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Feels like I'm on a roll here!
Mozart's #8 Dance Tune
So, last time we saw the last Crystal break, and Galuf ran off somewhere. We can't have that, though, can we?
Time to consult the other old man about our missing old man.
Apparently both old men are AWOL right now. Ah, well, I can pick up a few more Elixirs for World 2 while I'm in the area.
After farming my way to 40 Elixirs I deign to follow Cid to the Tycoon Meteor. Apparently the adamantite was its power source or something.
Tossing it into the teleporter at the center gives the meteor a bit of power- not enough to teleport us to Galuf's world, but it's a start.
Translation: The programmers hate you and are going to throw a gratuitous boss rush at you.
: Tally ho!
: Wait a minute, since when do chocobos talk?!
I took a little side trip to North Mountain before going to the Karnak Meteor.
: Huh. Who woulda thought that putting on a concert there would leave us flying around like this?
: I'm not sure why we went there, to be honest...
: I feel like there's a reason we did that, and we're about to find out what it is...
: Typical...
: Pretty sure that's not supposed to be here...
: Watch your step- you know how I react to teleporting.
Titan is the next mandatory summon boss. As is the norm for Final Fantasy, he's Earth-based. He hits pretty hard, but since he can't two-shot me and his multi-target attack is neutralized by my party's Float status he's not much to write about.
: I knew there was a reason we pestered those cats!
Titan Death Counter: Denied.
Had to use a couple Elixirs in this fight because the girls were refusing to Jitterbug after getting punched, but still no problem.
Boss Deaths: 0
Total Boss Deaths: 5
Other Deaths: 1
Meteor Bosses Cheesed: 1
Like I care.
Anyway, now that Titan's been punked, the nerds come in to do nerd stuff, flying off when they finish.
At Krile's meteorite, the nerds head in first, but stay in for so long that Mozart gets impatient.
When he goes in to check on them, he finds them engulfed in some sort of barrier... I think? Not entirely sure what those clouds're supposed to indicate...
Regardless, here's Manticore! This guy has a couple related problems: He lacks Heavy protections, and he's vulnerable to Stop.
Therefore, the strategy I attempted on Soul Cannon works extremely well on him- he only gets one Aqua Breath off at the beginning of the fight before I Romeo's Ballad and Dance him to death.
: This song's pretty useful, actually.
Boss Deaths: 0
Total Boss Deaths: 5
Other Deaths: 1
Meteor Bosses Cheesed: 2
: Give us a minute- we're just about done...
: Fine, I'll meet you at the Walse Meteorite.
: That was anticlimactic.
: Why do I even say anything...?
Purobolos swarm. Like Manticore, no Heavy protections and vulnerable to Stop; unlike Manticore, they wait two turns before doing anything.
Therefore I treat them exactly the same way- put one character on Stop duty (i.e. Sing Romeo's Ballad every turn) while the other two shank them. Since they're Stopped, their React: Death script doesn't trigger, so they actually have the decency to STAY dead. And since Romeo's Ballad is a HIGHLY ACCURATE, FREE multitarget Stop spell, they can't do anything about the stabbing!
To think I was worried about this fight. They never even got to do anything!
: Guess I was right the first time: Anticlimactic.
Boss Deaths: 
Total Boss Deaths: 5
Other Deaths: 1
Meteor Bosses Cheesed: 3
Thus ends the Gratuitous Boss Rush.
: You say that like those things were a threat to us.
: Mozart? Pride, fall, et cetera.
: Yeah, I'll be careful around things I can't casually stop in time on a whim, don't worry.
: Jolly good show, old bean!
: I don't think I'll ever get used to that...
: Quiet, you- you'll give him an even bigger head!
: Come on, lemme savor the moment while it lasts. I doubt I'll have much opportunity where we're going.
Cid then draws lines from the landing sites of all four meteorites on our map to estimate where the portal he linked them up to make formed.
: Alright already, I'm going, I'm going, no need to push.
: Especially you, Black Chocobo.
: Oh, you're quite welcome! Do come visit sometime- wandering around in a forest gets quite dull after a while!
: Hey! What about me?
: Heh, I just felt like messing with ya a bit. Still like the chocobo more though.
And Mozart runs to the airship before Cid can respond.
I'll take the time to replenish the Elixirs I used fighting Titan and do a bit of shopping before officially finishing World 1; I restock my consumables (which turns out to be a grand total of one Maiden's Kiss) and sell off the miscellaneous crap I've picked up (including about a dozen Daggers I got while farming Elixirs), then spend the money I end up with on a Flame Ring (since I feel like it'll be handy).
With all that accomplished, I'm done with World 1! Goodbye, Ship Graveyard. I'll miss your bounty of Elixirs. Until we meet again, airship. We'll sail the skies together again someday.
: Not for a while, at least.
: Quiet- you're killing the dramatic moment!
: Meh. Guy's just trying to get in the way, and I hate his mustache, so good riddance.
: Yeah, I'm never letting him trap me in that whole "princess" lifestyle- I'm a free spirit!
: Looting and pillaging the bar's booze stores, maybe. Treasure? I have my doubts.
: You remember what happened last time, right?
: Huh. Put a bit of soap in and this would be a pretty good way to wash clothes...
: Brace for teleport!
: I can see my house from here!
: I thought you hated heights?
: I've been getting used to it because of all the flying around we've been doing lately.
: 
:
:
: I never wanna do that again- that was the worst teleport I've ever experienced.
: No kidding.
:
: How long is Faris gonna keep doing that?
: Not too much longer, I hope...
Welcome to World 2! ...Though we can't actually explore it yet since we're stuck on this tiny little island.
: Whole lot of nothing here... We must've landed on some remote island or something.
Paos hit pretty hard compared to what we've experienced to date (their attack does at least as much damage as TITAN did), probably to encourage you to progress the story.
: The locals look kinda funky...
They also drop Tents 100% of the time to make sure you CAN progress the story.
: 
... 
: Not until we've got like thirty of the things sitting around.
: Overkill much?
: Hey, it's normal to exploit a resource when you find it, right?
: Plus it's good to be prepared, I guess.
: Okay, NOW we can camp.
: I mean, I've never seen such a blatant violation of self-preservation instincts in my LIFE.
: Well, she obviously existed, that's obvious. Can't really remember much else, though.
: What, favorite pet or something?
: Something like that, yes.
This asshole decides to interrupt the sisterly moment by grabbing Lenna; her scream wakes Mozart up.
Then he grabs Faris with his other hand and starts flying off.
: Not doing yourself any favors right now, Faris. C'mon, punch 'im between the legs or something!
: Up HERE?!
: I KNOW you can do better than this, so don't just LET him carry you off!
Mozart's yelling attracts a second monster, who realizes that the first one missed someone.
It's technically possible to win this fight, but considering my build I don't think I have much of a chance. Good thing you're supposed to lose.
Huh. Confuse works in a fight that Plot says you lose? Maybe I can win after all.
This is immediately after the above screenshot. Apparently he's got a serious case of "glass jaw" on top of his vulnerability to Confusion. (For the record, I wouldn't've counted this guy on my Deaths count even if I'd lost since you don't get a game over for losing.)
: C'mon, you two, that guy was NOTHING! How'd you get carried off by one?
: Ugh, seriously? This box is so obviously trapped it's ridiculous. I'll just use this stick to open it from over here and...
: Huh. Knockout gas. Not as dumb as they look...
: Ironic how you got caught, too.
: In my defense, they had to use knockout gas instead of just showing up and carrying me off.
: Not our best showing, I'd say...
: HURF DURF I'M A TREE!
: Is that some sort of greeting or something?
: Apparently the locals need to work on their naming sense.
: What would you do with a mirror?
: I dunno, scrying?
: I guarantee that somewhere down the line we'll become incredible hindrances.
: Hmph. You're assuming you'll live long enough- as soon as I've lured Galuf into reach I'll dispose of you.
: ...I really should've noticed earlier, but my pockets feel awfully empty right now...
: Now that you mention it...
: Wait a second...
: What is it, Krile?
: I TOLD them not to follow, I TOLD them there was no way here, I TOLD them there was no way back... How'd they get here, and why didn't they listen?!
: YOU BASTARDS! GIVE ME BACK MY SPOONS!!!
:
: 
: HURF DURF I'M A TREE!
: You just said that!
: Didn't he say something about luring him in with us as bait?
: Maybe he means his army...
: Sir!
: What're you going to do, Grandpa? (Please say change clothes, please say change clothes...)
: So this guy's our jailer? Looks... flamboyant.
: You're going, aren't you?
: Of course. They may be disobedient punks, but they're still my friends!
Apparently Galuf doesn't make escape plans more complicated than "break out of the front door."
: Lot more spoons than I expected in here. Must be Faris's collection. I'll let them sort 'em out later.
This would be more inspiring if he wasn't in a traumatizing outfit.
: Let's see, the prison's probably down here- most castles keep prisoners underground...
: You, sir, look like a clown.
Gilgamesh Round 1, go! Too bad he doesn't have his music yet.
Since you're SUPPOSED to fight him solo using a Galuf who's been part of a four-member party, he's pretty easy for me. Solo characters, on the other hand, would get Galuf destroyed more often than not, though.
Boss Deaths: 0
Total Boss Deaths: 5
Total Gilgamesh Deaths: 0
Other Deaths: 1
: Sorry we messed things up for you.
: No, I'm over it. More importantly, here's your stuff. Sort it out later, we've gotta get out of here!
: Are my spoons in there?
: Probably- there're a lot more than Mozart's in there.
: Why does everyone like spoons so much?
And with that, the team's back together! I take a minute to Potion Galuf back to health after his run-in with Gil, then start heading for the front door.
Of course, on the way I discover that the Tarantulas are weak, lucrative, and even have the decency to drop Potions for me, so I get a little sidetracked by money grinding to fuel my future Hi-Potion binging. Yes, I'm aware that this is probably a bad time to be doing it, but I have a habit of minimizing risks at every opportunity, even at the expense of speed.
Once I hit 30,000 I head to the ground floor, healing at a spring in the back, then leave.
: So which way do we go to regroup?
: West. That way.
: Here're your spoons, Mozart. I sorted through them all while you guys were stomping spiders.
: Oh, thanks, Faris. Hmm... yup, all here.
: This bridge garrisoned?
: Yes, by Exdeath's troops. We'll have to fight our way across, most likely.
We all know what music plays here, and we all know it's awesome.
I plan on trying to fight EVERYTHING on this bridge, but turns out they respawn; none of the monsters are really noteworthy tactics-wise, though some of them (such as Neo Garula) hit pretty hard. I end up cheesing everything with Romeo's Ballad again.
: Sorry, I don't do ballet.
: 
: You talk just as flamboyantly as you dress.
: And you still look like a clown.
Gilgamesh Round 2, go! Unfortunately, I forget to take Sing off before triggering the battle, so I not only lack Hide, but also have a useless second-slot command.
More of this, please. I want Phase 2 to go as smoothly as possible.
Or spam Sword Dances, that works too.
What does this even do, anyway? All I can see is pathetic, double-digit damage, so I figure there must be something behind the scenes to make it something other than a free turn.
Regardless, Gilgamesh Round 2 is only somewhat tougher than Round 1, so I get through with only 5 Elixirs used. You have served me well, faithful companions, but now I have the option of reserving you for bigger emergencies.
Boss Deaths: 0
Total Boss Deaths: 5
Total Gilgamesh Deaths: 0
Other Deaths: 1
A few fights later we reach the end of the bridge.
: The what now?
: Oh.
: Guess I shouldn't've stopped to look, huh?
: This is gonna hurt, isn't it?
: Well, on the one hand I don't see any bloodstains... on the other, Grandpa and his friends are gone. I hope they're okay... and that they can get Grandpa into something more sensible.
: Owww...
: Look on the bright side, Faris: That wasn't as bad as teleporting.
: And we're alive.
: True... Still feels like I jumped off an airship though.
: Still got no idea what you three're complaining about with teleportation- I've never gotten sick from it!
: Maybe you're just weird. You tried asking anyone else about it?
: Ummm... no...
: Anyway, let's take a look at where we landed...
: With how things go for us, it'd only be a surprise if there WEREN'T monsters around every corner.
: Beats being thrown into the wall right behind us at that speed.
: Okay, yeah, it's not as bad as it COULD be, but it's still bad.
: I told you to forget it. Besides, I shoulda known better than to try challenging Exdeath alone.
And so we're dropped off way the hell out in the middle of nowhere, just as Galuf said.
Amazingly, the map still works. Maybe Galuf brought one with him or something. Anyway, our destination's way off to the east.
: Been a while since we've hiked cross-country, hasn't it? Feels like the Black Chocobo and airship have us spoiled.
: No helping it. Let's get started- the sooner we start, the faster we get there.
: Found a town!
Welcome to Regole, the first town in which it is possible to buy Hi-Potions! This is gonna up my survivability quite a bit- Potions have been completely obsolete since... I dunno, Karnak? I can't remember the last time I actually used them in a battle (at least, outside of "the boss stopped attacking me, take advantage!" moments)... Anyway, I don't want to have to rely on Elixirs any more than I have to considering the trouble I had to go through to get them (and I no longer have an easy source available, making me want to conserve them even more), so Hi-Potions will be taking up most of my mid-battle healing for the foreseeable future.
Been a while since I got a new weapon. I'll keep my Mage Mashers handy in case I run into something that needs muting (for example, I plan on going through the Towers in World 3 eventually).
After restocking on normal Potions for less-than-urgent healing (for example, between battles), I get a MASSIVE store of Hi-Potions (turns out I had JUST enough to cap them). 
I also buy a little Holy Water, but not enough to be noteworthy.
Now that that's done with, time to explore the town.
: Huh. They went a bit overboard hiding this piano. What, can nobody play here?
: Have you been practicing since you came back to this world?
: Since I knew you wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I didn't, yes. Not sure where to go from here, though.
: Pretty good- didn't notice any bad notes in that. Think next time I'll demonstrate something for you.
: Oh really? You've been really critical about my playing so I've been wondering what yours sounds like.
The innkeeper offers to let us stay for free, since we're the first customers he's ever had. Galuf decides to stay up late, though.
: Everyone talks about the booze here so much it's got me curious. Think I'll sneak out and have a taste.
Mozart wakes up a bit later.
: Thirsty... Hmm? Where's Galuf...?
: Is that Galuf singing? ...Bit off-key. He must be drunk or something.
: When they say this stuff's good they aren't kidding!
: I got thirsty.
: I never can when I get thirsty.
: Wanna try some?
: No thanks- I've got terrible alcohol tolerance, and I don't wanna be hung over tomorrow. Speaking of which, watch how much you drink, okay?
: Well, suit yourself. At least sit down so I don't have to crane my neck around, though, okay?
: Who knows- you might've even gotten him by now if we hadn't come along.
: Seriously, stop apologizing already!
: So you've got nothing to feel guilty or apologize for, got that?
: You're a friend. Isn't that enough?
: Whoa, I think you've had enough for one night- you're getting grabby and sentimental. Here, lemme take ya back to the Inn.
: Thanks, Mozart... Now that you mention it, I'm about at my limit anyway...
: How ya feelin' today, Galuf?
: Bit of a headache, but nothing I can't handle.
: Why do you have a headache, Galuf?
: Did you go out drinking last night?
: Yeah, he did. I got thirsty in the middle of the night and heard him in the bar.
: Yeah, we had a little talk there, too. Man-to-man, you know how it goes.
: Hmph. Why didn't you invite me?
: Well, for one thing, I doubt you'd wanna drink with an old fogey like me.
: Anyway, I think it's about time we headed out.
So we leave town. I'll put off heading south for next time, though, since I don't want to bloat these updates too much.
Next time: Moogles are telepaths, apparently.