Kitsune's Short and Sweet Works

[Uncle Kenny]

God, why don't they just skip the sub-mod promotion altogether and make you an admin?

[piratemarimo]

..... I cannot even. XDD

[Nami]

Why am I an evil queen :<

[Huschel]

That story was so moving, it took my tender heart and ground it to dust.

[Kitsune Inferno]

The best worst idea ever.

Spoiler:

“In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, by the word of Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Director of the Winterfell Parks Department, I do sentence you to leave with pay.”
Deputy Director Catelyn Tully gaped in disbelief of her superior's cruel sentence.
“But, Ned, I-”
“No buts, Cat,” the stern man replied coldly. “I warned you specifically not to take the plans to turn the Wall into a museum to the public. They devoured you alive out there.”
Catelyn stood silent, waiting for her boss to say anything else. Her patience was in vain.
“My name is Catelyn Tully,” she told our camera crew enthusiastically. “I am Deputy Director of the Winterfell Parks Department. I used to live in Riverrun, but there's just something amazing about the North. The people here are as bitter as the wind, but gods, do I love them.”
“Catelyn's a good kid,” Ned later told us in private. “She's got a big heart. But she's wasting her efforts with Winterfell. She's trying her hardest, but the people of the North won't go for that crap. I firmly believe that the Parks Department, not to mention all government departments, should be privatized. Winter is coming and we should be more concerned with surviving, not politics.”
“Lord Stark,” Maester Luwin interrupted our interview. “There are... pressing political matters that must be discussed at once.”
“Thank you, Maester,” Ned nodded before turning to the camera. “Are we done?”
Later that night, Catelyn walked alone through the frigid streets of Winterfell, pacing aimlessly down empty alleys and dark, lonesome cobbled roads into the weirwoods of the North.
“There's something amazing about Winterfell at night,” Catelyn later told us dreamily. “The silence is somehow soothing and calming. It makes a long day look so short and fleeting. Like I've climbed a mountain and descended to the other side. Every day is a new mountain here in Winterfell.”
She paced silently until she found Ned Stark alone, cleaning his greatsword, Ice.
“My lord, there was a raven from King's Landing,” she told Ned solemnly. “Jon Arryn is dead.”
Ned Stark looked at his deputy director with astonishment before the tears came. She wrapped her arms around her superior.
“Me and Catelyn?” Ned later responded to our question with another question before cracking into sardonic laughter. “But, no, Catelyn and I enjoy a strictly business relationship.”
“We're married with five children,” Catelyn answered quickly to the same question in a following interview.
Back in the weirwood, Ned wept proudly. “And your sister?”
“She is in good health,” Catelyn assured him. “As is the boy.”
“Jon Arryn was like a father to Ned,” Catelyn filled us in. “He was director of the Parks Department in the Eyrie and helped Ned and Robert become the men they are today. He was truly a phenomenal politician.”
“Jon hated the government,” Ned told us with pride and respect.
“The raven brings more news,” Catelyn continued. “The King rides for Winterfell. Him and all the rest of them.”
“And by 'rest of them' I mean the Lannisters. Robert's queen and her brother are sons of Tywin Lannister, director of the Parks Department in Casterly Rock,” Cat continued, making sure to drip her words with venom. “They've won the Best Parks in the Seven Kingdoms award thirteen years running. I'll make sure they don't win a fourteenth year.”
“Damn,” Ned shook his head in stress. “The annual budget meeting is this Thursday. I'm ending your suspension, then. I need you right now, Catelyn.”
“Yeah,” Catelyn nodded assuredly. “The only problem is... we have nothing going on right now. Our parks are... well, frankly, we don't have any. Come on, Ned, let me go through with a park already.”
“I told you already,” Ned replied callously. “The Wall is a disaster of an idea. We need something else.”
“I know!” Cat shouted happily as it dawned on her. “I'll hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday and get the community involved!”
“Dammit, Catelyn, I warned you-” Ned shouted in vain.
“Thanks, gotta go write the agenda!” Catelyn shouted back at her boss as she rushed back toward the castle.
“They're going to eat her alive,” Ned told us, shaking his head.
---
Starks and Recreation, Coming Soon?

[Elisabeth Heart]

You have a funny mind :)

[Kitsune Inferno]

Untitled
by Kitsune Inferno

Sometimes when we dream, we never seem to account
For the world's twists and turns, and we think we can't amount
To the high standards we can't help but set to only discount.
We let the world keep going until we lose what we found.

Because we're scared of the answer to the questions we don't ask
Everything we've ever felt we hide behind a stone mask
That we never take off, we never allow ourselves to bask
In the happiness we find, we're never up to the task

We're just numbers to the world until we go and make our mark
But how can we keep writing if we're still scared of the dark?
You, see with people, there is only one thing that can ever be stark
We make the biggest mistakes when we leave our head led by our hearts

We find ourselves consumed with the things that we assumed
And we never give credence to the truths that seem to loom
In the shadows of our minds, in that place we leave behind
All the things we'd rather forget we leave to the healing of time

And the world doesn't have to follow the roads we pave to a tee
The universe, it doesn't follow orders from an insignificant like me
It keeps us on our toes, doing what only God knows
And makes sure to take us down a notch every time that we impose

To think we've got it right, we've got it all figured out
We think we're a rung higher, a head above the crowd
But we're only down a peg because we're really in the clouds
We put efforts into silence because we think our screams are loud

But we're leaving things to chance when we don't think it through
If we let things get too personal, we're only bound to get screwed
We blame it on God, but it's all about the things that we do
We let ourselves believe a lie because we can't handle the truth

We keep our heads low, our mouths silent, but our bodies speak
Because part of us isn't ready for the world to deem it weak
We're only human, no need to rationalize our mistakes
Just don't let them keep you down, go do whatever it takes

To rewrite your ending and change the dead end of your life
It's too precious and we can't afford to pay the price
Of trading in the future we've carved out with a knife
You and I both know that we do not have to sacrifice

Our own state of mind for an unpredicted curve in the road
We just need to keep on following, wherever it goes
Don't park on the roadside and hope somebody gives you a lift
You never know what new road you'd find if you plunged through the rift

Don't go fearing the dark cause somebody turned out the lights
Because the only thing to regret is giving up on the fight
Put your heart and your head and all of your might
Into making sure the things you've done wrong are done again right

[gotta<3OP]

Beautiful!
I'm going to complain about the lack of periods. But I'd better thank you for the commas, most don't use any ponctuation at all on poetry.
But really, it would help to know when a sentence ends.

The message is one I can agree with, and its well written.
I like it ;).

[ChesCa]

That poem was awesome.
There's nothing I can really add to that.

[Kitsune Inferno]

Dear Dad,


So I hear today's a special day. A special day for dads. It's a day where I'm supposed to do nothing but appreciate all that you've done for me. So today I'm going to do just that.


Where should I begin, Dad? I should start by saying thanks for being there with me and my mom when I came into this world. Thanks for holding me for the first time and looking at me with loving eyes. Thanks for making the decision to be a man and raise me to be twice the man you were.


Thanks for teaching me to laugh, and teaching me to cry. Thanks for showing me how to stand on my own and thanks for being there when I fell. Don't let me forget to thank you for all the bandaids.


Thanks for showing me how to tie my shoes, how to dress myself, how to keep myself organized. Thanks for showing me how to ride a bike, then showing me how to drive the car when mom wasn't around.


Thanks for showing me how to make friends, how to talk to girls, and how to take care of myself. Thanks for showing me how to shave, how to drive when mom didn't think I knew how to, and how to act responsibly in adult situations.


Thanks for being there during every moment of recognition I got, from the spelling bees to the awards to the graduations. Thanks for telling me how proud you were as you mess up my hair and pat my back lovingly.


Thanks for seeing me off as I get ready to step out into the world all by myself for the first time. Thanks for assuring me that it's going to be okay, and that if things ever got rough, thanks for putting yourself out there for me.


Thanks for being the one person I can always count on. There's probably more I should thank you for, but I think I've got the point across. Thanks for taking the time to read this, Dad. It means a lot to me just knowing that you're able to hear these words from me.


--Your son,
Alex

[Dryish]

I just... I... Kitsune, I am feeling SO sorry for you right now. ;_;
It doesn't help and maybe you don't even want to hear it, but I really do.

[Kitsune Inferno]

Here's a short story I wrote to see just how fast I can write... About 1600 words in an hour apparently~

It's also going to be part of a collection of furry-themed short stories I write that may or may not get its own thread, because a lot of it will be pretty poorly written, most likely, and I don't want to taint this thread with poorly-wri- yeah, never mind.~

Though do possibly expect a furry-themed thread in the future once I have enough for the collection...

Condemned by Alex K.I. Nielsen

Spoiler:

I was not alone in the forest that night. The trees had been there, of course. They towered above the forest floor like green and brown giants, with needle-like leaves their natural armor. Insects, bats, and small nocturnal birds buzzed past at random intervals in relative ignorance. Small amphibians, lizards, and rodents would scurry along the muddy, mossy earth beneath my feet.

Above, the stars shined brilliantly, like a million, trillion eyes watching my every step. The almost-full moon was the largest of the voyeurs, its stern face staring down at me with ambiguous eyes. I could not tell if it was watching my every move because it was angry at me or cheering for me.

The sounds of flapping wings, swaying branches, and humming crickets were all washed away by the constant roar of the rapid river nearby. I had kept the river as my course for quite some time, but thought better of it after some time. It was easier to stay hidden that way.

Lord knows how long I had been running. It all began shortly after sunset, when the sky was still a deep, albeit dark blue. Now, glancing up at the moon between sprints, it appeared to have reached its zenith, shining brightly over its pitch-black backdrop. Unfortunately, that told me nothing about the time of night, thanks to the erratic moon cycles, but it did mean that quite some time had past since my flight began.

Thankfully, I hadn't heard the wings for close to an hour now. Sure, the river was most likely blaring them out, but I needed something, anything to feel secure. My feet had been aching and my tail felt like it had a bad case of whiplash. My chest pounded at what seemed like a thousand beats per minute as my mouth remained open to inhale the chilly night air. It felt good to take a few seconds to just relax.

A few feet to my nine, there was a large, moss-covered boulder with a small concave side that remained cloaked in shadows, despite the generous moonlight. It looked like a perfect spot to rest and hopefully wait out that monster. It sure beat running all night. I had no clue how much stamina I had left over, if any.

I approached the boulder's dark side and leaned against it. I let my back slide down until my bottom touched the muddy earth. I put my elbows on my knees and rested my muzzle on my bridged arms, relishing the brief moment of respite as best I could. I couldn't have possibly run any further and if it found me again, there was no way I could outrun it in my current condition. The soles of my feet ached without relent and my fur had been matted and bloody. My shirt and trousers hadn't fared too well, either, as both were full of rips and tears and holes. I let out a small chuckle, realizing that if that thing wasn't going to kill me, the forest would pick up the slack.

I lifted my head from my arms and reached into my right pocket carefully. I pulled its sole contents out and looked at the small, pointed blade as it reflected the moonlight from its steel back. A set of short, jagged teeth ran down the front of the knife, ending just above the black leather hilt. I laughed once more at the brief delusion that I could take this thing out with something so tiny and useless. I'd have much better luck throwing stones.

It was a bad idea to think about the monster, however. On cue, the trees began to rustle violently behind me as I pressed my back against the boulder as tightly as I could. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't spot me in the shadows.

I heard the rush of wind and shortly thereafter saw the monster in the sky above me, spreading its eagle-like wings out widely, as if attempting to block out the sky itself. I watched breathlessly as the creature circled around in the air, as if scanning every inch of the forest for some trace of my movement.

Every time one of its wings concealed the moonlight, my immediate surroundings grew more visible, as if revealing my hideout. It dawned on me quickly that using the shadow of the moonlight was not a good idea when that monster could block out the moon at will. I closed my eyes and gulped when, sure as day, the monster stopped circling and descended to the ground at breakneck speed. Yeah, there was no way in hell I would be leaving this forest alive, even if I had still kept running.

The monster folded its wings and pulled its long dark trenchcoat back over them. It turned around to face me, wearing a grotesque eagle mask. I could tell that the face beneath was smiling wickedly, as if enjoying the terror that danced across my face.

Believe me, I was terrified. I clenched that knife as tight as I could between my trembling fingers as my whole body shivered right along with them. I could feel my teeth chattering together within my muzzle as the sinking, sickening feeling in my gut began to spread to every corner of my body.

The fear of death was more pronounced than ever, screaming as loud as it could into my sensitive ears, stabbing at me from every angle and position. With every step the monster took towards me, the screams grew louder and the stabs came more rapidly, tearing my body and mind to shreds as delirium took over. I had to escape somehow.

With resolve I knew my sane self never had, I sprung to my feet and charged wildly at the monster. I grit my teeth less in fierceness and more in desperation as I let out a throaty grunt. I think it was supposed to be some sort of battle cry. I lunged forward with my knife, as the monster stepped to the side. My whole body shivered with excitement as I shifted direction, slamming every ounce of weight I could into the monsters thick body, pinning it to the ground beneath my body. I celebrated inwardly over how successful my feint was, but my assault wasn't over.

I screamed out with what sounded like a roar as I lifted my arms into the air with the blade in hand. The monster in the eagle mask looked up at me with fierce eyes as I slammed the blade down on its mask, splitting it in half as the blade continued to penetrate its target, finding flesh and eventually skull, and finally beyond that what could only be assumed to be its brain.

I heaved violently as the monster in the mask began to chuckle, blood seeping from the bottom of the mask. Its chuckles turned into full-on cackles as the pieces of the mask slipped away, revealing the monster's face.

All of the color flushed from my fur as I laid eyes upon the monster's face. It was featherless, unlike its wings, and had a small patch of what looked like fur over each of its eyes. Instead of a muzzle or beak, it had a separate nose and mouth, the former of which, just below where my blade struck, jutted from its face a few inches, with large nostrils on the bottom side. Inside its mouth were a set of flat, dull teeth, concealed by its large, fleshy lips. Even its ears were rounded and small compared to mine. Were it not for the stream of crimson pouring from the wound, its flesh would have been some sort of pale yellow or pink. Just what sort of monster had been pursuing me?

The most eerie trait of the monster was its scarlet red eyes, piercing as fiercely as they had been moments before. In fact, judging by its maniacal laughter, it seemed like the monster didn't even seem to mind that I had kind of just killed it.

“You are now condemned,” it bellowed hysterically with a deep, cryptic voice before its entire body faded to dust, leaving nothing but the trenchcoat it wore and the fragmented pieces of the mask.

I gasped and heaved as I rose to my feet, surprised and terrified and relieved all at once. Whatever that monster had been was dead at my hands. I had escaped its clutches at last. The long night was over. Or so I had thought.

A frenzy of pain consumed my entire face as if flames had danced their way across it. My entire head screamed as the flames licked my ears; my eyes; my muzzle; my fur; my eyes; my nose; my mouth; my ears; my skin.

The pain was gone in an instant, but the lingering feeling of something alien remained on my head. Confused, I touched my face slowly with my paws. I didn't have to see it, but I knew: my face was gone and in its place was the monster's. I screamed frantically as a dark, foreign feeling washed over me. My body began to act on its own. It was no longer mine.

You are now condemned.

My last waking thought was sitting on the monster's body as I ran my blade through its face, only in my mind, the monster had my face instead...

Speaking of which, the new host of my body approached the mask, which had now been somehow repaired. Only now, it was no longer that of an eagle. The face on the mask was mine.

[Kitsune Inferno]

So I've had this idea for a game swimming in my head for a long time, mainly when I was bored and making up ideas for FF15. What came of that is this brilliant little idea called Final Fantasy: Crystal Reaper which I one day want to make into an actual fangame. Does it have to be a fangame? Not necessarily, but the idea itself is so deliciously wrapped in FF mythology that calling it anything else would only make it look like an FF ripoff. So I've cranked up the FF homages to high-gear while keeping the story's freshness intact and what we have here is an FF game far greate than anything SE will ever come up with again.

The basic story is set in a world where one of its four nations has achieved immortality... almost. It's basically found a way to stop aging and natural death in the process. While that's great and all, it's actually kind of bad because the Crystal, the power source of the world, relies on that cycle of life and death to continue balancing the world, so it slowly begins to die. As a self-defense system, the Crystal took the survivors of the City of Mysidia and transformed them into Aeons, using them to eradicate the technologically advanced country. But even the magical superbeings were not enough to crush Aionos's perfect defense.

So thus, Aionos continued to avoid death as the rest of the world succumbed to it. One of the four nations crumbled and the other two held on for dear life. But the Crystal will not give up so easily. An organization called CRYSTAL, fanatics devoted to serving The Crystal have sprung up to defend it. The question now is whether the people of Aionos can withstand this new burst of unimaginable might that threatens to bring their long-overdue demise.

WARNING: This is in script format. Not only might it be a pain to read, but I also suspect it will be badly formatted

Spoiler:

Final Fantasy: Crystal Reaper


[Cutscene #001: Inaugural Mission 1
Set. AIONOS CITY – SECTOR 88 – GATEWAY – NIGHT
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles – Sword Valley (Day)]

A tank pulls up to the Gate. Several AIONOS SOLDIERS emerge from the tank, among them STORM REYNER and CROSS SABADOR. COMMANDER KASIOS RASBUDDE then emerges from the tank and approaches the solders.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Get ready, you sorry lot! I wish we could have spent some more time breaking you in, but you don't have that luxury here! You're all barely a day outta training and probably expecting some celebratory trip to the [Opera House], ain't ya? Well that's too bad, boys, 'cause you're going up against the [CRYSTAL] itself tonight! I bet you're all wetting your pants right about now, aren't you?

SOLDIERS (in unison)
No, sir!

COMMANDER KASIOS
Is that so?

A brief pause.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Clear a path, you sons of behemoths!

SOLDIERS (in unison)
Yes, sir!

The soldiers move out of the way and COMMANDER KASIOS approaches the Gate. He opens it with a violent shake and faces the soldiers.

COMMANDER KASIOS
What are you waiting for? Move out already!

SOLDIERS (in unison)
Sir!

All the soldiers but STORM proceed forward. CROSS turns around. The rest of the soldiers enter Sector 88.

CROSS
On we go, Storm. Don't wanna be miss out on the fun, do you?

CROSS enters Sector 88, leaving STORM and COMMANDER KASIOS outside of the Gate.

END CUTSCENE

[Gameplay Section: Aionis City – Sector 88 – Gateway
BGM: Continues]

STORM joins the Party!
Starting Level: 1
Starting Equipment: Broadsword, Iron Armor
Starting Items: Potion x5, Phoenix Down x2
Can access menu!

STORM is now controllable to move around the Gateway area. The player can not exit to the East, South, or West. Any attempts are met with the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
Reyner, get your arse over here!

STORM […]
Get it together, Storm... This isn't practice, it's the real deal!

Intreracting with the tank produces the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
Running home already, Reyner?

STORM […]
Not a chance! Leone would kill me if Cross didn't come back with me...

Interacting a second time produces the following exchange:

DRIVER
Ey, Reyner, is that you? What's the deal? Well... Since you're here, let me give you some of these. You never know what you're gonna run into in [Sector 88], after all. These might just come in handy.

IN-GAME PROMPT:
You've received 3 [Grenade]s!

DRIVER
Use 'em well, kid.

Interacting a third time produces the above line of dialogue. Interacting with COMMANDER KASIOS produces the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
Today, Reyner?

Exiting north will lead to...

[Cutscene #002: Inaugural Mission 2
Set. AIONOS CITY – SECTOR 88 – MAIN STREET - NIGHT
BGM: Continues]

The SOLDIERS enter the empty area, followed by CROSS and STORM, then finally COMMANDER KASIOS

COMMANDER KASIOS
All right, men, let's get moving! Biggs and Wedge, you guys secure
the structures to the north and make sure everybody's safe inside.

One SOLDIER steps forward.

LI'L BIGGS
Er, um... which Biggs, sir?

COMMANDER KASIOS is angry.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Do you think it matters? Both of you sorry arses get on it!

Two more SOLDIERS step forward.

BIG BIGGS, LI'L BIGGS, and WEDGE (in unison)
Yes, sir!

The three of them scatter.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Strife, Wallace, Lockheart, do the same down here in the southern victinity.

The SOLDIERS step forward.

SOLDIERS (in unison)
Yes, sir!

They too scatter, but not as vicariously.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Branford and Harvey, you secure the [Gate]. Tribal and Farron, you guys secure the [Warehouse] entrance.

The remaining nameless SOLDIERS step forward.

SOLDIERS (in unison)
Yes, sir!

They scatter, two to the north, and two to the south.

COMMANDER KASIOS
That line's getting old.

CROSS and STORM both stand silent. KASIOS turns to them.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Sabador! You're with me! Reyner, you'll be our scout.

STORM is confused.

STORM
Scout, sir?

COMMANDER KASIOS
Did I stutter?

STORM
No, sir, it's just... That's quite the position.

COMMANDER KASIOS
Is it too much for you, Reyner?

STORM
N-No, not at all, sir! Quite the opposite! It's an honor!

COMMANDER KASIOS
Whatever. Blush when this is over. You'll go in the [Warehouse] first and Sabador and I will follow you inside. Got it?

STORM and CROSS
Yes, sir!

COMMANDER KASIOS
Oh, for flan's sake...

END CUTSCENE

[Gameplay Section: Aionis City – Sector 88 – Main Street
BGM: Continues]

The player can not exit to the south. Attempts to will meet the following exchange:

BRANFORD
Storm, what are you doing?

HARVEY
We've got a good grip on the [Gate], buddy. You go take care of the [Warehouse].

Interacting with BRANFORD yields the following exchange:

BRANFORD
Once this is over, how about you and me... Hey! Are you even listening?

Interacting with HARVEY yields the following exchange:

HARVEY
What do you think is Branford's favorite color of chocobo? I keep meaning to ask, but I always get super nervous. Man, love is a fickle mistress.

Interacting with CROSS yields the following exchange:

CROSS
Chin up, Storm! Leone's throwing us a big party tomorrow, after all. Let's give her even more to celebrate about.

Interacting with COMMANDER KASIOS yields the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
What are you waiting for? Get to securing that [Warehouse]! Sabador and I will be right behind you.

Interacting with STRIFE (to the left, in front of a house entrance) yields the following exchange:

STRIFE
What makes you and Sabador so special, wearing your street clothes on an official mission? Underneath this helmet is a beautiful face just dying for the world's attention! Angelic chin, lime green eyes, spiky golden locks, I'm drop-dead gorgeous! What? Of course I'm a dude! What's that gotta do with anything?

Interacting with WALLACE (to the right, in front of a house entrance) yields the following exchange:

WALLACE
Don't think you and your pal are hot stuff jus' 'cause you're in good with the Commander. Didn't the two of you fail gun training anyway? I'm so good, I've practically got guns for arms, and I still don't get the same treatment you punks do.

Interacting with LOCKHEART (in front of east exit) yields the following exchange:

LOCKHEART
Don't you think my last name is a little feminine? All the other guys used to give me snot about it, but Cross and I have the same martial arts teacher. Now I'm a master of the Dolphin Fist! Wh-why are you laughing?

Attempting to exit to the east yields the following exchange:

LOCKHEART
Hey, Storm! The [Warehouse] is off to the north, you know... And I'd stay outta that side of town. You don't want to get mixed in with those guys...

Interacting with WEDGE (in front of west exit) yields the following exchange:

WEDGE
Listen up, Storm, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. If you ever get into a tussle, fight back! But don't forget, vitality before violence. If your health is failing, use a Potion before the clock (and your HP) strikes zero!

Attempting to exit to the west yields the following exchange:

WEDGE
Storm? I... I never took you for that kind of man...

Interacting with LI'L BIGGS (to the left, in front of a house entrance) yields the following exchange:

LI'L BIGGS
Big Bro Biggs is kind of amazing! Just ask him where all his knowledge and infinite wisdom comes from. He won't ever tell me...

Interacting with BIG BIGGS (to the right, in front of a house entrance) yields the following exchange:

BIG BIGGS
Li'l Bro Biggs is sort of incredible! He may be the little bro, but everything I learned, I learned from him! Wh-what? I'm not crying at all, dammit!

Interacting with TRIBAL yields the following exchange:

TRIBAL
Why did I join the [Aionos Guard]? No reason. Eh? You're looking at me funny... Do I need a reason to do things?

Interacting with FARRON yields the following exchange:

FARRON
Everytime I try to ask Tribal over there why he wears a monkey costume to parties, I feel like punching him. That guy's so hopeless. He needs a little more Focus in his life. What do you mean that's not a proper noun? Don't make me punch you.

After interacting with the other 10 SOLDIERs, interacting with COMMANDER KASIOS yields the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
What? You've learned the names of the other soldiers? AND you've spoken to all of them? Y-you're amazing! Here, for your efforts, kid. What? You need it more than I do.

IN-GAME PROMPT
You've received [Sarcasm Detector]!

Interacting with COMMANDER KASIOS afterward yields the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
If you've got time to mingle with the rest of the newbies, you've got time to not waste my time!

Exiting to the north will lead to...

FADE BGM

[Gameplay Section: Aionos City – Sector 88 – Abandoned Warehouse
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles - Sword Valley (Night)]

Walk north a little bit to trigger a scene...

[Cutscene #003: Inaugural Mission 3
Set. AIONOS CITY – SECTOR 88 – ABANDONED WAREHOUSE (Int.) - NIGHT
BGM: Continues]

STORM steps forward.

STORM […]
Is this really where the [CRYSTAL] is hiding out?

STORM inspects a crate to his left.

STORM
Such a thick layer of dust. I find it hard to believe someone's camping out in here.

STORM walks to the right and inspects more crates.

STORM
Hmm?

FADE BGM

STORM is confused.

STORM
Is someone there?

A low growl reverberates through the Warehouse.

[BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles – Mechanical Rhythm]

A dog-like monster emerges from the shadows. The monster growls again. STORM jumps back and is surprised.

STORM
What the hell is THAT supposed to be?

STORM assumes a battle stance.

STORM
I thought they were stupid to let me bring a knife to a gunfight, but I don't think bullets will take out a creep like this in a single strike!

END CUTSCENE

SMASH TO

[FORCED BATTLE, ENGAGE!
ENEMY PARTY: Hot Dog
BATTLEFIELD: Warehouse – Lightning Terrain
BATTLE BGM: Xenoblade - Mechanical Rhythm
VICTORY BGM: Fanfare?]

BATTLE START DIALOGUE

STORM
Is this creature borne from the [CRYSTAL]'s power? If I want to beat it, I better focus everything I've got into my [Attack]!

END BATTLE

[Cutscene #004: Inaugural Mission 4
Set. AIONOS CITY – SECTOR 88 – ABANDONED WAREHOUSE (Int.) - NIGHT
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles – Sword Valley (Night)]

STORM stumbles, the monster defeated. COMMANDER KASIOS and CROSS enter and approach STORM.

STORM (panting)
What the hell was that thing?

CROSS
Thing?

COMMANDER KASIOS
That “thing” was probably a [Monster]. They're the spawn of the [CRYSTAL]. Nasty lot, but as you've probably surmised, guns don't work on them.

CROSS
So that's why you have Storm and I tagging along, then. Because of our melee abilities.

STORM
Spawn of the [CRYSTAL]? Are they really capable of creating [Monsters]? Aren't they just people like us?

COMMANDER KASIOS
People with magic wands, kid. Don't forget the [CRYSTAL] ain't exactly human. Word is they've got their own [Treatment] too that lets 'em do that, but believe me, there's no eternal life that comes with THAT package.

CROSS
No wonder these [CRYSTAL] guys are so dangerous...

COMMANDER KASIOS
That little puppy wore you out, Reyner? Good thing you're just a scout, then. You keep going ahead and Sabador and I will wait here. If you come across any [CRYSTAL] operatives, take note of their numbers and their guard, then get back here immediately. Do NOT engage them by yourself.

STORM
Right.

CROSS
Be careful, Storm...

END CUTSCENE

[Gameplay Section: Aionos City – Sector 88 – Abandoned Warehouse
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles - Sword Valley (Night)]

Attempting to leave via the south exit will yield the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
Get on with it, Reyner! It's too late to head back outside.

Interacting with COMMANDER KASIOS will yield the following exchange:

COMMANDER KASIOS
Don't forget. Don't get caught. And save your game, too! If you don't, then dying's far worse than getting caught.

Interacting with CROSS will yield the following exchange:

[Relationship Event #1: Just Like Old Times?
Party: Storm and Cross]

CROSS
Heh, are you nervous yet?

STORM (choice)
[Nervous? Ha, you kidding me?]
[Why wouldn't I be?]

[Nervous? Ha you kidding me?] BRANCH: (+1)

STORM
Me? I've been waiting for this day all my life.

CROSS
That's the spirit! And I was about to call you the worrier...

END BRANCH

[Why wouldn't I be?] BRANCH: (-1)

STORM
I've only been waiting for this day my entire life.

CROSS
Heh, I guess you always were the worrier...

END BRANCH

STORM (choice)
[Worrier? More like Warrior!]
[And you were the Warrior, weren't you?]

[Worrier? More like Warrior!] BRANCH: (-1)

CROSS
Careful, now! That's MY title, punk.

STORM
Oh, you know I'm kidding.

CROSS
Heh, always a kid... Just like old times, no?

END BRANCH

[And you were the Warrior, weren't you?] BRANCH: (+1)

CROSS
Haha, I guess I was! You and me, the Worrier and the Warrior! Nigh inseperable to the end.

STORM
Haha, you do realize I had just been flattering you, don't you?

CROSS
Oh, please.

END BRANCH

CROSS
Stop taking me back already!

STORM (choice)
[You're right. They're just silly memories.]
[It's good to reflect on things every now and then.]

[You're right. They're just silly memories.] BRANCH: (-1)

CROSS
Geez, when you put it that way...

END BRANCH

[It's good to reflect on things every now and then.] BRANCH: (+1)

CROSS
I guess you're right. It sure raises my spirits.

IN-GAME PROMPT:
(+3) Relationship Result - *****! (+2 Storm-Cross Affinity)
(+1) Relationship Result - ***! (+1 Storm-Cross Affinity)
(-1) Relationship Result - **! (no change to Storm-Cross Affinity)
(-3) Relationship Result - *! (-1 Storm-Cross Affinity)

END RELATIONSHIP EVENT

[Gameplay Section: Aionos City – Sector 88 – Abandoned Warehouse
BGM: Continues]

After the Relationship Event, interacting with CROSS will yield the following interaction:

CROSS
(*****) For a Worrier, you sure know how to put a smile on my face, Storm.
(***) Keep it up, Storm! Just keep looking forward.
(**) Don't leave me hanging, Storm. I'm looking for some action!
(*) Sheesh, you sure know how to make a guy feel bad. Worrier indeed. Still love you though.

Ascending the stairs to the east leads to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – 2F Office Space
BGM: Continues]

Interacting with the treasure chest scores 3 [Potions]

Returning back downstairs leads to...

[Gameplay Section: Aionos City – Sector 88 – Abandoned Warehouse
BGM: Continues]

Interacting with the door to the north leads to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – Warehouse Floor
BGM: Continues]

Boxes are everywhere, so the player must navigate the boxy labyrinth. Opening the chests will net the player an [Antidote], an [Iron Bangle], and a [Cotton Shirt]. Interacting the door to the north leads to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – Hallway
BGM: Continues]

Approaching the SAVE STONE to the left accesses the Save Menu. Proceeding right leads to a chest with a [Thunder Materia]. Interacting with all doors will produce a locked door prompt. Ascending the east staircase will lead to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – North Staircase, 2F
BGM: Continues]

Ascending the stairs to the left will lead to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – North Staircase, 3F
BGM: Continues]

Ascending the stairs to the right will lead to...

[Gameplay Section: Abandoned Warehouse – Office Space, 3F
BGM: Continues]

Interacting with the north door will lead to...

[Cutscene #005: Inaugural Mission 5
Set. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – CATWALK (Ext.) - NIGHT
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles – Tragic Decision]

STORM approaches the catwalk and hears a rumbling noise. STORM is surprised.

STORM
Not good... I better head ba-

STORM is confused.

STORM
Are those... voices?

STORM crosses the catwalk but approaches a WELL-SPOKEN MAN (ZANE) and ENIGMATIC WOMAN (KRYSTA) talking. STORM remains hidden.

WELL-SPOKEN MAN
It's only a matter of time before they discover this place. What do you plan to do?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
They're already here, you fool. They've got a scout scurrying about in the [Warehouse] as we speak. Of course, once he gets up here, he's done for. The door is set to lock from the inside. There's no way he can turn back and report our activity.

STORM is surprised.

WELL-SPOKEN MAN
How cunning. You truly are [The Operator].

A sudden rumble surprises everyone.

WELL-SPOKEN MAN
Again? Did those fools let that [Monster] out of its confines?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
[Monster]? For heaven's sakes, Zane, you sound like the [Aionos Guard]. And what are you talking about? You have another creature?

ZANE
Viscani approved our use of it. It's a [Bomb] species. There should be no trouble confi-

The screen burns red as shaking occurs.

FADE TO

[Set. AIONOS CITY – SECTOR 88 – MAIN STREET – NIGHT]

LOCKHEART runs from the east exit in a panic.

LOCKHEART
Fire! There's fire!

The other SOLDIERS rush over.

STRIFE
What's happening?

LOCKHEART
There's fire in the Eastern district! And you guys will never believe where it's coming from!

COMMANDER KASIOS and CROSS exit the Warehouse and join the group.

COMMANDER KASIOS
What the devil is going on?

LOCKHEART
Urgh... My chest feels heavy...!

CROSS
Oh no... Commander, permission to retrieve Reyner?

COMMANDER KASIOS
Right, right away.

CROSS
Sir!

CROSS returns to the Warehouse.

FADE TO

[Set. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – CATWALK (Ext.) - NIGHT]

ENIGMATIC WOMAN, ZANE, and STORM look to the east.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
You're a fool, Zane!

ZANE
I'll clean this up at once.

ZANE exits to the left.

STORM […]
I have to get out of here!

STORM takes off back across the catwalk. Predictably, the door is locked.

STORM
Open, you stupid thing!

A loud growl erupts as the BOMB appears hovering over the Catwalk. STORM is surprised.

STORM
These things get uglier by the second!

The BOMB roars again. STORM takes a battle stance.

STORM
Alright, ugly! You're going down!

STORM attacks the BOMB, but it expands in size. STORM is surprised.

STORM
That can not be good...

The BOMB roars once more.

?????? (ENIGMATIC WOMAN)
[Blizzard]!

A spell of ice strikes the BOMB. STORM is surprised.

STORM
And that was...?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN appears behind the BOMB.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
You should know better, boy. Attacking a [Bomb] with anything other than magic only makes it bigger, angrier, and a whole lot deadlier. What do you think happens to this entire sector when this thing gets too big for its britches?

STORM
Who are you?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
That's not important. Just sit back and watch.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN join the party.

SMASH TO

[BOSS BATTLE, ENGAGE!
ENEMY PARTY: Uncle Bomb
BATTLEFIELD: Catwalk – Lightning Terrain
BATTLE BGM: Xenoblade – Tragic Decision
VICTORY BGM: Xenoblade – Tragic Decision
SIDE-ATTACK BATTLE!]

BATTLE START DIALOGUE

STORM
What do you want me to do?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
Obviously, we've got it cornered, so my [Blizzard] spells are far more potent when its back is turned, meaning I do loads more damage when [Uncle Bomb] is attacking you.

STORM
And you expect me to just sit back and let him torch me?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
Calm down and focus on surviving, kid. Use the [Defend] command and heal up with [Potions] while I freeze him up good.

STORM
Isn't he going to be irritated with you, though? Obviously, you'll be drawing more [Hate] than I will.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
That's why you need to distract it! Use the [Event Command] [Taunt] to keep all of his [Hate].

STORM
But won't that put me in danger if I'm not healing or defending?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
It shouldn't matter. You should be able to hold [Hate] for several turns anyway. You'll survive a couple of hits. Just leave the offense to me, kid. And stay alive! If you die, it's the end of the line for you.

END BATTLE

[Cutscene #006: Inaugural Mission 6
Set. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – CATWALK (Ext.) - NIGHT
BGM: Xenoblade Chronicles – Sword Valley]

STORM falls over as UNCLE BOMB fades into the Ether.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
May you return to [The Crystal]...

STORM (panting)
What... on [Aionos]... is going on...?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN turns around. CROSS busts through the door.

CROSS
Storm!

CROSS approaches STORM then takes a battle stance with the ENIGMATIC WOMAN.

CROSS
What did you do to him?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
I saved his life.

CROSS
Bull! WHO ARE YOU?

ENIGMATIC WOMAN takes a step forward then turns to face them.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
My name is Krystal. I'm the Second Seat of [CRYSTAL], the Operator. That means the only man I answer to is [The Leader] himself.

STORM (still heaving)
Why are you telling us this... We're the [Aionos Guard]...!

ENIGMATIC WOMAN
But the potential to be so much more is radiating from within you, Storm Reyner. If you ever want answers about how to harness that “potential”, come look me up.

ENIGMATIC WOMAN leaves to the north. CROSS turns to STORM.

CROSS
Are you okay? Did she hurt you?

STORM gets to his feet.

STORM
No worse than the [Bomb] did.

CROSS
What are you doing getting up?

STORM falls over again as COMMANDER KASIOS bursts through the door.

SMASH TO

[Title Logo - Final Fantasy: Crystal Reaper]

Some additional notes:

* The soundtrack notes are placeholder. A lot of the mood I get for the scene is built by the music, though. So until I get an actual OST for this things, I'll mostly be using Xenoblade music and perhaps the occasional FF13 song. Yuck.
* This of course, is only the opening scene. I'll likely add additional scenes as each arc I create plays out.
* So many blatant references. :I Strife, Wallace, Lockheart, Branford, Harvey, Tribal, and Farron, while certainly not Biggs (Big AND Li'L) and Wedge, they will still play their own mini-role in the story. Consider them kind of like the Knights of Pluto.
*For those of you wondering about gender, Strife, Wallace, Lockheart, Harvey, and Tribal are all male. As for Branford and Farron... You may or may not ever have that answer known to you.

[Kitsune Inferno]

Spoiler:

Yeah, so I used to be a shark. What's it to ya? In my era, I was king. Nobody made more money than me. Nobody paid anybody more money than to me. I made a killing in that investment firm.

You sound like you've never heard of me. I'm John Wallace. Most people called me Johnny Wall Street. I had everything, you know: the money, the fame, the girls, the summer beach house in the Hamptons, the left-wing hate blogs, and the afternoon talk show gig in the pipeline. Life was perfect...

But then the stock market crashed.

***

"Good evening, I'm Patricia Morbid, filling in for Bryan Sunny. Tonight's breaking news proves that today is a dark day for America: the stock market crashed into the Chesapeake Bay early this evening, killing thousands and leaving millions more unemployed and unpriviledged. We'll go live now to Angela Clemens, who is on the scene. Angela?"

"Thank you, Patricia, you homewrecking bitch. Behind me, you can see that the calm blue waters of the Chesapeake Bay have transformed into a maelstrom of scarlet and green, as the blood--and more importantly, money--of millions of Americans spills out from the disemboweled remains of the stock market. Scientists are already on the scene, predicting that the stock market's violent impact with the Bay might have created a second impact crater in the humble waters.

"Here with me now is a hysterical survivor by the name of John Something-or-other, who claims to have lost his girlfriend and all of his assets in the catastrophe. John, what is going through your mind right now?"

I couldn't even answer. I was an empty husk as my perfect kingdom fell into the sea forever. I was now doomed to be nothing more than a has-been.

"Utter silence," Angela reported. "That's basically how everybody is reacting to this national tragedy. Back to you, Patricia. Tell Tommy to answer my phone calls and that I still love him more than you ever will."

***

I never recovered. I didn't even attend my girlfriend's wedding. I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye. Johnny Wall Street's reign was over.

But my story was only just beginning. Fate has a way of tearing down walls in order to install new doors, and let's just say what happens next is out of this world.

***

"Captain, we've reached our destination," the mysterious female said monotonously.

"Thank you, Gladys," the captain replied hoarsely as he stepped from the shadows, revealing his grotesque, reptilian alien form.

Captain Dracula, 44th Commander of the Vamden Galactic Army, licked his fangs sadistically. The taste of human blood had been a delicacy he last tasted about forty years prior when he intercepted that Apollo something or other craft. But now, he'd found the vineyard.

"So this is Earth..."

Oh my.

--- Update From New Post Merge ---

I forgot the Prologue. :I

Spoiler:

Prologue

I slipped on my jacket as I headed out into the cold Arizona morning air. It was snowing again. Out here, it was always snowing. Not even the deserts of Arizona were untouched by the rampant extent of the Ice Age.

I opened the snow-covered door to my old Ford truck and shoved the keys into the ignition. I slapped the tape deck forcefully, causing the tiny hula hooping figurine on my dash to spin her hips around. In response, the sound of my Outlaws mixtape began to echo throughout the cab. I turned the keys as the engine revved and the truck came to life.

I turned onto the main highway and started on my way toward Dr. Barringer's place, about twenty miles or so north from my house. The snow caked my windshield as I set the wipers to brush it aside.

“An old cowpoke went ridin' out one dark and windy day,” I crooned warmly along with the music as I felt every bump along the rough road up toward Barringer's. “Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way.”

I turned the wheel sharply as he winded my way around the giant glacier that trenched through the landscape. Up at this elevation, the snow had heavied and the air grew colder. I could see my breath in the cab as I sped along, screaming “When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed steer he saw” at the top of my baritone lungs. “A plowin' through the ragged sky... and up a cloudy draw.”

Ahead of me, I imagined for a moment seeing brands of fire and hooves of steel plummeting through the sky. The horns of black charged ever forward as I felt the air around me begin to warm. As the herd thundered through the sky, I began to feel uneasy, fearful even. Then I saw the riders coming hard and heard a mournful cry.

The herd was in fact a meteor, streaking through the sky in a blinding instant and striking the earth just to the north of me. The whole world around me turned bright white—as if it wasn't already—as a vast explosion unfolded right before my eyes.

“Yippie-ki-yay,” the Outlaws wailed in sadness as I stared on in awe. “Yippie-ki-yo.”

“Ghost riders in... ghost riders in the sky...” I mouthed in shock as I slammed my foot on the gas. The impact area... that was... “Barringer!” I screamed as I picked up speed.

My face was gaunt, my eyes were blurred, and my shirt was soaked with sweat. I rode hard to catch the herd, but I hadn't caught 'em yet.

“'Cause they've got to ride forever in the range up in the sky,” the song continued. “On horses snorting fire as they ride hard hear them cry.”

An awesome second explosion erupted from the same spot as shockwaves permeated from the site of impact. Behind me, I only half-noticed the avalanche that threatened to engulf my speeding truck. The music intensified as my truck accelerated to its top speed. I barely escaped the raging ice and snow behind me as I finally found myself speeding into the ash cloud. I was only a mile now from Barringer's house.

What I found a few yards ahead, however, was a massive crater, perhaps a mile or three across. Fires raged everywhere as molten rocks rained upon the land like fire. I left the truck as Ghost Riders in the Sky concluded, dashing into the carnage, hoping to find some sign of Barringer.

I found his lifeless body near the center of the crater. “Barringer!” I cried. “Barringer! Talk to me, man! Barringer!”

“Sun... is that... you?” Barringer mouthed, startling me. “Sun... Wukong...”

“No,” I began to cry. “It's me, Barringer. It's Monte... Don't speak.”

“Sun Wukong...” Barringer struggled to say. “I knew... this day would come...”

“Barringer?” I scowled. “What is this? What's going on?”

Before I could get an answer, a bright glow nearby caught my attention. A stone epitaph radiated in the one ray of sunlight that peeked through the dust and fire storm above them.

December 21^st, 2012, it read. On that day, they will come. The end will come. You have been warned, creatures of Earth. As soon as I finished reading it, it disappeared into thin air, as if it never existed.

“What is the meaning of this?” I frowned before a tight hand grasped my leg.

“Only you can warn them, Sun Wukong,” Barringer cried clearly. “You have lived your entire life in preparation for this task.”

“What are you on about?” I shouted as a rumbling shook the ground beneath my feet. An avalanche pushed its why violently down the slopes nearby. “Come on, Barringer, we have to get out of here.”

“No, lad,” Barringer shook his head. “Your task is in there.”

“Task?” I screamed. “I-I don't understand.”

“Only you can help the Collector of the Trinity,” Barringer said proudly as the ice and snow swallowed them both into darkness.

When the Collector of the Trinity begins his journey to the west, you must be there, Monte King. Now get some sleep. You've got thousands of years before the prophecy will be fulfilled...

← Journey·to·the·West ☼


This journey's about to get a whole lot wilder, pardner.

[zachri]

Why have I not discovered this thread sooner?
Myword.
Such awesomeness.