[VOTING] FFF Fanfic Frenzy (2019)

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Having read through all submitted entries for the Fanfic Birthweek event, I have only a few things to say now that my once-innocent mind has been plagued with the blight of what I've just witnessed:
  • I genuinely was not expecting this level of turnout and I would like to thank every entrant for making this event such a surprisingly popular one. We may even bring this back next year, providing what you are all about to read does not permanently leave everyone scarred and despondent!
  • Who would have thought that FFF actually has this many good writers? You've all approached this event with fervent creativity and it's such a delight to see the entries cover such a broad, diverse range of topics related to Final Fantasy.
  • On the other hand, some of you have disturbed minds and should probably seek help.
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#1 - Harlequin - 'my better late than never fanfic'​

"You know Barret, I've been thinking," Orion said, as they walked past the rocky outcrop on their way out of Fort Condor. "Those guys we commanded back there, those soldiers... what if someone's commanding us in the same way, you know?"

Barret glanced at Orion then away and into the middle distance, his eyes betraying a look of bemusement. "What?"

"Well think about it, we picked those guys from a drop down menu, and directed their movement in a point and click fashion... isn't that weird?" Orion asked.

"No." Barret replied, whose expression at this point came accompanied with a quizzical frown. "You sure you've got those headaches under control?"

"Yesterday before going to bed I looked over my equipment," Orion continued, "and look at it, the materia configuration... it's terrible!"

Barret swung around to inspect Orion's Hardedge. "Okay, so?"

"...So? How do you explain that?"

"That you're a dumbass?" Barret replied as a wry smile made it's way across his face.

"Good one," Orion conceded, offering Barret an unenthusiastic glance. "But seriously, no matter how much I wanted to fix it for some reason I felt compelled to leave it as it was."

"Sounds like a you problem."

"Okay well how about you try to remove your materia then." Orion countered.

Barret paused. "Now?"

"Yeah, now."

"No..." Barret replied, his face bearing a look of slight unease at the suggestion. "I like it like this."

"See?"

"That doesn't prove anything!"

The two continued as they made their way out of the barren wastes that surround Fort Condor and into the forests on the approach to Junon. They had been through a lot together and shared many conversations, though none quite a bizarre as the one they were having.

"And another thing," Orion went on, "your name, we decided on it when we were introduced remember?"

"Yours too."

"Right, but that doesn't strike you as odd?" Orion asked, turning his gaze towards the rest of the group who had fallen some distance behind. "I mean take Waifubait, does that even sound like a real name to you?"

"You think Waifubait lied about her name?" Barret replied, unsure of what Orion was getting at.

"No," Orion explained, "what if someone gave her that name."

Barret's eyes narrowed. "You need to lay of the ether Orion."

"What if my name isn't Orion? What if it was supposed to be something else?"

"Like what?"

Orion paused, his gaze turning towards the sky. "Like... Claude or something."

"Claude..." Barret said, turning to look at Orion before throwing his head back in a fit of laughter. "What kinda name is Claude? Bwahahaha-"

Suddenly, a figure leapt from the surrounding foliage, blocking the pair's advance. A small girl, no older than a teenager, challenged them.

"Ah ha! That's far enough!" She said, pointing her weapon towards them.

"Is that a lug wrench?" Barret joked.

"It's a 4 pointed Shuriken!" The assailant exclaimed, visibly annoyed by the mockery. "And you're gonna hand over all your materia!"

The girl shot forward to engage the pair in combat but was quickly overpowered and knocked down by the two. Exhausted, she gradually made her way to her feet.

"You spikey headed jerk! One more time, let's go one more time!" the girl said, panting from the exertions of the exchange.

"Not interested." Orion replied.

"Hmm, just as I thought," she said rather assuredly, "if you feel up to it, we can go ano-"

"Are you out of your mind?!" Barret interjected, startling the young girl, "you could've been killed!"

The assailant huffed in deviance before leaping back into the trees, disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.

"You know, I can't help but think that could've gone differently." Orion remarked. "Still, I have a feeling we'll be seeing her again."

"Why's that?"

"Because we decided on her name." Orion concluded.

Barret chuckled, "whatever you say... Claude, bwahahaha!"

The party continued through the forest, reaching a clearing and pitching their tents. Junon, their destination, was on the horizon.

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#2 - DaggerTribal - '(FFIX) That Night at the Auction House'​

It was a late April’s night that Lord King, renowned for his proprietorship over the Treno Auction House, hosted the annual masquerade ball in the city of Treno. A noble-only event, the opportunity proved most convenient for a certain band of thieves, deviously dressed as servers that evening. It was a small operation for Tantalus members Blank, Marcus and Zidane. They had been planning the heist weeks prior, and with special intel they were ready to go ahead with the plan.

“Let’s not forget that the King estate recently hired some renowned bodyguard, so keep outta sight and everything should run fine.” Marcus, already dressed in disguise, handed over a black mask to Zidane whom was already dressed up as a noble.

“Let’s not forget that last time somebody screwed the operation up it was because he was too busy flirting with girls!” Blank tossed a thumb back over at Zidane whom shrugged.

“I got a date out of it, didn’t I?”

“Anyway, the loot we’re after should be in the lesser-guarded room with the auction furniture for the night. It should be easy to get in and out with us on lookout, but Zidane is bait if anything goes awry.” Marcus walked over to Zidane and gave his shoulder a loud pat, “So don’t screw up!”

“As if!” Zidane laughed, rolling his shoulders in preparation.

Leaving, Blank and Marcus respectively made their way towards the Auction House before Zidane deemed it appropriate to head in after. At the door he waited turn in line, and approaching the front he was abruptly stopped by a large duck-billed doorman.

“Invitation?” The anthropomorphic birdman narrowed his eyes behind small spectacles.

“’Invitation’?” Zidane gave a nervous laugh, “I didn’t need one last year…?”

“Last year there were too many peasant-folk sneaking in and helping themselves to the food! The invitations and added security are to keep the riffraff out!” The birdman guffawed before holding out his feathered hand, “Now, invitation?”

“Shucks-I think I left it at home. But I see my great aunt Gertrude in there and-“

“Invitation only!” The birdman squawked, pointing firmly to the back of the line. Zidane tsked and kicked the dust, stepping aside the line. He caught glimpse of Blank and Marcus, whom was watching from afar, and gave them a shrug.

“Excuse me,” a soft voice interrupted. Zidane turned and was greeted by a black-haired maiden, masked in a rose-accented ensemble, “Forgive me, but this man is with me.” She presented the birdman with an invitation, leafed in gold foil, and gave a soft pleasant smile

“Sincerest apologies!” The doorman gasped, promptly opening the door to allow them in. Presented with her hand, Zidane gratefully accepted it and escorted her inside, sticking his tongue out at the glaring birdman in passing.

“Say, that was a neat trick, but y’know I don’t have an invitation… right?” He spoke low among the other voices in the converted ball room.

“I suppose that makes for the both of us.” She let out a soft chuckle as she adjusted her mask, “Though I hope you won’t inform my mother of the fact.”

“Yeah, I’m sure mommy would have a stern word if she found out you came to this raving party.” His sarcasm went unnoticed by the pot-bellied hippo man that stopped to adjust the powdered wig atop his head. They both laughed together before Zidane was rudely bumped in the shoulder by a passing server.

“Oops, sorry about that. There’s just a lot of work to be done.” The server sneered at Zidane under an overshadowing hat before walking back into the crowd. Zidane rolled his eyes at the disguised Blank and turned back to his pretty guest.

“So what are we stealing?” the young girl asked, chortling at Zidane’s shock. “I overheard you and your friends behind the bushes outside. I suppose we both chose a good hiding spot! I am very good at sneaking, shall I assist you?”

‘Guess I got no choice…,’ Zidane groaned inwardly, “Alright then, m’lady. Since you seem so insistent to rebel, do you think you could keep watch while I head to the back?”

“Certainly!” She clasped her hands together happily, following after him as he made his way to the back. He had reached the pinpointed door and grasped hold its handle, frowning when it didn’t budge.

“I can do it! I was always picking the locks back at the cast-“She covered her mouth briefly, “I mean, back at home. Please, allow me.” She was quick to pull a pin from her hair and work on the lock as Zidane nervously stood watch.

“There!” She pushed open the door and quickly stood.

“Wow, that was quick work! I think I’m beginning to fall for you!”

“This is nothing, I have been practicing escape many a time.”

“What a waste, you’d make a great thief!” Zidane laughed and slipped in, surprised to see her follow in after. “I thought you were keeping watch?”

“Are your friends not already? Come, before someone sees us!” She lifted the skirting to her dress and quickly made way to the back.

“Hey!” He ran in, trying to catch up to her as they both inspected the area between the many stacks of chairs and tables.

“I think this is what you seek.” She turned with a sack in hand, promptly handing it over to Zidane whom approached her, “I think it best we part ways now.

“Hey, I couldn’t let someone as pretty as you get away!” He grabbed the sack of gems from her and implored her to remove her mask.

“Who goes there!?” A voice shouted in as the two jumped in startle.

“Hurry, the side door should lead you round front! I shall stall them!” She softly pushed him forward despite his reluctance, nodding firmly at him.

“I hope we’ll meet again!” He pounded his chest and accepted her help, quickly turning tail and running out the door.

“Halt!” One of the guards yelled, running out the door as the other approached the mysterious young woman.

“M’lady, are you hurt? Don’t fret, the Flaming Amarant awaits that scoundrel just outside!” The guard shook his fist outwardly as the mystery woman let out a chuckle.

“Worry not, the thief escaped with but rocks in his sack and a tale to be told.” She smiled wide and looked on out the doors, clenching her chest as she pressed a familiar pendant close to her heart. “I also hope we meet again someday.”


“THIEF!” The guard in pursuit yelled, chasing after Zidane whom had completely stripped down of his disguise before bursting through the door.

“That was too easy!” Zidane snorted, running a finger under his nose as he turned around the corner of the mansion.

The smirk paved across his face quickly fell short when his path was blocked by an overshadowing figure. He stared up the tall man with pale-blue skin and quickly jumped back as the man took several heavy foot-steps forward.

“Wh-Who are you?”

“You look like a worthy opponent…” The man’s baritone voice bellowed from below his thick flaming hair, his down-casted eyes sizing up his newly found contender.

“So you’re the King family’s infamous new security guard, huh?” Zidane smirked as a devious plan began to form inside his head.

“What if I am? Come on! Fight me!”

“Hmph, so you’re just a thug. I’ll knock you out in one minute, flat!” He braced himself for conflict as the renowned bodyguard readied for a fight.

“Where did that thief go!?” A voice called from behind closed doors, invoking a twinkling in Zidane’s eyes as two guards emerged from the building. Zidane stood and turned back towards the guards as he feigned fright.

“H-Help!” his voice was in panic, “He came out of that door as I was passing by! I was staring at him ‘cause I thought he might be a burglar, then he started pummeling me! I’m gonna call the police! You guys hold him off until they get here!” His worried expression flipped as he turned back around to face his newly made scapegoat.

Running by he paused a moment, whispering under his breath with a devilish smile plastered across his face, “I’ll tell you one thing… the truly mighty ones don’t flaunt their power. How can I describe it to you?” He crossed his arms in thought, “The sly eagle hides its claws.”

“Hmph…”

“I’m outta here! Buh-bye!” He bolted off, running as his pockets jingled with stray gil and, unbeknownst to him, a sack of heavily polished worthless rocks.

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#3 - GothicSyn - 'Aerian: Eorzea Beginnings'​

Aerian hit the ground driving the wind out of her, she lay flat on her back looking up to the sky, crystal clear blue skies, she knew in that moment something was amiss. Slowly she sat, blinking a moment as she adjusted to the light, the pain behind her eyes subsided slightly.

She flexed her head and was quick to notice she now seemed to sport a set of feline ears, a quick check of herself and a tail later she groaned.

"Oh great, I've literally become the crazy cat lady" She flopped back onto the ground and kicked idly "Damn interdimensional voids,"

"Are you alright there miss?" She heard a voice as she looked up to see a young girl looking down at her "You seem out of sorts,"

"Me? Um... no just … gah I don't know hard to explain I guess," Aerian replied.

"Well we get out of sorts here, you should take a trip to Brentbranch Meadows, I'm sure there's someone there who can help," The girl replied with a smile, Aerian sat and nodded in reply.

"Thanks," She stood and went to walk away, before stopping to offer her hand "Aerian, pleasure to meet you,"

The girl shook her hand gently then pointed to a collection tents and the stables that she assumed would be Brentbranch Meadows, and as she returned the hand shake, she bowed softly, then turned heading toward the stables.

She was aware enough to note the vast variety of people coming and going, smaller folk barely upot her waist, ambled past, as did the surlier looking dark-skinned folk, leaving her to wonder where the hell she'd ended up.

This realm it seemed was inhabited by several races and which was nothing new, most realms housed a few races, each in an endless variety, her own been home to elves, trolls, even fairies, so other races was not new to her, she was however fairly sure she had never set foot in this realm before nor had she ever become some kind of kitten.

She neared the edge of the decked area as she made her way in the rather tall man dressed in green blocked her path.

"An adventurer here I take it?" His tone surly and he eyed Aerian with an odd expression, she plastered on her sweetest smile and nodded.

"Yup, I'm here for fame and fortune," She made a show of allowing his to see the bow at her back.

"Alright then Miss, just don't causing any trouble or you will have the Wood Wailers to be dealing with,"

"Me trouble?" Her voice oddly sweet as she nodded and then headed in as she passed the stall, she made a point of buying a much better far comfier outfit, at least now she didn't stick out like a sore thumb. She took a few minutes to gather provisions and then headed for the rather surly looking woman by the tent.

"Well another bloody adventuring type I see," She snapped in a rather cold tone

"Um … yea sort of, I just sort of need to know where I ended up," Aerian replied softly, she could feel the knot of frustration burning in her gut, half of her wanting to shake the inhabitants and scream at them, but she knew better than to let that free right now, it would after all do her no good.

"This is the Central Shroud, part of the great state of Gridania, I would have thought an adventurer would already know that," The woman snapped back.

"Mm, well I sort of just arrived, so trying to find my way," Aerian replied again plastering a smile on her face, mentally noting down each thing she was now been told. Those lessons of her fathers being drilled into her, find your bearings then find your way home.

"Ah well, names Audrie lass and I'll tell you what, if you head down to the Chocobo Stable at the end of the Meadow here, lads name is Luquelot, if you tell him I sent you he'll lend you a Chocobo which will take you to Gridania, after that you can go have a word with Madam Miounne I'm sure she will set you right,"

"Thank you" Aerian bowed slightly then spun on her heel and headed as directed, her mind now wondering what in the hell a Chocobo was, what she saw she wasn't quite ready for. A bright yellow half chicken half bird type creature that stared at her as she approached. Bigger than she was and she wasn’t exactly short, well at least excluding the tail and the ears “Oh god, Aerian what have you gone and done this time.”

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#4 FighterMcWarrior - 'The Day the Men in the Dark Armor Came'​

"...Something I said? Are you alright?"
Fists clutching. Teeth clenching.
"...Rydia?"
Teeth clenching. Fingernails digging into palms. Eyes burning. Silent breath.
"...I'm fine, Edward. I...just feel dizzy. I must be working too hard."
"...You sure, hon? You want a glass of water? You don't look so good."
Queen Rydia Eblana drew a sharp breath, opened her eyes slowly and looked up into her husband's eyes. Edward Geraldine "Edge" Eblana, sovereign of the nation of Eblan, had brought her into this life of opulence and stoic responsibility five years ago on this day, their anniversary, and the state room of Castle Eblana was ablaze with a wash of firelight; fireplace dancing, incense, torches and candelabras, as they sat on the floor to a light dinner of stir-fried vegetables and fish.
"Look, Rydia, I didn't mean it like that...I'm sorry...I--"
The Queen of Eblan raised her right hand in a regal gesture, shaking her head softly, eyes gently squeezed shut again. "It's ok, Edge. I'm the one who should be apologizing. It was...a really long time ago. I just...what you said..."
"...Brought it all back, didn't it?"
The flaxen-haired young woman, adorned with the regal coutoure of Eblan, felt her eyebrows droop, her eyes mist up. Edge sighed sharply, scratched the back of his head and did his best Kain Highwind.
"Remember what Cecil told us all, Rydia. Those days are always gonna be with us, and it's never gonna be easy, but it'll eventually become bearable. Goodness knows, we all went through a lot. I'm here with you, ok? ...You know, I know that, because of how I was raised, it seems like I don't have any feelings. But it's definitely not true."
Rydia opened her eyes with tears ready to fall. Her husband's looked dryly on at her, but his brow was furrowed in precisely the same way she could feel hers doing. His mouth was closed tight in just that way that lets you know someone is holding it together.
"We all lost a lot, didn't we, babe?" she intoned just above a whisper, as a torch popped softly. Drawing herself to her feet, she put down the broken wineglass on the table, and examined her palm for injuries. Edge had just finished saying something like 'This smells great! Sure beats fighting a lot of stinking monsters, doesn't it?' in his typical carefree, bravado-filled attiude that he knew she loved, even though it almost always drew the same dismissive reaction from her. This time, though, Rydia had suddenly had the mists of time swallow her into the past.

*

Her mother was drawing water from the well. It was a day like any other, save for a few clouds creeping in. Springtime had settled after a hard winter, and planting season had arrived. She remembered thinking "I wonder if I could go meet that Sage in Kaipo? I bet he knows a few spells," when she noticed her mother's posture stiffen, and her eyebrows go straight to the top of her forehead. A sharp breath went in through the woman's nose, and Rydia knew that there was something wrong.
"What's wrong Mom? Are you ok?"
There wasn't time to blink between the last word of her sentence, before her mother exhaled forcefully, and uttered the words "Mist...dragon..."
She fell and laid still...

*

"I remember my mom used to make the best noodles I ever tasted," Edge said, his arms around his lover and wife, as they stared into the moonlit night. The firelight doused, he took a deep breath and smelled the smoke and incense left over, and continued, "It's always the nice things, isn't it? The little, nice things, that come back."
Rydia sobbed a little, coughed, and with a wan smile, croaked, "Yep." She let out a sigh, and stammered, "My mom used to make me this...sort of...broth from...gysahl vegetables...when I'd get sick."
The dinner lay uneaten on the table. Edge wrapped a cloak around the two of them, as the cold air began to filter into the state room.
"I miss her, Edge. I never realized it back then, there was no time to think about it. So much fighting, so much struggling to survive and keep going..."
"Tell me about it, princess. Fighting's been my life, all my life. But it never gets easier, when it's time to put down the swords."

*

"I'm sorry. We had no idea this would happen to your mother."
Rydia's head drooped. Her brain began to feel like forty thousand volts were going through it. 'No idea...no idea...' The words just kept looping. The deep voice of a man whom she was vaguely aware was wearing a helmet shaped like a dragon over his face seemed to pass into and out of her mind, as she simply kept thinking 'no idea...no idea...'
"His majesty wished this village torched."
The other man, in similar, but unrecognizable and darker armor, whom had been speaking before, replied, "No..." weakly, and fell to his knees.
The man in the dragon helmet didn't seem phased. "Foul work, to be sure. But we'll have to kill the girl, as well."
Her mind heard, and told her 'Shouldn't you run away? He just said he's going to kill you.' But she just continued in her cyclone of despair, looping the same phrase over and over, staring at her poor, dead mother...'no idea...no idea...'
"Kain!!"
"It's her or us, Cecil!"
'Their names are Kain and Cecil.' 'No idea...no idea...'
"But she's a child!!"
'You should run, they're armed.' 'No idea...no idea...'
'What's wrong with you? Run!' her mind commanded, but she remained rooted to the spot. Her forehead began to prickle. In the center of a burning village, her blood began to feel freezing cold. Her eyes grew wide. Her heart beat like the hammer of Thor, and her teeth clenched into a snarl that would frighten a lion. 'No IDEA...NO IDEA...'
"...Let's get out of here. What about the girl?"
"We'll have to take her with us."
Eyes of fire, looking into fire, from within ice, raised to look into the eyes of this armored man, Cecil. 'NO IDEA. NO IDEA--'
"It's not safe here. Come with us, please--"
"NO!"

*

"I'm gonna tell you something that I've never told anyone, Edge."
Edge firmed up his grip around her waist, as the crickets chirruped. His nation asleep for one more night, after a grand celebration of the anniversary of his and their Queen's nuptials, he felt the distance between his people's joy and his sorrow that he'd come to know defined his inherited rule.
"What is it, princess?"
"When Cecil and Kain tried to get me out of Mist, as it was burning..."
Edge drew a sharp breath, instinctively. This subject was not brought up with Rydia but a few separate times in the seven years they'd known each other, and little was ever said, if anything, about it.
"...Edge, I lost control of myself. I've..."
Tears began to stream out of her eyes, and her befuddled husband squeezed hard around her frame...
"...I've never told anyone this," she said through sobs. "Edge I...I..."
"It's ok, hon. It's ok."
"...Edge, I summoned a Titan. I don't even know how, or what I was doing."
Goosebumps went down his arms, but he didn't make a move or take a breath.
"I killed them. I killed so many of the villagers. All because I was a pissed-off little kid who'd...who'd..."
"...Who'd just seen her mother fall dead at her feet, Rydia."
The wailing of the Queen of Eblan was said to have filled the state hall that night, but it didn't continue long, as her breath began to run out. But all the night, the dinner of vegetables and fish went uneaten.

*

Morning upon Eblan once more, and the stables were empty save for one young bird who knew his schedule well. As Rydia, Queen over Eblan, began to stroke his feathers, he nuzzled her face, knowing only the satisfaction of his mistress' presence.

"Like I said, Rydia...fighting has been my life, all my life. I was trained to kill from the age of seven years old. Death has always been just another thing I took for granted in life. I could have died so many times, it's a wonder I'm not insane. But when I saw my mom tear herself apart, after Lugeie's experiments transformed her...well...the only thing I could think..."

Rydia lifted her saddle onto the chocobo's back, and repeated her cherished mate's words of wisdom to herself...
"There's no fiend of fire anywhere that's gonna stop me, after surviving that."

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#5 Mitsuki - 'My Car Smells Like Paissa'​





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#6 Six - 'Tifa's Stockings'​

“What the hell are those?”

10:15PM on a Saturday night. It had been a while since the team came together just for a sit down and drinks. Tifa’s Seventh Heaven was their go to place. Instead of using their secret hideout in the bar they just kicked out every customer enjoying their drink.

Shuffling around, Tifa tugged on a pair of black thigh highs she had purchased just the other day. It had been a while since she bought anything for herself and a change is just what she needed. Sort of.

“Stockings, Barret!” she exclaimed. “They’re nice, aren’t they?”

A raised eyebrow and a scoff said it all. Barret shook his head in disbelief. What on earth was this woman thinking? Purchasing accessories? Ain’t nobody got time for that.

“What do you think, Cloud?” Tifa asked while making a little spin. She stretched her arms down as if to point at the thigh highs while glancing over to Cloud who was sitting on the chair closest to the wall.

Cloud’s eyes glanced over to Tifa who was standing in front of them. With a puzzled look and a slightly cocked eyebrow, he eventually nodded.

“It looks fine.”

Barret burst out laughing, “Looks ridiculous is what it looks like.” Biggs and Wedge chuckled at Barret’s bold statement. Surely he wasn’t wrong. Just look at them. Exactly.

Tifa rolled her eyes at the response and made her way back to behind the bar, wiping down the counter and cleaning up the empty glasses left behind.

“I don’t think they’re going anywhere, might as well get used to the new look, eh?” Biggs said while downing the last bit of drink left in his glass.

Barret burst out laughing. There was not a chance these things were sticking.

“HAH. They probably comin’ off tonight anyway! Isn’t that right, Spikey?!”

Cloud grunted, his eyes made his way back to his drink, cheeks flushed red. Damn these thigh highs.

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#7 Duhemsounds - 'Opera Mysidia'​

Impresario : Tonight's show is our famous opera Maria & Draco. This piece is so romantic but I'm worried...What if they are late ? What if something wrong happens during the show? You think I'm too nervous ? Remember that mess last time...No ! Not this time ! Tonight's show will be fantastic !

The audience is thrilled for tonight's show and applauds loudly as the curtain rises. The narrator comes to the front of the stage and the orchestra starts to play the Overture theme.

Narrator : Their countries are at war since a long time. They nourish a secret love story. Maria and Draco hope to be reunited but the King wants Maria to marry Prince Ralse, this is the cost for peace. What will happen ? Will they be reunited or is Prince Ralse taking Maria forever ? Stay tuned and enjoy our most famous show !

Loud applauses, the orchestra starts to play 'Aria di Mezzo Carattere'

Draco: O, Maria
Though I call you from afar,
Will this message reach your heart?
Oh how I long to be with you.

Maria: O my hero, my beloved
Shall we still be made to part?
Though promises of perennial love yet sing here in my heart?
I’m the darkness, you’re the starlight
Shining brightly from afar
Through hours of despair
I offer this prayer to you, my evening star
Must my final vows exchanged
Be with him and not with you?
Were you only here to quiet my fear,
O speak! Guide me anew
Draco: Maria!
Maria: Draco! I knew you would return to me my love!

A big 'Ooohh' comes from the audience
Suddenly a bunch of unknown characters are popping everywhere on the stage

Impresario : W...What is THAT ? I knew it ! This representation is going to be screwed by these folks, they aren't even on the script !
The opera continues...And the orchestra tries to follow

Princess Cornelia : Marcus, I've waited for you so long...
Marcus : I know my dear...
King Leo : What the ? You're not marrying any of these rascals ! Prince Schneider is the one !
Prince Schneider : Cornelia my dear, come to me, I've waited too much, you can't avoid me any longer !
Marcus : That Maria is looking good...That's ok, King Leo. Give Cornelia to Schneider !

The audience jeers Marcus

Princess Cornelia whining : This is what you deserve, Marcus ! 'I wanna be your canary' he was saying...
Impresario protesting alone on his balcony : And now it sounds like...a PLAY ?!! I'm an opera impresario, I'll report to Sir Ultros about these suspicious folks !

King Leo insistent : My poor Cornelia, this is why you need to marry the noble Prince Schneider
Princess Cornelia shouting : Oh please stop it with your Schneider !
Prince Ralse coming up like a tornado : Aaaand I've won this war ! Soooo... I'm here to pick Maria and I can surely find an extra room in my giant castle for that Princess...how you say...Cor...

Draco and Marcus rushing swords in hands : You're not going any further !

Blood ! Blood ! Blood ! The audience cheers for action

Zorn : This play sounds strange !
Thorn : Strange this play sounds !
Impresario still protesting alone on his balcony : And now those clowns...They look like they've just escaped from Figaro's jails !
Narrator : For a few minutes an intense fight occurs between Draco, Marcus and Prince Ralse to decide the destiny of the Princesses and the kingdoms.
Zorn : We must inform her Majesty about this new version !
Thorn : About this new version Her Majesty must be informed !
Zorn and Thorn : She will like it !
Zorn and Thorn : That's what I said !

The fight is still running
Princess Cornelia : I don't know where are you from but looks like we're having the same kind of Kingdom management...
Maria : Yes, at least now you know you're not alone...
Princess Cornelia : So childhish...So stupid...
Maria shouting : HEY ! GUYS !
The fight stops

Maria : So none of you noticed it ?...Visibly not...Looks like you've all skipped elementary maths class...TWO princesses, THREE wannabes !
King Leo loudly : BWAHAHAHA !
The three wannabes are looking petrified

The audience follows loudly King Leo's laugh

Impresario mumbling alone on his balcony : After all, they are liking it...

Zorn : We've found them !
Thorn : They have been found by us !
Zorn and Thorn : This is terrible !
Zorn and Thorn : This is horrible !
Zorn and Thorn : They are better than us !
Zorn : Her Majesty must never see them or we would be kicked out of the Castle !
Thorn : We would be kicked out of the Castle if Her Majesty sees them !

Prince Schneider : Hey !
Draco -_- : Maths level...

King Leo and the audience goes for another run of BWAHAHAHA

Princess Cornelia : This guy plays on WAIT ATB mode !
Massive jeers for Prince Schneider from the audience
Marcus : So that's already one out !
Maria : Says the one who was ready to pick the first random girl !

Princess Cornelia : The only one that looks to be a real heart is Draco and this is the one, Maria, may your love stay strong
Maria : Thanks Princess Cornelia, but I'm just wondering about one thing...Where are you all from ? I've never seen you before
Princess Cornelia got interrupted : Well we were playing...

Ultros : OCTOPUS TIME ! Did ya miss me ?
Suddenly the whole Opera House's lights are going out
Ultros : Eeeh ? I haven't even started yet !
King Leo : BWAHAHAHA, this would never happen in my shows !
The audience is panicking

Ultros : IMPRESARIO ! Did ya forgot to pay the electricity bill ?!?
Impresario got interrupted : We have no delays with Vector Energy, there shouldn't be...
The Opera House starts to rumble and seems to sink and to decay. A strange dark light appears in front of the stage and starts to grow bigger and bigger...
Impresario : This Opera is damned ! Master Ultros, I'm sorry, that's too much ! I QUIIIITTTT........

Rydia : Help...Help...
Red Mage : Wooops it's time to end this, DISPEL !
Rydia : Mmmh...Maria...Ultros...
Red Mage : WAKE UP !
Rydia : NO !...What the...? Where am I ?

The audience laughs loudly

Narrator : Let's applause the Red Mage for his talents of illusionist !
The audience applauds warmly
Rydia : Illusionist ?



Narrator : And let's applaud our Guinea p...VOLUNTEER, Rydia !
The audience applauds and laughs
Rydia : Hey ! Wait a sec ! That opera, these folks...
Red Mage : This was an illusion... We're in Mysidia after all ! The place where everything is magic !

----------​

#8 Soulcorruptor - 'The Greatest Story of the Warriors of Light Never Told'​

“So tell me who are you three again and why are you here in this town?” A pointed hat blue robed magician asked of the three people sitting at the table with him in a local tavern. The red hair sword wielder took out his sword and yelled “By the holy power of the crystal I have the power, it gave me a vision of the city and some fair maiden crying.” The next person in line in just some dirt torn clothes pulled out a dagger and slammed it onto the table and said with a sly grin on his face, “Well you see that is a long story you would have to ask my parents, and I think you're too young for that story.” The blue robbed magician started to fume at this point and was starting to hold out his hand and summon a fire ball when there was a loud slam heard a long burb and then a slurred response, “Ahh whoze karress, thez boozzzeee iz gooodd annndds thiz shinney*hic* toldz mme te bee here. The white robbed magician pulled out a crystal herself and it glowed.and at the same time three other specs of light shone across the table each light radiating from one of the other three patrons.


The blue robbed magician just sighed as he said “Ok so a little crystal told all of us to come here for whatever reason and we all were compelled to come here, great.” There was a silence that hung over the table then and the blue robbed magician spoke to break the silence. “So to get things cleared up I think we should state our professions and what we can do, just so there's no confusion. I am obviously a black mage and I blow things up, which also might include you lot, because I hate you all already.” The red haired swordsman then grinned and shouted, “I am a warrior of justice and slay all things evil, fear not companions if this foul mage tries to kill us I shall defend you and smite him down.” The black mage glared at him and replied “I like to see you try.” the warrior just laughed him off with a retort, “You jest now, everyone knows justice prevails over everything.” The man in the rags spoke up next, “Well i'm a thief I specialize in sneaking up on foes and stabbing them in the back and making your pockets lighter.” The white robbed magician spoke up last and at least sounded sober compared to her previous attempts at talking, “Well looks like i'm the only female in this group, so none of you will be getting anything. Also i'm a white mage and can heal your sorry asses as it looks like i'll be carrying you all and can revive you if the black mage does kill any of you.”


Now that this merry band of hero were gathered and were obviously a dysfunctional group as they could not get along with one another they did what any senseable people would do, they spent a night at the inn and slept till morning presumably to let the white mage get over her hangover. Also notice how none of them said their names people, only their professions, doesn't give you the best of hope for these people does it? Unless their names are their professions then this world is just messed up and will have multiple people with the same name, just think about it walk up to the castle and yell guardsmen and you probably have five guards who don't know who you're talking to.

Now that the sun has rose on these fools by some miracle they have managed to get to the castle all without speaking a word to each other. The warrior then spoke to the guards, “Hail fair guards we are travelers brought here by a crystal that told us your fair maiden of a princess was captured.” Hearing this the guards looked at each other and just laughed. Now we could bore you with some of the other details of what happened, the black mage making threats, the thief suggesting they sneak in a night, and a drunken white mage coming back to hit on the guards to try and charm their way into the castle, but that would be boring right? So in the end the four were brought to the king in chains and he asked them why they were causing trouble in his castle and harassing his guards. They all each pulled out their crystal and said they received a vision of a princess captured and only heard of a town C something, the vision didn't last long. The king had a bewildered look on his face and dead palmed. “Well I can tell you that not only are you in the wrong town but your four are also a bunch of idiots. This town's name is Cardin, I have a daughter who is only one year old and my son THE PRINCE is over there holding her.” He says as he points to a man standing to the side holding a baby while watching this all unfold. “You dimwits wanted Coneria which is located to the continent west of us, and to top it off I've heard their princess was already rescued by another group of adventures. Guards put these idiots in the dungeon.”





And so ends the greatest story of the Warriors of Light never told.

----------​

#9 Paddy McGee - 'My adven-ture with all da FF heroe's - chapta one'​

Dis is my first chapta for me story. I wuz realy inspired by de FF games so I wantd to rite a bout dem. Squal isnt my fav but he sems lyk n emo lyk me.

The day started the same as usall. Me n me mates wer goin 2 skool wen suddenly de sky turned black and music from de FF games started playin.

“de fuk is dis” I said wen de music started. After dis, I fell a sleep and den woke up in a grassy place on my own. I WOKE UP in a FF world map for sum reson. I got up n pushd bak my str8ened hair and pulled up my fingerlis gloves – im n emo so liek I were all dis stuf. Anyways I brushd of me jeans n started walkin nort becuz I still had me bag wit me n I had a compas n my nife.

I kept walkin til I saw a town. Der wuz lots a people outside doin farm stuf n I said hello an stuf. I jus rememembered dat I didnt have any money jus as I walked into de in. I asked de in keepa were we were “hi der im lost were r we?” “…were in de town of Kalm budi, u ok” I nodded n rubed my face. I asked if I cud sit down for a wile n he said “yes”.

So I took my seat n sighd. I wuz on me own wit just de nife, me compas n bag. I looked in me bag to c wat was in der. Me books were still der but der wuz dis mad cristeal. It wuz blue n wen I touched it it made me dyed blak but wit highlights hair mov n I felt rily strong n stuf. It felt lyk I went to a new place n dis voise spok to me “Aiden (me rel name is John but me emo name is Aiden) u hav ben choosen to hlp de warears of light to defen de combo worlds cuz we combined dem. U wil hav lots of guides here to hlp u wit dis” an den I wuz bak in de room. Beside me wuz a kul swoord dat wuz blak n red lyk me hoody. I felt rly strong n stuf.

“so ur de choosen one” I turned round n saw Squal LionHard bhind me. He wuz oldr den in de games. He wuz n emo lyk me but he didnt hav de convers lyk I did. “ cum wit me” he said n walked upstars. I got up n fallewed him. We went to a room n he closed de door. Squal den started talkn “De baddies in all de worlds are workn togedder. Dey merged de worlds n tok over. Me n Clowd n dem r tryn to fite bak but we ned hlp dat were u cum in”. I wuz shoked. I luv de games so dis wuz lyk meatn me heroe’s.

Me n Squal den left de room wen sud denly der wuz monstas in de in. Squal ran forwrd n I grabbd my swoord n fallewed. He said to “fite dem. De cristeal mad u a fiter” I smiled den I swong my swoord at one of de monstas n it sashed him, den I put my hand out n de fire magik came out “de fuk” I said as de monsta meltd. I den turnd n startd fiten n other monsta n I killd it in de same way as de other one.

“dats all of dem” said Squal. We den went outside to see if der were any mor. “wer do we go now” I said to Squal wen we went outside. “we r goin to de city a midgar now. We will meat wit de rest of de gang der. Clowed n Z-Dan n all dem wil be der” Squal said wit angry face; he wuz defo n emo lyk me. Mabbe he lyks MCR lyk me.

Wit dat tho, my story be-gan. We walkd sout n fited monstas a lot. I got a bit strongr n cud do de tundera magik now. My convers were a bit dirte but dat wuz alrite cuz I cud clean dem wen we get to de place. Squal talkd a bout his mates lyk Zel n Celphie but he talkd a lot a bout his GF Ren-no-a. He said dat she had died in de first a tack n dat wuz why he wuz n emo even more now. He wuz gun- a get his revenge.

It wuz den wen we saw de city of midgar frum a hill… It looked like it wuz on fir!!!! “Oh no!!!!” Squal said wit anger in his face. He startd runnin at de city wit his swoord drawd. “I hop de rest r okey der!!!!!” De two of us rushd to de gates but we didnt think wat wuz happn next wud happn….


Tank 4 reddin chapta one. I wuz tryin real hard wit dis one. Me techer told me to get beter wit me writn so her we r. Tanks – rememember to lyk n sub n tel me wat u tink. Defo do it if ur n emo grl.

----------​

#10 Dionysos - 'Save Moogle'​

“Yipee, kupo! I finally got my copy! I put my life on hold for this, kupo!” squealed an elated Moguo.

The young moogle was feeling mightily triumphant, having been one of thousands of moogles queuing for a chance to purchase the limited edition of the Mog House VII Remake upon its release. Moguo started to dance, kicking his legs forwards and backwards, wiggling his little furry bottom, his arms stirring the air while his pink wings fanned his back.

Nothing could take this moment away from him. Nothing except... Uh-oh!

In the distance sounded the intrusive tone of a flute. Only Moguo could hear it.

To Moguo this melodic menace was like distant gunfire from a battlefield he knew he was fated to join. The music stabbed through his ears and conquered his body in an instant, killing his dancing. Only his orange pom pom appeared to resume its jovial dance, briefly continuing its orbit above Moguo’s head, behaving as the last person in a crowd to recognise a sudden shift in a room’s ambience.

Moguo’s entire body started to shake like a wet rabbit with pneumonia. Though he tried desperately to fight it, his body was compelled by his duty. The dread was all-consuming. He felt like every inch of himself was being tugged by invisible malboro tentacles towards some terrifying maw. Inevitably, he gave in and sped towards the source of the flute, leaving his game behind amidst a heavy cloud of dust.

Moguo soon returned.

His copy of the game was gone. Covetous moogles not wanting to chance the queue must have taken it.

“That damn flute, kupo!” Moguo cried.

“Curse the day Monty gave that confounded object to that monkey-tailed imbecile, kupo!”

Later, Moguo was next in line to purchase his tickets. Moguo figured he’d treat himself to a performance of Lord Avon’s popular hit comedy ‘Much Abuzz About Oglops’. Were he to manage two tickets, maybe Mogetta could be troubled to join him on a date. It was, after all, a play they once studied together. This was their play.

Only a middle-aged hippo lady and her young son stood between him and the box office booth. Surely nothing could stop him from buying his tickets. Nothing except… Uh-oh!

The flute sounded again, proving a most unwelcome scene change in Moguo’s life…

Moguo attempted to reach out and grab the hippo lady to cling to his rightful place but, alas, he was immobilised. As strong as his will to go to the theatre was, every cell of his body now had a new role to play. His ruff alone managed to shiver with frustration before he was gone in a flash.

Moguo made his exit, pursued by a cloud of dust.

The moogle returned, drenched… “Burmecia! Really?! Kupo!”

Moguo found the ticket booth already shuttered, its line dispersed and its tickets clearly all sold out.

“That damn flute, kupo!” Moguo cried.

“That stupid metal-clad buffoon with guyliner standing there looking cross isn’t helping matters, kupo!”

Later, a recovered Moguo tidied his ruff in the mirror, slicked back his pom pom and picked up the giant-sized kupo nut chocolate bar from his table before leaving through his front door.

Moguo knew he looked sleep-deprived, exhausted and very, very nervous. But he was feeling in the zone again for sure. He was in love, and he was holding sweet Mogetta’s favourite chocolate bar.

Moguo’s heart raced as he saw Mogetta’s comely figure turn to face him upon hearing his approach. She smelt like a mixture of candy floss and aspen shavings, and Moguo felt weak and dreamy. Mogetta beamed at him, her pupils widening. Blushing and giggling, she beckoned coquettishly for him to come forward. This was his chance to tell her! He contemplated singing his favourite song to woo her there and then. Armed with his chocolate surprise behind his back, nothing could ruin his moment now. Nothing except… Uh-oh!

The flute sounded music of its own, overpowering even the enchantments of the heart.

“No! Not now, kupo!” Moguo thought, though no sound could escape his corporeal prison.

Maddened by the gadfly which is romance, Moguo surprisingly managed to disobey long enough to kiss the air, his lips behaving like two rabid dogs on leads struggling to pull against their owner in different directions. This is as far as they could get. Moguo was frozen to the spot, imitating a fish in front of the love of his life.

Mogetta’s own expression had shifted to a look of horror.

“What on Gaia is possessing Moguo?” she thought.

“Is he not the young mog I’d dreamt him to be?”

Moguo’s lips failed to reach Mogetta’s tender face. Try as he might, his body was forced to fire itself like the casually misfired arrow of Cupid to some new target in a distant land, leaving a stunned Mogetta to wash away the dust with her tears.

A moment later, Moguo returned.

Struggling to catch his breath and vexed like a Bomb about to explode, he clutched his chocolate bar in his little paws so hard that it had already begun to melt and disintegrate within its packaging. Then he saw her, and him. Mogetta was being comforted by Mogthomas. The cocky, sleazy bully, his ultimate nemesis, smirked at Moguo. Then, without breaking eye contact with his rival, Mogthomas went in for a sneaky kiss with Mogetta, which was reciprocated with uncharacteristic passion.

“Aaaaargh! That damn flute, kupo!” roared Moguo as he flung the chocolate bar in the direction of the embracing couple only for it to rupture and splat on the pavement in front of him, entombing an unfortunate oglop in a small avalanche of chocolate death.

“That buffed up jock?! Him! HIM! KUPO!”

Moguo launched high into the sky like a misfired rocket. The tears which streamed from his face fell like rain onto Mogetta and Mogthomas’ smooching faces, but they didn’t notice.

But what of Moguo? How could he ever rest?

A nice soak in the bubble bath with the rubber chocobo would have calmed him down, but as he lowered himself in… Uh-oh!

The flute played. Duty called again.

A relaxing retreat to Conde Petie would have raised his spirits, but as he opened his Doric dictionary upon approaching his first dwarf… Uh-oh!

The flute played. Duty called again.

At least he could urinate in peace and enjoy some release in privacy, but as he started… Uh-oh!

The flute played. Duty called again.

“Heh heh heh! HEH HEH HEH! KUPO!!!”

Moguo picked up the knife…

“I w-w-warned them, kupo! I WARNED THEM! I’ll give them some progress to save, KUPO!”

Uh-oh.

The flute played for the last time...
 
These are all excellent! :O
I honestly don’t know which one to vote for, so I’m holding back for a while.


Harlequin/Tom’s is like a script for an episode of Black Mirror. I love it. :D

DaggerTribal presents an interesting imagined earlier meeting of Zidane and Garnet before they knew each other. Also it explores Amarant’s time as a security guard in Treno, so it is lovely to have this bit of backstory expanded.

Gothic presents a nice POV story about his FFXIV character, imagining that she was transported into the world of Eorzea and encountering it for the first time. I like that, and it brings the character to life. I'd love people to write short stories about their characters more often on this site.

Similarly, Mits tells an Eorzean tale of sorts…. In her case it is a rather racy love story about a girl and her paissa (@Shaissa )… And also a girl and her Kira.

Fighter expands on the story of Edge and Rydia, depicting them sharing a tender moment while reflecting on the traumatic events of the game. Again, lovely.

Kira wins points for being very topical. Her piece both voices concerns about Tifa’s socks and helps us get accustomed to her new design. Heck, now I can’t stop thinking about her stockings…

LJ presents a dysfunctional twist on a Warriors of Light party who could never get anything done. I love the idea.

Duhemsounds’ theatrical cross-over is also genius. Not just combining, but colliding the two most iconic theatrical scenes in the FF franchise in deliberately chaotic, dreamlike entertainment.

Adam has proved himself to be a talented satirist in the same vein as the great travel writer satirists of old. He is truly the Lucian or Jonathan Swift of our times! :argor:


So really… I’m at a loss. I don’t know which to vote for yet. All I can say right now is that I enjoyed reading all of them.
 
My mouse slipped and I totally voted for 11 by accident 😦 What a shame

(I can't change it but my real vote goes to Tom's)
 
This was genuinely a difficult choice, because it's such a diverse array of entries. The best thing about this event is how authors could practically write about anything they wanted without being constrained by the broad subject matter, so it's an utter delight to be reading stories ranging from reimagined encounters of established characters before they all canonically meet up in the game to more satirical pieces where characters notice and make profound comments about a crumbling fourth wall.

As much as I love the tongue-in-cheek and satirical entries, the ones that particularly stand out to me are #2, #4 and #10.

#10 is just a wonderful mix of writing imbued with such a wholesome flavour of fun and colour that is very characteristic of the author and in between the genuine chuckles it elicited, I really do feel sorry for poor Moguo - this is the kind of untold tale focusing on a very overlooked, eternally punished minor NPC that I'd love to see more of.

#4 is easily one of my favourites because it's such an excellently written, haunting, melancholic character piece. We're talking about two characters who in their youth (in Rydia's case, as an actual little child) laid witness to atrocities so harrowing that it comes to no surprise that they still bear the mental scars right up to adulthood, even after justice has seemingly been dealt with and the world saved from disaster. The splicing of real Final Fantasy IV dialogue mixed with emotive imagery and elaborating on Rydia's state of mind at this current moment and during the torching of the village of Mist is so wonderfully done that I would be remiss to not give this entry a big shoutout.

Ultimately I settled on #2. This one is a lot of fun and I really like the idea at work: it's both a telling of Amarant's backstory as a rather unfortunate nobleman's bodyguard and how the seeds of his curiosity and enmity towards Zidane are sown, plus a plausible inadvertent encounter between Zidane and Garnet before the actual events of the game. What I love in particular is Zidane's dialogue - it's such an enjoyable read, so true to form for the character and the section where he attempts in vain to bullshit his way through security to enter the auction deserved a good, hearty chuckle out of me.

Thank you all for your stellar entries and thank you all for exceeding my initial expectations with this event. Maybe we can do this again in the future!
 
Rightio. I knew I forgot to do something.

RESULTS!

1st place goes to #10 @Dionysos with his shocking, ominous backstory chronicling how an otherwise ordinary and mellow Moogle was forced into a destiny so eternally crushing that he could find no other solace but with murder and villainy. As much as I empathise with poor Moguo and lament the terrible plight that has befallen him, we cannot condone the imminent actions of a homicidal Moogle about to dip his pompom in blood.

Prize = 5 BWP, 5 CT, 5 GP

2nd place goes to #5 @Mitsuki's surprisingly distressing tale. What initially began as a kindly gesture by a travelling Warrior of Light in the landmasses high above Eorzea turned into something akin to a love triangle followed by a twist so brazenly twisted and gag-inducing that I'm forced to apologise on behalf of this website to the Paissa Protection Society. Way to go, Mitsuki.

Prize = 3 BWP + 3 CT + 3 GP (<--- the 3 GP is extra!)

3rd place goes to...aww, heck. #1 @Harlequin, #2 @DaggerTribal, #4 @FighterMcWarrior, #6 @Six and #8 @Soulcorruptor. Maybe we need to organise a battle royale between you five to see who can emerge as the sole bronze medal holder. Maybe I'll task you five to write the best smut fanfiction involving your favourite Final Fantasy characters? Just post them to me by PM or Discord message! <3

Prize = my undying gratitude and the honour of writing smut for me 2 BWP + 2 CT + 2 GP

Entry prize = 1 BWP + 1 CT + 1 GP

-----

Thank you, everyone! Including everyone who voted, except for the two who decided to vote for #11. I know who you are and I'll ensure that you're both punished, by starring as the two lovestruck protagonists in one of my personal boy love smut fanfic projects.
 
#4 is easily one of my favourites because it's such an excellently written, haunting, melancholic character piece. We're talking about two characters who in their youth (in Rydia's case, as an actual little child) laid witness to atrocities so harrowing that it comes to no surprise that they still bear the mental scars right up to adulthood, even after justice has seemingly been dealt with and the world saved from disaster. The splicing of real Final Fantasy IV dialogue mixed with emotive imagery and elaborating on Rydia's state of mind at this current moment and during the torching of the village of Mist is so wonderfully done that I would be remiss to not give this entry a big shoutout.

This could be the nicest thing that's been said about my writing since I was in 8th grade. Thank you Linnaete.
 
Aw darn, I didn't even get to vote, and that's primarily because I didn't finish reading all the entries. >.> But I had good chuckle at #1 and throroughly enjoyed #2. I will eventually read all of them! Great job, everyone.
 
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