[Blue becomes very concerned that she'll be the unwitting witness to a rainsoaked love fest ]

Hmmm, perhaps we should find our way back to the castle quickly???

[Blue rummages through her bag full of shiny sharp objects]

*thinks "Hmm, you don't see this every day . . . but if alchemy can exist, then so can talking images formed from light" and proceeds to bow to the image of the previous king and queen*

Greetings.

*there is a short moment of silence as the two couples glance at one another*

Queen Image: *to the current queen* "Ahh, dear, you appear to be puzzled by this. Perhaps we should explain . . . "

Yes, please.

[ok.... note that its not the king; its hito's grandfather, the previous vizier. else the queendom just joined the south.....]

Gramps Image: i think i should take this one, m'lady. ok... let's see, where do i begin?

gramps? damn i'm seeing you everywhere i go now.

Gramps Image: ah good you found the book and know what this place actually is... that makes things easier. ok here's the deal, the energy of the gate can be used by this chamber in many ways; one of them is as a massively powerful weapon.

i'm guessing if you found this place on puropse, the queendom has come under attack by something rather nasty; demons, devils, those creatures with the brain tubes thingies... this chamber can help you stop them.

but before you start breaking out the champagne, there is a catch... the weapon only holds one shot at time, and it takes a month to recharge it.

Queen Image: yes... you must choose wisely when to use this chamber, for all intensive purposes you will only have one shot. when to use this is up to you, we are only programmed images here to teach you how to use it. you must decide what to do with this information on your own....

*the queen image slowly raises her arms, palms up. two small consoles rise from the ground.*

BOTH IMAGES, ALTERNATING FROM SENTENCE TO SENTENCE: one of you goes here. another over here. picture the castle and the surrounding land. imagine what you want the weapon to do. then will it to happen.

BOTH AT ONCE: now it is all up to you....

*the images fade. the kings turns to the queen*

so... what do we do now? use it? wait?

(Ahh, I see. Thank you for the note. )


Hmm . . . now, when they said "picture the castle and the surrounding land. imagine what you want the weapon to do. then will it to happen", is that only the weapon itself, or will whatever we picture as the surroundings be like the way we picture it to be when the weapon is fired?

In other words, if we picture around 50,000 demons approaching the castle in organized formation, where every fifth one is gnawing on a sandwich and only those with tails are swinging their tails around a split second the weapon is being fired, would that actually happen? Or will we have to know what is going on in the area we intend to aim the weapon at and wait for the best opportunity?

yes that does pose a good question, but i'm guessing its more like we're targeting mentally with pinpoint accuracy... if it is using the power of the Gate, we pretty much can do anything.. create, destroy, or change. i'm guessing its alchemic energy in its rawest form.

though i'm also guessing that the creators of this chamber would also know about the one month limitation. so it would make sense they would lock out any requests that are beyond the capabilities of the chamber, so that the energy won't be wasted.

how about we try a burst of energy, orginating from the castle and going out say... 20 miles, that is diametrically opposed to the life wave of lower plane creatures? that would include demons, devils, and just about anything in between. but i will have to resurrect that demon knight guy later... or maybe we can work that in?

ok... how about this i'll picture the frequency of the wave and the resurrection of our fallen troops and that demon guy, you picture the burst itself?

*walks over to a console. places his hand on the hand shaped imprint etched into the console.*

just tell me when... in fact do a "3,2,1" countdown just to make sure we synch up....

Ahh, I understand. I will handle the burst then, and the 3,2,1 countdown. We will start on 1, and not after 1.

*walks to other console and places a hand on it and closes eyes in concentration*

Commencing countdown.



Three . . .



Two . . .



ONE!



*the consoles begin to glow as the room seems to vibrate*

*millions of images rush through the minds of the couple in an instant; the faces of all around the castle, each individual blade of grass, basically EVERYTHING within 20 miles of the castle. just as the sudden barrage of information is about to break their minds, the images change to a blinding flash. outside the castle, a wave of blue light tears through the invaders,; destroying all of them in a flash. the couple sees xithion's body torn apart violently then reformed perfectly, molecule by molecule; pillars of lights blast down from the sky targeting all the bodies of the fallen troops, the bodies float in mid-air and are animated once more. suddenly all is quiet and back to normal within the chamber. when they open their eyes, they notice the bright glow of the chamber has dimmed to barely the equivalent of a small candle.*

i think we did it.....

*holds a hand to one side of her head, still slightly overwhelmed*

I certainly hope so . . . should we check to make sure?

*takes a step away from the console but is hit with a spell of dizziness; she stumbles to the wall and leans on it for support*

Wow, that was . . . indescribable.

*rushes over to catch the queen, stumbling for the first step but forces his body to move properly anyways*

whoa...

*takes her hand*

yeah, that was rather... different to say the least... i wonder if i could copy that kinda of technology and apply to reading? but thats for another time.... come on let's check things out...

*when they finally reach the courtyard they find a bunch of confused, formerly dead troops standing next to their compatriots. there is no sign, other than the marks on the terrain from the battle, that the demons were ever here.*

damn.... we so need to figure out a way to use that thing more often...

Yes. The technology is indeed fascinating. I do wonder if it is restricted to only the areas surrounding the castle, but with power like this, it would make sense if it is able to stretch across all dimensions, and therefore, should be able to target said dimensions as well.

Experimentation with this device will prove to be quite beneficial. If there is no way to shorten the charge time, I move that we make use of it once a month for . . . something or other, just so we can get as much use out of it as possible.

wait... we can use it to create things... we could finish projects that would take years conventionally, and at least months even with regular alchemy...

but i think we should do some research... cause there must have been a reason why the previous rulers didn't do so...

Ahh, very good points. I suppose it will be a while before we can truly comprehend the capabilities of this intricate device. Meanwhile, the Major and the rest of the army are likely pondering about what has just occurred. Perhaps we should head back for now.

*walks and sways a bit, still a little lightheaded*

Hmm, might have to get used to that . . .

yes i think it is time to regroup...

*pulls out his headset and switches to the all castle broadcast frequency*

attention this is the king... all troops are to report to their barracks for immediate debriefing and medical attention. all court members are to assemble in the throne room as soon as they can.

*takes the queen's hand once more and teleports both of them to the throne room. armstrong is standing there, with a shocked look on his face, staring at where the demon used to be.*

ARMSTRONG: sir... he just....

disintegrated? yeah... that was supposed to happen. don't worry about it. did you get anything out of him?

ARMSTRONG: he was gonna spill the beans when just disintegrated, sir...

crap....

ARMSTRONG: but as he faded away he said something... what was it... naru...something... chu...gad?

what?! wait... was it naruj ehoma chugat?

ARMSTRONG: yes, sir. that was it.

*steps back in shock.*

oh no...

*sits down rather dejected in his throne*

ok.... good news, we have a week before the main army arrives... bad news, it consists of two million.....

i have no idea of how we can beat that many. i don't think there's any way for me, or anyone else for that matter, to generate the amount of energy needed repower the chamber in that short a time. maybe, MAYBE i would be able to do it if we have two weeks... but a week?! no chance...

*is saddened by the news of the approaching enemy*

We mustn't lose hope just yet. There must be a way to overcome this problem.

*paces back and forth, pausing once in a while to shake her head, when she suddenly stops altogether; she turns to the King with a possible theory?*

Our best chance at the moment is the weapon. If I do remember correctly, your grandfather mentioned that "the weapon only holds one shot at time, and it takes a month to recharge it." But he did not specify through what means the weapon is recharged.

If the chamber is that isolated and the previous rulers likely could not have gone to charge it daily themselves for fear of suspicion, the chamber would have to recharge itself. If it takes a month, then assuming that the chamber can recharge itself, then the chamber itself must have a sense of time. Therefore, if the theory holds true, there could be a way to deceive the device into recharging at a more rapid pace, although I do have doubts about this theory, and I could very well be far from correct . . .

*Lies on the floor panting. Pain still shooting through his body.*

What the <censored for the kiddies> was that?

*Stands up and looks around noticing all the demons are gone. His barrier vanished.*

Whatever it was I dont like it!
*Looks down at his hands. They're shaking*

Dam. Well at least everything else seems okay.

...

Wow... juss wow...

trick it? i doubt it.. it would probably slowly drain energy from the Gate to recharge it, but the idea of time does bring up a possiblity... maybe we can compress the flow of time around the chamber, thus make it time move faster in there than out here? but that kind of effect is damn near impossible via alchemy and i honestly don't know if i have to knowledge required to do it magically... though it would be much easier with magic...

*stands up*

i don't know... argh... i'm going to meditate. between the battle and the chamber i'm wiped... i can't even begin to fathom how to do it now, perhaps rest will clear up my mind.

*give the queen a kiss, walks to the royal chambers and begins to meditate*

[damn... its 4:40 already?! i'll catch you guys tomarrow]

G'night, Dad!

Have a good night, my King. I should be retiring soon myself. But first, to the library to think on this issue a little more . . .

*leaves the throne room and walks to the library slowly, thinking all the while*

*Brushes himself off and flies up a few hundred feet.*

Dam! That thing....did this?
*The land around the castle, that was coveredd in demonic armies, is completely de-satanized and shows no evidence of demonic activities.*

*Ogles the landscape for awhile, then begins glide to the inner castle toward the throne*

I have some questions and I better get some anwers. *Picks up speed*

*mid-swing, mei notices a disturbance in space--and the demon she was fighting disappears, as do its compatriots and the dust of the defeated ones.*

Uh...I'm not sure what happened, but thank heavens we don't have to divy clean-up duty. That would've been hell, and frankly, I've had enough of it for now.

*hears king's broadcast*

Well! Since the king and queen are resting, I guess I'll go check on the troops. Come on, Kyor--to the barracks!

*Arrives at the throneroom and looks around. No-one's there.*
Erg...where is everyone? Well, if wait maybe they'll come back.

*looking around the castle* I just heard the announcement, I guess I need to go to the throne room *walking in the direction of the throne room*

*Notices Dragon walk into the throne room.*

Well, I see you managed to protect yourself. Did you figure out how to use that dagger well enough?

Oh yes, speaking of daggers. *pulls out green and purple daggers and fuses then back together*

I'm waiting for the king. You?

Hey! *pulls out the dagger* lucky I using my stooge experience to win battles, nyuk, nyuk *peels off the apple I grabs* this dagger? I using this for the apple.

I'm looking for jobs, I have the knowledge of history

*Walks over to Dragon and smacks him upside the head*

You moron. You mean you haven't tried it out? That's more than just a dagger!

*quite a bit bloodied and bruised, he slowly enters the throne room. His weary eyes look to the queen and king, then to the other members of the court. A small smile comes to his face and he lets out a sigh of relief.*

Everyone's made it back alive. That's good to see. *he queitly says to himself while leaning against the door's frame. He wipes away some of the blood running down his arm. Then at that instant his thoughts return to his wife. He still didn't knwo where she was. The last he had seen of her was just after he had vaporized the demon, then the flash of light came, then he was back in the courtyard.
Without a moment to spare, he turns about and heads back out into the courtyrad to begin searching for his lover*

Where's the king? *looks around then walks over to DM*
It's been just myself and Dragon here for awhile now...I'm not sure but I have a feeling something worse is coming. Maybe it's the fact that no-one seems to be celebrating. Also, I still feel other demonic energies even though our enemy is defeated. *walks with DM to the courtyard*

Hmm...I wonder where shardy is? Oh well, she can take care of herself.

*walks into the throne room and sit dowm in his throne. notices a basket of persimmons nearby*

well.. if we're gonna get killed, we're might as well do it on a full stomach of persimmons.

*starts to peel and eat persimmons while drawing diagrams of potential solutions to the temporal compression problem*

*Walks back to the throneroom and notice the king. Angry, he stomps over to the king but quickly remembers his manner.....somewhat*
What the hell happened to me? What was it? Why are you so quiet? And, fill me in please!

*materializes into the throne room*

I wonder where my husband is...

*looks up*

and who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?

*stands up in a sudden motion*

you think i can't see the anger in your eyes?

*a sudden and strong force lifts xithion in the air, unable to move*

first off, the way it works is you need to tell me things... i don't NEED to tell you crap...

but if you want to know... when we destroyed the rest of the demons, i was nice enough to resurrect you; the wave torn you apart and i rebuilt you...

*with a flick of the wrist, xithion is torn apart and reassembled once more*

like that... now if you wanted me to leave you dead, just speak up and i'll send you back to the land of dead...

*drops xithion back on the floor. goes back to his diagram and persimmons*

*walks out into the courtyard just as the princess teleports into the throne room. He looks around a little, hoping and praying that his wife is safe. His head throbbed a little from the landing earlier, but he pressed the pain aside continued out into the courtyard*

Angel! Where are you?! *he cries out as he nears an once elegant persimmon tree. He leans agaist it and with a hopeful look in his eyes, slowly scans the area with his dark orbs*

*strides into the throne room*

Ahh, I see there is much activity today . . . many things to do as well.

*turns to the now-dazed Xithion*

You will do well not to upset the King at this time.

*turns to the King*

Hello, dear. As I do not have nearly enough knowledge required to even know where to begin any research on the subject of time compression, is there anything else I can help with in the mean time?

*Stands up and smirks.*
Dear King, I'm a demon. Manners fall short. But I won't be your punching bag when you get FRUSTRATED!

*Growls and walks out of the throne room clutching his box, that's now glowing several different colors, muttering.*
After I fight....I get treated like this...pick on the demon its his fault...Why do I? Why should I?

*Walks over to a nearby stained glass window and flies threw it. Soars off to the Northeast.* I'll find my own <censored for the kiddies> answers!

*materializes into the Prince's arms*

Here I am, my love!

*turns to the queen*

oh hey, quis... i honestly still have no idea of how to go about this. all these diagrams are just best guesses.

*looks up to see xithion's little tyrade*

fine... next time i use the weapon i'll make sure to target him and that girl he's always with....

*hears the foul language being used by Sir Xith*

*snaps fingers to send down a thunderbolt on him*



I know your one of my husband's elite fighters, but I won't have bad language being spoken to my parents, intendez vous?

*jumps a little, then blinks and looks to the princess*

Honey, you really should warn me when you do that.

*A smile comes across his face as he wraps his arms around the princess. Genlty pulling her close, he kisses her cheek. All his pain seemed to melt away as he held her close.*

You're not hurt are you, love? I'm glad that you're here though. *a small smile comes across his face*
I don't know how we got seperated. I remember being in a field, then looking over to see you and lady Blue standing there. Then there was this bright light, and I was back here at the castle. So I staretd to look for you and now you're here.

*He gives his wife a long, tender kiss and smiles to her*

Edit- Hon, I think we shoudl head back into the thorne room and see how we can help out with the clean up. Also, I'd like to see what's next on the agenda.

*Still flying he notices a cave in the side of a small mountain.*
Good place as any...
*Flies down and into the cave walks over to the wall, sits against it, and begins to talk to himself*
Hmp!...I shouldn't even go back! They're all out to get me.. ..DM, Ailuro, Bling, and the King and Queen.

*Shrugs*
With allies like that who needs enemies? It's not like they really need me...

*Stands up and walks over to the exit. Rain begins to poor.*
Well, it looks like I'm here for the night.
*Walks back into the cave and sits down*
I'm sure they can deal without me!

*looks down at the white patch on his wing grabs it and begins poking*
Has this gotten bigger?...........Nah couldnt be.
*lays down and falls asleep*

*smiles at the Prince*

As you wish...

*snaps fingers to teleport to the throneroom with him...*

*looks to his lovley wife and smiles a little*

You never cease to amaze me, hon.

*keeping an arm around her, he then turns to face the king and queen. He walks over to them, slowling his pace so that Bling can remain by his side. Upon reaching them, he lowers his gaze and bows slightly*

My King and my Queen...What is it that you would have me, a foreigner in your lands, do in such a time of need?...

*kisses the Prince's cheek, inspite of being in front of her parents*

You're no foreign stranger to this kingdom, my love1 You happen to be my husband!

*standing to his full hieght, he looks into the Princess' eyes. He gratefully returns her kiss*

Yes honey, but... I... Oh god, forget arguing about that. I'm just glad you're alright!

*After gazing into her loving eyes a little longer, he merely shakes his head a little. A small laugh escapes him. Turning back to Hito and Quistis with a renewed vigor, he smiles some*

So what is it you guys want or need me to do?

*smiles at the Prince then turn to her parents*

So can we crash Hell, Mom? Pweaaaase?

With sugar on top? XD!

*looking up from his diagrams once more*

ok...

*looks over to the guards at the throne room doors*

seal the doors and leave, now

*they follow his ordes and depart.*

well its like this, that force we encountered yesterday is only the advance party of a MUCH larger army. in a week's time, two million demons will be upon us. now while at least half with be fodder, that still leaves a million decently strong demons and other nasty things.

as for a plan of attack... well if you have any idea as how to defeat that many... i'm all ears.

*He's thoughtful for a second, then speaks up*

Well, if the court exorcist was here, maybe we could find out where we can hire some more exorcists. Or just hire a whole army of excorists.
Anyways, if we amassed enough of them and had them concentrate all thier holy power into one shot, we could wipe out the invading force? Do you think that this would do the trick, or should we fall back onto soemthing else?

*sits down and listens to the seasoned warriors speaking their plans8



Juss say when...

thats a pretty good idea but... where exactly are we gonna find an entire army of exorcists in a week? i'm not trying to be difficult; but its not so much the number of troops that we are working against, its the fact that we only have a week to prepare.

but i do have a question for you, my new son-in-law... do your people do research on the topic of magical temporal manipulaton?

Good point dad..er...sir... The time issue is what dos really seem to put a stop on that plan.

*blinks a little at Hito's question abotu research, shakes his head slowly* Not that I know of. While some of our universities do study magic quite heavily, i can't recall any study of that in particular. I'll ask my council about it as soon as possible and I'll tell them that if they do find anything, to send the info asap.