Crazier than a madman

ㅤ "Jade, help me! I need your help!" Dist burst into Jade's office, waving off the soldiers who tried to stop him. Considering that, according to the latest intelligence, he was actively working for the Gestahlian Empire, Jade was completely unprepared to see him standing before him in the kingdom of Figaro. Rather, it was he who was supposed to come as a surprise. "I'm sure the bars in the local prison will easily protect you." Jade hid his irritation behind his usual, forced smile. However, he was mostly teasing his not-friend, realizing that since he had come here and was in such a panic, something must have really happened, which is why he hadn't ordered his men to take him away right away. Dist, however, didn't understand this, shrieking: "Wait! Listen to me first! Kefka is coming!" 'And now there's no time for jokes,' Jade became wary.

* * *

Dist was thrilled when Kefka took him under his wing, providing him with limitless funding and resources! Nothing was required of Dist; he simply had to continue his research, trying to create the perfect replica. He never abandoned his quest to resurrect a single person, but… "Memories still linger beyond our grasp…" he sighed sadly. And without memories, any replica was an unremarkable, empty shell. Even if Dist had imprinted a specific image on the newborn body, even if he had taught it everything the original should have known… 'This is not it!' "Perhaps this machine is faulty? Perhaps something is missing? Why not build another one, and leave this one for me to study—two brains will handle the task better," Kefka said convincingly and soberly, despite his mentally ill appearance. But Dist was often accused of mental illness, even though he was simply a creative and passionate person! That's why he didn't judge others for their apparent "extravagantness". "Yes, perhaps," he agreed. So Kefka obtained a working cloning device… Based on which he created an entire factory, providing him with an unquestioning army. And he was quite happy with the emptiness in the replica' heads: the lack of personality paired with the slave crown went perfectly together! And his "research" was going much better than that of… 'Jade… is right… Professor Nebilim can't be brought back. There's nothing I can do.' "I give up," Dist finally decided. "Trying any further is pointless…" "Oh, really?" Kefka greeted his decision with a broad smile and piercing gaze. "However, I believe the perfect toy-making device has long since been created!" The mad laughter was forever etched into Dist's mind, echoing with horror in his soul every time that moment surfaced in his memory.

* * *

"He's insane, Jade! He's created an entire army of clones! He's already overthrown the Emperor, and now he's coming here! We're doomed!" Jade frowned: the situation really wasn't the best. However, he wasn't giving in to grief and fear, but was instead mulling over a series of plans for every possible outcome. "You're giving up too soon," he said. "Huh?" Dist didn't immediately understand. He'd thought Jade would be glad he'd finally abandoned the idea of ​​resurrecting Nebilim. "Private!" Jade gave the command to the nearest soldier in a trained voice. "Inform Edgar immediately of the enemy army's approach—have him prepare the castle for submersion! Tartarus will head for the factory!" Dist looked at Jade with admiration, marveling at his steadfastness. It was as if he feared nothing at all. While Dist was shaking with fear… But Jade had always been a role model for him, so he caught up in the wave of energy again. "I… I'll do everything I can too! I'll create my own army! An iron one!" "And how long will that take?" Jade asked, dismissing the idea. Dist was certainly quick to invent, but not so quick to compete with a psychopath who fancied himself a god and churn out an entire army of "blanks" of his own image and likeness. "Then I'll start with the restraining mechanisms to buy us some time!" "As you wish. Just don't screw it up even more," Jade agreed. Dist's enthusiasm, directed in the right direction, was a boon. "I won't let you down!" Dist vowed, watching Jade go. Praying that they would meet again… ㅤ