JohnnyChany Posted May 4 Read Aloud Posted May 4 THE CRYSTAL NEXUS TOURNAMENT The Gathering: Preamble Here Match #1 VS. LUMINARIES OF LEGEND: The glow of the Astral Crucible washed the platform in soft silver light as the first exhibition match went on. The white arena below hummed faintly, runes awakening in concentric circles beneath two figures, Sice and Fujin, that clashed their weapons. But away from the center stage, on a slightly elevated viewing platform formed from polished crystal and drifting stone a different scene unfolded. A shimmer of light burst into existence, and with it Patty. She landed lightly, boots tapping against the smooth surface, hands already on her hips as her bright eyes scanned the arena below. “Okay! Now this is a view!” Standing nearby, the five women of the recently christened Luminaries of Legend team turned toward her arrival. At the forefront, a familiar face stepped forward, with an expression that shifted from confusion to recognition. Bianca tilted her head. “Patty? It really is you, isn’t it?” Patty’s face lit up instantly. “Bianca! It’s been too long.” Bianca took a step closer, she studied Patty carefully .“You look… a little different.” Patty gave a playful spin with her hands out. “Different outfit, different vibe, but yeah. Same Patty. Just a little bit upgraded.” Jessica Albert raised an eyebrow. “Alright, I’ll bite. Who exactly are you supposed to be?” Patty tapped her chin dramatically. “Well, that depends on the world, really.” She began pacing casually as she spoke. “I’ve run inns, managed parties, organized adventures, sent heroes out into the world and watched them come back stronger, or not come back at all.” She gestured outward, as if referencing unseen timelines. “I’ve been in kingdoms, ruins, traveling caravans, you name it. Different places, different times, same role. I help people come together.” “You’re saying you exist in multiple worlds?” Jade questioned. Patty nodded. “Pretty much! Wherever there’s a need for someone to build a strong team, I tend to show up. And I’m really good at it.” She tapped her chest proudly. Red leaned against the edge of the platform, her eyes flickered between Patty and the arena. “So that’s why you’re here,” she guessed. Patty pointed at her. “Exactly! When Arecia and Gentiana started pulling this whole ‘save multiple worlds’ thing together, they needed someone who understands what makes a party work. And that’s me.” Patty gave a small bow. Aishe stepped forward, arms crossed, clearly unimpressed. “Then why us?” Patty’s expression didn’t falter. “Because you’re the best.” Aishe scoffed. “That it?” “Or at least, you could be,” Patty replied. Bianca frowned slightly. “What do you mean by that?” “Most of the other teams? They’ve already got history. Bonds. Trust,” Patty explained. “They’ve fought together. Lived through things together.” Her gaze shifted between all five members. “You five? Jessica and Red know each other. But the rest of you? You’re starting from zero.” Jessica exhaled through her nose. “So, we’re at a disadvantage.” “Yep.” Patty smiled. “But that also means you’ve got the most room to grow.” “What does that matter if all of these are one on one fights?” Red questioned. Patty turned away and watched the arena below. “Some things are better revealed in time.” Jade stepped forward, voice firm. “What is this really about?” The question lingered. Patty didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she watched as Sice dragged her scythe across the platform, sparks trailing behind the blade while Fujin adjusted her stance. Then Patty spoke, softly this time. “You’ll understand.” She turned back to them, her usual brightness returned “But for now? Focus on what you can control.” Patty clapped her hands once. She pointed between them. “Talk to each other. Learn each other. Fight for each other.” She grinned. “You all know how important that is.” Bianca smiled faintly. “You haven’t changed.” Patty winked. “Hey, if it works, it works.” Bianca hesitated, then asked. “You’ll be helping us through this, right?” Patty shook her head. “Nope.” “What?!” Jessica snapped. Patty held up a finger. “Each team gets a liaison, someone assigned by Arecia. You’ll meet yours after the first match.” Red’s eyes narrowed. “Wait, you said ‘after the first match.’ That means one of us is up first?” Patty smiled. Then raised her hand and pointed directly at Jade. Jade didn’t flinch. "A proud princess, a determined protector, a skilled martial artist. Who better to start us off?" Patty gave her a thumbs-up. “Good luck.” And then, in a flash of radiant light she was gone. The five stood in silence for a moment. CROSSFIRE HEARTS: Just beyond the arena, another group watched, five women standing together, not yet a team, but about to become one. Selphie leaned forward eagerly, hands clasped behind her back as her eyes sparkled. “Okay, I know this is all super weird and kinda terrifying…” she said, grinning, “but also—this is AMAZING! Look at that! Did you see that spin?!” Below, Sice’s scythe carved a wide arc, forcing Fujin to leap back as a gust of wind exploded outward. Yuffie, however, looked unimpressed. She clicked her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, flashy. Still don’t trust it.” She glanced toward the distant figures of Arecia Al-Rashia and Gentiana hovering above the Crucible. “I’m telling you, we all team up, rush them, and make them send us home. Or at least talk.” Quistis adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful but firm. “That would be unwise.” Yuffie scoffed. “Unwise? It’s efficient.” “If what they showed us is real,” Qusitis continued, “and our worlds are truly in danger, then acting recklessly could make things worse.” Quistis folded her arms. “We should observe. Learn. And remain cautious,” she suggested. Rinoa stepped forward slightly, her gaze drifted across the fractured sky. This place, it reminds me of something.” Quistis glanced at her. “When we went into compressed time to fight Ultimecia?” That mention of compressed time grabbed Tifa and Yuffie’s attention. Quistis frowned. “You think this could be related?” Rinoa shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. But it feels similar.” A pause settled between them. Then, Tifa stepped forward. She offered a small, steady smile. “Well, if we’re going to be a team, we should probably start by introducing ourselves.” She placed a hand lightly against her chest. “I’m Tifa. I ran a bar back in my home of Midgar, Seventh Heaven. And I’m part of a group called Avalanche. We fight to protect the planet.” Yuffie immediately stepped forward, striking a dramatic pose with exaggerated flair. “I’m Yuffie Kisaragi! Elite ninja of Wutai! Materia hunter extraordinaire! Future savior of my homeland!” She pointed outward dramatically. “And probably the most important person here. Just saying.” Selphie clapped enthusiastically. “I like her.” Rinoa smiled softly. “I’m Rinoa Heartilly.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve fought for what I believe in, too. Even when it wasn’t easy.” She glanced toward Quistis and Selphie. “And I guess… I’m still figuring things out.” Quistis followed, composed as ever. “Quistis Trepe. Former SeeD instructor. My role has always been to guide others. Though it seems now, I’ll be learning alongside the rest of you,” Selphie spun once before planting her feet. “I’m Selphie! Missile base survivor, Garden student, and all-around fun person!” she proclaimed. “And I fully intend to enjoy this as much as possible!” A voice cut in, bright and energetic. “Now THAT is what I like to hear!” A shimmer of light and suddenly Patty stood among them, hands on her hips. “Beginning of team bonding? Love it. Ten outta ten. No notes.” “Are you here to explain what’s really going on?” Tifa wondered Patty shook her head immediately. “Nope!” “What?” Patty winked. “I’m just here to get you ready, since one of you is about to fight.” “Can you at least tell us something?” asked Rinoa. Patty tilted her head. “Alright. One thing. Although you come from different worlds, they’re connected.” Quistis frowned. “How?” Patty shrugged casually. “Chocobos. Tonberries. Cactaurs. Sound familiar?” Recognition flickered across their faces. “There’s more,” Patty added. “You’ll discover them as your bonds grow.” Selphie leaned forward eagerly. “Okay next question, who’s fighting first?!” Patty turned, slowly and dramatically, and pointed at Tifa. Yuffie blinked. “Oh.” Patty clapped her hands, clearly delighted. “Yep! First match for your team!” She stepped closer to Tifa; her expression shifted into admiration. “You know,” Patty said, “I’ve been looking forward to this one maybe the most.” Tifa furrowed her brow. “Really?” Patty nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yeah. Bartender. Fighter. Keeps a whole team together emotionally AND physically. That’s my kind of hero.” Then she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough. “And let’s be real, it is NOTHING short of amazing that you can kick that much ass in a leather skirt.” Tifa blushed slightly. “Thank you. I think.” Patty straightened, satisfied. “Seriously though, you’re incredible. I mean you all are but Tifa, she’s special. I feel like she is a kindred spirit that I can aspire to be like.” Yuffie smirked. “Yeah, yeah, we know. She’s great.” Patty stepped back. “Anyway! You’ll get your official liaison soon after this first match, Arecia’s got that covered. But I had to be here for this one. I wanted to meet you, Tifa, before this really got going.” Below them, the clash between Sice and Fujin reached a crescendo. TIFA VS. JADE The world didn’t shift so much as it folded. One moment, the Astral Crucible roared with wind and steel, Sice’s scythe carved a dark arc as Fujin answered with a slicing gale and the next, light swallowed everything. Boots touched cracked pavement, dust settled, and suddenly both the Crossfire Hearts and the Luminaries of Legend stood beneath the flickering sign of Seventh Heaven. The familiar bar stood intact, warm light glowed through its windows. The rusted metal of the Sector 7 slums stretched out around them, pipes, scaffolding, and distant silhouettes of Midgar’s looming plates overhead. Jade looked around slowly, one hand resting on her hip. “I’ll admit, I was expecting something… grander for my first battle.” Jessica Albert smirked, she glanced around.at the alleyways and scrap-built structures. She nodded toward Red. “This? Feels more like a playground for a certain pirate thief.” Red’s lips curled into a confident smirk. “Hey, I wouldn't be complaining.” She kicked lightly at a loose bit of debris. “Plenty of places to move, hide, improvise.” At the center of it all, Tifa Lockhart stood frozen. Her eyes were locked on the bar. “No. That’s not possible.” She took a slow step forward. She turned to Patty, confusion written plainly across her face. Patty gave a small, knowing smile. “This… this place was destroyed,” Tifa said quietly. “When the Sector 7 plate fell.” Patty raised a hand gently. “This version didn’t.” “What do you mean?” Tifa questioned. Patty stepped beside her, looking up at the sign. “This Seventh Heaven exists outside of time.” Behind Tifa, Rinoa Heartilly and Quistis Trepe exchanged a glance. Not one of confusion but of recognition and concern. The air shimmered. Light descended and with it Arecia Al-Rashia and Gentiana. They appeared as if they had always been there. “Welcome,” Arecia declared as her gaze swept across both teams. “To the first match.” Gentiana’s presence was soft yet absolute. “The stage reflects memory.” Her eyes lingered briefly on Tifa. “And meaning.” Arecia continued. “There are times when magic fails. When weapons are lost. And only the body remains. In such moments skill becomes truth.” Arecia looked at both Jade and Tifa. “You stand before us as two of the finest practitioners of close combat across your worlds and now will put those skills to the test in combat.” Tifa shifted slightly. “Am I allowed to use my Materia?” “I would never restrict what makes you you,” Arecia answered before turning to Jade. “The same applies to you, Princess of Heliodor. You are free to use everything at your disposal.” Gentiana’s voice followed, soft as snowfall. “One walks a path of protection forged through loss. The other, a protector shaped by discipline, grace, and strength. Both found strength in the martial arts to better protect those whom they care about. In this clash, truth will take form and show guidance to the path forward.” Patty stepped forward. “Alright! Now THIS should be stellar!” She pointed toward Tifa. “Close-range powerhouse! Lightning-fast strikes, incredible strength, and the kind of fighter who keeps going no matter what!” Then to Jade. “And over here, a royal martial artist, elegant but deadly! Precision, power, and control all rolled into one!” Patty grinned. “Basically? You blink and you might miss something amazing or crucial to deciding the winner.” Aishe stepped closer to Jade. “We’ve only just met, but I can tell. You’re strong. Show them the warrior that you are.” Jade inclined her head gracefully. “Thank you, I will.” Behind Tifa, Yuffie leaned forward with a big grin. “Alright, Tifa, no pressure or anything but we’re totally counting on you.” Selphie pumped a fist. “You’ve got this!” Rinoa smiled softly. “I feel like I can believe in you.” The ground between them seemed to respond as Tifa and Jade approached one another. They stopped a few feet apart. Jade studied her opponent carefully. “You carry yourself like a warrior who has fought many battles.” Tifa gave a small nod. “I have. I could say the same thing for you.” “Discipline was not optional where I come from,” stated Jade. Tifa’s expression softened slightly. “Yeah. I can believe that.” A pause, then Jade spoke again. “I will not hold back.” “Good.” Tifa raised her fists. "I wouldn’t want you to.” Arecia raised her hand. “The first match of the Crystal Nexus Tournament begins now.” Quote
Callisto Posted May 4 Read Aloud Posted May 4 Learn More About Tifa Lockhart Read more about Tifa Lockhart at Wikipedia Official Site: Square-Enix Links: Wikipedia: Tifa Final Fantasy Wiki: Tifa Square-Enix.com: Tifa Jade (Dragon Quest) Read more about Jade (Dragon Quest) at Wikipedia Official Site: Square-Enix Links: Wikipedia Quote
SSJRuss Posted May 4 Read Aloud Posted May 4 Love me a tournament and I think this is a great idea. Also really great AI images you've been using. Quality stuff. This would be a good fight and I think I'd expect Tifa to win here, but I think I'm pulling for Jade for an early upset. Quote
undertakersymbiote Posted May 4 Read Aloud Posted May 4 Gotta give this to my girl, Tifa! I feel like she's gone up against more powerful cosmic threats and has withstood much more powerful attacks than Jade. Quote
Callisto Posted Saturday at 08:15 AM Read Aloud Posted Saturday at 08:15 AM Match Final Results Member Ratings:5.00 - SSJRuss 5.00 - Boratz 5.00 - Venom 2009 FPA Calculation:3 Total Votes cast 15.00 Total Combined Score 15.00 / 3 = 5.00 Final Rating on the match MATCH SCORE Tifa Lockhart: 3Jade (Dragon Quest): 2 Quote
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