Song Playing: Struggle Away“Eep! Someone help, kupo!”
A lone voice pierces through the silent night. A small Moogle, cowering in fear, is ambushed by a small group of five Soldiers, the fiends enclosing around it. As one of the Heartless begins to leap forward and strike, its body dissolves as a flash of light hits it. Sensing a strong source of light behind them, the remaining creatures turn around only to be greeted by a volley of light arrows. These arrows, one for each of the four remaining Heartless, pierce their bodies, the initial impact destroying another three on the spot. The last of these creatures, surprisingly, withstands the blow. Its whole body shakes as if it were throwing a fit in anger. It attempts to lash out at the Moogle, but fails just like its predecessors. A cloaked figure hailing from the same direction the arrows were launched from leaps from a nearby rooftop, performs an aerial spin, cutting down the sole surviving soldier from behind with a dagger. The released hearts decorate the night sky as they rise from their captivity. The Moogle, sensing that the danger has passed, looks up and faces its saving grace.
“Y-You saved me, kupo...thank you so much!” It bows its head in gratitude only to let out a cry of surprise as it’s suddenly scooped up.
“Sorry, little one, but I’m certain there’s plenty more where that came from. We’ll save introductions for once I get you someplace safe. How’s that sound?” As the figure inquires this, a loud howl can be heard, its echo sending chills down the Moogle’s spine.
“Yes please, kupo!” It answers, burying its face into the crook of the man’s arm.
Upon hearing this, the figure utilizes Warp to relocate unto a nearby rooftop. To ensure a smooth getaway from the approaching threat, the figure Hastes himself, practically soaring from rooftop to rooftop.
Now Playing: Exceed TachiThe individual’s Haste wears off just as he lands in front of a tavern. The sign above their heads states that the name of the establishment is the “Raven’s Nook”. Upon opening the door with his free hand, he clears his throat as if to signal to the Moogle that it’s safe.
“Welcome to my humble abode!” He exclaims, setting the Moogle down on top of a nearby table, closing the door behind him.
The Moogle looks around in awe at how well-furnished this place is. This main hall is lit up by a nearby hearth, the warmth radiating throughout the space. Its warmth puts the Moogle’s nerves at ease.
“Well, well, back from the hunt, I see. What have you brought me this time, my dear?” Another cloaked individual approaches the pair, removing their hood to reveal a woman with jet-black hair and golden amber eyes. The Moogle yelps, and begins shaking in fear.
The woman chuckles, eyeing the Moogle curiously. “Fear not, child. Unlike those creatures out there, I don’t bite without a good reason.”
“U-Um, I-I’m looking for a person named Asher Rain...I have a letter for him…” The Moogle stammers out.
“Oh? Well, it seems Fortuna has smiled upon you after all. I’m simply surprised her agent hasn’t introduced himself yet.”
The man lets out a hearty laugh as he too removes his hood, revealing long locks of red hair, matching red eyes, and a cocky grin.
“I believe I’m the one you’re looking for then.” He remarks.
“Woah! How lucky can a Moogle be, kupo? In that case, here you go!” The Moogle materializes the aforementioned letter and hands it over to Asher. He opens the letter and begins reading. When he’s through, he hands it over to the woman so that she can be filled in.
“What do you think, Mary? Will these streets be alright without me?” He inquires.
She laughs. “It sounds like you’ve made up your mind already. How about you humor me and flip that coin of yours?” She responds.
He grins, pulling out a golden coin. “Alright then. Heads, I go. Tails, you order me to go.” He flips the coin, pressing it flat against the back of his left hand upon catching it with his right. He removes his hand to reveal the wheel of fortune.
“Lady Luck has spoken. This order is active immediately. Let’s shove off, young Moogle!” He exclaims, already fully prepared to head back out.
“Hold on now, hotshot. If you’re traveling abroad, you better take these with you.” She hands Asher a small box. He opens it to find two sets of black earrings, one representing each suit from a deck of cards. “Custom made. They’ll let you keep in contact from any distance. Just touch place a finger on it, and whomever else is wearing one of these can receive or send a message to you.” Mary explains.
Asher equips himself with the Spade Earring, and gives a nod to her explanation. “Thank you, milady. I’ll be sure to return in one piece. Now then, shall we?” The Moogle nods in response, and prepares to act as his guide to the Gummi Ship. However. Right before that can happen, however, the door Asher had entered the tavern into opens once more. Two similarly cloaked figures walk in, the female figure walking in first followed by a hooded male, who closes the door behind him. The male drops his hood to reveal golden amber eyes and white hair, grinning warmly. “Greetings. I’ve come with the charge you have requested to work with young Asher here...go on!” He nudges the girl forward, who seems like she’s currently barely able to function. Seeing this, Jack “gracefully” removes her hood, revealing her identity to Asher.
Now Playing: Epilogue 2 Asher, originally nothing but smiles, has gone very pale, very fast. His expression is one of pure shock, caught completely off guard by who is now standing before him. The girl, sharing the same red hair, looks at him with green eyes slowly brimming with tears.
“You’ve..finally come home, huh?” She hugs him.
“You...you idiot...I never left..” They both simply stand there, taking in the fact that they’re finally united once more. Their shoulders shake, their self-imposed burdens seemingly removed as their tears stream down their faces.
Jack and Mary stand side by side, admiring their respective proteges.
“Ah, how touching. Doesn’t that remind you of us in our youth, Mary?”
“Oh please. I don’t know about you, but I consider myself to be as young as ever.”
“This world has done nothing but bring me tears, kupo…” The siblings look over at the sulking Moogle. They both cracked a laugh at the messenger’s expense, now proceeding to face towards Asher and Morgan.
“Sorry to cut this reunion short, but you two have a job to do now.” Morgan looks over with a quizzical expression at Jack.
“Your brother can fill you in on your way there. Asher, be sure to be a good boy and share your toys with your sister, hm?”
Asher scoffs. “I see that the mockery continues yet. As I say, ‘All for one, and one for all’.”
He digs out the box containing the remaining earrings from his pocket, opens it, and after giving it some thought, pulls out the Diamond-shaped earring and hands it to his sister.
“Hehe, why this one specifically, hm?” She takes it and equips it to her right earlobe.
“Tch...moron. You’re a precious treasure of mine..” He looks away and rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
“Pfft, that’s so corny! Is that what you tell all the ladies?” She nudges him with her elbow.
“Oh, shut up, you! I’ll have your head if you lose it. Got it?”
This attempt at a threat causes Morgan to laugh, causing Asher to become more flustered and upset. “Hey, you! Are we leaving for your ship or what!?”
“The name’s Mogana, kupo! Yes, if you are all set, we can leave right now.”
“Good! You better keep up, Morgan!” Asher begins to head out the door.
“Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself brother! We’ve much to discuss!” Morgan follows suit, Mogana quickly tailing after the two siblings. Soon enough, the duo finally make it to their designated Gummi Ship, and take off for Renovation.
Location: RenovationNow Playing: Foretellers The duo finally make their landing on the destination's airfield. The exit the airship, both of them in rather high spirits considering everything that happened leading up to their departure.
"This one time, I was sent to do some undercover work at a local tavern. A whole bar fight broke out! Wanna take a guess as to who came out on top?"
"Pfft, that's nothing, sis. I've had to cross-dress to get close to a target before. Took me roughly a week to get what I needed and get out in one piece...oh gods, there are horrors during that time I wish I could surpress.." Asher shudders at the sudden recall of the event.
"Oh, there, there. At least now you surely have sympathy for what us girls go through at times." Patting him on the back, they press on to join what appears to be the collection of people they'll be working with for the time being. They both silently begin to analyze those that have chosen to speak first, and pay close attention towards their self-dubbed escorts.
"Well? Do you think we could take them?" Morgan whispers
"Maybe the wizard. Don't underestimate that shield user though. I'm positive his weapon of choice is way more powerful than he'd be letting on.." Asher nods towards the grandiose shield in question.