Body of Dark, Heart of Light

An origin fic centered around Cecil Harvey on how he was actually summoned by both Cosmos and Chaos. His destiny lies in his hands as he must decide which side he must fight for, as a certain narcissist tries to tip the scales.
== Chapter 1 ==
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A lone Paladin had woken up inside an unusual, dark area; he was actually in Dissidia, within the World of Darkness. Apparently, he was suffering from total amnesia, as he had no idea who he was, other than his name. By looking around, he sensed someone spying on him. He drew out his sword, thinking it was a threat, only it was the narcissistic Genome by the name of Kuja. They've introduced themselves, and the mysterious bringer of Chaos described he'd been sent to Dissidia to end the eternal conflict between the God of Discord, Chaos, and the Goddess of Harmony, Cosmos. Cecil never knew them, and he was dumbfounded on what side he should take. Kuja then coaxed him to fight him, to show him what he can do!
As a little spar, Cecil reluctantly accepted; Kuja was a tad easy on Cecil, as he never knew how to fight, till he noticed he can turn from a Paladin to a Dark Knight spontaneously! The dark aura was beginning to consume him, and feed him with despair, anxiety, madness, an urge for bloodshed, and empowerment! Cecil embraced it, though due to Kuja's skills, he still lost.
Kuja was actually impressed on Cecil's transformation and skills, and so he offered him to join his side and work for Chaos. Though, he dismissed it, and he then volunteered for him to fight alongside himself only and prove to be better than the other warriors. With the darkness consuming him more, Cecil hypnotically took on the offer.
== Chapter 2 ==
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At the Lunar Subterrane, Kain was looking onto the horizon, wondering of the rumors of a new Cosmos warrior. Yuna was thinking the same, till their reverie was interrupted as they saw Kuja flying around, and a mysterious Dark Knight roaming the landscape. It looked he was out for bait, apparently working for the deadly Genome. He soon spotted the duo and ordered Cecil to take them out; just to prove how strong he is! Yuna and Kain saw him charge up, and the Dragoon took on the offensive. Yuna decided to stand by for assistance, as Kuja did the same for Cecil. They clashed with one another and little by little, Kain began to have some vague memories tag his mind. He was able to win over the manic Dark Knight, as he remembered that it draws on its own stamina to increase attack power, causing it to wear out. It worked, and Kuja fled away from the scene!
Yuna and Kain both beheld that the Dark Knight turned into a Paladin, yet still he had traces of darkness in him. The sight of his face continued to familiarize the Dragoon and the Summoner convinced that he's drawing too much on his own violence and aggression; that he should rely on his friends for support to help him thru his angsts. She then asked for his name, Cecil. Then he collapsed, and Kain was able to fit the pieces together! They next headed to Order's Sanctuary where Cecil can be healed and hopefully find peace within himself.
== Chapter 3 ==
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The Warrior of Light was standing over Cosmos at the icy terrain, and it noticed three shadows approach them; they didn't turn out to be Manikins, but rather Kain and Yuna carrying a wounded Paladin. Cosmos queried on who he was, and Yuna stated they found him at the Lunar Subterrane. They believed that Kuja seemed to be manipulating Cecil's darkness which seemed to be consuming him. Cecil never felt such a gentle aura seep into him, and he offered to meet the goddess. He did, and no one flinched. Cosmos knew that the warrior's unique, possessing both the opposing forces of dark and light. That if he can find a balance and control both energies, he can be a valuable asset to the team! So, she offered Cecil to join them, and he humbly embraced his cause and the soothing energy inside him.
== Chapter 4 ==
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Moments later, the Warrior was lecturing Cecil of the eternal conflict, as well as fighting Manikins which take shape of the warriors of both Cosmos and Chaos. They saw a bunch of shades march thru the fog, and the gang's all here: Firion, Luneth, Kain, Bartz, Tifa, Squall, Laguna, Zidane, Yuna, Jecht, Vaan, and Lightning. Almost everyone was intrigued to see him, although Zidane introduced himself as a thief, much to Cecil's confusion, then his first test was to catch him! Zidane was slick, even on the ice, and the Paladin slipped all over! Jecht and Lightning were sharing their doubts, but Firion was more acceptable. He then introduced the Paladin to the others, and the weapon master became a fast friend to him!
Outside Sanctuary, Luneth and Firion were discussing on how Cecil can retain and control both his powers of darkness/light; like mastering a weapon, Firion said, though the kid thought he can just not use it when he knows its harmful. But Warrior interrupted their pep talk, as Cecil should be ready for his training while he spars with the champion!
The guys wished him luck, and Cecil accepted the challenge. It was a tough match, and Warrior, as a veteran combatant, had the upper hand, even as a photokinetic. At times, Cecil turned into the Dark Knight as he was suffering, and lost control again! He became more wrathful, and Warrior seemed to have met its match...till Cecil surprised it after blinding! He was about to kill him, till Firion and Cosmos pleaded him to hold back! The weapon master got injured trying, then Cecil startled as he held back, never wanting to harm his new friend and remembered what he was fighting for.
== Chapter 5 ==
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Later that night, Lightning and Squall had been taking the rounds for any invasions by Chaos' minions or more Manikins. While Cecil was having a nightmare at the Edge of Madness. He climbed up the excruciatingly long staircase in the intense heat. By the time he got to the top, though, he'd encountered a very sinister demon. It was indeed Chaos and Cosmos was in the center!! He adored his new plaything, and she wanted to counter that Cecil shall assist them and end the conflict in her favor, as she felt desperate, he should control his dark urges. No matter as Chaos incinerated her, to Cecil's horror! With the light extinguished, Cecil was hapless, and Chaos was holding a little, opaque crystal in his palm which seemed to be increasing Cecil's urges when he lost control!
He abruptly woke up, and noticed he was back at the fields near Sanctuary. While the warriors were in slumber, Cecil slowly turned into his altered form, blending into the shadows. He trodden out, wishing to end the conflict for the sake of his friends, even though he may never return...
He soon came across a Moogle, admiring a new visitor. He seemed to be neutral in the conflict, never minding if they worked for good nor evil as long as they gave him Gil for his equipment and supplies. He offered Cecil to stay for the night if he wished, and he slept dreamlessly. The next morning, Cecil was greeted by the Moogle, and he wished him luck as he thanked him for the stay then headed out. Cecil came across a Gateway, and thinking he'd be closer to the devilish terrain, he went inside.
== Chapter 6 ==
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Cecil wound up inside a technical, colossal Giant! He was surrounded by pipes, and it didn't seem to be moving. Then, he sensed someone coming for him, and it turned out to be another Chaos pawn, Golbez. He claimed to be Cecil's brother, but judging from the dark aura, he denied it and went on the prowl! The two conflicted with one another, even enough to burst open pipes containing toxic gas, wind, shots of water, and fire. After a while, Cecil turned into his Dark Knight form again increasing his desire for killing, but when he somehow changed back...he lost his will to fight! Even Golbez was astonished. Cecil asked if he was his brother, then why did he choose to fight; it wasn't a matter of choice, as the warlock knew how it felt to be consumed by malice. Unlike him, however, Cecil DOES have a choice! He doubted as to why he still possessed both dark and light, and the spellcaster told it's who he is, and he must use his inner strength to help him decide for those he cherished. Cecil reluctantly accepted his advice and left, while Golbez remained hopeful Cecil was chosen to lead the warriors to victory.
== Finale ==
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Cecil wound up at the Crystal World meeting up with Kuja who was monologuing how darkness prevailed over light. He was determined to defeat the Genome and the God they worked for; though he challenged that he shall not win, and much to his horror, Cecil saw the same crystal Chaos was holding in his nightmare!! Sure enough, the stone was multiplying and manipulating Cecil's dark prowess. He slowly churned into the wrathful Dark Knight again, under Kuja's control! Firion, Yuna, and Kain witnessed it too! The weapon master frantically jumped into the fray, and Kuja ordered his pawn to exterminate him! Consumed by malice, he did just that! Not even his own weapons were a match for Cecil's intense might and umbrakinesis! He used his Soul Eater as he stabbed and drained Firion's vitality with the Deathbringer. Firion pleaded for Cecil to find the goodness in him and not let the evil overpower it. He remained lifeless as Cecil embraced the darkness--till some intrusive voices entered his mind. Those being Firion, Yuna, Golbez, Kain, and Cosmos persuading him to fight for what's the most important to him, friendship, camaraderie, and succeeding in the eternal conflict. Eventually, he turned back into a Paladin and stopped his urges!
Kuja was fed up and unleashed some of his fatal moves! Cecil barely survived, thanks to his retained ability on how to heal! As he turned into a Dark Knight again, he realized he must be one utilizing both sides. Then, much to Kuja's shock, destroyed the Dark Crystal! The two duked it out, and they seemed to be at a standoff, until Cecil had enough energy and strength to perform his special move, the EX Burst! He switched from his Dark Knight side to his Paladin form and the fight was over!!
Kuja just laid there, fading into nothingness, though Cecil was sorry for him that he only cared for himself and never trusted another. He hurried down to Kain and Yuna where they were watching Firion fade. Not even a Phoenix Down could bring him back to life! And Cecil soon came to the conclusion that since a Paladin's the opposite, it can heal! He did just that and he was successful! Firion was surprised that Cecil learned how to recuperate himself and others. Cecil then said that his brother, Golbez, was right; he did make a choice to fight for good utilizing both the dark and light and accepted for who he is. They soon headed back to Order's Sanctuary, and Cecil stayed behind thanking Golbez, Cosmos, and his best friends for helping him to get to where he is now.
== Trivia ==
* This was a fic based on a dream Ikran had several years ago; based on the first report, as Kuja, within the World of Darkness, finds Cecil. And then they fought each other, with the Genome being the winner.
* This was a fic centered on Ikran's favorite character in the juggernaut, Cecil Harvey, the second being Terra Branford.
* This takes place before the events of Dissidia 012, as it explains on how Cecil arrived; better than the official quest should compensate.
* The drama involving Cecil dealing with his darkness can be similar to another Square-Enix fic, The Black-Hooded Sion Saga, as well as Pokémon Coliseum, Spider-Man 3, and how Shadow relates to Sonic in a Treesicle vid.
* And the title was loosely based on a line from Emperor Mateus as he was using Jecht to make the Dark Crystals in the original Dissidia. That, but only better, to suit Cecil's dual personality/fighting-style.
* The Giant of Babil stage was made up, symbolizing it and the Four Fiends from the pipes' contents. Ikran was sorely disappointed of Dissidia 012's potential, especially with the cheap Phantom Train stage from FFVI.
== Soundtrack ==
* Main Theme (FFIV; Dissidia
* Kuja's Theme (FFIX)
* Battle 1 (Random Battle Theme) (FFIX; Dissidia)
* End of Speculation (Dissidia)
* March (Dissidia)
* Battle Theme (FFIV; Pokémon Soundfont)
* Cosmos Victory Fanfare (Dissidia)
* Suspicion (FFIV DS)
* Keeping the Peace (Dissidia)
* Peace of Mind (Dissidia 012)
* Battle Scene 1 (FFII; Dissidia)
* Rebel Army (FFII GBA)
* A Moment of Rest (Dissidia)
* Battle Scene (FF1; Dissidia)
* The Threat (Dissidia 012)
* Man Returns (Bambi)
* Quickening (Dissidia)
* Mog's Theme (FFVI)
* Hyrule Field (day) (Ocarina of Time; ends at 2:38)
* Warriors of Light (Dissidia)
* Inside the Giant (FFIV DS)
* Lunarians Theme (FFIV SNES)
* Gateway to the Rift (Dissidia 012)
* Tension (Dissidia 012)
* Dark Messenger (FFIX)
* Hellboy and Liz (Hellboy 2004 OST)
* End - FFIV (Orchestral Game Concert 1; start at 2:37 to 4:30)
Category:Fan Fiction
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