The Flying City

[42zombies]

High above the desert sands, a flicker of light manifested. It was barely visible against the scorching-hot sun. Envious, this tiny light grew in intensity until it was blinding. Then, not satisfied with being light, it solidified.

A gigantic, cerulean city pierced through the city. It floated hundreds of feet in the air, seemingly propelled by nothing at all. Light bounced off its tall, glass towers, creating an effect similar to starlight.

It was beautiful.

But a lone figure stood on the tallest spire in the very center of the city. He ruled this city. He was its king; its guardian; its deity. He adjusted his blue hat to keep the sun out of his borrowed eyes.

He was the Wizard. And his plan was about to be put in action at long last.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

In the square surrounding the tallest tower of the city, there was a large amount of magical energy gathering. For a moment, it hovered throughout the square, and then coalesced into one orb of blue fire. The blue fire then began to sketch out a magical circle, which shone there for a moment before glowing with a bright light.

Jumping out of the magical circle was what appeared to be a small child. On his head was a large hat, one not unlike the one the Wizard wore. Most of his body was covered in a large brown cloak. To those who knew Final Fantasy, a comparison to a Black Mage would not be out of place.

Stepping out behind him was a middle aged man who quite simply resembled Gendo Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion. He was clutching a very worn looking book in one hand, and his other was in his pocket.

The two men (And men they were, at least in mental ages) went by the names of Ford Blackstaff and Nicholas Flamel. Ford, however, was staring up at the top of the spire. Even from this distance, he could see the figure standing there.

"...The Wizard," Ford said.

"We're here strictly for business reasons, Ford," Flamel said. "Excellent work on getting into the city. I expected some kind of magical barrier."

"Yggdrasil pulled through," was all Ford said.

[gantzgun74]

Standing several hundred feet below, three figures looked up to the city in the sky. Otto growled angrily at the sight of it, his hands clenching hard. He was trying his absolute best not to flare up energy. He didn't want to catch HIS attention. He had spent MONTHS training himself for this occurance, and he was ready to give it all he had.

Misty put a hand on the boy's shoulder, knowing his tenseness all to well. "Calm down, Otto. It's almost time."

From where he stood, Gantz looked up at the city, true this was the first time he was involving himself in this affair, but he was more then ready to go completely all out... He owed Double D that much. "Okay guys. I'll whip up a rip in reality to get us up there. Get ready." He pulled out Soul Calibur, focusing his energy. "You ready Soul? This is it. Time to show this madman what we've got."

"Naturally." The sword responded. "Though please promise me you won't do something unbelievably brave and stupid. Rosaline will turn me into shattered splinters if something does." She meant that too. Despite Gantz's warnings that this fight was beyond her own power, Rosaline had been training along with Otto, Misty, and the others. She had shown considerable progress, but the boy still wasn't sure about trusting her in a battle against the foes they were to face today.

"Don't worry, I promise." He swung Soul Calibur at the open air, and immediately, a rip in space and time appeared... One aimed for the inside of New Babylon... Sure there was some magical defenses, but Gantz did know some backdoors. "Come on guys, let's go."

Misty grinned evilly, before pounding her fists together. "Finally! It's time we kick some ass!" She looked to Otto, whom continued to look up to the city. "Come on, let's go."

Otto merely nodded.

"WATCH YOURSELF, WIZARD... CAUSE HERE WE COME..."

[42zombies]

The Wizard looked out as the late-afternoon sun over the desert. Soon, it would be night-time, and the winds would be fierce and cold. His city had an isolated atmosphere, however; it was always perfect.

The sun looked beautiful.

The people in the streets were sucrrying about, their daily work done and off to see their loving families. The Wizard could read their thoughts as they moved about:

"The fabric's in ahead of schedule; I can make the new uniforms before the buyer comes."

"The bakery always opens at 7:00 AM. I always arrive at 7:15."

"The sky looks different, but I don't care. I must live and work."

"We are so fortunate to live in a world such as this."

The Wizard closed his eyes, content. They were his subjects, and he loved them. He had picked them from the brinks of death and given them immortality. He had fed them, clothed them, and taught their children. They were the prototypical society on the road to the Wizard's utopia.

But every utopia had a challenger. And the Wizard felt one of those challengers trying to worm their way into the city, attempting to create a rift through his psychic defenses. The Wizard created a large hole, practically a front door, to show that he was extending an olive branch.

Whether or not that branch would be recieved would have to be seen.

[nintendonut1]

Standing a little behind Gantz's group on the hilltop was the group involved with this from the very start. At least, the very one, alongside his most trusted companions.

Eddward's heart was pounding in his chest as his gaze fixed upon the gorgeous city in the sky. Was he nervous? Was he afraid? Was he excited? Was he anticipating an end to this ongoing nightmare?

Oh... it didn't matter anymore. His heart was pounding with SOME kind of emotion, one that was pumping adrenaline through him and preparing him for the direct confrontation. And after all of this... any emotion was better than none. That was all that mattered.

His entranced state of thought was broken when his STILL two closest friends in the whole world, second only to his own family, glomped him from behind. Eddy pounded his chest hard and Ed ruffled his hatted head.

"Here we GO, Sockhead!! Time to take this guy down a notch!!"

"From boiling to simmering, Double D!!"

[Felix Falora]

Felix looked at the city. He sighed, feeling the auras of many different people there. No doubt they would be brainwashed by the Wizard, he thought. A fight seemed unavoidable and yet he hoped to make it through with as few casualties as possible. I don't wish to upset Double D anymore, Felix thought.

"The end of the battle is nigh," Masahiro said. "Soon it'll all be over."

"I know," Felix said. "We will soon see... who is righteous in his forsaken world."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Flamel and Ford had moved from the square to the edge of the flying city, where they observed the others gathering below.

"...I sense that spellcaster," Ford said. Flamel knew who he meant. Gantz.

"You're hundreds of years old, and you're still a child about things like this," Flamel said. "Calm down already."

Ford looked up at Flamel. "I can't stand it! I just can't! The Wizard's trying to create some kind of utopia by controlling peoples' minds! The others... they just don't understand what we're trying to do! And that damn Gantz... Every time I see him, my blood boils! Him and that... that damn sword! And I..."

Flamel pulled Ford's hat off of his head, causing him to look toward the man.

"We have to work with them for now if we're going to defeat the Wizard," Flamel said. Ford gave a pained look away from Flamel and nodded.

-----------

Another woman, one the others wouldn't recognize, walked up as well. She looked fairly normal, other than her silvery eyes. She had short brown hair, and was wearing a t-shirt and pants.

"This is the Wizard's 'utopia', huh... That bastard. He's going to pay for this!" She yelled.

[gantzgun74]

Gantz looked mildly surprised that his rift opened so easily on the other side. He would've liked to believe that the summoning rift had been that powerful... But he knew better.

[Just changing that around, since I thought there would be a backdoor to exploit, but there isn't.]

A groan emitted from the boy, that only meant one thing.

Someone was expecting them...

Joy...

"That was almost too easy..."

"It WAS too easy..." He looked up to the city. "Someone's letting us in..."

A growl was Otto's response, "Keh, the bastard's getting overconfidant looks like."

"Overconfident or not, the Wizard is VERY powerful... My only concern is why he would do this... He might as well have just opened the front door to his castle going 'Hey Neighbor!'." The boy groaned. "That must mean he wants us for something."

"But what for?" Misty looked quite confused at this. "You'd think the guy would have enough sense not to let his worst enemies in... Along with us, there's the Eds, a few of their pals, Felix, Masahiro... We've got a pretty well rounded bunch. Probably a match for anything that psycho can throw at us."

"Maybe, maybe not..." Gantz wasn't too hopeful that the first one would be an option, but he wasn't about to give up. "In any cases, we're gonna have to take our chances. We can't let the guys fight this on their own."

Misty looked around, "Speaking of which... Where's Wally? I woulda thought he'd be here."

Otto shook his head. "I left him at home. He's a good fighter but, let's face it, he's a monk by nature, he's not made for the battle field. Where-as I'm a once-been knight, this kind of stuff is my thing." At the looks Otto looked away, "Sides Wally has to look after Rachel, Helga, and Courage... It's for the best."

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

"I CAN'T BELIEVE HE JUST LEFT ME THERE!!!!!!"

Somewhere miles behind where Double D, Gantz, and the others had trod, Wally was riding what appeared to be a camel towards the flying city he saw on the horizon. Along with him, Rosaline, a young gria girl with pink hair pulled into a single pony tail, with two horns, a pair of dragon like wings, and a tail, wearing battle armor, could be seen seated behind Wally, whom was wearing his monk robes for the occasion. "I mean, I want to HELP darnit!! I can help!! I've been all kinds of help over the time I've been here!"

Rosaline meanwhile, was examining her rune covered sword. Ever since she had been rescued by Him, she had visited a Blacksmith and had her sword completely refurbished, to match her training with Otto, Wally, and the others. "Likely Otto just had your best interests at heart Wally." She sighed a little, "I know Gantz did, wanting to keep me out of this, but how could I possibly? I've had to be saved by Gantz one too many times already, and it's time I returned the favor." Magic flashed through the sword, before Rosaline saw her reflection in the blade. "If not for my sake, but for everyone's sake. I want Gantz to return and find the rest of Clan Highwind alive."

Wally looked back to Rosaline, a little frown on his face. "It's not too late to turn back Sheilah. We're about to get mixed up in some pretty bad trouble... It's not too late to change your mind-"

"Wally, my mind is MADE up."

Rosaline frowned a little. "I'm helping Gantz in this fight and that's final. I'm not a scared, helpless little girl." The frown became an enraged one, "I'm a warrior, and I'm going to stand by my friends no matter what."

[42zombies]

The Wizard took a step from the tower and began to walk on the air, descending down to the ground of New Babylon. At first, the citizens seemed too busy to notice their Lord's descent. However, one by one they began to look up, their mouths agape in shock.

The Lord Wizard never walked the streets alone. What would make today so special?

Only the Wizard knew why. His plan was nearing its fruition, and the key players were gathering on the stage. The portal that he had long sought after was at last opened. Soon, he would leave the island and take over the Prime World. All over worlds would come into his grasp with that mighty action, and it would all be over.

It would all end.

TO THE VISITORS OF THE UTOPIA OF NEW BABYLON, boomed the Wizard's voice through some unseen communication network, I WELCOME YOU TO MINE HOLY CITY. I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO A FEAST IN THE GREAT TOWER.

[nintendonut1]

"He's... inviting us in," Eddy flatly noted, groaning through his teeth. "Man, who the hell does he...!?"

A raised hand got Eddy to quickly shut up. Double D was no longer one who took any guff, least not from Eddy where it wasn't appropiate.

"Now, now..." he chided, walking ahead of Gantz's group towards the portal. "Just because he is our sworn enemy does not mean we should lower ourselves to rude peons. He invited us to a feast, and we should accept his gracious offer."

Of course, the smirk on his face gave them his true message before he turned back and stepped into the portal.

"Wa...wait for us!!"

[Firebreath Fishslap]

The brown haired woman gulped as she saw the portal open and heard the Wizard's call. She tightened the grip she had on her weapon, a large claymore, and followed the others through the portal.

I don't trust this feast, She thought to herself.

However, to any who could sense thoughts, they'd be blank...

Why? Simply because she did not have a brain in the traditional sense of the word.

Even so, she proceeded through the portal.

-----------

"They're coming," Ford said. Flamel gave a hmph in response.

"We'll follow them to the Wizard's feast," Flamel said.

[42zombies]

The Wizard stood like a statue as the guests began to arrive. They had been his unwitting pawns, working towards his goals without knowing it in the least. They deserved a reward before the Wizard's ultimate plan was put in motion.

Again, the Wizard's other voice boomed out all across the city. ALL CITIZENS ARE TO RETURN TO THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE. It announced. All at once, the flocks of people began to migrate towrads the sterile blocks they called home, vacating the streets.

[Felix Falora]

"What do you think?" Masahiro asked Felix.

"I think his ego's gone to his head a bit," Felix said. "But the Wizard's still highly intelligent. Maybe, instead of ego, it's part of his plan." He shrugged. "I don't know, but we'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, let's... 'attend' this feast of his."

"Couldn't agree more," Masahiro said. "The quicker we get this done with, the quicker I can get home to Perceval. Meanwhile, you should..." Masahiro noticed Felix had already went to catch up with Edd. He sighed, facepalming. "He's ahead of me this time." He trailed behind.

[nintendonut1]

Double D only slowed in pace twice, once to look back and make sure his and Gantz's group were right behind him, and again when the people began to walk past him without so much as a second glance. He paused, looking around him as they entered their homes quickly and quietly.

"Brrrrrr..." Ed shivered. "It's... cold in here."

"Tell me about it," Eddy gave out a heavy tremble, trying to shake it all off at once. "This is... downright creepy."

Double D understood immediately... and he knew his next words, spoken quietly, would at the very least worry his companions.

"...this is the world he had spoken to me about before...'a world without death or war or hatred-- one in which a superior mind acts as the judge and jury for all mankind...'" He turned back to them for elaboration. "...these people... they're happy, contented... and yet they have no free wills of their own... no drives, no dreams, no aspirations. Just... existing for the sake of existing."

And then, he twinged as he gave a shiver of his own. On the surface it was beautiful... but was lined with ugly, ugly truth.

(waiting for Gantz)

[gantzgun74]

Inside the city was what really terrified a few people. The city was giant and futuristic, and certainly looked like a utopia... But as the gang entered, they were met with people walking past them. Gantz was freaked when he saw their almost zombie like gazes... It was like they didn't have a mind of their own at all. "Okay... Freaky..."

Otto growled at the sight. "So... This is what a world ruled by the Wizard would look like..." He shuddered a little.

Shaking her head, Misty frowned deeply at the people making their way through. "The Wizard is going to pay for this..."

"In the meantime, I think I see his tower up ahead..." Gantz looked a tad bit confused. "I wonder what he's up to though... Most villains I fight don't invite their enemies to a feast."

"The Wizard is no ordinary enemy Gantz. Might as well get used to that." Otto shook his head a little. "Trust me, I don't like this anymore then you do."

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

Through the rift long left behind by Gantz, Double D, and the others, Rosaline and Wally were quick to step through, it was only then that the rift closed behind them. "So this is New Babylon." Rosaline muttered as she looked around. "It almost looks like what Gantz described Futuropolis would look like." She was lightly shouldered aside by someone who had a rather spacey look in his eyes. Rosaline looked more then a little freaked when she saw the spaced out look in the person's eye. "Only the people looked less spacey..."

Wally saw a person quickly walking by, before he grabbed the man's shoulder, stopping him cold. "Uh excuse me sir, I'm looking for our pals you wouldn't have happened to have seen the-" The man merely kept on walking. "Heh... Guess not."

"Wally, something tells me asking these guys isn't going to help anything." Rosaline looked around a little. "They almost look... mindless."

....... The boy's face paled instantly. "Y-you mean... Like zombies?!?"

The gria girl shrugged. "Well... Not in the literal sense, but in the figurative sense, yes you can say that..." She thought a moment. "I Think I heard the leader of the city calling up the others to a tower of some sort." She happened to notice the Great Tower at the town's center. "There might be our best bet."