Neji found himself once again walking down a long dark corridor, it was just like the other tunnels and no doute it will open up into a big room, just like the other corridors and rooms. All these dark corridors and dark rooms were beginning to annoy Neji. Judging from past experiances Neji knew that whatever lay ahead of him was going to be a real challenge.

Finally he came accross the room, he signed upon realising that he was right and the corridor opened up into the same old room giving him the feeling he's been walking round in circles. Neji thumped into the center of the room and slammed his sword into the ground.

"Alrite! come on! lets just get this over with!" He yelled angerly, yet nothing moved, so he strapped his sword to his back and pulled out one of his pistols and fired a round into the air, the shot echoed round the room then down the corridor, yet still nothing moved. After firing off a few more rounds Neji relised it was getting no where. He explored the walls in the room and on the back wall where the door normallty appears a dark sword identicle to Set was strapped to the wall.

Neji looked at where his arm used to be, "fat load of good thats gonna be to me, but if picking up this sword will get my trial over with then so be it," Neji strapped his sword to his back a picked up the sword, after waving it around abit to test its duribilty he noticed something coming down the hall, immediatly he turned to face the threat.

"bout time you got here, come on lets get this over with,"

Neji expected to see another dark specture or something to that extent but he was shocked when a relitivly weak man, walked throught, his eyes where dead and he showed no expression on a face which looked familar to Neji. Slowly he staggered towards Neji letting out slow droaned moans, when he came closer Neji noticed that his skin was pale with a hint of dark green.

"This is it, this is what I have to fight," but upon finishing his taunt to the strange man more came down the corridor, an impossible amount of men staggered slowly out the dark tunnel heading towards Neji with their dead eyes fixed, everyone look familiar yet Neji could not seem to put his finger on it. Eventually the room started to fill and the overwhelming numbers came towards him slowly.

"Ha! an army! very well thats more like it!," he yelled before slashing straight through the man closest to him, but he spilled no blood, instead when his body explouded into a think smog which soon vanished into the room.

Neji charged rite into the middle of them hacking and slashing himself through his slow witted oppents, they were weak and slow, a single hit was that took to defeat them yet everytime Neji brought one down two more entered the room, realising it wasn't going to be as easy as he thought Neji called upon the powers of Diablos, full power, his bat like wings through the room defeating the enemys in the way of his wing span and he continued to fight with a never ending stamina, while hacking his way he finally noticed a face he could remember well, Kiba's brother the man he killed in Luca, he also came across the great Bandit he killed outside Guadosalam and then he started to reconise more faces, all these enemys he was fighting was of all the people he killed, the amount was shocking to Neji he never relised how many people he has killed most reflecting back to time he was dubbed the baby devil a time he would like to forget. Neji had killed many in his time and now he was paying the price, they were all seeking revenge. Neji retreated back feeling quilty, and that quilt seemed to make the enemys stronger, they now weilded the weapons they bore when Neji killed them, if they had weapons, they still had the dead expression but where now walking and moving normally back to their full strength, except those who used magic could not.

"Neji!" a voiced echoed in his head "get a hold of yourself! you'r quilt is making them stronger," yet Neji's quilt remained.

"Listen you idiot! yes you've killed many and should feel quilty, but those days are past now, you have a higher purpose, you've saved many lives now and remember, just look at these men, are any of them innocent? did you not have a good reason to kill them? you may not realise it but you've only ever killed theifs, bandits, pirates, custodians, hereitics of yevon and those who you had to kill to save you'r life, you are not a murderer you are an executioner,"

Neji shook his head, "You'r rite Diablos, those days are past now, I'm a new man now!"

"great, but look you've made them too strong, you can't beat them all on you'r own, also he mite be here,"

"He?" Neji thought to himself before quickly realising what Diablos ment.

"Kiba, with these guys now all stronger and with him somewhere in their there is now way I can beat them,"

"you can't, but we can,"

"We? now way Diablos I ain't letting you free!"

"damn it Neji, I just want to help, I've had many vessels but I respect you, I respect you for you'r own power and the way you are, that sword you'r carrying I can use it, thats why you have another sword one for each of us! Just let me loose!"

Neji refused at first, not beleiving the demons words but then he remembered Eden's, help with an unexpected allie. Neji sighed "I hope I aint making a big mistake here," Neji released Diablos from his cage and allowed his energy to wrap round the sword, it drifted out of Neji's hand and floated next to him surronded in a purple mist which soon took a sinister form, and their standing next to Neji was Diablos, he stood at the same size a Neji since he came from him, but his figure was different. Diablos wore black scale armor which matched his skin, he had two devil eyes, glowing with a red light, his face was the same as Neji's rough looking but he had two long horns coming out close to his pointy ears, he hand clawed hands with long sharp nails, his feet were webbed also bearing long sharp nails. He had to bat like wings just like Neji's and with the same wing span, he looked pretty much like Neji in a devil form, like good twin and evil twin.

"Finally! Its been so long since I've been truely free, I thank you Neji," Neji looked at Diablos with suspicous eyes, as Diablos gripped his sword.

"Don't try anything Diablos!" luckly the power of Diablos still flowed through Neji all the same even without Diablos present in his body. So if Diablos was to turn on him he could defend himself.

"Don't worry Neji," Diablos placed his hand on Neji's shoulder, "protect you'r allies, kill you'r enemy the first rule to battle, now lets go and send these spirits back to the farplain,"

Neji and Diablos turned to the enemys each weilding a sword, the spirits did not back down and they continued there advance, Neji and Diablos charged in sync towards them, cutting through them, aiding eachother and combining their attacks for an added effect. It wasn't long until the room started to empty all that was left, then slowly one by one Neji and Diablos were cutting them down until Neji stabbed his sword into the very last one. Panting they turned to eachother smiles on they're faces in victory.

"Thank you Diablos, I could not have done this without you," Neji held his hand out towards Diablos.

"I am always in you if you need me Neji," Diablos reached out his clawed hand and they shook in the middle of the room. Then coming stomping down the corridor came no other than Kiba, still weilding his great sword, he let out a mighty roar which shook the room, a roar which he did not possess before, he slammed his sword to the ground sending out a great shock wave seperating Diablos and Neji. when the dust settled both could be seen with a Lightning Edge ready in there hands, Neji's blue and Diablos' black. They looked at eachother as if competing against eachother on how could make the strongest attack. Neji's eventually burst into its firery red colour crackling away in the darkness, Diablos' turned into a strong Violet colour, they were equal in strength and neither could put anymore power into it. They ran into the middle of the room and combined the Lightning Edge, it erupted into an explosion of muti coloured power power it formed into a massive ball with flowing Red, Blue, Black and Violet colours and power sparked out of its interior.

Together they charged, Kiba retaliated by sending out another shock wave, but they countered it by thrusting their hands forward, tearing staight through the attack and eventually though Kiba who crumbled under the power of the attack.

"Easy," Diablos remarked

"That should be the last of them," Behind them the as expected where the sword was the wall opened and a corridor lay ahead of him.

"Ok that comfirms it," Neji put his sword to his back and Diablos handed Neji his sword before fading into the purple mist again and going back inside Neji.

"we should do this again sometime Neji."

<ooc - I meant to edit my last post last night but the server crashed! So seeing as how I can't edit it any more just delete the original>

The sun was slowly sinking behind the dunes on the western horizon. It was getting late, and both the Angels and the airship crew were beginning to wonder what had happened to Neji and Tanis. They had gathered outside the airship, and Fariel (back in human form) and Melina were walking round the obelisk trying to find a way to re-enter the temple, but it no longer responded to being touched by any of the Angels or to any spell Melina, Sonya or Cid and his right-hand mage Chouji could think of. Just as they were about to give up there was a white flash and two figures stumbled forward onto the sand.

“Neji!” Melina said, jumping forward and hugging him, “I knew you could do it!”

“With a little help from Diablos,” Neji said with a grin, his one human arm round Melina’s shoulders hugging her back. His other arm had been replaced by a glittering metal prosthetic, a truly arcane piece of machina that resembled a human arm in size and shape, and was joined seamlessly to his shoulder. <ooc - I’m deliberately being a bit vague as Sean hasn’t posted yet and so I don’t really know what Neji’s artefact is, but I think he said a machina arm - if I’ve got the description wrong I’ll change it later>

Meanwhile Tanis stood leaning heavily on the obelisk, bathed in sweat and running with blood, though he had a look of triumph on his scarred face. He was wearing only a tattered pair of loose black shorts.

“I see you managed to get your shirt off!” Fariel said with a slanted smile, punching the half-elf’s arm playfully.

Tanis managed a smile. He was thinking again about his meeting with Selina - in just a few short days now he would have to face her one final time. And the Angels would confront their own destiny - the prophesised reason for their existence.

They would confront Sin.

<ooc - chronologically this post happened a couple of days ago>

Maester Seymour tried the orb a third time and again got no response from Kirareq or any of the others. He threw the glass globe aside angrily. “I told you, there’s been no word from the assassins since they entered the Calm Lands.” Mika said mildly as he sidestepped the flying orb and let it shatter against the far wall. “They should have reported in by now,” Seymour growled. “I guess we’ll have to assume they failed to stop the heretics,” Mika said, his mask of calmness hiding grave thoughts as he reflected on the gravity of the situation. The deaths of the assassins were unimportant at the end of the day, but the continued survival of the so-called Avenging Angels was not. If they knew the truth about Yevon and Sin then it could put the entire religion at risk. If they revealed it to the public and they believed them then the Maesters would lose all power and Spira would be thrown into chaos. That was not something he was going to allow. “Very well then, I guess we will have to take matters into our own hands after all. The heretics may have bested the assassins, but they will not best me.” He had been forewarned that the Avenging Angels were making use of some form of summonings, but he was a Maester, a high summoner with many Aeons at his disposal, a master of all types of magic, and one with power far beyond that of mere mortals. “Are you going to bring them back to put them on trial?” Seymour asked. “No. They’re too dangerous. I will dispose of them and we can work out the final details for the records afterwards. I can however bring you the heads of the two who angered you if you like?” He was referring to Fariel, who had stolen Seymour’s amulet, and to Neji, who had defied him in his palace at Guadosalam. “No, that won’t be necessary.” Seymour replied. Small things like that did not seem to matter now against his higher purpose. Time was running short - he had only a few days at most to convince Yuna to make him her Final Aeon before she reached the end of her pilgrimage. “As you wish,” Mika said, “This shouldn’t take long.” The warrior-monks of Yevon flanking the door snapped to attention as the small, wizened Maester walked through and in a commanding voice yelled across the courtyard, “Crusaders, with me!”

<ooc - think of this as a "cut scene">

Maester Mika nodded in satisfaction as the many summonings he commanded marched, glided or soared up and down the grasslands, adding their power to the impenetrable magic barrier he had set up across the entrance to the Calm Lands. Lightning crackled from the awesome energy field and illuminated Mika and his Crusader bodyguards with lurid flashes. If the so-called “Avenging Angels” wanted to reach Sin, they would have to get through him first.

Mika brought calm to his mind as the Aeons swooped overhead. All that mattered was that the cycle remained unbroken. He did not even have to kill the Avengers - just forcing them to summon their Aeons to defend themselves would leave them too drained to challenge Sin and he would be able to finish them off later. Yevon would prevail.

All through the night the Angels and the crew feasted to their fill, the darkness of the night was brightened up by the endless roar of laughter as they all spoke about their journeys. They spoke of the many laughs they all had together, the challenges they've faced, the tough times when it seemed that all hope was lost yet the burning passion in all of them pushed them far beyond the limit then pushed them a little bit further. They spoke of those they met and those they lost on their travels.

It was a good time for all of them to relax and forget about the fateful battle they will fight in just 2 days time. Neji was able to show off his new arm by facing the Ronso's in a series of arm wrestles all in which he came out on top, Melina rose Neji's arm up in victory as the Ronso's rubbed their wrist in defeat.

Even Tanis cracked a smile and even a short laugh as a couple of drunken crew members swung their arms around his shoulders in playful banter, he played along by manovering the crew members so they would land on the deck, amazed at his dexterity they laughed as they rose to there feet and patted him on the back offering another drink.

Kobie chased away the drunken passes a couple of the crew made on Sonya, all in playful manor and showed off his aim as he competed against the many marksmens of the ship in a shooting contests when everytime someone hit the target they had another drink until you missed, ofcourse Kobie won and walked away as the drunked crew members struggled to their feet.

Sonya provided a dasseling light show as she flashed her elemental magic in the sky causing a firework like show, everyone clapped their hands at the impressive display, Choji approached Sonya asking if she could teach him, she replyed with only wink and a smirk.

The night was rounded off with Melina's annoncement that she was pregnant, even though everyone new and they just didn't want to say anything about it yet it gave the crew another excuse to drink as everyone congradulated Melina and Neji.

Slowly one by one everyone headed to their beds until all that was left was Tanis, Neji, Melina, Kobie and Sonya and a passed out Gau who was asleep on his chair. The 5 talked about Neji's and Melinas unborn half demon half human son and the unknown power it could possess. The conversation was broken up with the sound of a clatter as the under-age Gau fell from his chair awakening in a drunken daze.

"I better take him to his bed," Melina said with a smile, she approached Gau and helped him to his feet, and lead him back inside the airship in caring manor.

"She will make a fine mother," Kobie commented as Melina and Gau disappeared into the airship.

"Yeh," Sonya said while yawning leaning on Kobie

"She sure will, but, I fear that do not have what it takes to be a good father, I never met my parents and my background doesn't actually help much, and I fear I will not always be able to be their for them," Neji turned towards the moonflow gazing down with worried eyes, he soon felt two hands rest on his shoulders, he turned around slowly and was met with the reasuring faces of Kobie and Sonya.

"Do not worry my friend, you'r a great warrior, a great captain, a great friend and you will be a great father," Kobie said reasuringly

"they're is no such thing as a perfect person Neji, we all have demons in our past, things we are not proud of and wish that our children will never find out, you can not let you'r past control you'r future, those days are gone and will never come back," Sonya said with a comforting smile. Neji looked at them with delight, they knew exactly what to say to chase away Neji's doutes, he turned to Tanis who's facial expressure showed that he agreed with everyword they said.

"Thanks you guys, I have a favor to ask, should anything happen to me be it with the battle with Sin or in the future, I want you guys to look after my family, if anything goes wrong I'm sure my son will seek you guys out and I want you guys to promise me that you will be their for them, I'm trusting you guys." Kobie and Sonya looked at him still with reasurring expersions on their faces.

"Ofcourse we will Neji," Sonya said

"I promise, but then again nothing is going to happen to you, you'r worrying to much," Kobie said jokenly

"Thanks again,"

"I think its time we headed to bed," and with that Kobie and Sonya returned to the airship. Tanis then nodded to Neji then followed them into the airship leaving Neji out on Deck on his own.

He stood lost in thought for hours gazing out into the moonflow. Slowly gentle foot steps approached him from behind, he felt soft hands come accross his waist and hug him from behind.

"Why are you still out here Neji, are you not coming to bed?" Neji snapped out of his train of thoughts and turned to Melina.

"Sorry I lost track of time,"

"Whats on you'r mind Neji?"

"Nothing, I was just planning out battle with Sin," she looked at him knowing fine thats not what he was actually thinking, stepping back she put her hands on her hips and and tilted her head.

"Really? well you think you can plan the battle inside," Neji smiled at Melina's stubborness and turned to face the moonflow once again. Melina's jokenly stubborn look faded.

"In just two days the final battle with Sin shall take place, everyone else must be aniouxs too, trust me Neji you'r not the only one with serious thoughts running through there head, everyone is the same, I could see it in their eyes, even throught all the laughter today I could see deep in their eyes their true emotions, the eyes tell all,"

Neji turned to Melina once again this time with a smile on his face, "It is dawn already," they turned to see the faint light from the sun slowly rise up from the horizon. "Come here I want to show you something," Neji grabbed Melina's hand and pulled her up towards him, pointed towards to moonflow.

Slowly as the sun rose and all the pyr flies began to spring into life rising from the water and dancing up into the sky like muti coloured fairys the air ship was sorrounded by these mysterious creatures, they lit up the moonflow and sky with the kind of beauty that would put the wonderous lands of the elves to shame, a magnificant sight. Neji turned to Melina a great smile was on her face like nothing he had seen before. Melina turned to Neji the smile still shining bright, he gazed at her the light given off by the pyr flies and the sun made her eyes sparkle and Neji relised just how lucky he was (heh heh mushy ****, I must have a nack even though it sounds really cheesy, but it has 2 done).

"Shouldn't we wake the crew, it is dawn," Melina commented

"Lets give them a couple more hours," Neji said as he leaned towards Melina and kissed her as the last of the pyr flies faded into the sky.

(lol cheesy, but it shows just how Neji's character has changed since falling for Melina)

Everyone had been dropped off the airship leaving just Neji and Melina, the airship was empty and had an eary quiteness around it. Neji turned to Melina.

"Well then Melina where do you want to go?"

"Their is nowhere for us to go, you'r my only family and it's not as if we are going to be welcomed back by the monks in Macelania temple....but I do want to see Raiga again, but, It'll be hard for us to get into Guadosalam,"

A smile creeped on Neji's face. "come on let's go to Guadosalam,"

"But Seymour, we'll get caught!"

"We'll never know until we try,"

They were shocked to find out that Guadosalam was pretty much empty their was no Guado warriors about even Seymours mansion was unguarded. Even the Guado civilans were few a couple walking about, and in stores, it looked almost dead. Neji and Melina could walk around with no worries. The Guado bore emotions of great fear and depression.

"What in the world has happened," said Melina after seeing a depressed Guado brush past her without even saying a word or even looking up.

"It appears much has changed in Spira while we were on our journey,"

"I know I wander what,"

"Well I'm going to find out, their must be someone in Seymours mansion who knows, you go to the farplain and do what you want to do, I won't belong,"

Neji burst into the mansion expecting to see at least one Guado guard even a servent of Seymour, yet it was empty. Boldly he called out.

"Hello!? Seymour!? Tromell!? Anyone!?"

A cowardly yet reconisable voice echoed from on top of the stairs. "w..who goes their, p..please Seymour is not here, leave,"

"Tromell?"

Tromell slowly approached the top of the stairs, shackenly holding a Machina rifel, strong fear and worry in his eyes.

"Oh no, not you, p...please don't hurt me!" Tromell yelled dropping his gun while running into one of the rooms locking the door behind him.

"Hey wait!" Neji chased after Tromell stopping at the door he locked. He knocked on the door.

"Tromell!"

"No! leave me alone, I don't want to die!"

"I aint gonna kill ya, I just want answers,"

"oh please please, don't hurt me I'll tell you everything,"

"I ain't gonna torcher ya either, just open the god damn door," There was no answer.

"Tromell!" Still no answer yet Neji could hear a slight clattering behind the door.

"I've had enough of this," fed up Neji kicked down the door sending splinters everywhere, Tromell was still in the room but was trying to escape out the window. After seeing Neji he calapsed onto his knees and began begging for mercy. Slowly Neji began to boil at the pitful Guado.

"Tromell! Thats enough! On you'r feet! Now!," Tromell sprang to his feet and stood at attention daring not to defy Neji.

"Now sit down on that chair and get you'r nerves in check," Slowly Tromell began to calm down when he finally relised Neji wasn't actually gonna hurt him.

"Right now that you'r no longer in a bubbly panic, maybe you can answer a few questions for me,"

"Okey master Neji, I'll try my best,"

"Whats been happening in Spira lately? where's Seymour? and why is Guadosalam so empty?"

"aww master Neji, you have missed much, where to start. Summoner Yuna discovered that Seymour had actually killed his father to replace him as a Maestor of Yevon, but that wasn't all of his diabolical plans he also sought to marry Yuna and become her guardian so he could become the final aeon and become Sin for the ultimate power, with this knowledge Yuna and her guardian fought Seymour in Macalania temple and killed him, but to us oblivious to Seymours plans we saw it as murder and thus Yuna and her guardians were known as criminals.

Since Seymour wasn't sent he came back with new even greator powers, so the world was kept in dark about Macalania he gathered the Guado army and attacked the Al'bed home in Bikanal sands nearly wiping out the Al'bed population. The Al'bed blew up their home killing the most of the Guado army, thats why their are no troops in Guadosalam, but that wasn't all during the attack he captured Yuna after a Guado squad found her alone in the desert, and he was forcing her to marry him, they took her back to Bevelle where the marrige of the century started.

Fortunatly during the ceremony an Al'bed airship that had escaped from Bevelle interuped it, and coming out of the airship was Yuna's guardians. They were successful on rescuing Yuna but soon all of them were taken prisoner during the trial Yuna revealed the truth about Seymour killing his father and that he was unsent, it was also revealed that Mika was also unsent and the two were in league, this left Yevon in dissary and the Ronso Maestor left the coucil, and Seymour killed Maestor Kinoc. Yuna and her guardians killed Seymour once again and escaped Bevelle. But once again Seymour came back even stronger than ever. By this time the Ronso had turned their backs on Yevon, many of the crusaders turned on the teachings and many of the followers of Yevon turned their backs on the teachings.

However we Guado were foolish and remained loyal. Seymour later went on to nearly wipe out the Ronso and kill the Ronso Maestor at Mt Gagazet and finally caught up with Yuna and her Guardians who once again killed Seymour, his whereabouts now are unknown. The Ronso angered at the Guado marched against us with what few warriors they had left and without Seymour we Guado were nothing, the mighty Ronso would wipe us out in an instant, so what was left of the Guado military deserted in fear of the wraith from the Ronso, now the whole of Spira has turned on us Guado, with nowhere to go and with death awaiting us from the Ronso, most of the Guado fled to Macalania woods their we will hide until our race eventually fades out of excistance, that Seymour and Mika have fooled us all and has left us Guado with Sins that are unforgivable, not only is he taking part of the fall of his religeon he has also been the major cause for the exstinction of his race.

And now the world lies in dissarey and now the only ray of hope for the people of Spira, Shines with Summoner Yuna and her guardians. A false hope I believed, but now I see you are still alive I thought you were all dead, ah finally hope as been restored,"

"hmph, thanks for the info Tromell, I never knew just how chaotic Spira had become, now you should head for Macelania woods aswell, once Sin is defeated maybe you'r sins might be forgiven and you can lead the Guado out of the forest,"

"The Guado are a doomed race, we have no hope, no future, yet with the hope and future of Spira in the hands of Yuna and the Angels their will always be a spark of light in the hearts of the Guado, farewell Neji, and good luck,"

Tromell rose to his feet and left the room leaving Neji alone in the mansion.

"So much has happened, the Guado, Ronso and Al'bed near extinction, the relgion which keeps the world together crumbling and not only do we have Sin to worry about we also have to maga powered unsent Maestors, hmph what has the world become," Neji left the empty Mansion, now Guadosalam was completely empty not a soul moved in the empty walkways and buildings. Neji went to the farplain and standing just outside was Melina looking into the farplain.

"Melina did you see Raiga?"

"Yes but now I'm ready to go, thank you Neji for taking me,"

"come lets go back to the ship."

[BOSS]Fenix wrote:

---

“You’re learning!”

---

(Here it is, hehheh sorry went abit overbored)

Everyone had now all assembled on the airship, it pleased Neji to see that not a single person was unaccounted for the fact gave him great hope for the upcoming battle, they were all well rested, well equipped and well manned for engaging Mika, the elite Crusaders and their final target…Sin.

Everyone was on the bridge, looking forward as the airship cruised through the sky.

“So this is the final battle then,” Sonya said breaking the silence

“Yes everything we have done up to now as been for this final battle,” Neji called back from the captains platform while still looking forward out the great window in front of him.

“Running from the Guados, The assassins, training with the elves, our trials, they all seem so small compared to this challenge ahead of us,” Kobie said thinking of all the groups’ hardships.

“Piff…Mika, Sin, the elite crusaders we can take them all no bother,”

“Your rite kid and besides with us watching your backs, nothing can stand in your way,” Cid called boastfully

“And don’t forget about the summoner whose got your backs,” Melina said with a smile.

“Ha! Look out Sin cause we’re coming for ya,” Fariel shouted

Suddenly the smiles we’re broken when the red alert was sounded.

“Firaga!”

The blazing ball of fire smacked off the front of the airship scattering embers all over the sky.

“Damage report?” Neji called out

“Ha that ball of fire was nothing to the highwind, our armour took the hit well although another powerful attack on that spot will properly break our steel plating,”

“I don’t think he intended on destroying the ship, that was only a shot to get our attention,”

The Highwind broke through the clouds and there on the edge of the calm lands stood Mika backed up by his elite crusaders, but that wasn’t the immediate danger, hovering above the water just before the cliff which marked the beginning of the calm lands from the sea stood 11 dark aeons and on the cliff just before Mika stood Anima for such an aeon could not fly even with the great powers that Mika bestows upon them. The crew and angels stared on as the odds of victory just greatly sky rocketed.

 “Heh ok so maybe this won’t be has easy as I thought,” Fariel said

“And look all but one of the aeons are able to fly even the ones without wings, Mika is some summoner,” Melina said impressed with what she was seeing.

“They can fly because of a dark energy in them, it only gives them the gift of flight it doesn’t mean that they are any stronger than you’re aeons Melina,” Neji said calmly

Everyone turned to Neji wondering how he was able to come up with a conclusion so quickly without even seeing the Aeons fight, but then it hit them as they looked at him, the black tribal markings had spread thought out his body and his eyes changed greatly, they soon quickly changed back to normal.

“Diablos’ eyes,” he said proudly pointing to his eyes.

Then without warning Mika gave the order and the Dark Aeons charged up at the airship for a direct attack.

“Everyone Battle positions, lets show them what this airship can do,”

The Air ship rattled has more power was put into the thrusters making the ship far more faster, the 4 mages of the ship led by Choji went out to the deck and cast barrier magic all around the ship giving it a protective shield, the aeons launched magic at the airship but it hit harmlessly off the powerful shield made by the four combined mages.

“Ok then lets try and take out Mika first, get ready Briggs I want your best flying here,”

“Alright Captain!” The Ronso shouted

The airship swerved to avoid a flying Aeon and then when within clear range, one of two rail guns opened fire the bullets screamed past Anima and headed straight for Mika who stood calmly.  The bullets neared their target when suddenly they vanished as they hit harmlessly off a great shield covering the entire cliff face of the calm lands and protecting Mika and his entire force.

“Damn, he’s got one hell of a shield up captain,”

“Ok let’s take out these dark aeons first,”

The ship swung around and engaged the 11 Aeons zipping about the air, it rail guns firing like mad, the Aeons nimbly dodged the bullets or even resisted then as they pounded off their thick skin. The Aeons surrounded the ship and constantly pounded the ships magic shield yet the mages stood strong but their power was failing quickly. Tanis who was leaning against the wall during the whole ordeal finally made movement he gathered his equipment and headed out towards the deck, Fariel stood in his way. “And where do you think your going, you aint disappearing at a time like this,”

“I’m sorry but I have my own battle to fight, don’t worry I’ll see if I can help you guys out a little,”

Tanis got out onto the deck and ran towards the edge of the airship and jumped off as if diving off a diving bored, on his way down he landed on Dark Valefor who was shocked to see an elf land on him, Tanis drove his Katana into Valefor who immediately retreated from battle to go on dry land with Tanis still on its back, Valefor landed on the calm lands with blood oozing from its wound, although Mika saw what Tanis was doing he let Tanis go knowing well that Selina was waiting for him, but he wasn’t the only one who saw him Yojimbo caught a glimpse on what was happening and immediately gave chase. Tanis finished off the beaten Valefor before realising he was followed by a Dark Aeon he was hoping for more to have seen him to make a good warm up before he fought Selina and to make things easier for his friends who were still locked into battle with the other Aeons, yet he had to settled with what he had, Yojimbo confronted Tanis with its sword drawn and wasted no time in attacking him, Tanis met its blade with his.

The Airship launched a volley of missiles which homed in on Ifrit and struck the aeon repeatedly hitting the Aeon and causing it to fall into the water below extinguishing it flames. Suddenly they caught a glimpse of Bahamut power was flowing through has it charged its Mega Flare attack.

“Damn! Our Mages won’t be able to resist an attack like that!”

Sonya seeing the danger they were in ran towards the deck and just before the powerful spell hit the she cast a mighty magic barrier, the attack exploded off the shield leaving everything unharmed within its bright light.

“Come, that shield will hold,” she said turning to the mages.

Meanwhile on Deck the rest of the team looked on as the airship crew struggled to handle the mighty Dark Aeons, they had gotten rid of 3 but still had 9 to worry about. Deep within Neji’s head Diablos called out to him.

“Come Neji let me get out there, its 9 on 1,”

“Alright Diablos, don’t let me down,”

Neji Drew his two swords and Diablos separated from his body, taking one of the swords Diablos headed out of the ship, swiftly taking flight and engaging the Aeons.

“Good now that should tilt the odds slightly, now we need to come up with a plan, we may be able to take out the Aeons but we still have Mika and that army behind him,” Kobie said jumping onto the Captains platform next to Neji, to get a better view of the battle.

“True we better regroup for now,” Neji turned to the speaker and called out to Sonya.

“Sonya return to the deck we need to come up with a plan,”

“No as mighty as Diablos is he can’t take on 9 Aeons with only an airship to watch his back, I’ll go help him,” Sonya replied. Suddenly Kobie pushed Neji aside and began to call into the com.

“Sonya we have to take out Mika, the Aeons will vanish once we’ve done that,”

“Its to risky, I’ll join you once I’ve taking out the Dark Aeons,”

“How do you plan on doing that, you planning on flying or something?”

“Something like that,” Sonya said with a smile, and then in a great flash she summoned Tritoch and immediately jumped onto its back, together they joined Diablos in fighting the Aeons.

“That not a bed idea Sonya’s got their,” Melina said causing everyone to turn to her.

“I’ll go help also, I think its time I try out my new Aeon,” Neji was about to say something to stop Melina when he realised that her mind was made.

“Ok just be careful out there please,” Melina smiled and headed out towards the deck, once there she summoned the mighty Eden. Eden appeared from the sky slowly through a ray of light, she bored great Angelic wings and carried a holy sword, her entire body shined with a bright yellow light yet it did not burn the eyes one could stare at this magnificent Aeon for as long as they pleased, she was huge bigger than even Anime her big finger matched the size of Neji perfectly she truly was a powerful Aeon. Eden held out her hand and Melina jumped on, gently Eden put Melina on her shoulder where Melina could stand comfortably. Eden spread her magnificent wings and began to battle the Aeons with her holy sword.

“Well if there getting to go then so am I,” Fariel called out, Neji and Kobie turned to her.

“Not you two?” Kobie called out

“Its no way I’m letting them have all the fun with the Aeons,”

“I see there is no way we’re gonna stop ya, go on then, but how do you plan on fighting them?”

“Watch and learn Grandpas,”

Fariel headed out of the airship and turned into a mighty bird and flew towards the dark Aeons. She flew until she was hovering about Ixion and then turned herself back into her original form, drawing one of her wave swords she struck Ixion on the head several times before Ixion shock her off, quickly she went back into her bird form and fly away from any harm, and rejoined the battle.

Neji and Kobie were left on the airship still fighting the Aeon but this time with a lot of help from the Angel and Melina.

“humph I think I better join them Kobie said turning to Neji, I can’t let them take them on alone,” Kobie turned around and was about to head out when Neji stopped him, Kobie turned to him to see Cid jumping onto the captains platform.

“No, you’re coming with me, we are gonna attack the elite Crusaders, leave the girls they’ll be fine, Cid is gonna take over command of the airship and Diablos is with them also,”

“Ok then Neji what’s the plan,”

Neji turned to the com and his powerful voice echoed from airship so those fighting outside could hear.

“Everyone, Kobie and I are about to do a ground assault I want everyone to join us after you’ve finished the Aeons, good luck out their and see you on the ground, show them the power of the Avenging Angels,” Neji turned off the com then turned to Cid that goes for you guys 2 make sure you’re all well equipped and ready for the fight ok?”

“No problem Neji my boy we’ll take care of those aeons no problem,”

“You should know the plan for now, so you will take over from here, get me and Kobie safely to the enemy lines,”

“So we are gonna use our triumph card then, yes me and Kobie will assist in powering it, aim for Anime hopefully everything will go as planned, ok Kobie lets go,”

Kobie and Neji gathered their equipment and headed down to the bottom most level of the airship. They entered a huge room with 6 pedestals, already there were the four mages of the ship they stood on a pedestal, by the looks of it they were pouring their magical energy into the pedestals.

“What in the world is this Neji?”

“Its our secret weapon, I call it a Mana gun, its powered by Magical energy, more we powerful the magic the more powerful the beam will be, I want you to go to one of the pedestals and pour a little of that lightning magic of yours in,”

Kobie went to the pedestal and did as instructed, the airship began to shack violently as he poured a small amount in, Neji did the same but he poured in the energy from a lightning edge attack, room began to shake even more and Kobie started to look uneasy.

“Come let’s go to the deck and get ready jump off,”

Meanwhile on the bridge cid gave the order to use the Mana Gun, from underneath the airship a hatch opened and out of it came a massive gun, it glowed with magical energy, and looked ready to cause major damage, the airship spun round to face Anima.

“Ready…..FIRE!” Cid called out and Mana Gun released and huge beam of energy aimed at Anima, the power caused the whole ship to shake and Neji and Kobie had to grab hold of something to stay on there feet. The beam struck Anima with great force and powered straight through it and crashed into the massive barrier protecting Mika and his soldiers. Mika looked confident as the attack crashed into his wall, but soon changed his expression when the wall began to crack, and eventually crumble at the hands of the attack, the Beam hit the ground causing bits of earth and dust to scatter everywhere blinding the crusaders line of sight. The airship blasted towards the enemy front lines and Kobie and Neji jumped off the ship. On their decent Neji let fire a few rounds and Kobie fire and few arrows which struck the bedazzled crusaders. When the dust settled Kobie stood with his Dragon claws out crouched and ready to strike the enemy and Neji stood sword drawn also crouched and ready to strike, Diablos’ black markings spread throughout his body. Behind them the crusaders could see the airship turn swiftly and head back to the Arial battle leaving Neji and Kobie behind.

“Alright then my friend,” Kobie said turning his head towards Neji

“Let’s go,” said before charging forward.

(ooc - this is what I've come up with so far; sit back and enjoy a fight scene inspired by Dune with a dash of Equilibrium thrown in for Neji's bit)

Kobie and Neji started towards Mika, but a group of Crusaders in the uniform of Mika’s personal bodyguard moved to intercept them, quickly surrounding the two Angels.

“Only six?” Neji growled, “You’re insulting me, Mika.”

The Crusaders leapt forward, three at Neji, three at Kobie.

Kobie ran his hand down the front of his overcoat to unpop the buttons and shrugged off the coat, stepping forward into a slight crouch and clenching his fists to deploy his Dragon Claws with their sweeping side-blades. The Crusaders checked, wary, and for a second they just stood there staring each other down. Kobie’s eyes flicked over each Crusader in turn, each hard, determined face.

I can’t kill them, Ramuh, he thought, they’re only fighting for what they believe is right.

Inside his head he felt the Aeon nod in agreement.

He unclenched his fists, his bladed gauntlets morphing back into protective bracers. The Crusaders kept their own weapons raised and hacked forward. Kobie twisted aside to dodge the first blade, letting his opponent fall past him and hammering his elbow into his back to bash him to the ground before backflipping away.

The first to reach him, a wiry and experienced-looking female Crusader, lashed out with a high kick but he caught it on his arm, seized her foot and twisted it round to throw her off balance and send her spinning into the ground. He ducked a slash from a second Crusader, who reversed his sword as he turned to lunge backwards in a rapid follow-up attack but Kobie caught his wrist with both hands and twisted the blade away, locking his opponent’s arm behind his back. Unexpectedly the Crusader’s other elbow hammered back into his chest, then his face, and as he doubled up the Crusader kicked backwards to send him flying. However, the Crusader dropped his sword in the process and as he whirled round and stooped to recover it Kobie slid forward, his foot swinging round to kick the sword away, then sweeping back to strike the Crusader’s face, stunning him. Kobie leapt up, raising his fists to meet a third Crusader and the first returning to the attack. He parried their blows with his bracers, disarmed the woman by trapping her arm and forcing her to drop her sword, and swung at his other opponent’s face with his free hand. As the Crusader fell back Kobie levered the woman over to throw her to the floor then lashed out with a mighty right hook, the force of his attack spinning him completely round so his foot could sweep round in a powerful spin-kick to send his opponent flying.

He barely had time to wipe blood from his nose before he saw the Crusader he had floored earlier picking himself up and retrieving his sword. He raised the weapon but Kobie struck first, lunging forward with a high kick then stepping forward to continue the attack, snapping the Crusaders head back with a powerful right hook and ramming his left fist forward into his jaw. As the Crusader reeled he struck again with his right but the Crusader ducked this time. The first counterattack, hitting out with the pommel of his short sword, sent blood streaming from Kobie’s forehead but he caught the Crusader’s other fist as it followed up and slammed his knee into his opponent’s exposed side. Using Timeshift he struck out in a blur of attacks, finally sending the Crusader flying back with a powerful sweeping kick. Breathing heavily he looked up towards Mika, but three more Crusaders barred his path.

And they had crossbows levelled right at him.

* * *

Neji had been swept away from Kobie when the Crusaders charged. As they closed in on him, he raised Loki and one Crusader was snatched back by a bullet through the forehead, but as he brought his gun round the second Crusader was on him and knocked his arm aside so that the gun fired harmlessly into the air. Neji blocked a sword stroke with his forearm, trapping the blade between the spikes on his bracer and twisting it to spin it out of the Crusader’s grip. Loki swung up again but the Crusader, evidently a martial-arts expert, deflected it once more before he could fire and counterattacked. Again and again the Crusader turned aside his gun and blocked Neji’s punches with ease, though none of his counterattacks could pierce Neji’s defences either.

“Oh, screw this!” Neji shouted at last, kicked the Crusader back and began to charge a Lightning Edge. In the brief opening this gave him the Crusader ran to retrieve his sword, whirled it above his head and brought it scything down just as Neji’s lightning-sheathed hand rose to meet it. The Lightning Edge sheared the sword in half and the Crusader fell back. Neji sensed an attack from behind and ducked just as another Crusader flew over him. The Crusader rolled as he landed, flipped back onto his feet and came at Neji, sword held high, but Neji caught his wrist as it hacked down and swept his Lightning Edge back and forth across the Crusader’s chest, sending him crashing to his knees.

“Crusader!”

The shout made Neji turn and he saw Mika cast some spell on a sword he was holding that made it glow with red light and throw it to the Crusader he had just disarmed. He leapt over the downed Crusader to meet the first again, sweeping his crackling hand round and fully expecting to shatter the Crusader’s weapon no matter its magical power, but was stunned when his hand rebounded off the blade.

“What!?”

“You see Neji,” Mika called out as the Crusader drove him back with a furious series of sword slashes, “Weapons as well as warriors can be charged with demonic power!”

Neji tried to counter his opponent by lunging low, but the Crusader spun aside and followed through with a horizontal slash that Neji had to duck. Now on his knees, Neji raised his Lightning Edge but the Crusader bashed it aside and slashed his sword down across Neji’s unprotected chest, making him yell in pain and anger. Focussing the power of Diablos to heal the wound, Neji caught the Crusader’s wrist as he hacked down again, and they wrestled with each others’ sword arms. The Crusader put his foot on Neji’s chest and kicked him backwards, leaping after him. They rolled across the ground, each trying to pin the other beneath him. The Crusader came out on top and started forcing his sword-point towards Neji’s neck.

“I’ve had just about enough of this…” Neji growled, “Diablos! Dark Messenger!”

Neji proberly wont ever use dark messenger, ive got a hole array of powerful underworld attacks, but do to with Neji never being trained and never having time to train himself properly in those arts he doesnt use them (apart from Lightning Edge), im am intending on Nejis Son who will be called Keji to do them, also Neji would have perfected them over the years in the sequel when he makes his return he will have all these attacks to devestating level. Also i take it the lightning edge he was using was the blue one?

Diablos wont come down from the air battle till after the dark aeons are defeated and Kobie and Neji have wiped out the Crusaders and struggling against Mika. Im planning on when Diablos does come down he and Neji will become one again giving Neji a major power boost, when he seperates from Diablos his power gets cut in half.