The Coming [Plot Thread]

[Domminitus]

The beast of tarnished silver looked through the void, at the small lingering people near it. As he climbed out, people started to notice and to run. Do humans only know how to run? He gave chase, bounding great leaps around midgar was those who were stuck due to the voids were gathered up, crammed into one place. The creature of power stared down at the people, from on top of a large building, his red eyes gazing into them.

"HUMANS." He started, making any chattering or crying that the gathered people did was stopped. "You are the most fortunate of all the lands!" He started, his snarl turning into a smirk as he started up again. "You don't need to do anything! You will find peace. You will no longer have to suffer this decaying place!"

Some of the people looked at each other with relief. However, his eyes were dancing, since he was about to crush their relief. "All you need to do...is die." He howled in laughter as he watched the horrified human faces appear in his brightly lit eyes. "The Plague is coming and his hunger grows!"

He continued on. "Surrender or not, for running only increases his appetite. Save him from eating more by sacrificing yourself to him! You will have ended your suffering on his decaying land, for in his jaws you will go, and digest in his stomach! I am here to bring you these good news! Die, and fulfill his hunger. The Plague has come, and he will not stop."

The gathered people started to disperse, which he watched with joy in his eyes. "Run and hide all you want, but your stench is great and the Plague's nose is sharp. He will find and devour you!" He spoke, his smirk turning into a wide grin. Crying, sobbing, and general mass chaos started to happen. The Plague will like what he saw upon his arrival.

[twilightwolf]

”Man, you like to talk about bullshit don’t you?”

Zack wasn’t really a yeller, but hey, he needed too if he wanted to catch this asshole’s attention, probably couldn’t hear him over the fact that he’s praising something, what it was, Zack had no clue, it could be a giant turd for all he knew or the thing’s own asshole...actually that seemed like the most likely thing.

Since this thing appeared during Zack’s lunch break, he was not in a very happy mood; after all, it was Spaghetti Sunday! No one, ruins Spaghetti Sunday, it was the only day of the week that Zack looked forward too after all! Every other SHINRA food sucked during the weekdays. So with plate in hand as he slurped up the rest of his meal in front of the creature, he tossed the orange stained plate and utensil away, not like SHINRA was going to miss one plate, and licked his lips to get any remaining sauce that he might’ve missed.

Rotating his neck as it cracked loudly he walked calmly through the mass of panicking people, surprisingly, this wasn’t THAT uncommon of an event, next to well WEAPONS attacking the place, clones of SOLDIERS gone wild, the Turks were already swooping in to escort the civilians to safety, mostly to the bunkers. And really SHINRA has changed since the last time Zack was alive, probably thanks to Rufus...though he won’t give the kid that much credit.

Placing his hands on his hips he raised a brow at the creature, “I know you like to hear yourself preach but I’m sure your asshole shits things out, not devours.” He told it off handily, before he cracked his knuckles, “So, unless you have anything better to do with my time, you owe another plate of spaghetti, I hate wasting time on small fries.”

[zecht]

"That's no small fry. Watch yourself."

Through the crowds of fleeing civilians, a tall elvaan clad in jet black armor slowly walked up beside the one who was yelling at the apparition now standing over them atop a large structure. His cold eyes did not move from the creature's position, standing with his legs spread slightly and his right arm reaching behind him and his right hand tightly clutched around the handle of his very large claymore. He had heard every bit of his message to the doomed inhabitants of this broken plane, and for some reason the message did not shake him in the least. He had no real desire to engage the beast, either... The lives of these people meant very little to him. However, the memories locked in his head seemed to scream in protest against this creature. His readiness to slay it almost came as an instinct more than merely a desire, but such was the fate of a dark knight. The urge to kill arose at any given opportunity.

Unfortunately for this beast, Zecht just happened to be passing through.

He glanced briefly at the human shouting obscenities at the beast. He was a brave one, opting to draw attention from the rest of the crowd and direct it solely on him. Although admirable, it was in the end completely futile. Although resembling a mere monster, this beast proclaimed a death sentence upon mankind. This beast was on a mission... And given such a bold declaration, he would most likely have the power to crush them all in an instant. Still, if their deaths were certain Zecht would make sure to drag the beast down to hell with him. Of that he was completely certain.

"I hope your skill in battle can back up your bold claims, human" Zecht said, his voice slowly becoming a growl as the darkness in his heart began to cry out for bloodshed. "I'm sensing an incredible bloodlust from this thing, almost as if its very existence thrives on the death of others..."


After that last statement, Zecht could not help but smirk a little. The two of them were not unlike, Zecht and this monstrosity. Both held little regard for others, both were creatures enveloped in thick darkness and both were on a mission.Their only difference was that for the meantime, their interests clashed. By no means would the dark knight submit to the mad beast's demands to lay down and die. There were so many memories locked within ever since entering this hell that was not his home. Until he regained them, creatures like this beast would receive no mercy.

"You speak of plague, but I will not stand down, wretched worm"Zecht hissed with indignation. "Everyone dies at some point, but I won't let you or your master forget that fact. I'll send you both to hell.

He unsheathed his blade and brought it to his side. The impact of the blade striking the ground split the concrete. "You however... I'll send your corpse back to your master as a warning. Do not get in my way."

[hp=100/100]

[Tifa Lockhart]

Fear never really deep through the young woman’s mind. She had doubts, matters of concernment. But, most of the time she was calm. Even now? She couldn’t be too sure. Not to say she hadn’t seen this coming. Because she had, a million types over. Something was wrong she had felt in the air. Ever since Cloud left, or vanished as it seemed. The kids too. An uneasiness in the air hadn’t faded since the then. And now...her fear was being realized. For that very moment, Tifa was frozen to the spot, as horrified civilians looked on frightened.

The beast, he rambled on. But the young brunette did not let herself quake in fear. She couldn’t crumble not now. And she wouldn’t not with all the bullcrap he was spewing out. Suddenly, it was her determination that pumped through her veins. In no way was this monstergoing to get in the way of her life. Or any of the people she knew. Maybe it was a good thing she had lost sight of the children and Cloud. Perhaps they were safe somewhere. But how could she tell? She was no psychic.

And the overbearing yelling from the front alerted her. It sounded or rather looked like someone she knew. She wanted to laugh, as it sounded so...out of place at a time like this. And it wouldn’t deter the beast, well she hoped that was not the case. Her lips cracked into a scowl, undeniably pissed off.

”How dare you say that, you really underestimate a human’s strength, including mi—“ her sentence was cut off, as she caught sight of the man before. She knew him, most certainly. But why was he...alive? Tifa was speechless, this was so....not normal. When your killed, you die right?

It took her moment to shake off her shocked state. This was an urgent matter, after all. Time for logic..much later. She found herself approaching Zack and another man, one that seemed, not polite, to put it nicely. ”Zack?” she asked, puzzled, then shook her head.

”This is weird..but..nevermind. Bigger picture, bigger picture” she mused out loud, her gloved hands flexing into a tight fist.

”Right, I’m not going to stand down either. I won’t let this thing get in my way! I’m not the one to just stand around and do nothing, no chance” she spoke defiantly, already getting into a defensive stance. This beast was going to pay...then she was going to go over what she really drank last night.

[Domminitus]

Humans were interesting creatures, sometimes. Some either hide, scream in fear, or stand up when a big threat arises. Yet their fate remained the same. The beast watched as some humans talked big, even the one shrouded in darkness. It mattered not. It would have made a difference if the dark one was within the ranks of the Calamity...however, he was not.

He would die as the others. "Little human, do you think I am the Plague? Your brain is smaller than a babe. You dare not take my message seriously? I could care less. I was kind enough to tell you about your unquestionable doom. I guess you will understand once the Plague has come....and your surrender too late." He laughed deeply, almost not hearing the words of the dark one.

However, it was so amusing, the beast actually fell onto his wretched back, exposing his underbelly, crackling in laughter. He was enjoying this too much. How pathetic these humans were! If they were to attack his seemingly weak spot on him, they would have met a hard shell, which no attacks could penetrate, and would not have noticed the attacks.

Once the beast's laughter died down, the female voiced. However, he ignored her. If there was any low human, it was a woman. What did a woman know about fighting? He decided she wasn't even worth his effort to acknowledge. "You gave me a good laugh, dark one. I hadn't laughed that hard in a couple of hundred years!"

He chuckled slightly, still not over his amusement. "you have confidence, dark one. You will be one of the first the Plague will devour. I'm sure he'll find you like an appetizer...and then move to this city as an entre!" He let out a bigger chuckle, deciding to continue his Zecht's apparently amusing speech.

"You can not kill me! Even if I stayed completely still, you could not harm me! Surrender and make yourselves become sacrifices for the Plague! He will devour you all. The less you struggle, the less pain you'll feel going towards the afterlife!" He gave out a great laugh, still amused by Zecht. The beast was confident enough to know that he can not be harmed.

[HP=500/500]

[Lightning Farron]

People surged against her as if she were swimming upstream, left armored shoulder first as their screaming numbed her ears. Obviously whatever they were running from was violent in nature, and she grasped her collapsed gunblade in her right hand, in firearm mode, as she tried to slip between people to catch sight of what was ahead.

Catching the tail end of the creature's - what was that thing? - dialogue, the weapon expanded in her hand as she unconsciously thumbed the switch. The three facing the enemy - Zack among them, and this brought a small smile to her face - were ready to tear it apart, and for good reason. It/he spoke of the destruction of the world with little care, but with glee.

"You!" she shouted at the thing, taking up the right flank of the small rebellion with her right knee bent as a springboard to leap into action. "We'll see how tough you talk with holes in your hide, creature!"

This thing was going to die for so shamelessly threatening the people of Midgar, and of the southernmost continent. In the short time she had been here, Lightning had made what she would call friends - and to threaten her friends was to sign one's own death certificate.

---

[hp=100/100]

[Scara Roshinto]

"Lightning!" A familiar meek voice shouted from the crowd of retreating people. She was the youngest of the people who decided to fight instead of flee as she looked at the giant beast, her eyes narrowed. "It may look similar...but there is no compassion in it's heart. It's not like the monsters back on Gran Pulse..."

Scara watched the people flee from the terrible monster as Scara slowly withdrew her blades from behind her, the strange crescent like blades resting gingerly on her arm. "As a human being myself, who cares for every living creature, I can not watch you hurt others! Though you may be living...and don't deserve to die either...I can not watch idly while you hurt others!"

This was a new Scara, different from the shy Scara that Lightning knew. Scara wasn't exactly confident, but she had a certain fire in her eyes but, despite the dramatic change, it made sense. Scara wanted to protect people at the expense of her life. She was determined not to let this creature, or the Plague, harm anyone here, there, or anywhere.

[twilightwolf]

Zack looked over his shoulder to the other and raised a brow, “Nah he’s a small fry.” The black haired male waved off, before jerking a thumb in its direction, “You can tell me its farts will smell really bad, I don’t really care their buddy, things like this, that worships to that extreme, believe me, this is copy and paste my friend, it’s ALWAYS the small fries that come out first.” Come on! It was simple logic that happened all the damn time.

Big bad deity or whatever, sends out small fries claiming its unholy name like it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread (Which truthfully, is pretty fucking hard to top), kick its ass send it back an even LARGER threat comes forth. Seriously, it was just copy, paste, repeat, it’s like there in a damn video game...

Hearing his name, the proverbial puppy ears twitched and he turned himself to look over his shoulder. Now Zack liked to think that he was good at remembering faces, but staring at this definitely older looking face of a beautiful brunette he was rather stumped. She was pretty, obviously so, even a blind man could probably see that, but how did she know his name? So he did what any man would do; he looked from her face, to her chest.

And it all clicked.

“Oh! You’re that Guide Girl from Nibelhiem!” He exclaimed while snapping his fingers as he remembered, the brunette that wore that cowgirl outfit while leading them up to the Nibel Reactor, the one that Cloud had such a crush on that he couldn’t resist teasing the blond about it. The blush was adorable on the kids cheeks, “Tifa, right?” He asked, well at least she seemed to be alive and well, he looked around her hoping to catch a glimpse of Cloud and was disappointed when the blond was nowhere to be seen.

Hearing the beast talk again Zack sighed, “A giant turd that worships his own asshole, and is a broken record, minus 40 points.” He said loudly after hearing the familiar voice of a pinkette that he had the pleasure of meeting before, “What do you think Light?” He asked her, by flashing her his giant trademark grin.

Reaching behind him he grasped the hilt of his buster sword, “Now things just got more awesome...”

[zecht]

Zecht's eyebrows furrowed in disgust. People running about, the spiky haired youth running his mouth and a couple of young women who looked as if they had no place on the battlefield. A game? Even with Zecht's scattered memories, he knew from experience that battle was no 'game'. It was a struggle of wills in which the stronger wills stood triumphant and the weaker ones faded into nothingness. He advanced forward, marching slowly towards the building upon which the haughty beast had perched itself. "I have no time for you, pest!" the dark knight growled as purple energy began to ooze forth from every inch of Zecht's body. His eyes never left his target as a dim purple light began to rise up around Zecht's feet. "If you insist on doing nothing but sitting up there and spewing garbage, then allow me to introduce you to cold oblivion!"

Zecht then took to the air, leaping up onto the wall and sprinting up on it's side. From afar, he resembled a purple ball of flame as he drew back his dark claymore ready to strike. He uttered no battle cry, nor did he express any emotion. Although quite annoyed with the fact that his journey to recover lost memories had been halted, this was merely a minor setback. "I'll scatter your remains across this broken world!" he said as the dark energies gathered around his sword. With great velocity he clutched his sword with both hands and swung at full force at it's exposed neck. The beast had made the error of rolling on its back, and even though its underbelly was exposed, its limbs were closest to its belly creating possibility of a swifter counterattack. Instead of taking the obvious route of action, Zecht would attack it head on with enough force and energy to cut clean through the buildubg's walls.

Laugh all it wished, its words held little to no meaning to the dark knight. All beings small or great would die eventually... Zecht would merely speed it on its way to eternal damnation. The air around the battlefield grew electrified with purple lightning as Zecht unleashed his shadow strike.

[hp=100/100]

____________________________________________________________
Battle report

Actions:

Shadow Strike - Inflicts Moderate Dark damage to a single adversary.

Passive abilities:

Read more: stormonthehorizon.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gui&action=display&thread=3#ixzz1EFw94aJ5

[Tifa Lockhart]

It was alot to take in, especially only under a few minutes. Too much to comprehend, but she promised she would the logical thinking till later. This beast, whatever his message, was still a nuisance. Okay maybe more than that, something that had to be taken care of, and fast. In no way was she going to let that thing touch anyone here. Most she grown up with and in her mind, she was worried, incase the children were somehow here and could be in danger.

Her friends and family were the one thing that was constant in Tifa’s life. Precious, and could not be replaced. As with all humans. And how dare this beast say otherwise? Defiling a nation that had worked so hard to fight the repercussions of previous battle. Somehow, this did feel different, strange even. But that was not going to stop her.

And it wasn’t just her neither. Others had since gathered. Some she recognised, others she had not. She stood there in disbelief at an old face, one she hadn’t thought she would see again. But right now was not the time for pleasantries. She only smiled and nodded, leaving questions till later. Her chocolate brown eyes stared up at the creature, just as she spotted another figure enter the fray, one that seemed to know Zack.

Tifa was also alerted by the soft voice of a young girl talking to the pink haired woman, that she had met before. And she shared the same passion as she did that day...She really felt uneasy, with someone so young in such a danger zone.

Tifa was already in position, just as the dark figure spun into action, letting out an attack. ”Here we go, no turning back” she murmured, eyeing her target for an easy strike...
----------------
[HP=100/100]

[Domminitus]

More people were gathered for the amusement of the messenger. The first newcomer was a strong, confident woman. The beast stared at her with interest. "A woman's place is not on the battlefield. A lesser human should not be allowed to do a man's work. A sub human should be groveling at the human's feet!" He snickered at his comment.

"Yet you are an attractive sub-human. It is too bad your fate it sealed and we are of different species. You would have made a fine bride for me!" He roared in laughter, apparently overly amused at his own words. His laughter made him block out anything Zack or Scara had said. Though, he would not have responded to such a meek, fragile young child.

His laughing finally died, just as the Zecht was talking. The amusement was still in his eyes, but surprisingly, didn't say anything. She allowed Zecht to use his Shadow strike as it made a direct hit. However, it did not even split a single hair off his hairy self. The beast cracked a smile, staring at Zecht, obviously amused at this.

"If this is cold oblivion, it sure looks the same to me. What happened to scattering my broken remains? Even if you are a human of darkness, you are human still! You can not harm the messenger, no more can you harm the Plague! Surrender to the Plague for your will to fight will be crushed under his might!" He crackled.

Tifa was once against under the radar as the beast started to laugh. The beast laughed at the pitiful fate of these humans. He laughed for they could not damage him, and found out the hard way. He laughed because he took much enjoyment at watching them know that, if the messenger was this powerful, then the Plague would be worse.

Was he truly the small fry? Or was he the big boss to it all?

[HP=500/500]

Invincible: Immune to physical and magical attacks at all times.

[Lightning Farron]

The thing howled in laughter. "A woman's place is not on the battlefield. A lesser human should not be allowed to do a man's work. A sub human should be groveling at the human's feet!"

Less than a millisecond's worth of shock flickered across Lightning's face before a scowl took over, fiercer than any expression she had worn since the death of Barthandelus. Her knuckles whitened on the hilt of her saber, and her breath hissed out between her teeth.

"You bastard."

In her mind's eye, enemies of her past took the thing's place - skeptical officers, Dysley, Rosch, Snow (feeling the tiniest bit guilty after that one) - and she resolved to prove all of them, sexist beasts that they were, that a woman's place on the battlefield was wedging a gunblade up their ass.

"Yet you are an attractive sub-human. It is too bad your fate it sealed and we are of different species. You would have made a fine bride for me!"

The impossible happened. Lightning's expression became even more indignant, the fury going so far as to emanate off of her in waves. "You bastard," she reiterated for emphasis, barely restraining the urge to tear his face apart. Her voice was sharp as a dagger, flat as rock and just as cold.

"I am going to dismember you, and you are going to bleed."

Lightning spoke truth.

"And your black blood will salt the earth. You've made this my fight, and for that you're going to vanish."

Though the tall, inhuman-looking human had already tried his hand at erasing the vile creature, and thus far it hadn't worked. Rather than waste her energy attempting to pierce his perfect guard, Lightning would rather wait for the thing to slip up as it taunted them. She eyed its movement carefully, special attention given to its talons. A weak point there...?

"So," she ground out tensely, "what do they call you, thing, so I can curse you as you die?"

----

[hp=100/100]

[Scara Roshinto]

Scara was slightly alarmed when Lightning didn't answer her back but, with the beast in front of them, Scara was hardly surprised, letting go of the bit of sadness she held as she readied an attack. However, before she did attack, the beast spoke, shocking her. How...vulgar it was. Scara was used to Akira, but this was on a completely different scale of vulgarity.

Lightning reacted with repulse and Scara was surprised Lightning didn't attack right away after such...words. Scara felt her respect for Lightning increase. However, as she faltered, an attack was released, which to Scara's horror, did nothing to the creature. How were they supposed to defeat a creature like that if not even that could scratch it? Scara felt her confidence go down, but her burning passion still there.

However, from the corner of her eyes, Scara noticed someone she knew. Scara only waved to her, hoping she saw, for calling out to her might break Lightning's concentration. Scara ignored the fact that she was waving with her weapons still clasped in her hands. Scara knew that if they couldn't damage it, they were all doomed. If they fell, who would be the last stand?

No one. They were the first and the last stand.

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

[cs=4][bg=DCDCDC][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=cellpadding,3px,true] put to rest what you thought of me while i clean this slate with the hands of uncertainty
[cs=4][bg=DCDCDC][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=padding,2px,true] What was this beast? It wasn’t one he had seen at all in his life, but as he watched it closely, he had to admit it reminded him of a summon monster, also of the Goddess, but no. Not at all like the holy Goddess Minerva. She was pure, of light, the physical body of the Lifestream. She guided spirits to their next body, she took spirits but not cruelly, she welcomed them with open arms… But she wasn’t seen. She worked behind the scenes, and Genesis felt as though he was the only one who has seen her form. And this… thing… Genesis could sense, feel that this beast was not of a holy place. It felt godly, yes, but not good, not of the realm of heroes. It was like a villain, something the guardian knew well because he was, in fact, a villain once before, though he didn’t believe it at the time. Atop of the building, the redheaded ex-SOLDIER was sure he hadn’t been seen. He didn’t wish to be, he was more interested in watching the act before he intervened. It, however, took a lot for him to not go down there now and start an attack, because this beast was definitely going to cause a lot of trouble, it was going to threaten those of Midgar, and Genesis’s job as the Planet’s Guardian was to protect it from terrors. But, it seemed that Midgar was the only place that was of the Planet, but he was determined to protect the whole distorted world. After all, he had to fulfil his duty as a SOLDIER, and redeem himself of all the dark things he had done. His eyes grew wide as he watched a man – obviously a dark knight of a sort – run forwards and attack the beast, but not a single mark had been made, not even a twitch of the silver skin. His blue eyes, however, returned to normal a split second later as he narrowed them instead, watching closely as the beast roared. What was this ‘Plague’? Apparently it was stronger than this one. What did it do, then, if this beast wasn’t hurt by attacks? Become stronger with each attack? It was almost a scary thought. Maybe they should just cast Cure on the beast, see if that did damage. … Unfortunately Genesis didn’t have Cure materia on him. Slowly the redhead drew out his rapier and lone black wing, jumping off the building and landing lightly on his feet behind everyone who made their stand. He kept back, but he slowly sidestepped to the side, by the wall, in case he needed higher ground. As he jumped down, he felt as though the beast had watched him closely, so he didn’t feel too safe, but when did he ever feel so safe… Okay, he felt safe when reading poetry or when linked to the Lifestream. But other than that, he never felt truly safe.
[cs=4][bg=DCDCDC][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=padding,2px,true] [HP=100/100]
[cs=2][bg=DCDCDC][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=padding,2px,true] ACTIVE goes here	[cs=2][bg=DCDCDC][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=padding,2px,true] PASSIVE goes here
[cs=4][bg=DCDCDC] any comments will go here
[cs=5][bg=DCDCDC] so let mercy come and wash away what i've done

[zecht]

Using the momentum of the swing, Zecht pushed off of the beast preforming a graceful backflip off the building's top and landing amongst the rest of his temporary battle partners. Plunging his sword into the earth, he used it to stop his momentum as he slowly slid to a stop. Incidentally, he had landed beside the spiky haired one carrying a sword comparable in size to the dark knight's Requiem. "Convinced yet?" He muttered, eyes locked onto the beast. Never one to underestimate an opponent be he fragile or mighty, Zecht pondered on what weaknesses the beast may have. It was seemingly invulnerable to physical harm, or perhaps the efforts of one would be ineffective whereas the efforts of many would prove more effective. Still, the people he had the misfortune of fighting alongside wished to hold pleasant conversation with the beast, instead of tearing it asunder. Hoisting his sword out of the ground, Zecht spat in disgust.

"Every being that draws breath can be killed" Zecht said quietly as he began to take steps forward. "Feign invincibility all you like, the second you drop your guard... I will kill you."

Those were the only words he would utter towards the beast as his stance lowered into a more defensive one. The sword was held out in front of him as opposed to it being held out and away from him when preparing to attack. He would gather his strength again and strike the moment the opportunity presented itself. Words served no purpose on the battlefield beyond this point to the dark knight... His eyes were on his prey, unflinching and focused. If it could not be killed in this plane of existence, he would follow it back into the portal it came from and destroy it there. If Zecht had full command of his powers as he did on Vana diel, He'd have warped this monster into the core of a volcano, or sent it into the void of Atomos' belly. No point in relishing the past... All Zecht needed was a single opening and he would teach this blathering fool the meaning of pain, fear and death all at once.


Of course... He was also hoping the people gathering to the battlefield were not just for show. Each of them seemingly carried a weapon of sorts. Instead of talking, the dark knight felt that they should be battling with the monster.