Where Darkness and Light Collide

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix turned the moment Sai tapped on the door, turning slow and awkwardly while she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear; she gave one last meaningful look to Agrias--or, rather, the Seraph--before facing the Nobody, who had now entered their domain.

"You said that you thought we may be running headlong into an ambush..." she whispered, a thinking hand scratching her chin as she contemplated this.

"Well if Cloud is there, as you say, he could do his best to provide a distraction, perhaps. Otherwise it would be best to summon him back while we turn thrusters to full power and try launching whatever's left from our supply. The Ray's been spent until repairs can be made, and I haven't met with the Brass Duke since we spoke over the intercom."

She sheathed her blade before brushing past the Nobody and then paused.

"Lady Agrias, do you still have Alexander with you? If you could, I would please like Him back."

[Sai]

"Regarding Brass..." Sai muttered as Beatrix prepared for the final run. "I have reason to believe he won't be joining with us again any time soon. I saw his craft sucked into a wormhole. It had extensive damage."

With a turn, Sai started to the door. "I will be waiting for you on the bridge. We will require an official order from you to begin an assault. As it stands now, we are underway but on standby..."

With this, he left the medical bay, having said everything he intended to say and nothing more. He walked past soldiers and made his way to the bridge, where he took position and waited, his eyes on the moving clouds of hyperspace as they powered through...

[Oeilvert]

After his pleasantries with Wall-E and yet another argument with Locke, Oeilvert decided to meander the ship's vast hallway network once more, this time going out of his way to speak with certain Alexandrian Soldiers. He was cryptic in his speech, very blunt at some points, and seemed to be unable to remove a persistent frown.

When pressed to see if he were alright, the sorcerer would simply shrug, and Locke would squawk, threatening to reveal all--until, of course--Masheck ran off.

What had he seen when scrying in his book? Nothing good, that was for sure...and he didn't want to make any long-term connections between the many women aboard the Rose, nor his companions. He did, however, have to inform Sai and the automaton of what he saw.

Wandering, he located a soldier who had recently seen the Nobody and headed for the bridge.

He'd come in at a critical point, however, and paused to wait for Navigation to quiet down.

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"Ah, there you are," said Ellis, motioning over to Sai as he entered the command center.

"Did you see the general?" asked another.

"Pipe down, Margaret--Sai, will she be with us any time soon? We've got the coordinates set and there does not seem to be any more obstacles to go through. I had the Navigators attempt to open up a line between the Duke's Gummi Galleon but there is still no word. As for Master Cloud, he, too, has not responded since the cut in communication. However, with the pathway open I daresay we might get one last barrage from our working weapons during the assault. We simply need the general's orders."

Oeilvert waited patiently, standing behind the Nobody and pondering exactly what he needed to ask and say.

What is it like being a Nobody, anyway? he thought. Is it truly so bad? Does it--will it hurt? Will I die? ... "Sai, when you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you..."

[Sai]

The instant Sai stepped into the bridge area, he was assaulted with questions. One came from the side, another set from the front, and a request from the wizard behind him. He quickly shuffled these in order of importance and proceeded.

"I have spoken with the General and she is well. She should be on the bridge soon after completing some business with our tactician. As for Cloud and the Duke, Cloud is an experienced warrior and it is within the realm of possibility that he adapted and improvised as he has proven himself cabable of doing in the past. Expect the Galleon to not respond, as it suffered a large amount of damage during the battle. It is not beyond reason that if they were alive, the comm systems are likely in need of repair..."

He paused a moment, looking to Elllis from under his hat, his eyes still as distant and unemotional as ever. "Keep on course. She should arrive before we enter the atmosphere. I have reason to believe we'll be allowed to land roughly without incident, but once we've made landfall I strongly suspect that... what's the term... 'all hell will break loose'?"

Here, he turned to face Oeilvert, acknowledging him for the first time. "I have a moment. What do you need?" he asked, with no tone one way or the other to indicated annoyance, happiness, or anything else. It was just another inquiry just like everything else. So cold, distant, and unfeeling...

[Agrias Oaks]

The rejuvenated knight was unclear as to how, or why it happened-- but her powers increased so, that she felt it flowing ever so harmoniously through her veins. She would look down to her gauntlets and bring her fingers to curl up into firsts in disbelief. She then held up the rather massive blade Save the Queen had become, and noticed that it was as light as a feather in her hold. She swung it around lightly, and it would give a show of spectacular chimes and sparks. She did not know if to be cheerful or terrified with this new found power of Gods. Which, in the end she thought it was perfect to feel this way... this way, she could be cautious and not mess up.

"The dream returned, Agrias...the Dive...and within I discovered what I had to do. I'm so sorry I couldn't see this sooner..."

"Dream? Dive?" The knight tried to put all together, but it did not explain why Altima would bestow her enemy with such power... no matter, such things could be questioned later. Agrias stood straight with eyes toward the General, and finally, after long days of being in the shadows-- felt warped in the embrace of light, "Well, I am happy that you have been enlightened, for once again, you have saved me from my doubts, and steered me out of the storm. My lighthouse." she bowed her head respectfully for her other half.

Controlled, the knight took a breath, and without speaking a word, reverted back to Holy Knight-- waiting for the right moment to become that "Master" class. While such happened, she listened to Sai and Beatrix speak of ambushes, and theories of the darkness awaiting their presence. It was then when Beatrix asked, "Lady Agrias, do you still have Alexander with you? If you could, I would please like Him back."

"Alexander-- Oh!" Agrias held at her face before trying to find a way out, "Oh, Goodness, I had left him inside the heart of the ship!! I had summoned him, in hopes he would give us his assistance against that beast of a Harbringer! I have completely forgotten to ask of his well being, is he alright??" She scurried along, looking over to Beatrix asking, "How do we get out of this invisible barrier?? I believe we are stuck in a massive bubble--- should I Holy Strike it??"

[General Beatrix]

It seemed like a million years passed before Agrias had regained composure enough to respond; perhaps this was a side-effect from being poisoned, or maybe she was simply lost still in thought after the transition to High Seraph. Beatrix smiled at the Knight's naivete and shook her head, motionion over to the apparent door where soldiers looked back through with worry.

"...no, please do not strike the door."

She turned back to face the women and tapped lightly on the plastic. "Please, unseal the doors. Lady Agrias and I are coming out," ordered the general, and in no time the Alexandrians were moving together in unison to get their assignment over with. When they left the containment center, they were sprayed off with some gas-like chemicals by radiation-suited women, and were guided over to the door that left sick-bay.

"Come, we must find the Great Eidolon and ensure his safety. Afterwards, I will check in on the bridge to see where we are."

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"Does it hurt? To die, I mean..." asked the forlorn prince rather blatantly. "If I am to perish at the last instant, I simply must know the fate...will Locke be injured? I could not bear to put him through something like this...I want only peace and painlessness for him and all of you. Even if it means...I just need to know, will it hurt?"

[Sai]

Sai stood there in perfect silence for a long moment. The impact of the man's words hung on the air like a man at the gallows. While others might be compelled to take a feeling on the matter, Sai couldn't nor wouldn't. However, he could consider his words and plan his course of action. One less warrior fighting the grand battle was NOT a good strategy. Further, between himself, Vivi, and Oeilvert, that made three gifted magic users against who knows how many the Fallen will send after them.

Sai had to think. He knew what words would stir emotions in others, and how best to use them. His eyes glanced to the bird a moment, considering how best to word his opinion so that even the magpie would have something to say in the matter. Another glance was cast to the side, where the others on the bridge waited, considering how best to utilize them as well.

Admittedly, the first person that came to mind was Gabranth. Of all of them, he was the only who had truly returned from death.

Now, those cold, unfeeling yellow eyes fell upon Oeilvert, his course of action determined and now only to test the theory and see if his hypothesis was correct.

"Are you contemplating suicide?" he asked in his usual not-this-way-not-that-way voice. "I fail to see what point it would serve. As for your question, I cannot answer. I have never died, and therefore have no basis of confirmation. However..."

His eyes drifted to Gabranth once more, nodding to indicate that Oeilvert was to look that way as well. "Others among us my have an opinion. As to the question of whether your loss would have impact, I can most assuredly answer in the positive."

Here, he nodded to Wall-E, who was busy roving around the bridge and trying to be helpful. "You would be missed by those that have the ability to miss you. I can't say that I will until my heart is restored, but I can say that I would speak highly of your actions. As to the question of whether it would harm your friend, Locke..."

Sai pulled out his weather wand and pointed it directly at the man's chest. While this is a tremendously threatening gesture, considering Sai commanded the forces of nature with this wand and could easily pass a current of several million volts into the man, he simply zapped him with a charge no more powerful than a particularly nasty static shock.

"Did you feel that, Locke?" he asked the bird, knowing that the two were connected through the heart, as all who take on a familiar are.

[General Beatrix]

Suicide? he repeated to himself, contemplating the utter depth of the man's words and questioning. The sorcerer frowned inwardly, and turned to face Gabranth as Sai slowly directed.

Having come to the realization that the transference of splitting one's form into those of the Heartless and Nobody brood would not, indeed, indicate true death, Masheck felt somewhat relieved and yet still very unsure.

Sai pulled out his wand, and the sorcerer from Oz flinched. Locke's feathers ruffled in protest, but he would not strike back until the master said so. Strangely, Oeilvert stood there and took the small jolt of electricity and bathed in some of its pain like it was a pleasure he'd grown fond of.

Locke was not too pleased, however, by this sudden jerking in his bloodstream.

[glow=Green,2,300]"Did you really have to go and do a thing like that?"[/glow] squawked the raven, falling off the mage's shoulder and caught not a second later. The bird crowed at Sai, and the sorcerer had to run his hand over the smooth feathers to calm him down.


"Now, now, Locke...it was merely an experiment...he didn't mean to hurt you."

Revelation after another...this was not good. Divining his own future was probably not the best idea, but Masheck Octavian simply had to know. He wished that he hadn't now. He turned again to face Gabranth and Hercules.

"Perhaps I should speak with others, then?"

[Hercules]

Hercules couldn't help but overhear some of the green wizard's questions. With a light frown, he walked over to where Oeilvert stood. "Hey..." he said, alerting the wizard to his presence before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Everything okay? I mean... I know times are tough, but that's when a true hero rises to the occasion, right?" he said, trying to be supportive. He had tried to be a bastion to his friends in these times of darkness, despite some of his own uncertainty. He wanted nothing more than to go home and be with Meg, but he knew this is where he was needed most right now.

"Don't let yourself worry too much about what's to come, otherwise you'll get bogged down with it. It's like my old trainer says: rule 52, stay loose and flexible by staying grounded in the present."

Hercules then flashed a winning smile, hoping that his bold and boyish nature could win over the worries of his wizardy friend.

[Agrias Oaks]

Soon after the two brave ones were let out of their hold, Agrias immediately began to lead the general down to the heart of the ship. Along the way, she would glance back to Beatrix, a soft smile on her expression-- she never felt so refreshed, even after being STABBED by this woman... Beatrix proved to know what she was doing... in her own awkward way again.

When they walked into the chamber of heart, she looked about to see the nearly broken doors of the core, surrounded by the glass sheets similar to those holding them once before. The new knight walked forward to poke at the soft barrier, pondering why they were all over the place. In her time, there was no such thing as radiation... but the Alexandrians, whenever something blew up, seemed to love to wrap this stuff around it.

"Uh, oh... Well, Lady Beatrix, what you seek is through this strange barrier...again." she frowned, not exactly sure how to get rid, or through such a wall, and she was certain Dispell would not work... Let...let The General handle this puzzle.

[General Beatrix]

Following Agrias back down to where they found themselves most physically vulnerable, even the Merciless, Fearless General of Alexandria would approach the barrier hesitantly. She could see the catastrophic event recurring all over again in her mind, as well as their opponents, mocking and laughing at such a stupid mistake.

"Lady Agrias, please stand back." General Beatrix drew out Save the Queen and held it out before her breasts in both hands. She closed her eyes and said a silent special prayer; the holy blade began singing as a soft purple light pulsed from the HeartSteele core.

Once she finished speaking her chant, the blade's faint glow transcended into a bursting, radiant light; dust particles lingering in the air would visibly die off as the general advanced, forcing her way between the wedged doors that sealed off the rest of this chamber from the reactor.

"So Alexander is here," she questioned to Agrias as she passed on through. "I have erected a sanctified shield, Agrias--it is safe for you to follow me in. I cannot see through this wretched fog, so I will need another set of eyes; besides, only you know exactly where He's been placed."

The forlorn sorcerer was mildly spooked by the sudden acknowledgement of the mammoth half-god, who seemed to have such a pure heart and set goal. Oeilvert turned to give this man the respect he deserved and nodded his head to welcome any contact.

"Your teacher was truly something," said the prince, chuckling. "having so many rules on how to be a true hero. Perhaps, my wise friend, you are right. Best not to worry about what may come, for the future is unpredictable and surely shares no alignment with any of mortal blood. The present is where we stand, make our choices and breach our hearts to find the right path. Thank you very much."

Masheck Octavian began to tear up softly, but no longer did he have on a frown, instead taking this new resolve and putting it to heart. Out-of-character for him, he grabbed the half-god in his arms and gave him a friendly hug, and then turned on Sai to do the same.

"From what I understand, I know you cannot appreciate the full gratitude released with that embrace, but I promise you its power is greater than you can feel right now and I thank you for your kind words." He turned back to Hercules. "Thank you, allies--friends."

[Agrias Oaks]

"He rests within the ship's heart I think." she muttered that last part, not truly remembering what had happened from all the chaos, "I am certain he is in a steel-made
column erecting from the ship's floor." she tried explaining.

When they made their way upon the fog, Agrias looked about, and found it difficult to move around without nearly tripping on those snake-like black wires protruding from Brass Duke's contraptions.

A strong, solemn voice called out to Beatrix:

Knight who stirs the air,
with Holy in hand, and steel in other,
walk east,
for I-- Alexander --
summon you to my aid...



The Holy Knight walked around, sometimes with her voice overlapping that of Alexanders...as if she was not aware of the great one's voice, "Was this room ever so big before? ... This fog is thick, not even hand I can see within mine own sight by nose... ack" she nearly tripped again, " The pillar is here somewhere, of that I am certain!"

The voice rang:

My time is short,
and strong armor as it was,
breaks by non-existent breath
...a favor... upon these dark days...
I pray... for lingering loyalty to Your Lord.

See me not by your Heart, or has sight blinded you?

[Sai]

Sai watched as predicted patterns played out before him. Naturally, the kind-hearted Hercules would be the most simple to predict. Simply make injustice loud enough and he was bound to come along playing the crusader. It was a gamble Sai felt necessary in order to assuade Oeilvert's concerns, as there was a slight percent chance that the green wizard may mistake this as a preaching session and grow more darkened.

Thankfully though, the greater effect was acheived. Sai had learned that it was the bonds of friendship that best kept a heart at bay. He had seen this countless times during this strange misadventure that he had found himself thrust headlong into shortly following the defeat of Xehanort's Nobody and downfall of everyone he had counted as a friend. While sadness and happiness were both lost on Sai, Irony was most definately not.

Then Oeilvert's arms came around him, and Sai could do little more than stand there unmoved by the gesture. It made little sense to him, so he paid it even less attention. When Oeilvert went to explain his actions, Sai simply nodded as though this were the most casual thing in the world.

"It is good that your mind is now at ease. We're down to the final leg of this journey. We are only waiting now for General Beatrix to give the attack order..." he said calmly, his eyes darting over to the main screen. They had been in hyperdrive since the battle... and The World That Never Was loomed before them.

"This is going to be our Final Run..."

[Sai is done posting on this board. See you guys over in Final Run]

[General Beatrix]

Nodding, Beatrix pressed on through the mists, took a firm hold of Agrias with her free hand and continued their search. At one point Agrias was talking, and Beatrix had begun humming to herself unconsciously. When she moved closer to the heart, she was paralyzed by the piercing, authoritative chants coming from seemingly everywhere around her.

Knight who stirs the air,
with Holy in hand, and steel in other,
walk east,
for I-- Alexander --
summon you to my aid...

"Alexander!" cried the general, somewhat disillusioned by the Great One's call. "Oh, watch your feet!" she yelped, catching the seemingly unaware Seraph as she nearly fell flat on her face.

"He is near, I can fe--"

My time is short,
and strong armor as it was,
breaks by non-existent breath
...a favor... upon these dark days...
I pray... for lingering loyalty to Your Lord.

See me not by your Heart, or has sight blinded you?

Beatrix was heart-broken at Alexander's words, mostly because she had heard similar words on the fated night of Alexandria's nearly-cataclysmic destruction all those years ago. She hurried through the reactor chamber, swiping her sword out before her to cut through the thick fog.

"My Lord Alexander!" she called, and stabbed the blade into the floor; a light pulsed at the HeartSteele core once more and then sent a shockwave throughout the chamber, clearing away a section well enough for her to see the cracked, glowing gemstone that held the imprisoned God. She charged forth and lunged at the broken magical stone.

"Great Alexander!"

"Thank you again. Now, I should go and find Master Vivi and Wall-E so that we may prepare for the coming battle."

"Calling *muffle, muffle* Rose! This *muffle, muffle* and I will be joining the fleet *muffle, muffle*--transition--"

The Alexandrian Soldiers at the bridge were quick to respond with signal beacons when they heard even the briefest transmission from the Gummi Galleon. "I'm not defeated yet!"

[Secondary Characters]

Kim Possible had been trying to keep a conversation going with the man in the iron suit, but as usual Gabranth was quiet and contemplative. She sighed, leaning against a console and crossing her arms as she waited. Outside, she could see their destination looming and wondered what was in store for them back there.

She had been there once already. Admittedly, she did not want to return there. It was filled with all kinds of creepiness that would make Drakken totally ashamed of himself for even trying. She always said that things were "so not the drama", but this sitch was well beyond "the drama" she was used to.

Idly, she reached into her hip pouch to produce the Kimmunicator. Normally, she'd call up Wade, figure out what the mystery was, and bam! Home in time to knock out some homework and get on with her life. Maybe even meet up with Ron at the Bueno Nacho to watch him scarf down a Grande Sized Naco or two with Rufus while she enjoyed her salad.

Kim couldn't believe she was in a place where she secretly wondered if she'd get to see or do any of that again. This was huge. Way bigger than her or any of her adventures. She was worried about her friends and her future way more than ever. She hoped it didn't show, which it totally did. Typical.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luckily for Oeilvert, Wall-E had been following the whole time since they met up again in the common room. He had been driving silently, trying not to upset the prince while he went through some very heavy things. His only indications of concern were the occasional low whimper or sad-faced goggles.

When Oeilvert spoke of dying, Wall-E was shocked, and was about to say something when the much more relatable greek demigod spoke up and encouraged the man. All the little semi-mute robot could do was bob his head enthusiastically at the encouragement and give a whistle of agreeance.

Then the prince was all chipper again! A great thing, seeing as they all seemed to need it right now. Wall-E bobbled and whistled and drove around him in a circle to show he was happy that Oeilvert was cheering up, even going as far as to cheer his name "Maaasheck!!"

When he came to a stop, he tried to imitate a smile as best he could (when you have no mouth, it's hard) and turned on his radio for him.

Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out
Strut down the street and have your picture took
Dressed like a dream your spirits seem to turn about
That Sunday shine is a certain sign
That you feel as fine as you look!