Rescue Please!

Rescue Please!
Date of Scene:	04 November 2012
Location:	Figaro Desert
Synopsis:	A nobleman vacationing in Costa Del Sol has reported that his daughter has been kidnapped by a band of marauding goblins and their ogre leader, and whisked away to a ruined fortress where the bandits have made their base. Such a classic case of a damsel in distress calls for the intervention of heroic knights, and Faruja Senra and Ivo Galvan of the Shard Seekers are on the case, along with whomever else has answered the call. Navigate a sand-blasted warren rife with monstrous foes and rescue the girl -- assuming, of course, that all is as it seems.
Cast of Characters:	Ivo Galvan, Faruja Senra, Raiya Fujihara, Riku, Mercade Alexander, Tifa Lockhart, Pixi, Avira, Maira, Cirra Constantine

---

Ivo Galvan has posed:
"This isn't quite what I anticipated," Ivo admits to Faruja, before wincing slightly and crouching lower behind the sand-blasted piece of masonry he is using as cover as another shower of makeshift arrows clatters about them.

When a distraught nobleman vacationing in Costa Del Sol sent out an urgent cry for help at the kidnapping of his maiden daughter, the noble knightly duo of the Shard Seekers were on the case, Faruja assuredly due to his righteous spirit and Ivo due, if he were honest about it (which he wouldn't be), to the intriguing circumstances about the case. When asked, the nobleman was oddly reticent about what his daughter was doing wandering about in the desert around the beachside town in the first place, and how she got captured by these goblins. Nevertheless, whatever the situation, a damsel in distress needs saving. Summoning whoever they could to the cause, the band ventured to the decayed fortress where the bandits awaited.

Its outer walls fallen apart, leaving only heaps of rubble, and its main walls barely standing and great wooden doors weathered by time, the sorry state of the fortifications suggested that the bandits were not a coordinated group. This turned out to be quite misleading. In retrospect, Ivo now reflects as he huddles behind the outer wall's debris, goblins firing their bows from the main walls above, the many rival monsters and Heartless in the area would mean these bandits need a formidable defense. While archers shoot down at them from twenty feet up, makeshift wooden barricades with goblins brandishing swords and axes partially bar the path to the closed main door ahead, which likely leads to the great hall.

Ivo had at least prepared for that eventuality. Grinning lackadaisically despite his perilous predicament, he withdraws an improvised explosive from the pocket of his cloak. "Thank the engineers of Karnak for some help on this," he asides to his Burmecian ally. "Can you cover me somehow? Maybe take out those archers? If I could just get to the doors..." His buckler probably won't cut it.

Faruja Senra has posed:
Grin! For all of the kindness Faruja possesses, he can't help but enjoy the thrill and challenge of a fight. Thus, as arrows rain down upon them and goblins brandish Sharp Pointy Things at their piece of cover, the Burmecian looks as though he's having the time of his life.

"In my admittedly short time in martial service, Ser Galvan, I have found that there is but one truth in battle; only the good Lord knows what foe awaits you. 'No plan survives contact with the enemy', as a good friend of mine would say. Hold fast! We shall perservere!" He states confidently, before giving a brief nod. Sticking two clawed fingers into his muzzle, he whistles.

With not a moment's further hesitation, the Burmecian very simply ducks out of cover. Quite nimble even with his armor, the ratling dodges a small volley of arrows directed his way by a hair's breadth, a few more well-aimed shots deflected by the gauntlets on his arms. Thrusting his spear, lights begin to gather over the archers. Ka-boom! Holy Explosions rain down on those too slow to move out of the way. Not a few seconds later, a shadow drops over the archers upon the walls of the fortifications, the white form of Arista a bolt as she dive-bombs the bow-wielders. One ends up in her jaws, and soon down her gullet.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade grimaces from behind the cover. "Well then. Looks like we have a bit of a situation here." He pops his head up. "Look, guys, we just want to talk!" An arrow hisses narrowly past his head, and he ducks back down. He pulls up a stick with a white clotk on it, the universal sign for parlay (right?) and holds it up, waving it.

It gets shot by several more arrows, and he drops it with a yelp. "What we have here," Mercade drawls, "Is a failure to communicate."

This is about when an enterprising goblin aims, and dires at the edge of the rubble, where Mercade was crouching. There is a yelp, as Mercade clutches the glancing blow to his... backside.

"Okay, you sons of boogers." Mercade yells. "Let's engage in some aggressive negotiations." Mercade pops up, guns in hands as he levels his weapons at the archers, unleashing a barrage of bullets upon the archers while Faruja works on taking main aggro.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya Fujihara was something of a lone wolf. That moniker really comes with the territory of being a wandering, masterless ronin. Because of this, the samurai had not entered with any group in particular despite being offered the information about this noble quest from Ivo in the first place. Regardless, she was intent on seeing this task through on her own or with their help even if had meant her own life. Ronin do not have many causes worth dying for, but to do so in the salvation of an innocent person would be a worthwhile death.

That is how Raiya's Desert Tale began as she now approaches the desert fortifcation in her usual kimono garb and her circular straw sun hat. Someone up ahead is seemingly providing Raiya with enough of a distraction to get a good view of the defenses without any arrows headed her way, yet. Who were those two anyways? They seemed to possess a similar devil-may-care attitude as Raiya or had merely bit off more than they could chew. Or was it that Ivo and his crew merely arrived before she had?

Faruja's attack now causes a slight opening in the hopeful confusion of the almighty explosions. Using her nimble agility, the blonde ronin dashes over her the dune and heads for a closer position and uses the debris of the fortress for cover as she moves. If the fates smile upon her, Raiya will be able to get closer before she is finally spotted.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
For once she's in Costa for another reason than trying to buy a swimsuit. Well, try being keyword because for the past few visits she still doesn't have one. Well, that's a different issue altoghether right now. She's always willing to help out when there's problems, make a bit of side munny is always a plus. And its not like she's completly useless in fights usually. There's the odd heartless that seems to avoid all of her attacks, but other than that, she fares well.

She hmms as she steps toward Ivo and the rest, a hand under her chin "Looks like the distraction is already done." She analyzes a bit "So she's in there, right?" She's keeping out of sight of the arrows. She doesn't want to breath for different holds just yet.

As for the others around, she remembers Raiya as well. At least she's among known people, its easier to trust your back to those.

Pixi has posed:
Leaning up against her own cover, Pixi turns her head just after an arrow zips past her ear. "Wonderful. Goblins. Someone has to be giving these guys orders." The goblins seem to have their attention up in the air for now......and she rushes forward at her crazy inhuman speed and decks one of the goblins behind cover. His jaw cracks, and Pixi picks up one of the wooden barricades to provide herself cover for the moment. Of course, from the sound of it, Faruja, while on the wyvern, was getting backup.....and so was she.

Riku has posed:
There is nothing like a brisk volley of arrows in the middle of the afternoon to make you realize how much fun you were missing.

Riku crouches behind some debris some distance away from Ivo and Faruja, moving his hand out of the way just in time as an arrow embeds itself in the sand. He slides along the sand to the opposite end of the ruined wall.

He leans up to watch Arista and Faruja take point, and as Mercade takes care of the archers he takes the opportunity to make his way in the path of Tifa and Raiya to get closer to the inner walls. He sweeps his sword up at the upper walls, a crack of lightning leaping towards them but appearing from the opposite side of the wall than where he was running to.

Maira has posed:
Suddenly, large ball of fire rains down from the sky, crashing into a group of goblin archers and setting them all aflame! Now, if you a thinking large fireballs means Maira is nearby, you are probably correct.

What you are probably NOT expecting, is for the young woman to be riding on the back of a very startled and disgruntled looking wyvern that is trying to throw her off with all his might. Said wyvern, is also diving rapidly toward the group below, namely Ivo and Faruja. "Oh! Hey!" she yells as she gets within range of them, then LEAPS from the back of the creature.

"Catch meeeeeeee!!!!!"

Cirra Constantine has posed:
Trudge, trudge, trudge. She never liked walking through the desert in this armor, but it's not as heavy as some of her commrads, probably why they sent her.

The figure in silver armor with black leather undersuit stops on top of a dune and looks up, watching a girl on a wyvern slaminto hte outter walls. She flinches behind the mask, not entirely befret of human empathy. Still, she has a job to do.

The Judge, for what the armor identifies her as, crouches down slightly and waits, the goblins focus on the people behind the rubble. Perfect.

The woman takes off at a run and rushes down the dune at break neck speed, running right for a chunk of rubble. She shifts her momentuem forward into a sudden spin around on one foot as the other lashes out, smashing into the brick rubbles with a *CRACK* and sends it flying through hte air towards that worn and rotten looking door.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
"That's what I'm talking about!"

Ivo shields his blue eyes with a gloved hand, brushing dark hair away from his brow, grinning just like the Burmecian who has now rushed into the fray as he looks up at the wyvern who has been summoned to the attack. Such rudimentary arrows are nothing against its scales, and Mercade's hail of bullets combined with the steed's assault begin to send the goblins' air cover scattering.

"An ogre, supposedly," Ivo asides to Pixi. This is his first encounter with the viera warrior, but his eyebrows shoot up as he's able to see her speed first-hand, the rabbit-woman able to rush in and seize one of the barricades for cover before she can't be stopped. Needless to say, the swordsman is incapable of that, and can only be impressed. "Truly, battle is a brutal art," he says to himself, but only with a touch of admiration. When Tifa speaks, the knight-errant looks over at her, smiling calmly now that the arrows pinning them down have begun to slow. "So we're told. Well," he then adds, smile broadening, "there's only one way to find out." He's seen the lady martial artist's style in action before, and is glad he was able to meet her in Costa and get her to join the mission.

His only regret is that he hasn't seen Raiya yet... but then, the samurai does things her own way. Perhaps oddly, he holds out some hope that she'll show herself eventually. Just as Faruja says, who knows what surprises the battle has in store--

Like, say, a woman jumping from a wyvern.

Ivo stares blankly as a fireball explodes against the upper walls, joining with Riku's lightning strike, and looks up as Maira leaps from Arista's back. "How did she--" It doesn't matter. Brazenly leaving cover, Ivo rushes forward with arms outstretched and catches the blonde fire mage as she falls, stumbling slightly but gallantly managing not to grunt. Women are weightless, you know. "I just risked my life for you, you know," he says casually to the woman he's now cradling, though if he were truly worried, presumably he wouldn't be standing there talking. "But I would sacrifice anything to hold you in my arms."

Obviously, his allies have done more than enough to disperse the archers anyway, but who cares about such trivial facts? As Ivo sets Maira down, rather than waste time asking what she's doing here or how she even got up there, his eyes are drawn to the formidable armored figure who rushes in and powerfully smashes a chunk of rock against the door. The wood shudders and splinters, but though the material is damaged, whatever bar is holding it in place on the other side seems tougher than the rest. Unfortunately, it'll take a little more than that. Ivo glances down at the bomb in his hand, but hesitates and looks over at Maira instead. "Lady Mage," he says gamely, gesturing to the damaged door, "think you could take care of that from here?"

Lacking support from above, the goblins on the ground begin to abandon their positions. With surprising organization and courage, the lot of them seem determined to use their greater numbers to swarm the heroes, and brandishing their swords and axes, they charge toward those who have entered the fray. Ivo, finding himself encircled with Maira, draws Hauteclare and grimaces slightly. "A knight's work is never done... I'll hold them off." Brave words, at least.

Faruja Senra has posed:
The Burmecian can't help but feel a touch of self-satisfaction as all seems to be going well enough, and that no one has gained any arrow-shaped holes in their bodies so far. We'll see if the same goes for the blades being brandished!

Pixi gets a few shouted words as he does his best to be an irritant to the goblins on the ground. "No doubt. An ogre, or so I hear tell!"

Flashing lights of holy vengeance tend to do that, after all! "Come, vile fiends! Have you no pride as warriors? No strength? No bravery!? Let us fight as true warriors!" he taunts, just to add insult to injury as his gaze catches Pixi advancing into the melee and Riku working his way forward with lightning-based fury. Excellent. However, a familiar falling figure and one quite irritated (more so than usual) wyvern as well as a flying piece of rock aimed towards their eventual target ends any more taunts. Not needed. Blink. "L...Lady Maira!?! Are...are you insa..." Pause. Someone should really catch her. "J...just hold on but a moment!"

"Mmm, perhaps I should be taking notes." The rat comments to himself as Ivo oh-so-gallantly catches Maira. With the man now holding the front, the rat looks back to the source of kicked rock. A nod. Seems this one's an ally. A small leap, and he flanks Maira, soon casting protect spells on all three at the front, even as Arista takes off to begin another dive-bombing run.

"'Tis an honor to fight by your side, Lady Maira!" With that, it's stabbin' time~

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart blinks a bit at the fireball death from above and the girl that follows. Oh, its Maira, that explains everything. She shakes her head, at least Faruja is there to save her "Looks like the arrows stopped at least." She takes position, putting her back to Ivo as they are circled by Goblins. "... I don't think they brought enough for this." she smirks, sliding into her fighting stance "Ready to do a bit of mopping, Ivo?" She seems fine with handling the rearguard while the others storm the castle.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya Fujihara was counting on their being further distractions and a wyvern riding Maira was simply perfect. The goblin-horde seems preoccupied with the current attacks and this is just perfect for the samurai. The element of surprise will be on her side. Hopefully, these bandits won't know what hit them!

The swordswoman abides her time and lets the first rush advance. Once they had passed her, Raiya leaps up onto her sandaled feet and decides to acrobatically make her way up to where the goblins came from. She will have to thank her friends and aquaintances later for their valuable assistance.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"This is getting entirely too complicated." Mercade says, probably dooming things some more. The goblin horde rushes forward, and Mercade does the sane thing when being charged by angry and powerful creatures wielding sharp implements of death.

He runs. He also shoots backwards, maintaining distance as he tries to whittle down the ones who are not otherwise occupied with the valiant melee combat.

Mercade is not into melee combat. He's allergic to getting shanked. He does level his guns, however, and picks off some of the ones on the flanks of the melee combatants. Faruja has things well in hand most likely, but Maira, Pixi, and...

"Huh? Who's that?" Mercade says, noting the figute in the black armor. "HEY! WHAT'S UP WITH THE BLACK ARMOR?" Mercade yells to Ivo and the others who might regocnize Archadian Judge armor more readily.

Maira has posed:
Maira knew that one of the two of them would catch her, and if not, she would just have to attempt to use an air spell to accomplish not dying. Of course, that could back-fire and send her rocketing back upward, but she was sure she'd manage it eventually!

Not necessary. Ivo bravely runs out and catches her, not quite effortlessly but with considerable machismo none the less.

At his words, Maira blushes deeply, almost choking. "I-I-I...um...okay...thank you Ivo! Knew you'd catch me!" she replies, then looks down. "You can put me down now..."

When Ivo suggests she blow open the door, Maira grins. This is more comfortable territory! She rubs her hands together, sparking a flame. "You bet! she replies, gathering another fireball until it is good and strong. She flings it toward the door with all her magical might, then turns towards Faruja, smiling brightly. "Faruja! So good to see you! Nice day huh? Oh, who else is here? Tifa! Hiya! Is that Mercade over there? HEEEEY!" she calls, waving emphatically.

Riku has posed:
Riku finds himself very swiftly in the path of said goblins and miscellanous villainy. There are also fireballs of death and people falling out of the sky but seeing as nobody seems all that concerned, he figures it must not be trouble. At least not for him. Possibly trouble for Ivo.

He fends off the attacks of two goblins with the blade, one with a spear and one with a blade, forced backwards a few steps as a third joins the party with another spear. He backs up again only to find his back up against some of the rubble of the outer walls. The goblins give him needle sharp grins which he responds to in kind, sliding out the way of a spear and grabbing it on the way. He slams the point into the wall behind him, wedging it in the widening cracks .

He lashes out with a fist, stunning the first and spinning him weaponless into the path of the second so that his compatriot skewers them with friendly fire. Both spear carriers more or less occupied, Riku flips backwards out of the range of the sword carrier but miscalculates his balance on the uneven and debris strewn terrain.

He lands hard on his side with a grunt, rolling out of the way of the strike and knocking several goblins flying as he bounces back onto his feet with a jarring kick that leaves some with some massive dental problems, as well as problems of lifestyle as Riku is back on his feet and looking somewhat annoyed. Indeed, it is a high time for more than a little stabbity action. Perhaps even a montage, or a montage of montages.

Cirra Constantine has posed:
It's pretty clearly a woman under the armor, what with the black miniskirt. Well... It /could/ be Kuja with his fashion sense but lets assume for the moment that Disney only okays miniskirts on women.

Watchign hte door crack, but not fall, the Judge might be frownign under that helmet.

The Judge reaches up over her back and pulls out her weapon with a *snap* hte curved blade at the end of the haft slices up, cleaving a goblin in two. She doesn't seem to be in a hurry to beat the others to the goal, perhaps she doesn't care who gets the girl, so long as she is rescued.

The sound of Mercade's guns make her pause and look over her shoulder... "Tch..." Still, she's under that much armor, she should be safe from being identified.

Turning back to the battle, he scythe weilding judge moves in in, speed and strength combining into a whirlwind of black metal. She dodges arrows and sword, and those that get close bounce off the thick armor.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Stabbing time, indeed!

"Hauteclare, dance for me!" Ivo calls, his sword's blade separating from its hilt and an orb of power pulsing in the space between, blue lightning crackling up the steel as he sends the weapon scything through the air, striking at his smaller adversaries from a shorter distance, smashing those who approach and deflecting their attacks with his buckler and occasionally punching them with the hilt, further shocking them with the magic power generated there. "Thanks, Tifa!" With the martial artist backing him up, the swordsman doesn't have to worry about being overwhelmed, and can focus on his strange technique, which requires tremendous focus and precision.

Caught up in the battle, he doesn't see Raiya leap up to the top of the wall, where she can see a stairway leading down into the Great Hall, presumably into which the remainder of the goblin archers fled after being assaulted by magic and a wyvern. Looks like the lady samurai has stealthily found an entrance that doesn't involve knocking down doors. Could someone else have taken this route...?

With Faruja and Tifa up close and personal with the goblins on the ground, Mercade's retreating rain of bullets is able to incapacitate any who would try to even the odds. "Good question!" Ivo shouts back at the detective, looking Cirra's way again. Everyone here is strong, but that woman is fighting like a demon. He winces visibly as she literally cuts a goblin in half, which of course causes it to disperse into dust, as is oft the way of monsters in this Disneyfied world. "That armor... a Dark Knight of Baron, maybe? No... an Archadian? From Rabanastre? Hey!" he calls over to Cirra, even as his sword continues to dance through the air. "Dark Lady! Have we been honored by... the presence a Judge?" He may be new to this world, but he's always paying attention, and he /was/ just in Rabanastre. Briefly.

Hauteclare's blade clicks back into its hilt, that orb of energy fading, as Ivo returns his sword to its normal state, glancing over at Riku just as he falls, the swordsman's brow furrowing. "Riku! Are you-- oh." That rising kick causes his eyebrows to shoot up. Honestly, the boy is almost unsettlingly good at fighting. Even though he trusts Riku as an ally now, nothing has dispelled his lingering doubts about the kid. "Looks like he's got it handled--"

An enormous explosion cuts him off. Maira's fireball has annihilated the wooden door that had barred their path. Ivo simply puts his improvised explosive device back into his cloak and shrugs, grinning again. "Well aimed, Maira," he says, sounding pleased. "I'm almost as grateful for your power as I am for your beauty." He never lets up, does he?

The goblins on the ground have begun to disperse, realizing their cause is lost, and flee toward the sands. Rather than pursuing, Ivo approaches the gaping hole in the wall which now leads to the main hall of the castle. "From what I could tell of the blueprints," he announces to his allies (of course he researched the blueprints), "the Great Hall should lead to the Throne Room, where I imagine their leader lies in wait. We should expect some more resistance here. Everyone, prepare yourselves...!"

Those who pass through where the door once stood will see a vast hall, now mostly in ruins, tapestries stained and damaged, stones beneath cracked and worn, and what were likely once grand tables and benches for feasting now mostly splintered. But /who/ awaits them is something of a surprise...

Avira has posed:
"C'mon you little monsters!" A familiar voice bellows.

Within the Great Hall of the crumbling fortification, a large number of goblins cluster around a figure that probably has only a foot of height on them. Strewn farther out from the group are scattered bodies of the creatures in various states of injury. Most have lacerations. Some are simply frozen to the ground. Some are even still struggling to get up.

Avira is at the center of the still-fighting mob, weilding the Spine in a one-handed grip while the other hand keeps hold of a small shield. Her set of goggles have been drawn down over her face, presumably for protection. She's pretty outnumbered and rapidly being backed into a corner-but other than that, she seems to be holding her own. Such a feat, of course, requires concentration so when the group of valliant rescuers break the door down, Avira doesn't seem to notice.

Growling, a booted foot is planted in the face of a sneering goblin and Avira pushes it off back into the mob. Quite narrowly, she avoids a swung axe seconds later. Upon closer inspection of the huntress, it's clear to see that she hasn't been fighting untouched either. Gashes here and there were freshly bleeding, setting themselves apart from the scarring on her arms.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya Fujihara hates archers. They are almost as dishonorable as ninjas and gun users. She would prove more than happy to chase those archers down the stairs. They really had it coming to them anyways. But it looks like somehow Avira has beaten everyone to the punch. It also looks like she could use some help.

Despite their differences, Raiya rushes to Avira's aid. She leaps down the stairs and lets her katana say hello to those goblins and other Heartless found within. The ronin attempts to cut her way to Avira's side and then to go back to back with her. "Remain steadfast, I will cut down those who dare approach!" Raiya says to Avira in a grim tone.

Faruja Senra has posed:
/Retreating/!? Faruja spits into the sand as the goblins break ranks in the face of such a powerful assault. "Fah! Bandits and brigands, not a true warrior amongst the lot. Let us see if this so-called 'leader' is any better!" he pronounces, trying to not shiver at the smell of lingering smoke thanks to Maira's assault. Give him heartless an day, but that woman scares him when she starts flinging around the pyrotechnics!

Faruja as well has heard of the Judges of Arcadia, and offers the mostly silent Lady Judge a bow. "Well met, M'Lady. May Faram guard your soul as we guard each others backs! In the Lord's name!" At least the Arcadians know of proper worship.

The wyvern flaps her way up to perch on top of the crumbling fortifications, and begins to snack on a (hopefully, for his sake) fallen goblin. She'd be too cumbersome within the fortress after all! After briefly checking over his companions for wounds, he continues on in the others. "With pride and honor, dear compatriots! Let every shadow quake at our passing, and every craven bandit throw down his arms in shame!" One for speeches, this rat.

Ahh, but then there's Avira. "You are in need of healing. Good day, Lady Avira." Faruja states, and gets to it, already making with the Cure spells. He's not questioning why she's here. After all, the pile of bodies makes it more than apparent.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED.

Mercade looks over, blinking. "Hey Riku!" Mercade yells, sending some support fire over his way. Does he ever reload? "Nice seeing you here! What's up?"

Maira blows the door. Mercade laughs, and rolls forward, making his way towards the entrance. "Good work guys! Iveo! Raiya! Faruja! Tifa! You guys..." He pauses, scratching the back of his head. "Wow, we've brought a small army today, didn't we?" He lets the goblins escape as he enters, taking a defensive position while laying down fire if necessary for the others to enter. The columns are great for that.

"Huh?" Mercade says as he sees what's going on. "AVIRA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" He yells, quickly blasting at the goblins to try to give her a hand. "HOLD ON, WE'RE COMING TO HELP!"

He sets his jaw, thinking. "A Judge, huh...." He might not be sure what that really /means/ for their outing, but...

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart has been kicking and punching at any approaching goblin, although the combined force of the shard seekers have been decimating their numbers quite rapidly. So she's mostly acting as a shield, a role that she quite at ease with too, in all truth.

She watches them scattering now, shaking her head at Faruja "They aren't that stupid, they don't want to be annihilated and they saw they stood no chances in those circunstances. Now its time to storm them up completly, since they are giving up. There's still a little lady to save in there." She moves after the others, following Ivo inside the walls "Where do you thinkt hey are keeping her?"

Riku has posed:
Riku shakes out his shoulders and grins to himself as the goblins start their retreat. He immediately scans the battlefield to take in the conditions of those he knows, waving to Mercade when he spots the detective taking the 'ranged weapon' approach. Also known as the Way of the Gun. "Can't let you have all the Good Fight, Mercade." He rubs at one ear, flinching visibly at the explosion and squinting a little as he looks to Ivo and Tifa. "Everybody alright?" he asks, but his gaze is sweeping past people without stopping to converse.

His ears are still ringing and he closes his eyes, shaking his head from side to side as if to clear his head. He rubs at his face with one hand, turning towards the main hall. His turns out to be a more cautious approach as he steps through the smoking remains of the door, trying to take in the situation.

He slides to one side of the great hall, picking his way through the debris carefully and wary of surprise fish-- or ambush. Whichever is the most likely.

Pixi has posed:
Pixi walks out of one of the side rooms right about that moment. "You can bet they're holding her up in the highest tower or the lowest dungeon. Fortunately, I can sniff her out if we find a piece of her clothing, or one of us hears her scream." She says before looking to Faruja. "The goblins are fleeing. The heartless seem to be the only ones who wish to stick around." She says before taking up her own guard position near Faruja.

Maira has posed:
Maira sticks by Ivo, despite the fact that he is making her face a permanent shade of red. Surely no one will notice once she's on fire, which, lets face it, is bound to happen.

Maira bursts in the hall with the others, her eyes immediately drawn to Avira. "Avira!" she gasps, but all is going according to plan, right? Still, Maira is worried. Avira needs healing. It would seem Faruja is up to the task. She recognizes the light around him as he begins to cast. All the same, a little extra help wouldn't hurt. Maira activates her materia and begins to cast some protective spells on Avira, herself, and whoever else she can manage before they begin to move on.

Cirra Constantine has posed:
The Goblins start to retreat, the Judge comes to a stop from her whirling dervish. It's more importnt to complete the mission that go chasing after strays. She begisn walking towards hte castle proper, then stops.

As she's addressed the woman looks to Ivo, though it's hard as heck to see her eyes past the helmet. a pair of horns adorn the helemt, curving backwards and down each side of the neck, giving her the demonic apperance to match her fighting style. She nods once to Ivo but remains stoicly silent.

Marching on ahead to the main hall where the fighting will be. When the door comes down and more Goblins are found already doing battle with someone else, the Judge rushes in with that scythe, the blade whistles through the air, threatenig to harvest the heads of the small monsters!

Avira has posed:
Her name! Avira swore she heard someone call out her name. Maybe those others finally made it past the bristling arrows and barricades of the goblins. She herself had expected to be a bit farther along but there were clearly many more of these creatures than expected.

Finally she spots movement-first in a familiar, yet suprising face that cuts her way through the mob to join her. "Raiya-" she starts, stopping only to block a descending blade with her buckler shield. Though they certainly have had their differences, Avira is not prideful enough to refuse help like this. She backs up against Raiya's back. "Very well!"

Faruja is a welcome familiar face as well, even if Avira's still unaware of just how much healing the burmecian did while battling against Sho. He had humbly passed off the credit to Lily that day. "-thanks!"

The help in both forms buys her time. More than enough time needed to set up her ice magic upon the Spine and swing it out in a chilling arc in front of her, felling goblin and Heartless alike. "WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M DOING, MERCADE? HEY MAIRA I THOUGHT YOU HAD BEEN WATCHING THE WYVERN!" Ugh, all this shouting was too exhausting to keep doing in the middle of a fight!

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo blinks.

"Avira," he calls out to the wounded woman engaged, with great determination as ever, in a desperate struggle against the goblins all alone, "there are less dangerous ways to stalk me, you know." So helpful. In fact, he's brandishing his sword again and stepping forward, getting ready to aim another distanced blade attack to pick off some of the foes harassing her -- until Raiya leaps in from the stairs, causing the swordsman's hand to lower and jaw to drop. "Raiya...?" Momentarily stunned, he then grins, eyes delighted and somehow amused. "How did I know you'd show up?"

It looks like his help isn't needed here after all. His allies are swifter than he. With Maira supporting her friend and Faruja healing, Mercade's endless bullets do the work better than Hauteclare ever could, and the mysterious Jduge (?) savagely tears into their ranks. "Could be anywhere," he says in response to Tifa instead, sheathing his sword and crossing his arms. Nodding to Pixi as she emerges from exploring the environs, he frowns thoughtfully. "I'm thinking we should head to the Throne Room and take on their leader rather than waste our energy running about the castle. The ogre will surely know where she is -- or be keeping her himself." As a matter of fact, as they progress through the hall, Pixi may be able to smell the stench of an ogre farther in-- and the scent of a woman mingled with it.

Approaching Avira as those assaulting her are at last defeated, Ivo offers her a blithe smile. "'Watching the wyvern'? Is that why our lovely mage fell from the heavens? And here I assumed she was simply an angel descended from above." His eyes are amused, but one eyebrow arches. "Don't tell me you were planning on getting in the Seekers' way. Surely not--"

At that moment, the doors at the end of the hall smash open, and more goblins pour forth, shrieking defiantly. Several of them are conspicuously in robes, wielding staves, and energy begins to crackle about them as the shamans prepare to summon lightning to arc over and blister down at our heroes. Grimacing, Ivo draws Hauteclare from its sheathe again. "Just beyond here is the Throne Room!" he calls. "Keep it together, everyone!"

Faruja Senra has posed:
"Fair enough." The rat responds to Tifa, still not looking quite happy with the quality of his opponents so far! Ahh, well, at least everyone important so far is relatively in one piece. Especially after he cures Avira. "Lady Fujihara, Ser Alexander, my my my! 'Tis hardly a place I would.." STAB. "have expected a reunion, but 'tis welcome regardless!" STAB. More goblin meets spear-head as he helps cover Avira's and the lady samurai's flanks, one ear perked.

"Ser Galvan speaks truly. I wager the prospect of his head seperated from his shoulders would be more than enough to convince him to show us to the Lady."

Ivo also brings up a somewhat worrying fact. "Certainly you are mistaken, Ser Galvan. Such a thing would mean that they collude with the kidnappers." The Templar trails off, letting people draw their own conclusions. And besides, there's more goblins as they advance towards the Throne Room.

Complete with squishy, squishy casters. Not wasting any time, the ratling's spear flashes forward even as he squeaks in pain while lightning runs through him. Giving as good as he's got, a line of Holy explosions are aimed for the magic-using shamen. "Scorch me as you please! Such paltry magics shall not stand against those arrayed against you! Throw down your arms, surrender, and you shall be granted mercy!"

Pixi has posed:
Sniff.....

Sniff....

"You're right. She'll be in the throne room." Pixi says quietly before she looks back towards the armored one still killing goblins. "Judge Constantin, I didn't think that you'd fight to rescue a princess. Might be a misconception in Rabanastre." She says softly as she sniffs again.....walking in a certain direction. "This way. And she's definitely scared." Thankfully, she moves slow enough for everyone to keep up with her.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart nods to Pixi "Well, we'll get her later, she's probably safer where she is right now." SHe's referring to the sound of magic being prepared of course, juse beyond the doors. She shakes her head head, tightning her leather gloves over her hand again "Let's storm in and take care of whatever is leading these troops." She's with Ivo on that part.

She runs over to the door, and jumps at it, using all of her weight and kicking power, two heavy-booted feet landing on the throne room door, kicking it right out of its hinges, flattening the goblin mages that were standing too close to it. She takes the element of surprise to kick a few more out of their spellcasting while at it, opening the way for the others.

Maira has posed:
Alright Ivo. You are laying it on really thick now! Maira gives Ivo a wide-eyed look, shaking her head a little. She can't even justify that with a response! She is, however, blasting when need be.

In the momentary reprieve, Maira smiles brightly to Avira. "I had a better plan! I got to ride a wyvern! ....He didn't like it," she informs.

"Hey, we are VALKYRI, and we need to eat too!" she tells Ivo and Faruja, shooting them an apologetic glance.

AND THEN! MORE GOBLINS! Maira sighs and stomps her foot. "There are so many!" she complains, then steps forward and ignites. Spellcasters! Well then! Time for a good ol' mage duel! "Uist, lets do this," she says, and begins slinging fire, air, and earth. Fire first, then to fan the flames a burst of aero! Then, to end the combo, Maira seems to raise the stones from beneath the goblins feet, creating a fissure for the goblins to fall right on out of the fight.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
There is an old saying. 'God made Man. Sam Colt made them equal.'

Mercade is a fervent follower of this belief. Besides, mages tend to be weak vs. Gun anyway. "IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE HIP DEEP IN TROUBLE AGAIN, AVIRA!" Mercade calls back. "Come on, Riku, let's sweep this clear!" He grimaces, focusing his gunfire on the high-value targets. LIKE THE MAGES. "We really need to meet in better circumstances, Faruja. Like the park. That was nice. I liked the park. Less death, more pizza."

"Wait, what? Constantin?!" He glares in the Judge's direction. "DID YOU EVER FIND THAT ROSE CORSAGE?" Mercade calls after Cirra. "This is getting /really/ confusing!" Mercade says apropos of nothing.

Riku has posed:
Riku notices the amount of people wearing metal armor amongst their party, and figures somehow diverting most of that magical lightning would be the best thing he can do right now to aid their advance. "Yeah. Give me a moment." He grins, leaping onto one of those fracturing old tables and almost completely losing his balance again when his foot catches on the cracking old wood. He catches himself however, stumbling a few steps with the old wood cracking under his boots as he runs along it to the end.

He catches hold of an old metal chain pooling against the floor that leads up to a metal chandelier some distance away. He gathers it up, a feeling of storm pressure beginning to build around him. He attempts to trigger the magical lightning prematurely, throws the chain into the air and slashing it towards the mages with air magic to completely get in their way. He sents a bolt of lightning searing across the hall as an added measure, the lightning striking the metal chandelier which may or may not fall with a crash.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Conflict can stometimes bring out the best and worst out of people. Friends can become enemies and enemies can be from friends. Or in Raiya and Avira's case, people who dislike each other over idealology can begrudgingly fight alongside each other. It seems Raiya made the right choice when Avira agrees to back her up and fight back to back with her. There were more pressing matters at hand afterall.

My, my. It seems that reinforcements have arrived indeed. The plethora of fighters come are assembled from strangers, allies, and aquaintances from Raiya's recent past but she is thankful for each and everyone. It looks like they just might win this fight afterall.

Ivo's appearance causes Raiya to glance his way which is quite uncharacteristic of the swordswoman. She normally does not let anything distract her from the fight at hand. "Fight well!" Raiya calls out simply to Ivo before returning her attention to the goblins present. The samurai returns her sword to its sheath and then continues to lash out in lightning fast strikes to those nearby.

Cirra Constantine has posed:
Pixi identifies her, is plainly obvious the Judges is groaning under the helmet. The job works better under anonymity.

"No!" she answers Mercade with only a little irritation. She rushes towards the new set of Goblins as her scythe starts to glow, red runes etching across its surface. The halbred like pointon the top of the scythe slams forward into the robe wearing goblins. The rune blade slmas out three time, once for a different Goblin as it attempts to drain them of their power.

Pixi has posed:
Pixi makes it a few steps before she literally kicks one goblin into another with a thunderous kick. She looks to the Archaedian Judge and places a hand on the armored shoulder. "Don't tire yourself out, Your Honor. We'll have to rest a little before we get to the throne room, especially you in your heavy armor." She says before she hits another goblin with.....only two fingers. The strike seems to stop the goblin in it's tracks, arch it's back, and cause it to fall limp.

Avira has posed:
Though grateful for the sudden help, her concentration actually wavers all the sudden for a few seconds. This more specifically happens when Ivo chooses to open his mouth and starts teasing her about stalking him. "I'm not here on any reason to do with YOU, Ivo." she snorts, putting down a final goblin.

Slowly, she relaxes, part of her pondering what really to do now that Ivo was caught up with them. Part of the reason for taking this path was to avoid him entirely! So much for that.

"-/no/!" Avira shouts again, quite empathically to Ivo. His persistant flirting with Maira had only made it even worse! "I am here to pursue this mark. Maira is helping me."

Avira suddenly freezes, her eyes settling on the fully armored Cirra, "H..hey, uh, why is there a Judge here?"

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo fights well. With Raiya's exhortation, how can he not?

The goblins /should/ surrender, and inevitably, some do. With the majority of their lightning redirected by Riku's daring efforts -- everyone's ears ringing as the weathered chandelier crashes into the stone floor below, taking down another hapless goblin warrior with it -- Tifa is able to interrupt the spellcasting of the remainder with her acrobatic assault, Faruja's holy explosions and Maira's multi-elemental magical assault taking them out as they reel, Mercade's pinpoint gunfire taking out the rest of the shamans who attempt to scurry to the side of the sorcerous attacks. There's no escape.

"VALKYRI? What or who is 'VALKYRI'?" Ivo calls back to Maira's apologetic but confusing response. He's not actually preturbed that a rival group has tried to muck up their mission, but he thought for sure Avira's clan was called Dagda or something. Plunging into the fray, he attempts to protect the mighty judge as she lays waste to the now-panicking goblin warriors, though Pixi is already there to help. "Judge Constantin, was it...? Keeping order, I see," he remarks lightly, even as he slashes at a foe who gets too close. With luck, she's not aware of the very minor bounty on his head for that /misunderstanding/ with the chocobo in Rabanastre. She's got bigger fish to fry. Right?

"A likely story," he teases back to Avira, even as the few remaining goblins begin to back away. "Regardless, it looks like we're working together on this, whether we like it or not..."

At last, the goblins throw down their weapons and huddle. This overwhelming force is simply too much for them, though they've shown remarkable tenacity so far. Whoever their leader is must surely be tough. "Let's not worry about the rabble," Ivo murmurs. If someone wants to stay behind to guard the goblins, they can, but the knight-errant doesn't seem interested. "If the girl's in there, we have to move!" In moments, he'll head through the door from whence the shamans came, toward the Throne Room.

And when they arrive upon the scene...

Pixi did smell fear off the damsel, but--

"You're just going to /stay/ here!?"

--it's not quite of the nature she might have reasonably thought.

"How am I to continue my /research/ if all the goblins get slaughtered!" A teenage girl, hands on her hips, stands beside the crumbling throne, glaring through her spectacles down at its occupant -- a giant ogre which is cradling its face in its meaty hands, refusing to look up. "You have to go out and stop them!" she's shouting now, stamping her little foot, heedless of being ignored. "How am I to add to my bestiary without further inquiry! This is the chance of a lifetime, and you're /ruining it all/!"

"Noisy girl not worth ransom," the ogre moans into its hands. "King Bobo make terrible mistake." Indeed, it appears to be wearing some sort of tarnished crown.

"I say, are you listening to me!? --Oh," the girl sighs and turns toward the party, her frustration mingling with disappointment. "I suppose my /father/ sent you. Perfect. This turned out to be a waste of time anyway!"

"Please," the ogre on the throne groans, "go."

Maira has posed:
There she is, ready to let loose some flaming wrath on what she assumes to be the big bad....and they want the girl gone. She has apparently annoyed them enough that they just want to get rid of her!

Maira blinks several times and freezes. Figuratively. She's actually still on fire. Calmly, casually, on fire. Her clothing is burning away by the moment, much to Ivo's joy probably.

".....Huh." And that is all she has to say about that.

Faruja Senra has posed:
"You refuse!? Then I shall have no choice but to...pardon?" They actually surrender. That is a first for Faruja. Turning his head to the others, he gives various nods as the ones that still resist are finished off thanks to the armored Judge's cold fury and various other assists. The chain idea from Riku gets a raised brow. "Well then. Away with you, and trouble not innocents any longer! 'Tis the mercy of the Lord we grant you, do not waste this chance! Redeem yourselves in the eyes of the Lord, oh sinners!" No, this rat never runs out of pious speeches. Part of the job description.

"Valkyri, hmm? Well then...I am quite uncertain as to what this has to do with the Shard Seekers, but I welcome your assistance, Ladies."

Faruja doesn't comment on the odd reaction of Avira to the Judge. Hmm. Could this one have run afoul of the Acadian authorities? Ahh, well, temporal laws aren't his concern.

"Come, come, with Ser Galvan my friends!" And he's off, soon right beside Ivo, though keeping his pace in check just in case Maira is threatened. Can't have our mage go squish. The sight that greets him, however, has the rat staring for a good several moments.

A clawed hand goes to his face. Sigh. "...This..." Pause. There are no words.

But there is certainly an opportunity. "And so, fair King, do you see the folly of your ways! Perhaps, Your Highness, you shall remember this when next you think to kidnap an innocent! Do as your followers have. Trouble not others, and perhaps, you may gain friendship rather than hatred."

Turning to the noble, he smiles. "Shall we, M'Lady? We would be most honored to escourt you home."

Cirra Constantine has posed:
"I'm fine." Cirra says to Pixi.

"I am here." Cirra looks to Avira. One hand lifting up and pointing to the nobel girl badgering Bobo. "Because she is the daughter of a very wealthy and important man." She turns to face the other women. "Is there /another/ reason I should be here?" Ivo's little incident with the Chocobo aside.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart is equally confused at what she sees. This is the girl they were to save? She looks over to Maira, lifting her shoulders "... That was rather anticlimatic." They decimated a goblin army for this too. She's not sure how she should be feeling.

Actually, scratch that, she's starting to feel bad for the king now. She has half a mind to go give it a pat a shoulder and a hug... but its an Ogre. Not a good idea, most probably.

But hey, Tifa's nice like that cna't blame her.

Riku has posed:
"Uh. Huh." Riku blinks once or twice, then cranes his head back to Ivo. "Do you by chance have Reize stashed somewhere on your person? Because only he causes this amount of headache inducing reality warp." Well. They did come here with a mini-army. That the army turns out to be confronted with a disgruntled girl and a regretful ogre.

"Well. Except maybe Will." he peers at Mercade, then around at the corners of the room and under the tables speculatively. Is this what the TDA has to put up with regularly? Riku looks back to the lady, taking out the journal from the folds of his clothes and starting to ostentatiously take notes, walking over to lean against a nearby wall and letting everyone else figure this out.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade blinks at Riku's tactic. "Whoa." He says, looking surprised at the maneuver. "That was awesome." Mentally, Mercade files that one away for later. He doesn't bother hurting any Goblins who surrender or escape the battlefield. He isn't a /jerk/.

He listens to the proceedings, and Mercade facepalms. "Wow. Just... wow. Um, Avira, I think you'll be the best one to handle this. And I get the feeling I should know, but what's so special about a Judge?" He waves to the king. "Hello, King Bobo. Relax, this is going to be handled soon. You won't even need to get up for it. Everything is cool."

"No Riku, Will isn't here." Mercade says absently, thinking to himself.

Avira has posed:
Maira might be eager to explain what VALKYRI is right now, but for some odd reason, Avira is not. One certain person could be blamed for that right now.

Part of Avira actually wants to take Ivo aside for a second and warn him that the presence of the Judge may very well be putting him in danger. On the other hand, a Judge would not be wasting her time with such a minor and inconsequental bounty. Not only that, Ivo's continued badgering and teasing has made Avira drastically less inclined to help him.

He already knows the plan Avira would like to pursue with that bounty. If he doesn't want to follow then he could spend his time dealing with Judges.

"Working together for now." Avira mumbles begrudgingly after Ivo's astute observation. "Actually this wouldn't be THAT bad-don't get me wrong, I have nothing against you Shard Seekers." Though the likes of Raiya and Tifa and Riku and Mercade definitely aren't Shard Seekers, "-just Ivo."

Slowly, she shakes her head at Cirra, "No, not to /my/ knowledge." Avira has yet to have a bad interaction with the Archadians. They'd just know her as a member of the small clan Dagda. VALKRYI...well, they weren't an official "clan", they were something else.

Avira's eyes settle on what turns out to be the brat they've all came to "rescue." Her mouth twitches with the slightest bit of amusement that apparently, she didn't need rescuing at all. With a fluid motion, she puts her weapon away. "Come, /my lady/." Her words could not be any more sarcastic. It's probably because she's mocking Ivo's usual tone at the same time, "Let us whisk you away to the safe and loving arms of /your father./"

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya purses her lips together when the goblins that she was previously fighting surrender. She honors their action by not striking them down and returns her katana to her sheath. Now that there is a brief pause in the fighting, the ronin turns to regard those assembled. Once again, a motley crew of individuals had been summoned to carry out this mission and surprisingly, their efforts were rewarded....sort of.

The blonde samurai joins those who rush into the main room to find that their charge was not really in need of rescue. Raiya's hand comes off of her her katana and she turns her back to the supposed leader and the rescuee. Perhaps she should have suspected that something was off about this and that they all had risked their lives for not.

Raiya will let others escort the girl home as she had already accomplished her task. She reaches up and lowers her circular hat as she begins to saunter off. The rivalry between the two 'rival' groups goes above the woman's head as she is a member of neither. All that matters in the end is that entered alone and is seemingly leaving alone.

Cirra Constantine has posed:
With the matter with Avira settled, for now, Cirra turns to look at Mercade.

5t'I'm a Judge of Arcade. hte Empire that controls Rabanastre. It's our job to find law breakers and if we can't arrest them - deal with them." the tone is cool, but not absent of emotion.

She looks over her shoulder at Bobo. "My orders do not include destroying the Ogre king if he relents his prisoner."

Riku has posed:
"Are you sure?" Riku asks, looking around. "Maybe he's pretending to be a sand hobo." he then goes back to his writing while shaking his head.

Ivo Galvan has posed:
Ivo is standing, sword sheathed, arms crossed, regarding the throne room with a carefully bland expression as he ponders in silence, before, at last, he speaks.

"Just as anticipated."

This is obviously not true.

"Well said, Faruja," the knight-errant continues, his partner's eloquence managing to break everyone's stunned silence as the hapless King Bobo is given a thorough tongue-lashing, which is the most that the ogre deserves at this point. "Let us relieve His Majesty of his burden, shall we?" Mercade's right; everything is cool. Indeed, the ogre does not even look up, just shudders slightly with emotional exhaustion. When Avira steps forward to escort the girl, her tone obviously mockingly mimicking a /certain someone/, Ivo snorts in amusement, just barely managing to suppress his entertained smile. "Why, Avira," Ivo murmurs, "all at once you've become so gallant and dashing. So this VALKYRI group of yours--"

He cuts himself off when he senses Raiya departing. Having spent enough time around her now, he's getting better at noticing the lady samurai's silent movements, and he turns a moment before she can vanish. "Raiya! Wait." He doesn't chase after her this time, though. Instead, he grins, looking back at the group. "Well, whatever the result, we've accompished our mission. Let's return the girl to Costa Del Sol and collect and disperse the reward. And after that..."

He casts a glance in Bobo's direction.

"...I think I could use a drink."

His gaze sweeps the party.

"What do you guys say?" He looks back, attempting to cast Raiya's eye -- she /does/ like to drink -- and then settles on Avira again, his grin broadening. "I /seem/ to recall," he adds, sounding amused again, "I owe you one."

"King Bobo want drink," the ogre mumbles.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart shakes her head as she walsk out after Ivo. She could offer a drink to the ogre, but... uhm... maybe wouldn't be too appreciated by the bar's customers. She can understand though! "Leave the drinks to the barmaid." she says as she moves after the others.

And with som eluck she won't forget to buy a swimsuit before leaving, this time.