The Means of An End: A Kingdom Hearts Story [DISCONTINUED]

[Riven]

As the last pair of feet had entered the circle at the center of the room, the very same magical barrier that was seen between the group and the center had reemerged, instantly appearing to seperate them from the outside of the circle. "Initializing, Combat Training Protocol A-5", the same computerized voice said that echoed throughout the stadium. In a few moments, you all begin to realize the magical barrier began to change, as well as the stadium itself in a blur of colors, before turning into a strangely colorful town. Instead of the lights of a brightly lit stadium, you now stand in what seems to be the center in the middle of a small town, surrounded by dimly lit lamp posts and street lamps, appearing to be the middle of the night as the moon can be seen directly above.

It didn't take anything longer than a few seconds before you all start to strangely hear the sound of pitter patter and scratching noises. Sounds had begun to emerge from what seems like everywhere surrounding you, getting closer and closer, before the small emergence of yellow eyes had begun to glow from the abyss of the night. Sounds of shifting movement now revealing themselves in the dim light, Heartless.

As you four remain steadfast and ready, a small group of Heartless had begun rising out of the shadows, crawling out onto the floor and shaping themselves as they all began looking at your group like moths allured to a flame. As they all began shifting, the sounds of hasty movement has ended, to reveal the enemy now standing surrounding you in the small resource of light you have. You can all count 6 Heartless total, 2 Knight Types, 4 Shadows.

But those glowing yellow eyes have all turned to stare you down all the same.


----------------Battlefield Loaded: Traverse Town-------------


-Battle Theme: KH2 Tension Rising

 

[Venom Adhamm]

[Attacking K2]

Hiro watched as the room around them changed before their eyes. If he didn't know better, if he'd been knocked out and just dropped right here, he wouldn't have been able to tell this place wasn't real. And... he wouldn't have been able to tell those enemies weren't real either. Even though they weren't a true threat to him, the sight of them triggered some kind of primal instinct.

As soon as the Heartless sprouted up, Hiro rushed down the knight closest to him. As he drew near, he darted to the enemy's side and held his hand out, with the ground seeming to almost shake slightly as what seemed like particles of sand and sparks of ember came together into his hand to form the shape of his Keyblade.
"It's been awhile, Earthmover..."

There was something aggressive about everything in his movement. From the way he ran towards the Heartless, to the way his Keyblade appeared looking almost violent. The moment that Keyblade had fully formed in his hand, fire started to course through its metal like blood through veins, a faint red aura enveloping the weapon. He swung right for the knight's head, hitting it right in the face through its helmet's opening, sending the creature into the ground and leave a nasty singe mark on its face. Betraying his somewhat innocent look, Hiro didn't wait for the knight to get up, instead closing that short distance between them again as he prepared for another attack.

 

[Ilikepie]

[Attacking Shadow 2]

Akari watched in amazement as the virtual world materialized in front of her. She sees Hiro make the first move on one of the enemies and not wanting to be outdone she rushes at one of the shadow heartless. "It's time to show them what we can do!!" She slashes the heartless torso which knocks it back a bit with a powerful twohanded attack. The heartless twitches on the ground from the force of the attack and then dizzily gets back on it's feet. She rushes closer to the heartless not letting it escape while also preparing herself by casting the block spell in case it tries to attack. "This is so much fun!!!"

 

[Riven]

K-2

The Knight didn't have the time needed to react as it moved in with its brethren and was rewarded with a solid impaling motion into its helmet opening. The heat of the weapon was immensely intense as it was then thrown onto the ground and a few inches back, the sound of armor clinking and clanking rustily as it crashed to the solid floor of the arena.

Though its helmet is heavily blunted and left with a seered marking of a scorch from the enflamed keyblade, the Knight isn't down and out just yet. The yellow glow of its eyes can be seen as its helmet continued to twitch on the floor, showing it remained active. With a slow reach out, its hands had reached out onto the ground with its claws and slowly began to push itself up, its armor reasserting itself.

The creature began its continuous rhythm of shaking and bouncing yet again, helmet crackling as it twitched and bobbed left to side, yet with a very clear indention of the damage done to its helmet. As it bounced, its claws and fingers rubbed together in anticipation.

 

[Kapowne]

[attacking K1]

Desmond watched on as his fellow classmates jumped right into the action. He’d never really needed to fight heartless before... he felt his heart race and his body freeze. Surprisingly it was akari’s words that woke him up and forced his eyes open. Fun? Yeah.... this was just a hologram, they were still in school. Surely these couldn’t hurt him, and even if they could, he would eventually fight the real thing! If he couldn’t do this know.... then what was the point? Biting his cheek he gripped his keyblade in his right hand. He poised it as he had done before, pointing the blade towards his target and visualizing the spell in his mind. Their teacher wanted to see what they could do? Well he’d show him what he could do!

Pouring mana into his blade he felt the temperature drop first. Frost enveloped his keyblade and the tips of his fingers. He had to time the spell just right or it would misfire, and he couldn’t have that here, not now. He’d seen Hiro clobber that one knight heartless, so he figured he’d target the other. The least he could do was freeze it to prevent it attacking him. A spell like this could certainly do that, and some damage!

“Blizzara!” He called out as giant frozen snowflakes erupted from his keyblade, shooting out towards the heartless. As soon as it struck the heartless in the chest ice shards erupted from the ground around it. He kept his keyblade at the ready, curious to see if that had done it or not....

 

[Riven]

K-1

The second Knight had been slowly approaching its group of targets, bouncing and clanking as its other brother. The quick sudden movements of the other keyblade wielder seemed to be preparing for a move, and the Knight wasn't very approving of that. As it was ready to charge in for an attack, the sound of a spell and a slam of cold freezing energy was what it had coming to it in return.

After the burst of frost left from Blizzara, a frozen midmoving Knight is shown from the disappearing mist with snow around its feet. Claws out in front of it ready to propel itself for an attack, all sharpened, now covered in ice and icicles clinging to its fingers and limbs. Quite an insult to be left frozen and covered in ice and snow like that.

And yet, with that things helmet unable to even make a twitch with its threateningly yellow eyes, looks like its gonna have to wait awhile.

 

[Riven]

S-2

The shadow had taken the time to recover from being knocked away from the heavy hit that it had taken from that blunt move of a swing. As it slowly got up from the ground, it shook slightly from dizziness, only to restart its composure as it launched itself at the enemy, claws outstretched and ready to grasp and scratch.

The female it had been ready to show some payback has succeeded in blocking its move, making the bug of a shadow bounce slightly backwards from the recoil. Its eye remained bright and wide as it saw her preparing a retaliation move and in response, it dove into the floor, flattening and retreating around the darkness.

 

[Riven]

Attacking S-3 with Melani

As her fellow compatriots had begun with the targeting and attacking against the newly approaching enemies, there was a sense of joy and excitement as she began to prepare for her time to shine. Fun? Yes! "This IS Fun!", Melani exclaims in joy as she lurched at the nearest heartless approaching to her left. Sprinting with what could be described as a bounce to her feet as she ran and slammed into the enemy with her keyblade with enough speed and force to be described simply as MORE than fast.

The heartless was hit right into its torso as it bounced back a few inches, its twitching slowing down as it reasserted itself. Surely she can do more!

And she does!

"Time for an encore!" She exclaimed yet again, diving into the same target with an uppercut of a swing, not only hurting the shadow, but also throwing it into the air as it fell back onto the floor with a satisfying thud. A bright smile can be vividly seen on her face as she gave herself a pump of the fist to her chest with a loud "Yes!" as she returned it to the ready position of her blade at her side.

 

[Riven]

S-1

A very quick eye would barely notice the shadow seemingly hesitate as it watches its brethren to the right be slammed and flung into the air. It remains silent as it has decided to flatten out and move away for the time being. It was last seen heading to the direction of the right before disappearing in the dark. Perhaps its planning something..

S-4

This one now however seemed to be VERY excited to make a move and immediately began to charge at Akari. Seeing as she was able to catch one of its brethren off guard, it'll be sure to go for a hit of damage. Diving into the ground to make its speed slightly faster, before leaping out of the ground and back to its solid form for a quick swipe of damage.

Aaaaaand... it misses!

Just barely by a thread as it ends up landing beside her. That unchanged expression on their face makes it hard to tell if they are excited, or feeling a little screwed.

 

[Riven]

Master Queal had been observing the entire situation from above in the observation deck as Kirin maintained the simulation's stability at the control desk. From within the circle the group can see they are somewhere else, but from out looking in, it remains a completely clear barrier, showing the students fighting off against the batch of heartless. "Keep the scenario running as smooth as possible", Queal spoke, "Gotta keep it fair." To which Kirin remained silent with a nod as continued monitoring the console for unbelonging variables.

"You know we aren't allowed to do this right? You know the rules of first timers not allowed to use the Mirage Arena on the first day", spoke a third voice as they entered the deck alongside Queal and his apprentice. "Ah nonsense, they will be fine, some old combat training on the first day will keep to tradition old friend", Queal replied with a chuckle as he extended a hand, to which the stranger revealed themselves as another Master, taking his hand and shaking it, "Definitely nice to see you Seines."

Master Seines had moved beside Queal as he looked down to the arena and nodded, watching alongside one of his oldest fellow apprentices. "You know, there's actually another student coming for you, they might be a little late, but more unknown potential for you huh?" Queal at this point simply shook his head with a sigh, "4 is enough for me to barely not have a headache. Doesn't your group have room for one more?" Seines shrugged with a playful grin as he crossed his arms, "Always."

Queal smirked as he kept his eyes to the arena, to which Seines did the same. "I'll take the next new one, take your pick Seines."

 

[Venom Adhamm]

[Attacking K2]

Hiro wasted no time and leapt at the Knight, striking downwards and slamming his Keyblade repeatedly at the dent in the Heartless' helmet, the heat from the weapon intensifying with each strike on the helpless creature. Soon enough, the barrage of hits from Earthmover is too much for the Knight to take and it bursts into a cloud of smoke, sand, and flame.

He doesn't spend long relishing in his victory, his eyes immediately start to look around the simulated town, looking for any Heartless that might be starting to close in on him.

 

[Ilikepie]

[Attacking Shadow 2]

Akari takes another two-handed slash at the shadow but this time manages to slice it in half causing it disappear in a burst of numbers and mist. Akari turns her head towards the other shadow that tried to attack her earlier. "You're next". She casts block and gets ready for her next attack. She is slightly annoyed that she is currently tied with Hiro at one kill each but at least she still has an enemy next to her to destroy.

 

[Kapowne]

Desmond was pleased by his successful freezing of the knight heartless. He’d spent a lot of time practicing his spells and it was nice to see bear fruit. The test wasn’t over, and if he wanted to overcome his own short comings, he’d have to try harder.

This time he decided to use a spell he’d only recently learned. It’d been something he’d been playing with, and today he’d see how it worked on these digital heartless. He summed his mana to come forth once more, focusing into his starlit constellation. He wasn’t sure how much mana he should give the spell, so he decided to give it all he could spare. The top of his keyblade began flowing a hot white, waves of heat radiating. He’d seen two heartless, and knew here was a third and waited for it to appear out of the ground. Somehow he sensed it coming above ground and quickly pointed his keyblade skyward.

“Blast salvo!” He called out as three white beams of light burst to life, careening towards the three heartless. The first crashed into a nearby heartless [S3] who wasn't even given a fighting chance as the beam struck it square in the head, blasting it into a stream of numbers and ashes.

The second beam flies and lands square in the chest of another heartless [S4] sending it to the ground hard, it’s chest left smoking lightly.

[S1] has only left the shadows for a moment, when the last beam struck it in the side of the head, putting it in a similarly perilous prone position to the other heartless.

Desmond sighed heavily, slowly becoming exhausted from using so much mana, but this was where he excelled, and he’d prove it.

 

[Riven]

- K-1

The Knight could do nothing as it remained frozen and unmoving for the next couple of seconds. As the finals seconds went through, its body broke through its ice and frost entombment, to then stare directly at the spell caster, bouncing and rattling as it began viciously swinging its claws against the floor. With satisfying sharpening completion, the Knight dove a bit closer, hands at the ready.

- Attacking with Melani to S4

With joyful laughter and the bright smile as she cheered to her teammates, it's her turn yet again to make a show. "Let's dance!", she cheers as she dives for the incapacitated and smoking Shadow. Moving a quick solid swipe of a sideways slash through the ground as she slid to it.

The slash of the keyblade successfully knocks the Heartless a few inches further back as it fruitlessly bounces back onto the ground. She prepares for a counter as she looks around, as excited as ever.

 

[Riven]

- S-1

With the effect of the impact of the attack knocking it to the ground, the shadow flattens out onto the surface for a few quick seconds before reforming back into shape. It remains a little stunned from the attack but is able to shake itself back to normalization.

- S-4

THIS Heartless however, had been knocked around a little too quick and too much in those few moments that it remained on the ground unmoving. Perhaps its almost out?

 

[Riven]

Master Seines had smirked as he watched alongside his best friend to the new students below, seeing a candidate to switch teachers. "50% of target enemies remaining", says the computer aloud as Kirin still maintained the controls. "They seem to be very skilled and impressive", spoke Seines with a tone of sincere approval. To which Queal slightly shrugged with a grunt as he kept his arms crossed, "They're good, but they can do better. They seem to be more focused on body counts than teamwork."

"Isn't that what you practically did when we used to do these things?", replied Seines with a perk of the eyebrow, "Aren't you a bit of a hypocrite?" "Of course! I did all the hard work, you just kept me alive, I get majority of the credit, but Eh, I'm the master, it'll stay that way", Queal replied with a smug grin of a smirk to his old partner. "You found your new student?"

"I think I have", spoke Seines as he nodded his head to Melani, "She seems to be an interesting spirit."

With a wave of the hand, Queal simply nods, "Go for it, she's all yours. Now, let's enjoy the show since it's almost over."

 

[Venom Adhamm]

[Attacking S1]

Hiro's eyes soon centered on one of the weakened shadows, and he ran down towards it, his Keyblade starting to burn up with magical energy. Still far away from it though, he slashed outwards, sending a thin wave of Fire at the shadow as it tried to get up. The wave went straight through the creature, knocking it back down and leaving it somehow even more helpless than before. It still squirmed about on the floor though, twitching its limbs like a dying roach. He continued towards the thing, leveling his Keyblade this time and firing a concentrated ball of Fire at it, turning it into ash immediately at the point of impact.

He skidded to a stop as he saw the Heartless fade away. Twirling his blade a bit to shake off some of the excess heat, his eyes remained in that determined, aggressive expression, and they were quick to flick away from where a Heartless once was, and to where the Heartless currently were as he planned his next move.

 

[Ilikepie]

[Attacking shadow 4]

Akari takes a two-handed slash through the silly heartless that attempted to attack her earlier and slices it in half causing it to vanish in a burst of mist and numbers. "That's what you get for trying to attack me earlier". She begins moving towards the frozen knight heartless for her next kill and casts block just in case. "Magic is fine and all, but I prefer the feeling of smashing the foe with my keyblade".

 

[Kapowne]

[K1]

Out of the corner of his eye, Desmond spotted the frozen knight heartless break free. It’s glowing eyes seemed fixated on him. His assumption proved correct as it began quickly shambling over.

Desmond felt his heart leap, as he almost forgot what he was supposed to do. His grip tightened around his keyblade, and he pushed the last of the mana he knew he had stored up into it. He felt his vision fade as he did so, but widened his stance to make up for it.

“Thunder!” He called out as he swung his keyblade towards the heartless, firing a flashing bright bolt of lightening at the shambling thing. With a crashing sound the thunder connected, and knocked the knight heartless back a step, giving it a spastic seizure of electricity, leaving it stunned and vulnerable

 

[Riven]

Attacking K1 with Melani

Unfortunately enough, thanks to Desmond's attack, the knight wasn't able to move at all! Giving the opening Melani needed to sprint and dive into the Knight, giving one final solid swing as it bursted into a mixture of gas and digits. Melani kept a proud smile as she looked around at everyone and gave a solid thumbs up to her teammates.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the battle had ended, and all of the enemies have exploded into small puffs of gas, the surrounding of the town began to seemingly glitch as cracks and tears of white began to appear in the world, before it erupts into a flash of white. After the whole nonsense of being somewhat blinded, the whole environment has returned to seeing the arena yet again, as the barrier separating the center with the room itself vanishes.

With that, sounds of footsteps can be heard as Master Queal with hands behind his back with a perked eyebrow, Master Seines with a small smile as his hands remained together under each other sleeves by his waist, and Kirin with his small applaud of impressed joy, made their way to the center.

 

[Superwholock]

Dominique raced down the hall, drawn by the muffled sounds of battle. She'd received a summons several minutes ago and had thus raced over to the training hall. Eventually reaching the doors at the end of the hall, she threw them open only to see the battle had ended. She cursed quietly as the sound of the large doors slamming into the wall reverberated through the room.
"Great first impression, Dom," she muttered to herself. She strode forward to the group, halting a few feet away before speaking again, this time loud enough for the others to here. "Apologies for my late arrival; it appears I've missed most of the action."

 

[Riven]

The sound of the banging caused nothing more than a sigh of disappointment from Master Queal, Kirin holding back some laughter. Seines gave a hearty chuckle as he motioned and pointed at Melani, "My name is Master Seines, Melani. We came to a conclusion that you'll be joining my class since Master Queal will have his hands full." With nothing more than a nod, she walks to join him, giving the rest of the group a wave, a smile, and a thumbs up of encouragement before they both leave the arena.

With Seines and Melani gone, Queal looks to the new student, "You must be the late arrival Dominique, welcome to the class." He rolls his eyes and gives the bridge of his nose a pinch as he looks to the rest of the group, "Well, aside from Dominique who missed our combat exam boys and girls, how do you all think you did."

 

[Ilikepie]

Akari gets a little upset when she notices that there isn't any enemies left to smash. Annoyingly it seemed everyone got two kills so she didn't win the chocolate that she wanted. She feels a little sad seeing her new friend get moved to a different master, but they will still be friends even though they will be seeing each other less often then Akari originally thought. Akari walks over towards Master Queal. "I think I did great in this small sample exercise of the future greatest keyblade wielder ever, even though the fight was a bit too easy."

 

[Kapowne]

Desmond was still trying to catch his breath, he’d definitely used a bit too much mana. He let his keyblade dematerialize as he resisted the urge to sit down and maybe even fall asleep. This was certainly more than he’d exerted before, possibly ever. He looked at the fellow students in the room, they looked practically unfazed by that battle! Was he just weak? He thought quietly to himself. He wondered what they had that he didn’t. Maybe his life of laziness had made him soft and now he had to play catch up. He figured that had to be the case because while he knew he had a talent for magic, he had to be physically capable as well, otherwise he’d just always leave himself mana burnt.


The master had asked them how they thought they did, and akari had been the first to boast at her ability. And she did so pretty good, swinging that big keyblade around with seeming ease, something he definitely couldn’t do. With a deep breath he finally caught his breath, for the most part.


“I suppose we did okay... Probably a lot of room to grow though...” Desmond shrugged, trying to answer the question honestly. The master seemed like someone who probably didn’t appreciate over confidence or false perceptions.

 

[Riven]

Master Queal had given what seemed like, is, that a smirk? No wait, perhaps it's a smile? A face of genuine approval it seems, one of sincerity as he nods. He crossed his arms before speaking again, "You are indeed right Desmond, room for improvement can be made. As for Akari, you are correct, I made the enemies a bit weaker than what it usually is. The test was made for seeing your skills, before adapting later on." He gave another slow nod, "You were all being tested on your abilities of teamwork. THAT, can definitely be worked on, but no worries, as far as I can see, based on a test of skills alone. You all passed."

And there it was, an actual grin of what seems to be excitement. "Let's get to work shall we?"