Hey everybody, it's me, The Goon. chapter 28 is now up for your enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or 8 Bit Theater. (so far, the only characters I technically own are the Light Warrior Replicas and he White Mage and Black Belt Replicas)

Just for the sake of a quick recap, I'm putting some character profiles here for major characters [so far], but feel free to skip this part if you wanna jump right into the story.

Fighter- The most enthusiastic of the Light Warriors, but certainly not the brightest

Black Mage- A magic user with a real evil steak, and spends most of his time trying to get White Mage's attention, he is now allowed to use MORE than one Hadoken per day

Thief- A clever and witty pickpocket who is hiding something from everyone else

Red Mage- A noble magic user who is obsessed with quests and statistics

White Mage- A pure and innocent servant of the holy, she plays a key role in the Light Warriors' destinies

The Light Warrior Replicas- They go by the names of Matt (Fighter's replica), Toby (Black Mage's replica), Marcus (Thief's replica), and Felipe (Red Mage's replica). Since they are creations of Sarda, they believe that they are the real Light Warriors and that our heroes are the replicas

Sarda- The Vice Principal of 8 Bit Academy, and also one of the most powerful sages in all existence...and is often referred to by the Light Warriors as a jackass

Vargus – Fighter's old swords master, the head of the Order of 8 Bit and Co., and recently revealed as the mysterious Principal of the Academy.

The Dark Warriors - Consists of Garland, Bikke, Drizz'l, and Vilbert von Vampire. They are regular students at the Academy, but spend much time plotting against the Light Warriors.

The White Mage and Black Belt Replicas - They go by Rebecca (White Mage Replica) and Jared (Black Belt Replica), and like the Light Warrior Replicas, Sarda created them for reasons unknown.

Squall Leonhart – Otherwise known as Leon, he is the phys ed instructor at the Academy, and also a semi-high-ranking member of the Order of 8 Bit and Co.

Torte – A small, purple mouse who had once been a real boy, but was still a powerful mage. He is more or less Leon's equal as far as rankings in the Order.

Kuja – Having reformed from his evil ways, Kuja graduated from the Academy and is now the Secretary of Financial Affairs, the 3rd most influential position in the Order

Zidane – Once a hero who had fought against Kuja, he has since become more sinister and scheming during his time in the Order

Cecil – A bold hero from ages past that has overseen management of the Academy

Kain – A close ally of Cecil who is in charge of security of the Academy as well as territory surrounding it

Cid Highwind – Though he is only a representative, he is held in high regard as one of the Will of Cid.

Irvine – A pretty boy who attends the Academy, and seems to be currently dating Selphie. He is one of four students that lead the Light Warriors to the Castle of Ordeals.

Selphie – She is often regarded as one of the Academy's finest ladies, and Irvine happens to be the lucky dog dating her. One of four students leading the Light Warriors to the Castle of Ordeals.

Terra Branford – She was formerly a powerful esper, but while she was able to keep her life, she had lost her magic. One of four students leading the Light Warriors to the Castle of Ordeals.

Zach – Almost like Fighter as far as personality and interests, except a little brighter and more reliable. One of four students leading the Light Warriors to the Castle of Ordeals.

"So there's actually a Black Belt Replica out there?" asked Zidane, "I can only assume there are Replicas of the Light Warriors as well?"

"And also White Mage," replied Sarda.

"Intriguing," said Zidane, rubbing his chin.

"Do you actually intend to place this Replica among our ranks?" asked Kuja.

"It's the closest we'll ever get to have the real Black Belt on board," replied Vargus, in full agreement with Sarda, "We shall send a small task force to locate the Replica and bring him back here. See if he's actually interested in joining the Order."

"And if he's not?" asked Kuja.

"Then it will be a simple matter for me to rearrange his entire being to make him want to join the Order," replied Sarda, cracking his old, yet sturdy knuckles.

"I think it's safe to appoint Fighter as a part of this small band," said Vargus, "And I think Leon and Torte would be wise to accompany him as well."

Leon and Torte nodded their heads, fully prepared to accept the mission.

"Perhaps I can tag along as well?" asked Zidane.

While some members of the Order were surprised by this seemingly noble gesture, Kuja just glared in his direction. Over the years, it was not in Zidane's interest to help someone without getting something out of it.

"I suppose it will be the four of you, then," said Vargus, "And Fighter?"

Fighter looked up at Vargus to await his final statement.

"While you're out there, think hardly about that question I've been asking you over the years," Vargus said, "The answer will make you a true swordsman."

Meanwhile the rest of the Light Warriors were led by a small group consisting of Irvine, Selphie, Terra, and Zach through a small forest, where they eventually saw the Castle of Ordeals overhead. Past the brown, dirty trail leading out of the forest led to the large stone castle that was covered in ivy. So old, in fact, that theoretically, one could climb on the ivy as if it were a ladder. Sadly, since there were no openings large enough for an average human on the top, climbing on the ivy would be pointless.

"So this is the Castle of Ordeals that Old Wet-Ass was telling us about," said Black Mage.

"What kind of cleansing could we possibly experience here?" asked Red Mage, obviously expecting something more.

"Don't ask us," replied Zach, "We're just your escorts. You three are the only ones going inside."

"And what will you be doing during that time?" asked Black Mage.

"We will be guarding the front gate, in case someone or something decides to attack," replied Zach.

"In the scenario that this happens, we'll be ready for them," added Terra, getting her weapons ready.

"Will they be of any use to you?" asked Thief.

Thief had been referring to Selphie and Irvine, who were over in the corner with their hands on each other's waists, staring into each others eyes while talking romantically towards one another. However, Selphie was wearing Irvine's cowboy hat, and her unusually long nunchucks were around Irvine's neck, as if to pull him closer to her.

"If you two are done playing patty-cake with your tongues," said an irritated Terra, "We have a job to do here."

"Relax," said Irvine, "My hands are quick enough to draw these guns out if anything decides to attack us. We'll be fine."

"Besides, we won't need to protect the front gate if the Light Warriors aren't inside," said Selphie.

"Fine," replied Black Mage, "We're going in. But know that once we're through with whatever is in store for us in there, your lives will instantly become forfeit."

The three Light Warriors present (obviously minus Fighter) opened the rusty front gate, shutting it behind them as they prepared to face the cleansing rituals that Sarda spoke of.

"You really think something would come out all the way here to attack the Light Warriors?" asked Selphie.

"I don't think they have specific targets," replied Zach, polishing his blade, "Monsters in these parts tend to kill indiscriminately."

"So those things are just here for a midday snack, then?" asked Terra.

Dark creatures were emerging from the woods. Some were werewolves, others large or small demons, though all of them had red eyes and a nasty growling sound emerging from their mouths. But perhaps the most unusual among this horde was the hooded figure that stood in the middle, who was average height and completely shrouded in a brownish-green cloak.

"Perfect timing," said Irvine, putting both hands on his guns.

Acting solely on instincts, Irvine pulled both triggers rapidly while aiming at the hooded figure…but all of them were deflected and instead went through some of the monsters surrounding him.

"What the hell?" asked Irvine, "I was aiming right at him!"

"I guess that definitely means he's their leader," said Zach.

"Go on, scram!" shouted Terra.

"Just leave us alone!" cried Selphie.

They all halted for some reason. Most others saw nothing strange about that. Terra, however, started putting her hands to her head. Someone, presumably the hooded figure, was sending messages inside her head. Displaying images while speaking to her.

"Turn back while you can," the hooded figure telepathically told Terra.

The hooded figure then started to flash images of several buildings on fire, with Black Mage standing in the center.

"If you continue your path on the light," the hooded figure's voice continued to say, "You will surely write your own demise."

Another image flashed inside Terra's head, this time of a giant dragon on a large island in the sky, which was bringing large storms down on the earth.

"Only in the darkness can you see the truth. The darkness can show you the meaning of true power. The darkness will shape your reality to what it truly should be."

The hooded figure stretched his right arm out, pointing at Terra.

"If you choose to stay in the light, then you are sealing your own doom. If you do not stray from the light, you will perish in the fires of Chaos. You will be punished by the mightiest of demons, raped by the lowest Halfling, and your offspring cursed. You have been warned."

As quickly as he had arrived, the hooded figure and his horde of monsters vanished with a mere snap of his fingers. All that was left was black and red mist which slowly disintegrated into the air.

"What was that?" asked Selphie.

"They just showed up and left without a fight?" asked Irvine.

"That's not what they were here for," said Terra.

Her energy had been drained from the mental stress of talking telepathically to the hooded figure. She thought this was no longer possible for her since she no longer had magic.

"Then what were they here for?" asked Zach.

"I don't think they were even here," replied Terra, "Whoever, or whatever, the hooded figure was…he was flashing images in my head…threatening me if I don't turn to the darkness."

"Wait," said Selphie, "That hooded guy talked to you?"

"Yeah," replied Terra, "But I'm not supposed to have magic anymore. How did he do that?"

"Wonder if it has anything to do with what's inside this castle?" wondered Irvine.

Inside the castle, Thief, Black Mage, and Red Mage walked down the dark, candle-lit hallways covered in moss to the main chamber, which surprisingly had a good amount of light in it (most likely because of the natural sunlight coming in through the stain-glass windows). All the walls were made of dark brick, but several carpets were still intact. Clean up the dust and it would actually make a nice summer home.

"What exactly are we supposed to be looking for in this god-forsaken castle anyway?" asked Black Mage.

"Sarda wasn't too specific about the details," replied Thief, "All he said was that it would put us through a ritual of cleansing."

"If I know my side-quest adventuring, and I'm pretty sure I do," said Red Mage, "I'd say we'd have to go further into the castle."

"Yeah, no shit," said Black Mage, "But there are three other doors. Which do we take?"

"I suppose we could split up and each of us take one door," replied White Mage, "I'm sure we're capable of handling ourselves for a while."

"I'll take the one on the left," said Thief, "I'm pretty sure I can smell treasure at the end of its halls."

"You can smell treasure?" asked Red Mage.

"I'm a Thief," replied Thief, "We're supposed to be able to."

"I'll take the middle one," said Red Mage, "It's most likely the one that will take us to our destination."

"I guess by default, then, I'll take the door on the right," said Black Mage.

"But what if we don't make it back alive?" asked Red Mage.

"Then it will be a pity that Fighter wasn't here to join us in our deaths," replied Black Mage.

A moment of awkward silence later, the three split up and entered the three doors that they said they would take, unaware of the trials that they would encounter.

To be continued...

~The Goon~