I wanna do it! Let's draw straws!

[smooth_sith]

Who: The people signed up here.
When: Throughout the day/night.
Where: All over Dissidia.
What: Kidnappings. So many kidnappings.
Type: Whichever you like.
Notes/Warnings: Separate threads for separate kidnappings, i.e. DOOKU and KEFKA yoinking TERRA and SALEH.

Comments

World of Darkness (Terra and Saleh kidnapping)

[heavenslament]

The portal crystal flared brightly as it brought Terra to the World of Darkness. She stepped away in order to give Saleh some room for when he arrived after her. This seemed the perfect place for the next stage of training. It was near Order's Sanctuary but still neutral territory, and thus a place where they could encounter mannequins to fight. Knowing her techniques wouldn't do Saleh much good if he couldn't put them into practice, so now it was time to see if he could manage just that.

The young woman frowned softly as she peered around at the pillars and tendrils of dark energy. No mannequins in sight yet, but she wasn't discouraged. Sooner or later, they always appeared--usually sooner. It was just a matter of time. She smoothed her skirt and kept a hand on her sword hilt, alert and wary.

World of Darkness (Terra and Saleh kidnapping)

[mountain_sage]

The portal crystal flared again as Saleh arrived in the World of Darkness. He, too, stepped away from the crystal, looking at the pillars and energy tendrils. He could feel the darkness, and it certainly was unsettling. But his spirit would not break.

The sage checked his own belongings; his healing staff, and his two spell tomes, Excalibur and Divine. He would refrain from casting his offensive spells for this exercise, but he carried them regardless, just to be on the safe side. As there were no mannequins in sight yet, Saleh turned to Terra, acknowledging her presence with a silent nod.

[heavenslament]

Terra nodded back and gestured for them to head further into the stage. For a few moments, she heard nothing but the sound of their footsteps. The silence was a little unnerving but Terra didn't let it get to her. That too was a part of the area's nature, unless combat was taking place.

Upon finally spotting a crystalline figure far ahead, Terra paused and evaluated. It was a replica of Kefka, the Phantasmal Harlequin. She debated looking for another target, but...no. This would be good practice for Saleh, should he ever encounter the real one.

She glanced back to her companion, raising an eyebrow. "Do you want me to go first, to demonstrate, or do you want to give it a try based on what we've already done?"

[mountain_sage]

"Hmm..."

Saleh peered at the crystalline figure, pondering his options. It was not a figure that he recognized. Perhaps he should see its capabilities first, but then again, he wouldn't always have such an opportunity in a real battle. Still, a little review couldn't hurt for this little exercise.

"I'll let you go first. I'd like to see it's capabilities."

At least it would help, should he encounter the real Kefka. Hopefully.

[heavenslament]

"Understood. He can be a bit tricky, anyway. His magic is...well, you'll see." Terra walked within range, firing off a Blizzara spell to get the mannequin's attention. She wanted it to focus on her, rather than Saleh.

Mission accomplished. The ice attack knocked it back several paces, but that was only a temporary set back. The Phantasmal Harlequin leaped forward, firing three fireballs that zig-zagged around in the air toward her. While it was instinct to conjure her tornadoes to deflect them, Terra instead leaped back, taking advantage of her familiarity with such attacks to dodge them with relative ease.

[mountain_sage]

Saleh watched the Harlequin carefully as it fired its fireballs. He sprinted to a spot to his right to increase the distance between him and his conpanion, and to get behind the mannequin. Carefully, he moved to keep an even distance from the mannequin, gripping his staff diagonally by each end.

[heavenslament]

When 'Kefka' threw another spell at her -single fireball that seemed to home in on her, Terra took care to be nearby but not too close, showing the limits of the mannequin's range. Learning such things was just as important as the dodging itself, after all. When she was sufficiently out of the way, the spell dissipated, its usefulness spent. Other tricks involved using the terrain to her advantage. Hiding behind the pillars or speeding past them so that the mannequin would end up blasting them instead of her had all been very useful in the past, as well as riding along those ribbons of dark energy.

Terra patiently demonstrated how to avoid many of Kefka's spells, taking care not to use her magic overmuch or damage the mannequin past the point where it would be useful to Saleh. He needed direct practice, after all. She eventually brought the mannequin back closer to him for that purpose. "Do you see what I mean about what I said earlier? Do you think you can give it a try?"

[mountain_sage]

Saleh watched Terra's evasion techniques with his eyes narrowed. Although he did not have the leaping capabilities that she had, he made sure to pick up on the other factors - the spell's range, taking advantage of the terrain, etc. He could do this.

When Terra's demonstration ended, Saleh inhaled deeply, and then exhaled. "Very well, I'm ready."

He stepped out towards the mannequin, holding his staff by his side, rather than in front of him. Since the mannequin had fire attacks, Saleh wasn't going to risk letting it burn the wooden staff.

[heavenslament]

Terra then teleported out of range of the mannequin, reappearing nearby but not too close. The mannequin's attention was then turned to Saleh and it echoed Kefka's famous high-pitched cackle, although distorted. It then sent a barrage of lightning bolts in Saleh's direction.

From her vantage point, Terra winced, hoping Saleh could act on what she just showed him.

[mountain_sage]

The distorting cackle was indeed unsettling. Saleh frowned as the mannequin fired its lightning bolts, which very much reminded him of Dooku's Force lightning. Reacting quickly, he dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the bolts, which instead crashed into the pillar behind him, causing a pounding explosion. Saleh moved behind another pillar briefly, before moving into the open once again, preparing himself for the next attack.

[heavenslament]

Terra sighed in relief. She would step in if absolutely need be, but it was good to see that Saleh could manage on his own, at least for now. The use of pillars as means of defense made her smile, glad to see that he was absorbing what she showed him.

She hung back as the mannequin next summoned three triangles of energy, intent on converging on Saleh. That prompted a wince; Terra knew how painful that attack could be if it struck. Hopefully, he could dodge in time....

[mountain_sage]

The triangle attack prompted a wince from Saleh as well as they barrelled in toward him. He moved backwards, hoping that they would reach the limit of their range. But not knowing the exact range of the attack, he played it safe and quickly moved behind the pillar next to him, crouching down low. The triangles flew past him, missing their target. Saleh let out a relieved sigh of his own.

[smooth_sith]

A bolt of lightning suddenly flew across the air and blasted Kefka's weak doppelganger out of existence. As its disintegrating remains hit the ground, Dooku raised his hand again and pointed it at Terra, his next target. "My apologies for the interruption," his voice boomed out, "but practice has been canceled. It is time for the real thing."

Another, stronger bolt leapt out, blazing straight towards Terra's head.

[heavenslament]

As the mannequin is blasted apart, Terra whirled around. Her eyes were wide, upon realizing that they were being watched and not having sensed it earlier. When the lightning struck her, Terra cried out but blinding pain was too much to endure. After that cry, she tumbled to the floor, inert.

[mountain_sage]

Saleh recognized that voice instantly, a cold chill racing down his spine.

Count Dooku.

His heart jumped as his companion was struck down by the Force lightning.

"Terra!!"

No sooner than she had collapsed to the floor, Saleh immediately raced to her side. He wasted no time, bringing his staff over her, releasing his healing magic. Count Dooku was an adversary to be feared, and it was not worth the risk of facing him alone. Escape was undoubtedly the best option. If he could just get Terra back on her feet…

[chaoticelement]

Unfortunately, Dooku wasn't alone. As soon as Saleh raised the staff, a large chunk of ice was hurled at the man. Of course, the ice stopped just short of Saleh before shattering and sending dozens of razor sharp and freezing cold shards at the mage.

"Oh my, this is better than I had even dared to hope~! Sorry buddy, Terra's nap-time is not to be interrupted."

As if that weren't enough to make his presence known, his trademark cackle echoed out through the area.