The Final Run

[Cloud]

Not far from where the drama happened atop Naught Castle, a single-man craft would be making its approach. He had been here before, a couple times actually, and not always with his consent, but Cloud was here on business this time. He didn't want to show up close, even if he was fairly certain his approach would be spotted from the higher rooms of the castle. In the city he could get them to lose his trail, and thus he had a higher chance of some stealth.

He set Fenrir down quietly in a dark alley on the other side of the dark city with its glowing neon lights which rested at the foot of the Castle of Naught. Cutting the engine, he got off and deactivated his space suit, allowing him a higher degree of motion and control. He slipped the helmet into one of the hardshell saddlebags on the back of the bike before grabbing some nearby cardboard to cover it. It wasn't the best cloaking, but at least it wouldn't draw attention right yet. Besides, he didn't want to kill up the battery before he had a chance to get back and make his report.

Running along the city streets, Cloud was made aware of one fact first: Everything was black. Things that even here still had some color to them had been "inked over" with a deep, dark hue. Someone had their way with the town while everyone else was busy fighting. Cloud made a mental note to avoid any puddles of colorless goo on his way to the castle...

[kefka]

[glow=Yellow,2,300]Kefka ignored Atticus and Jenova's little spiel in favor of becoming intrigued by a glowing star in the distance that, for some reason, began glowing brighter and growing larger.

"What's this?" he whispered with a grin, and toddled over to the side in 'stealth mode'--something very reminiscent to prowling like a creeper--and raised his arms and cupped his eyes with his bony fingers.

"I spy with my little eye...something very bright...and spiky. What's this!? Why, if it isn't your little friend from home, my dear White Mage! What's your name, again? Y'know what, it doesn't matter, 'cuz I'm gonna call you Anna. You look like an Anna. Anyway! Look over there, Anna!"

He bolted over to the mage, grabbed her by the shoulders and suspended her just over the side of the tower so that she was dangling. He began shaking her somewhat as his excitement grew to gain her attention, not that he needed to: she was the perfect thrall.

"Look Anna! It's your friend! Let's go say hi to him!"

He cackled and stepped off the tower's side, only instead of falling he began walking parallel to the wall (now keep in mind he is still holding Abby like a meat shield before him as he walks).

"I have the perfect prank! The perfect prank, Anna! And you're going to be the centerpiece of it! Kwee-hee-hee!"

When he arrived at the base of the tower he let the girl go, but soon came back to adjust her clothes, hair and accessories. Finding a stray hair that refused to conform to his will, however, forced him to take his hand to his outrageously long tongue, lick it, and slick it back.

"Okay, you're gonna stand here all pretty, mmkay? And when he gets here you're gonna pretend to be a damzel in distress." He let out a giddy chuckle and performed the act she would be playing, just to show her how it's done by a natural.

"And when he gets closer you're gonna spam BIG, GIANT spells at him--so big that you'll fill him with craters! And then I'm gonna jump outta the bushes and yell 'Surprise!'...but then he'll be dead...oh, whatever, I'll do it anyway, for the giggles. Oh, here he comes."

Kefka giggled once more and turned-tail and assaulted one of the larger bushes nearby to hide. Once he was secure, he peered through an opening to watch and wait.[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

As Jenova stepped away into her own special brand of space/time, Atticus watched with a silent understanding haven been created between them. "Leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone." Elegant and simple. Jenova was no longer on anyone's side, choosing the completely detatched route of time. It didn't matter. The original plan to hang all existance in a single moment for all eternity might have backfired, but there was still the backup plan.

That was how Atticus operated. If one small detail didn't fall through, then he'd adjust. His kind were going to have their glorious age at the death of all Light, and nothing was going to stop him from finding that perfect harmony of total black. Members of the light went on and on about peace and tranquility. The idiots never stopped to consider that balance CAN be acheived when both sides of the scale contain the same material. There is no unbalance on a canvas of only black, and the only thing that can happen is total peace.

They were the destructive forces, not them. The Heartless fought only for their survival while they fought back tooth and nail like monsters. The great irony of it all was that it was the light itself that gave birth to the Heartless, and it was the light that rejected them like bastard children. The instant darkness was born in the heart of those who craved the light was the instant those brightness-born monstrosities began their warpath. It wasn't fair and now was the time to take it all back.

And look where they were. Standing on the very precipice of Light's defeat, with Kingdom Hearts broken above and the last glimmer of hope swiftly approaching its execution. All he needed to do now... was wait... and be there when the axe fell.

And of course, who should make an appearance but one of THEM? When Kefka's attention was drawn to the light of an oncoming gummi vessel, Atticus turned to look as well. Single-man craft. The owner must be the hero from Gaia, Spikey as Kefka was calling him. Kefka was already on his way to intercept the man, which left Atticus with another thought.

He had been neglecting a certain someone for quite a while.

Sinking into the darkness of the Castle, Atticus slowly lowered deep into its heart, where one of their finest weapons was still recharging after its assault on Kingdom Hearts itself. He drifted downward slowly, spotting the individual he was seeking as he did.

"MeadowSong..." he whispered, voice everywhere even here in the keeping place of the Eldritch Machine. He came to a stop behind her, eyes on her as he spoke. "I've not seen you around. Have you been avoiding me?" he asked, his tone like one who was addressing a family member, which in a sense he was...

[MeadowSong]

[glow=purple,2,300]MeadowSong would be seen fiddling with her machine again--something she'd been neglecting since they breached the door to Kingdom Hearts--when Atticus arrived. Apparently she'd been neglecting him, as well.

Her wings slowed down, causing her to feather fall close to the marble floor where her Caretaker awaited. When she was about three feet away from him she struck a cute pose only a faerie could replicate, and then giggled.

"Nothing of the sort, Atticus my darling. I've simply been busy tending to certain puzzle pieces so that they will all fit into place. I do hope your work is going well?"[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

The Dark One watched as MeadowSong flittered downward and turned, striking a pose that was so out of character for her, it had to have been the world's most obvious signal that she was keeping some information from him. What she didn't know was that he already accounted for what she thought was something he was not aware of. The very fact that she was practically coddling the heroes so they could make it here... was quite literally all part of the plan.

He lifted a clawed hand, the very same that had taken lives and shattered gods, and gently caressed the woman's cheek, showing an affection for his kind that was strangely out of place for this psychotic, sociopathic monster. Blazing yellow locked with burning purple for a moment as he spoke again in response to her words.

"All that is left now is to wait for those... puzzle pieces of yours to land where they may," he said, informing her in his own way that he already knew that she'd been away from the castle, and that he at the very least strongly suspected he knew what actions she had taken.

"It's a shame that we had to trade some of ours for them... but those that were lost will be treated as glorious heroes in the coming forever night..." he muttered, also letting her know that he was aware she took no part in aiding any of the dark beings that had fallen.

"But my... I seem to be distracting you from your work..." he said, retracting his hand slowly so that she could see the claws pass right by her eye but did NOT strike her despite all that he knew. It was a kind gesture, not a threatening one. "Please, by all means do continue... the time might come when you will need that weapon again..."

[MeadowSong]

"All that is left now is to wait for those... puzzle pieces of yours to land where they may,"

[glow=Purple,2,300]It seemed nothing was sacred anymore, not even privacy. MeadowSong let out a sigh but never lost that perky smile with which she used to indicate to the Fallen she was not stirred.

"They'll be taken care of, rest assured. We'll see to that."[/glow]

"It's a shame that we had to trade some of ours for them... but those that were lost will be treated as glorious heroes in the coming forever night..."


[glow=Purple,2,300]To this MeadowSong's smile faded and she turned back to her machine, hanging her head lightly.

"Perhaps those fools simply did not share the enthusiasm that we have; I would like to believe that they gave themselves up for the greater good of our cause. Don't you? Really, though. Jafar turned out to be only semi-useful in the end. We gained his power--enough to fill the machine here--and he finally managed to shut up that clown."

She sniggered here and rested a hand on the cooling metal from her massive weapon.

"As for the others--bah! They fell. Let them be martyrs. So long as we have us, right?"

MeadowSong turned back to face the beast and gave him a sincere smile. No matter how many times she betrayed him, he was still her family now. And, deep down, she felt a love for him that would be missed the day she collected his shattered remains.[/glow]

"Please, by all means do continue... the time might come when you will need that weapon again..."


[glow=Purple,2,300]Having expected a warmer gesture--possibly an acknowledgement, or something--she was taken aback when he gave his final warning.

"Is that a threat, my dear Atticus?"[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

"Is that a threat, my dear Atticus?" She asked...

"No threat... just a concern," he answered. It was honest, truly. He did not threaten his kind. There was no point in it. He didn't like that they had mechinations against one another, bu this was a war and sadly, some heroes did in fact die in the line of duty. It weighed heavily on his heart, this fact, but if the children were to remain safe from the Light... there was no alternative.

Looking up at the machine, he pictured again what he had seen in the course of his planning. He didn't know what it would end up looking like, but he knew MeadowSong would try to claim its power for herself. She'd always been like that, taking far more than she could handle alone. It was just her way. Atticus didn't wish to see it happen in the end. He really wanted the Blot to finish things himself, prevent a showdown that didn't have to happen.

He very highly doubted he would.

"Our phantom is skilled, I give him that. He's a terror and a powerful being with that inky blackness he carries. But he is not Heartless..." Atticus explained. With a sigh, he closed his eyes a bit, knowing by simple strategic planning what was to come next.

"I know he'll fail us... and in the end, I really don't even care. He's not like us, my MeadowSong. He doesn't have the passion needed to protect what's most important to our future...the children..." Was he betraying the softer side of the monster?

"They'll come, the light soldiers. Most will fall before the White Mage, yet more will die screaming at the hands of the Phantom. Then, they'll come to you..." he said, his voice almost apologetic and mournful. "They'll try to kill you. But you'll need to be strong. Our family depends on your power, MeadowSong. And I do not doubt that you have that in abundance, but..."
His eyes opened again and he looked to the machine. "Better safe than sorry..."

[MeadowSong]

[glow=purple,2,300]"The Phantom Blot is a relic from ages long since past. You know as well as I do that his powers were siphoned--at least most of them--by the king and his fools. What he wields now is simply that which was recovered, and it is nowhere near full. It is unfortunate."

She grinned. And then he moved on to the subject of the Warriors coming to face her.

"I shall be ready for them. There are many tricks left up this witch's sleeve, and I have yet to release the full beast within. I am secure in my hope of victory, my love. Fret not. It is guaranteed."[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

"Yes..." Atticus whispered, listening to MeadowSong's resolve. "I trust that it is..."
Crossing his arms and watching the work before him, he couldn't help but be somewhat amused by the woman's confidence. She had no concept of her weaknesses, where the heroes were likely to strike. Not on a physical sense, but on an emotional one. They'll push her. They'll tear apart any insecurity they can find, and utilize any advantage they can lay their hands on.

Just as he expected.

But that was the future. Right now was the present, and he needed to make sure the stage was properly set. "I just want to keep you safe as well..." he said, not really lying as he would prefer her to not be destroyed, but eggs and omlettes. "The light is ravenous in its desire to see all who reside in the dark destroyed, my precious night faerie. The beauty of darkness is lost on them, and they will gladly rend it limb from limb if given the opportunity."
He paused, looking up at her as she worked. "I don't want that for you. I want you to see our kingdom, and to be loved the way you deserve to be. Have you even visited the younglings, my dear? The little girls would most assuredly idolize you..."

[MeadowSong]

[glow=purple,2,300]"I do sometimes wonder if you reserve your pretty words simply for myself and not for...perhaps Shego or the others..."

She looked longingly at the machine, but it was painfully obvious it was not the one gaining her full attention. She briefly paused, and touched her feet to the floor before turning to face the Fallen a final time. She smiled.

"Our kingdom will be glorious, bathed in the everlasting darkness. I assure you, my love. As for the younglings...I shall invite them to witness the glory of their queen mother soon enough."[/glow]

[Atticus the Fallen]

Atticus listened to the slightly vindictive nature of the woman's words. She seemed to be on the warpath for him in her tone. Apparently, she wasn't too thrilled at the fact that he used his charisma to move others as well as herself. Always taking.

"My words are mine to distribute as I see fit, yet only used in benefit of our kind. Admittedly, I fear if I hadn't persuaded Shego to join our cheerful brood, you might not have ever seen the benefit of becoming one with us..."

He looked off, seeming to recall how things were. "I remember a self-important woman hurt by so many, keeping her barriers up and building more just to protect herself against more heartache. She saw betrayal everywhere she looked, even in those most loyal to her. I extended the hand of family to her, and she denied. Then, I rescued a lost lamb from the icy cold grip of death... and that one freed soul came to the queen. Only then did she see that we would love her. We would not betray her and we would treat her as one of our own. We would protect her and we would charish her..."

He then looked to her again, gesturing lightly with his hand. "And here she stands before me. Have I not given all that I promised? Have you not had our full support? Every family has its little scuffles from time to time, my dear. But they still love each other afterward, yes? Why the aggression, MeadowSong? Have I done you some wrong?"

He wanted to make sure she still saw the darkness as a benevolent force for their kind. Otherwise she might not push the envelope later. Yes, he didn't WANT to lose another of them, but it was a gamble between one or two members of darkness and the remains of the light. She would make the same decision he would, had their roles been reversed.

"Either way... do see the children when you can? Be angry with me, if you must, but do not deny them their first meeting with their dear sister?"

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Meanwhile, outside...

The entire trip down the tower was spent in silence on her part, neither moving nor reacting as she was carried around like a rag doll, forced to watch in horror without expressing as she dangled over the side of the building then was marched down in front, given the full, spectacular view of a nearly 1,000 foot drop.

On the ground floor and free from the threat of gravity's pull, Abigail was forcefully done up pretty in her darkened modern-day garb. She seemed placid while Kefka forced her hair back with his own saliva, though inwardly she was screaming. She received instructions without complaint or reaction then watched as the mad clown ran off into some nearby bushes.

Now, how much acting can one be expected to actually do when they had no will, and no real ability to demonstrate their emotions? Kefka had to have known this much, but she'd still comply. Her pose was spot on, but her voice as she imitated his mocking cries for help was still as deadpan and unemotional as a Nobody.

"Oh, please help me. I am in so much trouble... Where am I? Please help me. I cannot find my way back. Oh no. Please help..." she said, sounding about as genuine as a robot.

[Secondary Characters]

Inky blackness. Is there a more fitting term?

As the former white mage stood there posing as the innocent princess in need of rescue, thick, bilelike drizzles of black would drain down the nearby buildings. They would pool together and coagulate, becoming solid as a skeletal form rose from the center, ink pouring over its form like a thick cloak. The demonic creature's skull tilted upward, looking to the "innocent" life before it before burning, hate-filled red would glow within the deepness of those eye sockets.

It stepped forward, trailing puddles of black as it did. It reeked of fresh india ink, and steamed lightly against the cool air. "And what is a creature like you doing in a place like thisss?" it hissed at the girl. It had not seen Kefka's slave crown trick, and was not aware that this being was not in full control of herself.

It approached her, the blackness around it spreading as its living pigmentation circled the girl, ready to swallow her whole and make her a component of that infinite black that he left everywhere he went. Skeletal hands reached out, daring to touch the girl's chin and lift her eyes up to meet his hellacious, empty eye sockets.

"Don't you know... it's dangerous to be out alone at night... All manner of monsters out there..." it spoke in a strange, gargling voice, as though it were drowning on its own liquid death.

[MeadowSong]

But they still love each other afterward, yes? Why the aggression, MeadowSong? Have I done you some wrong?"

[glow=purple,2,300]A century seemed to pass before MeadowSong would raise her head to face the Heartless' gaze. When she did she regretted it almost instantly. How could she not read him so well any longer? What had changed, exactly? Was it transition? Had her whole self been more aware of that slippery darkness he brooded in by himself?

This...was unacceptable.

The dark faerie took flight and turned back to work on the Eldritch Machine, prepping it for whatever assignment would come next, silently sobbing as she traced over indentations caused by the blasts, mending them with her magical hand.

"Atticus, you have not done anything to anger me yet. I have been waiting, praying for your betrayal to come so it would be done and over with. But...I'm not quite positive you've actually had any plans. You deny it, and I confess I am inclined to believe you."

She frowned, and drooped her head again.

"All that I have done up until now was, indeed, to go behind your back and serve me. I had no intention to kill you, of course...but I would surpass you." She sighed. "I find that this black heart has retraced my steps of disgust and replaced them with a fondness I do not understand just yet.

"Rest assured, Atticus the Fallen, that I will not fail you. You are my king, whether or not I am your queen."[/glow]

[terra]

Terra's thoughts finally were becoming her own once more but not in time for her body to follow.

She saw everything that went on and her mind began buzzing with a terrifying sound, that made it feel like her insides were turning. When she watched as Edgar was sent flying from a "Holy" spell, she wanted to scream but felt as though she couldn't.

Her whole body ached as she moved as she followed Jenova like a tamed puppy. She wanted to do nothing more then yell out, attack back, jump after Edgar, anything everything, but all she could do is follow the dark haired lady through the portal, nothing more then let the tears fall.