no please" she thought to herself. "Please, by the goddesses anything but that!" she tried anything, and nothing worked, and then she looked over and saw Edgar a crossed from her with a weird looking circlet on his head "Not the crown, no....no ..... anything but that"

If anyone could read minds or even feel emotions, they would have heard a blood curtailing scream come from Terra's mind, as a couple tears would flow form the side of her eyes.

[Atticus the Fallen]

The Dark form of the Fallen slowly turned to take in what the clown had done. His glowing yellow eyes observed the actions, and watched with mild interest as one of them felt a torture which could be sensed even by those around her which were sensitive to the fragile nature of the heart. It was exquisite.

Now fully facing the mad heartless jester, Atticus slowly walked forward, looking at the blank faces of those who were now under Kefka's direct control. "I see you finally got your toys delivered..." the dark one muttered, lifting a hand to gently wipe a tear from Terra's face, the moisture beading and clinging to the tip of his monsterous claw for existance.

"The last desperate hope of the light is coming..." he whispered, and though his gaze was on the face of the one who was suffering behind that emotionless mask, it was clear his words were for Kefka. "I trust that you finished your little... project... down below, should this symphony of discord reach an unpleasant climax?"

Looking up now, Atticus locked eyes with the former so-called "god of magic". "Of course... they would have to get past the Harbinger... the Blot... MeadowSong, and finally yourself... I doubt you'll even have to trigger the crescendo..." Atticus continued, his hands folding behind his back as he looked off toward the stars slowly blinking out of existance one by one.

"Still, fortune favors the prepared..."

[kefka]

"I see you finally got your toys delivered..."

[glow=Yellow,2,300]He was crouching over the crumpled Terra and Edgar, having just gotten done 'bowling' with them and fireballs, when the Fallen appeared to state the obvious. He turned to face the Caretaker with a smug grin, nodding.

"Yes, yes I did indeed. Such fun, but I'll grow tired of them eventually. All my toys end up breaking at some point or another. But at least they'll keep me happy for the time being."[/glow]

"The last desperate hope of the light is coming...I trust that you finished your little... project... down below, should this symphony of discord reach an unpleasant climax?"

[glow=Yellow,2,300]"Ya know, now that you mention it I've been wondering when they were gonna be here...I'm bored, and this platform does nothing for me in the sense of enjoying myself. I suppose I could toss these two over the side, but that would just break them."

He partook in a small dance before Atticus brought up the subject of his little project he'd been working on down in the castle's lower crypts. He perked at this and his grin stretched even tighter as he ominously tilted his head backwards to face those burning golden orbs of the Fallen.

"Oh, THAT. Yeah, it's all done down there. Everything is in order, basically. Perhaps I went a little overboard with the explosives, but if those fools push, I'll give 'em a show that'll bring down the whole house. Not too sure the horny queen'll be to happy to be removed, however, but whatever! She can just deel with it."[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

[glow=green,2,300]"Not too sure the horny queen'll be to happy to be removed, however, but whatever! She can just deel with it."[/glow]

"She'll get over it and find another castle to haunt... as she's done countless times before..." Atticus reasoned, his arms crossing as he looked off once more, as though waiting for something. "Besides, that's only a countermeasure should both she and you fail... which would extremely disappoint me..."

He paused, his hand lifting to stroke the feathers at his collar. "I trust you would enjoy breaking other people's toys, yes? These little chess pieces need to be ruined before they reach Kingdom Hearts..." He looked back to Kefka here, so that his point was clear.

"Wouldn't want them resetting the game, and erasing all the wonderful damage you've caused, hm?"

[Twilight Path]

**From Reunion in Radiant Garden**

"I object." came sounding around the plotting two, and a corridor would be visible not far from them. This corridor however, was not made of darkness, but of distorted space and time, granting a woman permission to move through it. It was Jenova who donned the clown and caretaker with her presence, standing taller than before, seeming almost older in the eyes. Whatever time had elapsed from her last encounters with others, and this pleasant gathering now, had brought wisdom and change upon the girl... dark change.

"Atticus." she acknowledged the caretaker of darkness first, almost seething when she spoke his name in spite and anger, before turning her attention to the clown, "Kefka."

The portal behind her closed with a tight 'kSHKK' sound, and the three were there alone, with the puppets. The unversed creature slowly blinked, her eyes showing a deceiving motherly look to them as she watched her fellow ex-team mates. Mostly Kefka.

"You wont be tossing something precious to me anywhere... at least not for the moment." she told the two as seductive as ever. Jenova made her way closer, until she was a foot away from the Harlequin, and his poor, manipulated souls, and payed attention to the female of the two, "You'll just have to break this one... some other time." she reached over, and lightly traced a finger against the trapped soul's cheek. She finally rested both hands at her sides, and turned to face the two.

" ... but... something tells me, Kefka, that I'll have to convince you somehow to follow orders, won't I? Not much of a talker, unless you are interested in a game?"

[Atticus the Fallen]

The Dark One's attention was turned away briefly as time distorted nearby. Out stepped their long lost comrade, which made the evil caretaker of the heartless tilt his head somewhat. "Jenova?" he inquired when she acknowledged him. He listened as she spoke to Kefka, attempting to piece together the puzzles his mind had uncovered in her use of a highly unorthidox method of travel.

"Taking an interest in our brother's handiwork, are we?" Atticus asked, watching the woman's back which had been turned to him as she conversed with the twisted clown of darkness. "Or is there something deeper here? Was the Promised Land not enough? Do you long for a family now, so much that you would ask for a pregnant woman?"

He paused, eyes scanning her every movement. "Or is there something more here?" he hinted, bloodstained hands twitching at his side. "There's certainly something different about you, love... Something neither light nor dark..."

[kefka]

[glow=yellow,2,300]Kefka was perplexed at first by the sight of the newcomer; as she spoke he hummed quietly to himself, paying little attention ad about ready to write her off as annoying. Then Atticus spoke to her, and he thought back to see if he actually caught what was said.

"Wai-wai-waitaminit!" he cried, throwing out his hands in a dramatic fashion, almost as if he were stopping an oncoming train. "Look, Jen, I dunno what you want with my toys, but they're not for sale; sentimental value, and all."[/glow]

[Twilight Path]

Jenova closed her eyes the moment Atticus began to speak, blocking his venomous questioning from her ears, until she over heard Kefka's complaint. Her look was that of unamused at first, opening those glossy, blue hues of hers, chuckling, and slowly attaining a grin, "Kefka, when did I ever say I wanted her forever? I only want her for a little while... perhaps two days... if time allows it-- I should have what I want then." she held up her hand, "... in return for these two days, I'll bring you a show you will not forget. Someone to take her place, and bring you a lot of fun in the process..."

"Drama, action..." she would continue, now circling about the Harlequin, "... in the end you will have a lot of fun toys if you accept my trade. I will bring her back, and you can add her to your puppet collection again and do as you please. How does that sound, Kefka? Do you want to play?"

[Atticus the Fallen]

The Fallen watched the woman carefully. She was outwardly ignoring him, a fact made plainly obvious by her complete dismissal of his questions. This... was interesting. If she was in fact still sour over the attack on Kingdom Hearts, then perhaps this little ploy was some kind of rebellion in the works? Atticus wasn't the paranoid type, but when one of your own walks back in with a grudge carrying a new type of weapon, one tends to be put on guard.

That energy she carried. He knew it quite well. After all, he thought he had eliminated it from existance forever. But how did it pass to Jenova? What connection was there? He couldn't see one, outside of self-preservation. The old time protecting itself through something more modern with something against the deathstroke himself, maybe. Whatever the case... this little insurrection needed adressing.

"Consider carefully, Kefka..." the dark monster warned as Jenova finished her little pitch. "Think. She's being very generous, for something she only intends to borrow. Is it really your Terra she wants, or something far more valuable?"

The dark one's eyes drifted down the female's body to the precious cargo she carried. "Only a few days, Jenova? Is she really that far along, or are you taking a gamble with your... time?" he hinted, eyes snapping back up to meet with the new Time Witch's.

Just then, something caught the dark one's attention. He looked away, listening through the infinite void to the sounds of his bretherin. He could hear their panic, sense their confusion. All through the ethers of shadow and blackness, Atticus heard a single name. Ellin. What was that impulsive girl doing now? He had tolerated her trips back and forth between the darkness and light, even if it put him off somewhat, but this... This was a direct attack on their kind. That would not, COULD not be allowed.

"Excuse me..." he muttered to the others, then started to walk away. "There is something that requires my immediate attention..." he added by way of excusing himself, before stepping off the edge of the altar and into the void...

[Gone to intercept Ellin and Abigail in a dark corridor at Where Light and Darkness Collide]

[kefka]

[font=Comic Sans MS[glow=yellow,2,300]It took Kefka several grueling moments before he was able to give his response to Sephiroth's apparent mother. With Atticus moving in on the conversation, it gave the mad clown some time to process everything the woman had offered, especially when The Fallen advised him to consider it wisely.

Finally the moment came, and Atticus had gone, leaving Kefka to make his own decision without having to face scrutiny. He turned to face Jenova and clapped his hands together, tapping his fingers against each other as he contemplated.

"Tell me, Jenny dear, what is so very important about my lil' Terra that makes her so special, huh? She's my favorite, most valuable play-thing, and I daresay a near equivalent to being the catalyst to the world's destruction...There's got to be something very amazing about her you want...and I want the very same thing, if that's the case. Tell me, what is special? HMMM?"[/glow][/font][/color]

[Twilight Path]

"She has something that I desire, Kefka," Jenova's words would echo about them, "something rather impossible to be comprehended by 'man' if you catch my drift."

The creature chuckled, closing her eyes and walking around Tera, reaching to her golden locks and letting them curl and dance around her fingers, " It is useless to you, but everything to me, and so that is why I propose a substitute while I have it." she sighed, opening her eyes and still expecting his curious gaze, " ...It is her child I want, and once I possess it in my hands, you can have the girl back." the unversed rested her hand upon her waist, and faced the Harlequin fully.

"I know you will love what is to come when you accept the deal... so accept it, Kefka... and enjoy the destruction it is to bring." The woman's form changed to that of a familiar member of the Light, one that had fled before the war had started, but holds a special place upon her target. Long black hair began to flow from her scalp and her silver hair was subdued. Her blue eyes were glazed over with a ruby red color, and achieved a vampire's glare.

"I shall fetch your new toy now... be a good boy."

With her last statement, she vanished from sight in a blink of an eye... on her way to attain the replacement.

** Off to Hyperspace, "Where Darkness and Light Collide" **

[kefka]

[glow=Yellow,2,300]Kefka listened to Jenova prattle for some time, until she transformed. He'd remembered seeing the snot-nosed little traitor before, when the Warriors came to rescue their general. He had no tish with her, and wasn't about to complain to his apparent ally he thought she was ugly this way.

Instead the Dancing Madman folded his arms and moved to circle around his pet Terra, talking to her while the Witch-in-Standing went to pick up the replacement.

"So, my dearie...you're preggers, huh? I knew that pinhead was good, but really?" He cackled, kicking over the nearby Edgar, who fell with a silent thud. "How pathetic women become when they carry another...you know, I knew a woman just like you, until I tied her to a--oh, that's right...that failed. She's gone. Neeeever mind. So, my little Red Witch, who do you think Jenny believes is your equal? I'm rather enticed, to be perfectly honest. Your power's great, but a new toy wouldn't be so bad."[/glow]

[Twilight Path]

**from where Darkness and Light Collide ,Hyperspace**

"How pathetic women become when they carry another...you know, I knew a woman just like you, until I tied her to a--oh, that's right...that failed. She's gone. Neeeever mind. So, my little Red Witch, who do you think Jenny believes is your equal? I'm rather enticed, to be perfectly honest. Your power's great, but a new toy wouldn't be so bad."

Jenova was already standing by the pondering Harlequin, rolling her eyes at his question, and paying no mind to answer since he would never understand. Her "Lilith" skin had vanished with the time manipulation to work their way back near the moment she had left the clown to his wits. In hand, she held Abigail closely, wondering if she was already meddling too much as is... if her actions would be traced by a powerful wizard who had studied Time-craft by the witch of Time herself... no matter, one way or another, she would make sure that the True Witch would return.

"Kefka." she called out, somewhat annoyed by the clown's badgering, "I have brought you, your new playmate."