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Higins (Shining Force 2) |
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Lady Luck smiled most broadly on the hero of Pacalon this season, but Higins is determined to shake of the label of "just lucky." Higins had fought off illness, an injury, and an attempted demonic possession and lived to fight in the Shining Force's very next battle; with perseverance like that, he should have no trouble fighting off a dragon. The paladin is at an offensive and defensive disadvantage entering the battle, but with his heroic determination and vast amount of luck (hey, he drew Guillaume!), Higins may be able to press on and add yet another RPGDL victory to his record. |
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Tricky healer Amy Sage was expected to give Sara fits, but the Light Dragon pulled through just the same. Luckily, she now faces a far more straightforward opponent. Higins surprised many by rightfully earning a victory, but considering that victory came against Guillaume, Sara has no cause to fear from the puny Paladin. The Light Dragon still boasts good strength and truly inhuman durability, neither which could be said of her opponent, and Higins will prove no more than just another stepping-stone on Sara's path to a championship. |
Dark Holy Elf It was quiet night in the peaceful city of Meribia. All the town's good citizens were alseep; even Jessica and Kyle had turned in after another wild night of partying. Well, "turned in" wasn't so much the accurate term as "ordered to shut up lest they be disowned by Hell Mel, so he could get finally some sleep", but that really isn't the point. The point was that the city was asleep... except for a figure in dark robes that slowly trotted through the city streets. Heading for a certain shop. "I've been expecting you," said Ramus, opening the door to his place of work. The dark-cloaked figure hurried in, Ramus closing the door behind him. "Now," said the shopkeeper. "This had better be worth my time, and lack of sleep." The figure reached a hand out of his cloak, and threw a handful of Pacalon coins onto the counter. Ramus' eyes twinkled momentarily, before he swept them away with a surprising agility for one of his build. "Well then. What can I help you with?" "I have a bit of a dragon problem," said the figure in a low, monotone voice. "They said you may have an item that could act as a ... solution." "I have merchandise that can offer solutions to just about anything. Dragons included. Just a moment." Ramus disappeared into his storeroom. When he returned, it was with a large bag. "Now, let's see what we have here..." The cloaked figure leaned in. "First," said Ramus, pulling out a sword of golden energy. "The Dragon Buster. Most famous anti-dragon weapon ever made, the slayer of the mighty Divine Dragon. I can't recommend a single better choice for dealing with a Dragon, myself." "Urm..." the figure fidgeted. "The thing is, I'm a pure lanceman. And I have to fight this dragon in the open. So if I used a sword... well, people would be suspicious." "Well why didn't you say so?" asked Ramus, rummaging through his bag. Eventually, he pulled out a spear. "The Dragon Spear, of Final Fantasy IV fame. I can't tell you how many Red Dragons I had to fight to get this." "You can fight?" "Fight, hire Rose and Arngrim for a day, whatever. The end result is the same." Ramus shrugged. "So, are you interested?" "Hmm. It can also kill dragons in a single blow?" Ramus laughed. "Oh, goodness, no. It will, however, multiply your power fourfold. Enough to make any dragon cry in pain." "Four..." the figure considered. "Sadly, that may not be enough. My foe, she... has positively freakish endurance, and my strength isn't what it used to be..." "She?" Ramus raised his eyebrow for a moment. "Oh, I get it. You're fighting Sara, and don't want to get your ass kicked so badly you'll feel it next time you get in. Which is likely to be what, Season 40?" The chubby boy broke into laughter. "You should have just told me earlier, Higins." "I, wha-" the cloaked figure spluttered. "How did you know?" "Please, you think I don't keep up with the Duelling League. Old man, I own half that league. And it didn't take much to piece it together... Pacalon coins," Ramus whipped one out of his pocket for a moment, before making it disappear just as quickly. "A fight against a female Dragon... not an every day occurence to begin with, and you're a lanceman to boot. And, most importantly, those black cloaks of yours... do a terrible job of concealing you have the body of a horse." Ramus pointed at Higins' black-cloaked rear end, which extended several feet back of his human torso. "... well, I guess the gig is up. Here's a little extra for your secrecy," Higins spat, pulling out a few more coins. "Now... can you help me?" "Naturally," said Ramus, as more coins disappeared in a flash. "As I said, you should have told me you were fighting a Light Dragon." He pulled out what appeared to be an empty bottle. "This, my friend, is called the D. Hrt. No, don't ask me how to pronounce it," he said as Higins cocked his head. "All you need to know is that it reduces any Light Dragon to 1 HP. As good as dead. And all you need to do is open it." Inwardly, Higins lept for joy. "That sounds almost too easy!" he exclaimed. "Yes, indeed. And I am willing to part with it for a very reasonable price..." *** The referee surveyed the clock; it was almost time. Higins took the time to size up his opponent. Sara obviously couldn't be bothered to do the same, as she waved to her cheering fans and friends, and blew her brother a kiss. No, why should she pay attention to him? The oddsmakers were giving her loss something like 100 to 1 odds. Negligible. Well, he'd show them. He cast a sidelong glance to the ninja section of the stands, until his eyes fell on a rat. Slade gave him a nod. Everything was ready. Higins readied herself for the match. The last bell before the match's start rang. The referee nodded to Sara, and the blue-haired woman's body glowed with a staggering light. Higins looked away for a moment... and when he turned back, a large, silver dragon was glaring at him. Her formerly soft eyes were filled with an almost cruel laughter. Higins shuddered for a moment, then he heard something that was literally music to his ears. And not to Sara's. Slade had covertly opened the bottle. He offered nothing more than a small smile as he looked around and surveyed its effects. Sara's brother Ryu gasped, clutching at his chest. His friends looked at him in horror. The Dark Dragon Emperor Zog was less affected, but still trembled at the memory, curling into a fetal position as Jade snickered at him. "H- how?... that song... was only meant to be played once..." Over in the VIP booth, the defending Godlike champion Ryu the third doubled over in pain... but only for a moment, as a flying kick from the opportunistic former DL Overlord Jogurt knocked him out cold. The dragon Sara slumped to the ground. All her incredible vitality... gone in an instant. She was stunned. She cast a glance to the judges. They deliberated for a moment. Then, "No sign of physical interference," said one of them. "There's nothing on the books that would call that song illegal, as long as it wasn't used as by one of the competitors." The starting bell rang. Higins charged. Sara looked at the puny centaur in rage. She hadn't endured seasons of mockery in Light to lose like this. She hadn't proven she could beat a healer only to lose to the Shining Force series' most maligned Paladin. In a desperate anger, she fired off a blast of dragonbreath at the charging Higins. The blow struck with remarkable force... ... and it turned Higins to ash. Sara collapsed, reverting to her human form. She pointed, "Nina, please... revive that fool for me." The Wyndian got up from tending Ryu, and obliged. Sara walked over to the revived Higins, and grabbed him. She waited patiently until the centaur regained his senses. "H... how?" he spluttered, as he came to. "You don't have that kind of damage..." Sara's eyes narrowed. "You're in some position to complain. Still. Two quick facts about the Breath of Fire team for you. One: Our physical attacks get much stronger when we're about to die. And yes, this includes mine," she said, then smiled. "Two: Renew revives you to 1 HP." "What does the last part have to do with anything?" Higins spluttered. Sara shrugged. "No reason. Now, the match is still going. Finish me if you can." Higins reached for his lance... and Sara caught his face with an open-handed slap. The force knocked him out yet again. Sara then dusted herself off, satisfied with her revenge, and claimed her win from the judges. Not everyone was satisfied, though. *** Ramus looked up from his desk in the DL offices, to notice he had company. Emperor Zog stood before him. "Ramus..." the Dark Dragon hissed. "There are some things that even you should know better than to sell." Ramus suddenly trembled. "Wh, what are you talking about?" "Please," said Zog, a smile forming on his lips. "Don't play dumb with me. The wretched Paladin told me everything. Or, rather, told him..." Zog motioned, and Ryu the third walked in the door. "Ryu was rather upset. Losing to that damnable Harmonixer was bad enough... but to then be knocked out by Jogurt?" Zog's voice rose in rage. "Surely even one so pathetic as yourself can see how that would be upsetting!" Ramus backed into a corner, away from the two Dragons. Ryu silently glared... and transformed into the IRT Kaiser. "Y, y, you can't hurt me! I own 50% of the shares in this League!" said Ramus, cowering. "That's good," said Zog, as the Kaiser prepared to unleash his terrifying Bonebreak. "You'll have some assets that you can use towards paying off your substantial medical bills, then." Higins: 7 |
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