Strategy Time [OPEN]

[Fate]

I'm going nuts.
[July 24, 2010: Clock Tower]

One more day until the battle with the Champion. Only one more day, and the largest fight anyone had ever witnessed before would occur. How many people were preparing for this fight? How many were training with each other to hone their fighting skills? How many knew what they were going to do once they even got to the Graveyard? It was going to be chaotic without some sort of strategy.

This was Zexion's reasoning for neglecting to sleep and sitting on the clock tower in Neverland, his Lexicon out and multiple papers scattered across the floor. He kept picking one up, looking at it for a second, then putting it back down and repeating the process. He was on the verge of getting some sort of strategy, but unfortunately was faced with the fact that this was the Champion. He didn't know what his fighting looked like. He only knew from the damage of Radiant Garden and that was it.

This was going to be a long day.

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[Lagunamov]

So… why couldn’t we do this back at the Castle? Cause Fate says so?

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For someone close to facing a power beyond what he had ever seen before, The Freeshooter remained amazingly calm. And why shouldn’t him? He had more than enough skills to vanish forever from the grasp of the Champion if things came to that. There was something… weird about what would happen soon. Probably how it seemed so orchestrated, with a specific date and all. Either way, what was to happen the following day would be something told for generations to come. If anyone survived, that is.

Appearing through the dark portal that transported him from world to world, Xigbar accidentally stepped on a sheet of paper on the ground. Or several. If he didn’t know better, he’d have guessed the bookworm was going nuts. All evidence seemed to point towards. “You are this close to a Room Full of Crazy, you realize that?” he said as he stepped back a foot or two, leaving a foot print on one of the sheets. Oh well, Zexion should have put a sign or something warning people about that.

The clock tower, as far as he could tell, was deserted. Which was natural, considering it was night, and thankfully they were high enough for nobody at the city below to notice them. At the most, some weird creature flying around in a grey sheet might notice them, but that didn’t seem to be the case yet.

[Fate]

They're coming to take me away?

Zexion looked up, startled at the sudden appearance of the Freeshooter. Darn, he was hoping to escape the Organization while strategizing. Oh well, at least Xigbar was more agreeable than the rest as of late. The Schemer was purposely avoiding Vexen at the moment, who surely still wanted to "talk", and the Castle in general. That didn't explain why Xigbar decided to come and join him, but his actions couldn't be explained.

"Have you come to take me there Xigbar?" he asked sarcastically, "I don't really want to go back to the Castle right now anyhow." Putting the piece of paper in his hands down, he picked up the one that Xigbar so kindly left a footprint on, studying it. Then, just like the rest, he put it down-- that wasn't even one of his better strategies that he had come up with.

"I'm close to forming a strategy for the Organization, and those we fight with, for tomorrow," he informed Xigbar, not even looking at him as he picked up yet another page. This one was interesting-- maybe he could use it. "Unfortunately, even with our numbers, we are at a disadvantage. The Champion may as well have recruited others to fight alongside him. I would not be surprised if we lost some." Of course! That was the problem with his thinking. He was trying to make a plan that would involve absolutely no sacrifices. It was ideal for that to happen, but not likely.

With that, he started writing furiously, still talking to Xigbar nonetheless. "Tell me, anything new in the Castle in the past couple of days? I do hope Vexen hasn't made himself even more of a nuisance than usual."

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[Lagunamov]

Just give me something to shoot at.

“Heh, as if. I’d rather see you run loose with a cleaver than put you in the funny house,” replied back in about the same tone as the shrimp. And of course, he didn’t want to be in the Castle. Considering he had been one of the people who brought Xemnas down behind the backs of most of the Organization, that was to be expected. Trust wasn’t particularly on the rise. On the other hand, since Xigbar had remained at the side lines all along, even though fully aware of the situation, he could probably help remedy that. Just, not now. There were more pressing matters at hand.

“Surely we couldn’t just throw a Keyblade Wielder or two as bait and take the chance, could we?” The Freeshooter suggested, knowing the Champion would most likely go after those that posed the biggest threat first. One or two of them gone would mean little if he was permanently stopped. “You are expected to lose a pawn or two in war. So, if that’s the case, why not make it under our terms?” he asked, his head tilting to the side as he tried to read some of the things on the ground to no avail. Only the bookworm himself could possibly understand that.

“I’ve been avoiding Victor Victoria. But I doubt his annoyance level has diminished. In fact, I suspect it may have risen due to recent events,” he joked in reference to Vexen. Oh, good old Vexen. Good old Punching-Bag Vexen.

[Aerith]

Do not mind me. I will listen.
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A Corridor opened up on the clock tower, and Alanix stepped through. If she had not known for certain that this was the same world on which she had spoken with Lexaeus only a day or so ago, she would not have believed it if someone had told her in passing. The atmosphere up here was entirely different. Night and day. Literally.

Zexion was here, as was Xigbar. She was not truly interested in talking to either of them, but appearances had to be maintained. Perhaps she could ask Zexion about the Organization's history while she was here.

Or perhaps not. It seemed, from what little she caught as she had entered, that this was purely a meeting about strategy for tomorrow's battle. Was she expected to contribute to such a discussion?

"Ah. I apologize. I did not mean to interrupt anything."

[Nothingness]

Time for a REAL Man

It had been a while since he had been away from Radiant Garden, but given the circumstances, he felt he had to. That, and he had some reservations about trusting his back to the same Nobodies that they were fighting last year.

It wasn't hard to find out where on this world the Organization was--the papers flying off the side of the clocktower spoke volumes. Swinging his ship around, he stopped just off the side of Big Ben and disembarked. A few stray sheets of paper flew towards him, and catching one, he figured out what they were up to. Skimming over the battle plan, he tossed it aside and walked up to Zexion. "So guy with an accent told me to find you guys here. He, 'Regrets to inform you that his faculties are currently impaired, but will be ready for dealing tomorrow.'" God, he sounded like an idiot. Whatever, not his words.

Taking his usual position of supporting the wall, he looked over the other papers scattered about the floor, each as illegible as the other, and either crumpled up or scribbled out. "Not so easy, is it?"

[Fate]

I'm no military genius, but here's my proposal.

"Unfortunately, I want to keep those Keyblade Masters. Though, you've given me an idea..." He started writing again, seemingly drawing something while Xigbar went on about Vexen. He paused to look at his work momentarily, continuing to think. This could theoretically work. With a battle, there was no failsafe plan, especially with one on such a large scale. However, there were plans that could guarantee a higher chance of victory. Though, would there even be victory? Whoever knew. Champion probably had forces alongside him as well, like Maleficent and her pawns. They needed to be prepared for that.

As he continued to scribble and Xigbar continue to... do Xigbar things, two others showed up. Alanix, their newest member, and Leon from Radiant Garden. He heard the name in passing and was briefly acquainted with him. How they all found him, he didn't know. Luxord apparently told Leon, which wasn't a terrible surprise, and Alanix just happened on the meeting. Oh well. At least Vexen wasn't here.

"You are not interrupting anything Alanix," he told her politely, then turned to Leon, "No, not particularly, but if you have anything to add, feel free. I may have a strategy that could work for tomorrow. At this point, I can only work with all of the variables I know." He stopped scribbling and looked to the rest, standing up-- he already felt short enough as it was. For now, he'd establish what they did know, what they didn't, and what they'd be assuming; then he could offer the start of his plan.

"What we do know is that the Champion will be appearing in a specific part of the Keyblade Graveyard, where the Keyblades are. We also know which of us is participating in this fight and who his particular targets are going to be. What we do not know, and I'm willing to assume, is that he will not be alone. Maleficent and her pawns will most likely ally themselves with him."

He paused, letting this sink in before he continued. "From what I know of the Champion's fighting abilities, close-range attacks will be difficult unless combined simultaneously. Anyone that can use long-distance attacks should do so during this fight to avoid the most damage and give support to those fighting close range." He looked to Leon next. "You and the rest of Radiant Garden's fighters need to head off Maleficent and her pawns, should they be there. This will allow the Keyblade Masters, who should be the most effective against the Champion, to attack him straight on."

He then looked to Xigbar and Alanix. "The Organization will take on both fighting the pawns as well as the Champion. Many of us have long-range abilities and will therefore be able to provide support for the Keyblade Masters. Any that can will support the Restoration Committee. Any elemental attacks that can be combined should. Vexen will be able to combine his attacks with Raen, another ice user. I will be combining some of my attacks with Lanying, a Keyblade Master; she has the useful ability of being able to nullify dark attacks. I will be mimicking that."

He paused. He hated having to be this wordy, he really did. Unfortunately, this was his job as a Tactician. "This is needless to say, but everyone must be scattered. If we give the Champion the ability to devastate one entire group of us, he will. His main targets are the Keyblade Masters and those of light, not the Organization. And, as another note, we need to be prepared for any losses that will occur. If this battle is going to be as large as I think it is, we have to go in expecting that we will lose some of our forces."

That last bit was directed mainly at Leon once more. The Nobodies didn't care so much if one of their members were killed, not having any emotional attachments to anyone. "That is my prototype strategy. Feel free to add or point out flaws." He was done talking now. Time for them to say something.

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[Nothingness]

Filling in the Blanks

SeeD

Leon listened intently to Zexion's current plan. It wasn't bad, but it certainly held more than its fair share of flaws. "Going by conjecture is good and all," he began, "But we can't assume anything until we know what we're up against." Pushing himself off the wall, he picked up one of Zexion's failed plans, and flipped the paper over. Taking a pen out of his pocket, he knelt down and began to draw a large square, shading in small portions on the edges of the square."Going by the map you gave Aerith, we have little to no natural cover, and we're surrounded by a few high cliffs. We're unsure of his numbers, but we must assume he has equal or more than ours." The phrase, 'Assume the worst, pray for the best', rang true in his mind.

He sketched a bunch of "X"s on one side of the field, and "O"s on the other, and drew a wavy, dotted line along the midway point. From each "X" and "O", he drew arrows that met on the line, showing where various groups would clash. "We don't know what kind of support units he has--for all we know, he and Maleficent's lackeys are the only close-quarter fighters." He drew an arrow, leading one of the "X"s away from its group.

Drawing an arrow from one of the "O"s, all the way over to the cliff closest to the line, and drawing an arrow from another "O", moving it behind the rest, he explained. "Ranged units should make use of the fact that they can fight at a distance, especially if they're highly mobile." He directed his next statement towards Zexion. "If any of your members can alter the field of battle, it's best that they do. With no natural cover, and form of crossfire could be deadly."

Speaking to the rest of them again, he pointed to the "O" that was behind the group. "Keeping support units out of the way is also important. Between them and the other Keyblade wielders, they're high-priority. The only difference is that I don't expect the Keyblade wielders to be off to the side." He smirked, thinking of Sora's rashness in combat. "The Champion can't do much if his side wears out quickly, so any support units we have will be extremely useful."

Putting his pencil away, he figured he should end his modifications to Zexion's plan. "As for losses." He paused for a moment, not liking what he had to say, but knowing it to be the truth, regardless. "We know the risks involved, and it's our choice to fight. We can't go in expecting a perfect victory, but at most we can take down some of his allies with us."

[Lagunamov]

Time to get dirty... in a manner of speaking.

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Shortly joined by another Organization member and… whoever the brown haired guy was, Xigbar found some relief in not having to even think of another battle strategy. Even if all that he ever suggested was sacrificing some people. Which still seemed like one of the best possible plans to get the issue dealt with as quickly as possible. Instead, he just listened to Zexion and the lion-themed guy ramble on about plan this, strategy that. All good points, but overall, meaningless to him, since his roles would be limited at best.

“Uh huh, uh huh…” he kept on going as the pair spoke of battle positions, terrain area, enemies, how to deal with all those things and the like. “I could move a couple of people over the place to position them better, but I’m not throwing Sora at the Champion head on. My hide is too valuable for that,” he commented, pretty sure the new guy wouldn’t like the comment, but it wasn’t like him to care. “Ranged people should get the higher ground if possible, whether that’s natural or not,” he somehow managed to suggest useful advice. Then again, he was a ranged fighter that took the higher ground always, either by moving to a higher place, or simply hovering in the air above everyone. “One or two ships hovering above could provide their higher ground if no natural sources are made available. And we are not about to fight fair now, are we?”

[Aerith]

I will offer what I can, little though it is.
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All this talk of battle was not very interesting to Alanix, and this was made worse by the fact that she had very little to contribute. Even if she said something, there was always the chance she might let slip that she knew more about the Champion than she was supposed to. And that would not do at all.

"It seems to me that, since we know next to nothing about this so-called Champion, it is difficult to form any sort of strategy against him. Do we at least know something about this Keyblade Graveyard? Anything at all?"

She was no military strategist, but she knew that any information about the terrain they would encounter would be most helpful. After all, some people fought better in certain environments. And any naturally occurring structures could be useful in staying alive.

[Fate]

I don't like the unknown.

Zexion simply stared at Leon as he started talking, taking down the occasional notation when he said something of interest. They had to account for terrain and what would be useful to them and/or hinder them. Xigbar made the good point of making sure the ranged had higher ground, which he notated. They also had to be mobile, as Leon mentioned. The Schemer nodded as the conversation continued to move, then interjected after Xigbar made his final point.

"A couple of our members can alter the terrain, especially Lexaeus." He looked to Xigbar and Alanix when saying that in particular, the two being his fellow Organization members. Alanix had also asked an interesting question about terrain, which he would now tie in and explain. "The terrain is mostly barren rock. No sources of life, bodies of water, et cetera, are there. There are also cliffs and the actual Keyblade Graveyard is full of ancient and lifeless keys. Hundreds of them, possibly thousands. However, I doubt they would be useful in a fight against the Champion."

He paused, thinking. Alanix raised a point. They didn't know much about the Champion, but yet were attempting to strategize a plan to fight against him. The Radiant Garden group knew more than they did, but even then it was not easy. Victory was even less likely with that in mind, though was that really what they were looking for here? The Organization wanted to stop the Champion from killing the Keyblade Masters. Was victory in this fight necessary for that?

Quite honestly, he wasn't sure, but he was going to do his best to ensure the safety of the Keyblade Masters. "Long distance fighters should go to the top of the cliffs, anywhere elevated to give them more of an edge. There is not much we can do to strategize against the Champion other than that." He couldn't think of anything else to say other than that. As a tactician, he was stumped.

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[Nothingness]

This is Becoming Complicated, Fast

Leon listened to the Nobody with the eye-patch gave his two-cents. His eyes widened a little, in surprise, at him mentioning the use of Gummi Ships for platforms that ranged fighters could stand on. The thought had never even crossed Leon's mind. "No, we're not going to fight fair." He thought with relish.

He hated to admit it, but they really didn't know much about the Champion. All Leon knew were two of his attacks. Still, that was two more than they knew now. "When he attacked the Marketplace, outside of swinging some golden broadsword around, he used two different attacks." He closed his eyes again, reliving the memory as best as he could. "The first was simply sending a large, crescent-shaped wave of darkness towards us. The second was releasing a large amount of darkness from his body. Basically an expanding, dome-shaped wall."

Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the wall again. "Managing the distance between us and him will be critical. He covers long, mid, and close range without any problem. Anticipating his moves, also, will probably be difficult." It was getting more and more difficult thinking of ways to counter a person that they knew so little about.

[Aerith]

I would rather have a more useful discussion.
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This entire meeting could be summed up by saying that none of them knew anything. They were stumbling blind going into this battle, and nothing they could say would make it any easier. But of course, leave it to men to try drawing things out as much as possible, even when it was completely useless.

"In short, we know nothing." She shifted a bit awkwardly as she broke her silence. "I do not think we can talk further about this. We will only drive ourselves insane thinking in these vague circles."

She made to open a Corridor to leave but paused instead. She had no way of knowing what would happen tomorrow, and she needed to know the Organization's history before everyone who could possibly tell her anything might end up dead. Zexion was here. He would do. Lexaeus might not trust him so much anymore, but he was as good a source for information as any. She certainly was not going to ask Vexen.

"Oh. Zexion." She turned to him. "Could I ask you something? Although, it might not be the best time..." Trailing off, she thought for a moment, then decided to go ahead. "Could you tell me about the Organization? I know so little, especially about its history."

[Fate]

I need to find a new clock tower place of solitude.

In short, what Leon said the Champion did were two different variations of dark attacks. That was all Zexion needed to know. He could go both long and close range, but nothing else was known about him. He most likely had other moves up his sleeve, many others. But the Schemer wasn't going to sit on the clock tower all day and draw out every conceivable attack. Going in these endless circles of "maybe" would only serve to drive everyone, especially him, insane.

"That is our only strategy then," he told Leon, moving to pick up all of the papers and put them back into the Lexicon. "This seems unnecessary to say, but we will have to watch his moves carefully and anticipate as best as possible. Combined elements and team attacks might also have an effect." Those words sounded odd for him to say: team attacks? The Organization had never really done such a thing, but they would most likely have to in tomorrow's battle.

Right now, Zexion wanted to stop thinking about tomorrow's battle quite honestly. He had the small bit of strategy that would work for the fight, which was barely a strategy at all, and that was all he needed. Leon had a decent head on his shoulders, but that didn't make him an interesting conversationalist. Thankfully, Alanix wanted to talk to him about something completely different, about the Organization and its history. Oh goody, this was going to be fun. And she said it in front of Leon too, who knew exactly where the Organization started and how.

The Schemer partially wanted to see his reaction, but decided it was for the better if he continued the conversation away from them. "Of course," he replied politely. He beckoned her to follow him to another side of the clock tower, away from Leon and Xigbar; the Freeshooter could entertain himself with the other just fine. Or not.

Once far enough away, he leaned against the wall again and thought for a second. Where exactly should he start? Unfortunately, he knew just about all of the history of the Organization. He might as well start with the apprentices... maybe? He'd cover that, but not too much of it. "I'll try to be brief," he told her, "There's a fair amount of history to absorb." The Lexicon disappeared-- he didn't need it for a story he knew by heart.

"The Organization started with six core members: Xemnas, our Superior, Xigbar, Xaldin, who has not returned as of yet, Vexen, Lexaeus, and myself. All of us had been conducting experiments with the heart under the former ruler of the world Radiant Garden, Ansem. Things went catastrophically wrong, resulting in the near destruction of the world and us becoming Nobodies." He paused briefly, letting that sink in before he continued.

"After that, and after we created The World That Never Was, we started to recruit other Nobodies like ourselves. Saïx and Axel were the next to join, almost simultaneously, and then Demyx, Luxord, Marluxia, and Larxene. The latter two you have never met either, and hopefully you will not have to." That reminded him that Marluxia was probably alive. Somewhere. That needed to be fixed after this whole ordeal with the Champion was dealt with. "You also remember Roxas, I assume. He was the thirteenth member, a Keyblade Master, and thus useful toward our goal."

Now he would pause. He didn't want to overload Alanix with information, even though there was more. "There is more. Do you wish for me to tell you?"

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[Aerith]

This is not the time for stories, but I must know.
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Alanix listened carefully as Zexion explained the Organization's origins. So, there had been a core group of members, and it seemed this had caused much tension between the originals and the newer additions. Or so she surmised. That would explain why Saïx and Axel had participated in the killing of Xemnas. It did not, however, explain why Zexion would go against the Superior.

"That would explain the tension. Why everyone does not see eye-to-eye."

She most certainly wanted to know more. Simply being told who had joined and when told her nothing. Or at least, not very much. At the mention of Roxas, though, something Lexaeus had told her rose in her memory.

"Why did Axel give me a strange look when he first appeared in the meeting? I have never met him before, so I do not know him."