Season 29, Week 3
Mirage Koas
(Star Ocean: Till the End of Time )
 
The Klausian fighter and scientist Mirage is ready for yet another spectacular battle in Heavy! She's ready to kick up a storm against the Dragoon Slust, a flurry of fiery feet of which her foe has never faced before! The Klausian's just as strong as Cliff, faster, and most importantly, far smarter. She can easily run circles around Slust, outmaneuvering and outsmarting the Dragoon. It won't take long to down Slust once Mirage gets going, as a flurry of Triple Kicks will knock the poor Dragoon off his feet with little effort. Fighting like her namesake, Mirage will sweep Slust - and Heavy.

V

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Well, this is quite fortunate for the Dragoon Slust! Being a massive tank of supreme hitting power, he faces a much less durable opponent in Mirage. That's quite the boon. Furthermore, each of her special moves drains some of her very lifeforce, and none can expect to defeat a Dragoon when they're burning the candle on both ends, can they? If this wasn't enough, the nail on the coffin is that Slust is quite the ladies man, really. So... it's pretty likely he'll manage to handle Mirage one way or the other! And she may very well not complain!


SageAcrin
Ahhh, Slust. Charming, intelligent, dashing, powerful, all the things any woman would want.

Against a good looking blonde who would sooner rip off his face than chat with him. Nothing personal, just how these things go.

Of course, Slust could just simply fight Mirage. But he'd much rather hit on her than hit her.

So what's a somewhat perverted, somewhat intelligent, man to do?

---

"And you were the first person I thought of." Slust said, leaning back in his chair. "So, what about it?"

"You want my help getting a robot to make out with you? Why not just bribe Shion into reprogramming KOS-MOS? She makes a pretty good buisiness that way, though the price is high." Edge said, shrugging.

"She's not a robot. She just acts like one in public. I'm sure she's just as warm and reasonable as you'd expect any ditzy blonde to be in private. That whole thing's just a shell." Slust said, grinning.

"Yeah, probably." Edge said, nodding.

"I think she'd probably gut both of you in ten seconds, have you revived, guts still hanging out, and force you to exercise with Kenji, if she heard you say that." Yuri said. "Besides, it's not even true."

"Anyways, any ideas? I tried sending her some flowers, but she made the messenger eat them." Slust said, disappointedly.

"You didn't send anyone important, right?" Yuri asked, curiously.

"Nah, just Heckran. He's always bumming people for money. I think he's addicted to Drive, it's sad." Slust said, shaking his head and frowning. "Those minor midbosses always get crushed by their sudden rise, and equally sudden fall to a bunch of teenagers. Granted, they're disposable, like guppies, so it's not so bad."

"...you think too much. Who knew. Anyways, let me guess, what you really want is us to talk Brey into helping?" Yuri asked.

"Or whatever you think would be best. The candy also failed, and you wouldn't want to see what she did to Usar with that necklace. I'm running out of ideas." Slust said glumly. "I don't have the experience with these things you do."

"Of course, no one has as much experience with women as I do." Edge said smugly. "And-OW. Damnit, Yuri, why do you always hit me when I say that? Anyway, anything for an intelligent collu-cole-friend." Edge said, smiling.

"What is it with you and getting into trouble, anyways, Edge?" Yuri asked, as Slust closed the door behind him. "Is it a gift?"

"Like you don't enjoy every minute of it." Edge said happily. "...Bite me." "Okay, the times you aren't getting crushed or beaten up." "...you know, Edge, I think you just explained why I'm still hanging around you. That must be the smartest thing you've ever done." Yuri said in a wondering tone of voice.

"Yep, I'm brilliant. Now let's go get Slust some tail!" Edge said, charging out of the room.

"And that must be the most stupid...oh, wait, "Ultimate Special Mega Ninja Kick". Or whatever the hell it was. Right. Sorry." Yuri said, following him out of the room.

---

"Do you even remember what happened the first time I cast that spell?" Brey said, glaring at Edge. "No. Why?" Edge asked, curiously. "What happened? Did Tifa making out with you give you a heart attack?"

"...go find out yourself." Brey said grumpily. "Anyways, I'm not interested in using that spell again."

"I thought you used it twice." Yuri said. "Special circumstances!" Brey said angrily. "I said no, and I mean no, you two. I'm not flashing...back to..." Brey shuddered.

"...why can't I remember any of this?" Edge said, shaking his head. "Edge, when's Rydia's birthday?" Yuri asked. "...shut up."

"Still." Edge said, getting back to the subject at hand. "You have to have something that you are willing to use as help, right? You've never let me down before."

"Well, I do have this. It's something Crowley whipped up on a bet by Mazus." Brey said, standing up to rummage through some nearby shelves. "I didn't ask what kind of a bet. I don't think I've ever seen Crowley blush beet red before or since he talked about it. Ah, here we go. The Clichelixer." Brey said, pulling out a bottle of red liquid.

"...okay, who the hell named that?" Yuri asked. "Lexis." "I knew it. How the hell did he end up naming it something made by Crowley?"

"Well... You see, he's the first person to drink some of this stuff and not get effected. God knows how Crowley talked him into drinking some. Probably gave him some to test. Or let him name it. At any rate... The Clichelixer's effects are to make you act like you look." Brey said, shrugging.

"...Huh?" Yuri said. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means that whatever people think you should act like, based on your profession or appearance, you will. Gods start becoming genericly benevolent or pure evil, as the case may be. A knight obtains the IQ of a cantaloupe. Talking animals stop. Many leaders are uneffected, though some experience a loss of voice." Brey said. "This stuff scares the hell out of me. Doesn't even need to be ingested, just pour some on someone. But from the sound of it, it's just the thing. Pretty blonde girl, after all." He added, grinning.

"So, let me get this straight. We're going to turn Mirage into a dumb blonde?" Yuri said.

"...I'll take fifty bottles." Edge added.

"This is the only one. If you can somehow make Crowley make more...but I doubt that. I'm not sure, but I suspect he drank some and ended up in a woman's locker room trying to magic his way into some panties." Brey said. "You can have it, though. I'll be watching and hoping for the best."

---

"So, just slash her with this on my sword?" Slust said, glancing down at the blade dubiously. "And she'll turn into a dumb blonde?"

"Yep! And then Yuri has the Creamonade blast her!" Edge said happily.

"...I what?" Yuri asked. "I didn't tell you to do that?" "No." "Damnit! You forgot, I'm sure of it!" Edge said angrily. "...Edge, what was your mother's maiden name." "Ebl-...Ebl...ette!" "...Oh, never mind." Yuri said, shaking his head, as a gong signified the start of the match.

"Well, hello there, lover boy." Mirage said, grinning slightly. "Did you get my replies to your presents?"

"...huh. I was right, it was a shell. Under it, you're sarcastic and bitchy." Slust said, puzzled. "The things you learn."

"Hmmm, well, it seems like you can do things besides hit on me." Mirage said, nodding. "You aren't even as dull then. Now, let's cut out the chit-chat and get started, okay?"

"Very well." Slust said. Suddenly, he leapt forward, hoping to take Mirage by surprise, slashing wildly with the full knowledge that any blow would guarantee his victory.

This didn't work out that well.

Mirage quickly spun and roundhouse kicked him into a wall.

"...he can't...that can't...Oh, come on, we can't have gone to that much effort for nothing." Yuri said, shaking his head.

"I'm...not...finished...yet. And...you two...talk...too loud." Slust said, slowly wobbling his way to his feet. "Oh, there's six of you. That's just great." Slust said, shaking his head rapidly.

"...I think he's finished anyways." Edge said, sighing.

"Well, well, if that's all your stamina is..." Mirage said, smirking.

"...you really are a sarcastic bitch. Both of you." Slust said, shaking his head again. "Now..." He said, planting his feet. And slashing wildly again.

"..." Edge and Yuri both stared blankly. "...He isn't that stupid, is he?" Edge asked. "Well, he did just have a head injury..." Yuri replied, shaking his head and sighing.

Mirage easily sidestepped the blows...

...and Slust, now wobbling remarkably little, tripped her into the dirt, then attempted to slash her down the back.

This had a mixed effect.

Mirage, sensing the vunerability of her position, quickly rolled, grasped the blade with her gauntlets, and shoved it back towards Slust. The blade flew free, slashing Slust on the cheek.

"Oh, great. We do all that work and he gets too cocky and now he's a...say, what does hap-oh, god, he's a Dragoon." Yuri said, staring. "Brey! Get over here and tell me how you fix this, now!"

"Oh, damn." Mirage said, glancing at her arms. "He cut me a bit. Oh...well..." She said, giggling a little, as she pulled out a mirror and fixed her somewhat disheveled hair.

"Fix? Crowley said it just wore off." Brey said, walking over to Yuri's seat. "After how long?" Yuri insisted. "About a day, just based on a little amount contacting you. Longer, if you eat some or get a lot on you."

"Hmph. First Cecil takes my first love away from me, then Zeromus mind controls me, and now I can't even get a date!" Slust said, sighing. "This has to be that stupid paladin's fault."

"Oh, you sweet boy." Mirage said, giggling. "You sent me all those presents and I didn't thank you at all! What was I thinking?" Mirage said, hugging Slust hard enough to crack several ribs through his armor.

"Bah. But you're not the one I love. My love, Rosa, found another! Though, you are pretty cute. Have I mentioned that I'm a hot Dragoon?" Slust said, smiling at Mirage despite the pain. "Also, I have my own airship. Want to take a spin?"

"...uh...say, Kain's...not really that much like that." Edge said, staring blankly.

"No, but it's a composite thing, based on how he thinks of Kain and cliche Dragoons." Brey said. "Personally, I think it's an improvement. On Kain, not on Slust."

"*Giggle.* Oh, you. Sure, I'll go wherever you want." Mirage said, winking. "I forfiet to you, lover-buns, I could never hurt such a cute guy."

"I think this is a case of all's well that ends well, isn't it?" Edge said hopefully.

"...that depends. Where is the rest of the Clichelixer?" Yuri asked.

Edge frowned. "I guess Slust still has it on him. Why?" "Has it occured to you that Slust hits on more than a few women?" "Of course he does, he's awesome." Edge said, nodding. "And this is a public place." Yuri added. "So?"

Brey's eyes widened, as the penny dropped. "...maybe...maybe they'll...just...I mean...oh no, women tend to be spellcasters, they won't just impale him..."

"What? What's the problem? I don't get it." Edge said, looking back and forth between Yuri and Brey.

"You bastard! How could you toy with my feelings like that!" "You pervert!" "Dog! I let you into my heart and you did this to me!?" "Kurse you, you vikious fiend!" "I'm going to kick your arse to the moons!" Angered shrieks and cries could be heard from around the arena, as various women who Slust had convinced were his only love watched him cuddle with Mirage.

"...think about this. What do mages use?" Brey said. "Magic." Edge answered, happy to have something he was at least remotely sure on asked of him. "What magic?" "Uh...Fire. Lightning. Healing?" "So, fire and lightning hit a bottle of liquid. What happens?"

"...It...Oh, we run like hell. That's the answer, right?" Edge said.

"Yes." "Yeah."

"Okay. NINJA ESCA-" Edge yelled.

Just in time to get caught in the drifting cloud of vapor and greasy smoke from a charred Mirage and Slust.

"-..." Edge said, staring blankly.

"...Oh, great, I got some of that on-...wait, I don't feel any different." Yuri said. "Huh. Now that's weirder than hell." Yuri said, looking around.

"Heh. Hi there, cutie." Kurando said, from a few dozen seats over, to Aeris. "This seat next to you wouldn't happen to be taken, would it? That damned Edge is just sort of staring blankly at things, and I don't like being associated with him like that. And this seat looks pretty."

"Oh, that's fine. Just as long as you don't touch me or try to melt my heart or anything like that." Aeris said, nodding calmly. "After all, I am an Ancient, we aren't supposed to have human emotions. We're supposed to sacrifice to the greater good."

"...Oh, I get it. I'm my own cliche. That's...I'm not sure if it's awesome or sad." Yuri said, shrugging. "Oh well, I haven't been sure about myself in that way for ages."

"Hehee, come here, you little vixen." "Eeek! Get away from me, you dirty old man!" Aeris shrieked, as Brey chased her.

"...say, I wonder how long this stuff lasts if you inhale it." Yuri said, frowning, as the entire crowd began shifting into cliches.

"About six days." A mask-wearing Crowley said as he walked up to Yuri. "And this is why I should remember to never trust Brey with anything, I take it?" "Yep, pretty much."

"Yuuuuurriiiii~!" A gaggling of giggling women rushed up to Yuri, squealing and hugging him. "I'm your biggest fan!" "No, I am!" "No, me!"

"Uh, what the hell?" Yuri said. "Oh, that must be a cliche now. You being the man every girl secretly wants." Crowley said. "...wow. This whole thing worked out great." Yuri said, grinning. "Six days of random women thinking it's cliche to want me and wanting me. Still can't decide if this is sad or awesome, though. But I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."

"..." Edge said, still staring blankly. "Well, everything's great except for him. I think he's broken." Yuri said, waving a hand in front of Edge's unblinking eyes.

"EDGE!" A much smaller group of girls rushed up to Edge.

"...Okay, I know he's broken. What's..."

Edge, approached by rushing figures, suddenly sprang to life. In a torrent of blood, his blade cut his way through the squealing women before any could hope to move, his movements a dance of death, beautiful, yet horrific, to watch.

"...cliche ninja. Of course." Yuri said, shaking his head. "He's going to have years of therapy to get over killing fangirls. Also, I think Edge has, yet again, unleashed something that will indirectly kill thousands. There has to be at least a few more people who turning cliche is a bad id-"

"Ahahahahahaha! SUFFER, YOU PUNY MORTALS, AND PERISH BEFORE THE WRATH OF GHALEON!" "-ea. Yeah, like him." Yuri finished.

"Overall, a pretty good day's work. Let's go get a drink, Crowley." Yuri said, with one arm around Millenia, another around Rina, and a giggling Elly and Lenneth Valkyrie trying to cuddle as close as possible to him.

---

Ultimately, the results were fairly predictable.

Several hundred generic knights and drooling warriors wandered the Duelling League, with generic signifigant others, occasionally banding together to fight the great evils, such as Ghaleon, Fou-Lu, Magus, Vincent, Chu-Chu, Umaro, and the like.

Frankly, they just attacked whatever amused onlookers told them to.

Several hundred mages either dove into spellbooks or women's locker rooms, as the case may be. The death toll of said mages rose to 437. Despite there only being 274 mages in the audience. Evidently, birds of a feather flock together, and some cliches aren't entirely undeserved.

The rest of the crowd handled their issues in various ways. Ranging from those, such as Augustine or Ness, who felt no real effects(Though, Ness was actually heard to say a few words at points. The fact that these words were directly related to questions that required a choice of him beyond yes or no, which he always could answer, may be related.)

To those of Tifa(Who found herself, six days later, wearing a french maid's outfit and sitting on Crono's lap. Fortunately, this happened to be shortly after her match.).

Or Celes(Who, by day four, had had her frigid and loveless heart melted by no less than seven people. Actually, this may not be that different.)

And Pikachu(Several thousand Pichu have now infested the Duelling League. In the six days alotted, two-of opposite species chewed out of their rooms-despite the doors being open-and procceeded to become the #1 Duelling League pest for six days. Now there are 4278 bewildered Pichus roaming about wondering why they were eating grain.).

And finally, there were the rare unfortunate few whose cliche beings were enhanced by the magical drug. The Profound Darkness, for six days, literally did nothing but the most random evil possible; It became a 31337 speaking AOL-loving Vincent fangirl who wore tight-fitting bikinis and forced Fresca and ancient fruitcakes upon all it met. Rolf quite literally turned into a piece of cardboard. Chu-Chu was declared a natural disaster, slapped into a barrel marked with multiple biohazard symbols, and dumped into an ocean. (Some people said this was overdue.)

Edge, himself, found himself jumping off walls, killing evil birds and hordes of generic ninja, when he finally came to. Fortunately, the entire incident, due to the start of it presumably, is entirely blanked from his mind.

Though, he does tend to decapitate nearby people, then pass out, when young girls scream his name. Don't worry, he'll get over that fast.

Brey woke to find himself in bed with Nina the Second. He promptly had fourteen consecutive heart attacks. (Nina nursed him back to health. Evidently, some feelings are not easily put aside. Or possibly she just wanted to make sure he didn't spread the tale about.)

And Yuri will eternally remember these days as the happiest of his life. Sadly, most of his fangirls melted away after the serum wore off.

However, he still has Rose and Deis' numbers.

Oh, and Slust?

Well, as the judges recalled-after leveling several townships, they happened to be Godlikes-Mirage had forfieted. While interference had technically been used, it was best to try to forget anything had ever happened.

And now Slust and Mirage are dating.

Blackmail? No, Mirage just enjoyed being brainless over a man a frighteningly large amount.

Slust's not sure if he should laugh or cry. On the one hand, he has a cute blonde. On the other, she'll rip him in half if he looks at anyone else...

Mirage Koas: 23
Slust: 40