Some Green on Green Action

Artwork by

Original:
[link]

Commission by
I merely colored it, willingly.

No Circlet Version (which I colored)
[link]
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Jokerisdaking, I salute you. It's pretty damned awesome that this theme has established a bit of a fanbase. Truthfully, I almost lapsed on this theme but honestly people like you make me stay on top. Even if people get tired of seeing these and get pissed about them, it's all the worthwhile in my own selfish way.

Okay, enough gushing.

It seems this time, the all powerful but unstable Mask has fallen in the hands of Rydia of the Mist. One of the last Callers. What effects could it have on the childlike innocence of a peaceful summoner? Only she knows for sure...after she pulls Edge's underwear over his head.

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'After 'The Mask' caused incredible chaos in the world of Star Wars, especially for Jedi when their various female members got their hands on it, which is a story that will never be mentioned in the Jedi history books or any history books of that universe, 'The Mask' was picked up by a powerful interdimensional being know as Loki and it is THE Loki, through he is no god, but a powerful interdimensional entity.

He takes 'The Mask', which may have been his to begin with, into the world of Final Fantasy 4 where the rulers of the Eidolon freeze him after causing so much mischief after allowing him to become one of their own. 'The Mask', feared for giving any living creature, unlimited but unstable powers was sealed away.

Today, we find 'The Mask' in Rydia's hands and she looks at it. The rulers of the Eidolons told them about Loki and 'The Mask' in which he caused great mischief with it. While he is sealed for all time, 'The Mask' is just as powerful as he is. Rydia was told about this 'Mask's' incredible abilities, but also the dangers of transforming a person into a being of chaos and destruction since it seems to bring out a person's inner desires, wants, and needs. However, the rulers of the Eidolons trust that Rydia's pure heart and training will allow her to control it.

Rydia says, lowly, "They told me to use this as a last resort and I can feel the power from it even through this doesn't look so strong."

The Mist Dragon tells Rydia, "Rydia, the Dark Crystal is being released!" Rydia looks to the skies and senses the danger.

She looks at 'The Mask' and she thinks in her mind, "[Mother, if you are out there, give me strength to help me control this powerful artifact and make sure I use it for good and not evil.]"

Rydia prepares to put onto 'The Mask' and the Mist Dragon thinks in her mind, worriedly, "[I hope that you know what you are doing my dear.]" Just then Rydia puts on 'The Mask', it latches onto her face, and covers it quickly as it becomes like hot wax and rubbery. She moans from the hot sensation and then her body goes into a mini-twister with fill with green colors, loud thunder, lightning, and wind.

With Cecil and his crew, they are near death and the Mist Dragon just saved them. Soon after, Cecil, who can barely keep his eyes, open sees a woman dressed in a green outfit with a flowing green, lime green head, and deep, plump, and lovely ruby red lips leap towards them.

The woman tells Cecil, with a smile, "Don't worry, my wonderful knight. You and your crew can rest while I'll take on this tab of hot air!"

Cecil asks, weakly, "Who are you?"

The woman replies, with a sly grin, "Just a girl who never forget a knight and saved my life even after I tried to take his for taking my mother's life."

Cecil says, weakly, "Rydia...?"

Rydia/Mask yells out, excitedly, "Bingo, Cecil! Now, it's time for me to end this blowhard's reign of terror."

Golbez calls out, darkly, "I would like to see you try, Rydia of the Mist! I don't know how you came back like this, but you are nothing compared to me!" Golbez launches a powerful dark flame assault at Rydia/Mask, but she just shallows it whole and gives a small burp while a puff of smoke comes out of her lips.

Rydia/Mask says, with a smile, "I've had better, Golbez! Now, it's my turn to play!" Just then Rydia/Mask takes out a huge hammer from in-between her cleavage and slams into Golbez hard and sending him flying into the sky. Rydia/Mask says, with a wide sly smile, "See you later you jerk!"

Soon after, Rydia/Mask heals them and Rosa asks Rydia/Mask, perplexed, "What happened to you?"

Rydia/Mask says, with a smile, "It is a long story." Rydia/Mask then whispers to Rosa's ear and she says, with a smile, "While we discuss it, maybe you and me can take about your man. It will be very smoking." With that comment, there might be trouble on the horizon...'

Story courtesy of ~HazardGallantmon
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Other notes:

The title came to me because...well look at her. Her clothes are green, her hair is green and the Mask makes your face green. A lot of time was spent finding the right midtone for her hair and making sure it didn't "run" with the Mask.

Not sure if I'll color the circlet version. Just doing the one Jokerisdaking would like to see.

I know her eyes are supposed green, they were at first but I thought I'd use the red eyes like the comic book did. Though, you know...we're never clear if this is the comic book, movie or cartoon version of the Mask. I just keep spitting on that continuum.

I didn't feel like doing a background though. Just didn't care much for it. Well, I guess you could say it's a throwback to my reference picture [link] and the green tinge is supposed to represent the Mask's energy affecting her. Though I'd rather not BS it. Prod me with spears if you must punish my laziness

=DKSTUDIOS05 took care of a lot of the shading for me, and it's better that way for a number of reasons but the quick and easy one is that it feels right for her to do so. So that cut the coloring time down. There were SOMETHINGS I still shaded (and in the case of her skin, "toned" by burning and dodging to give a sense of body temperature) such as the "details" of The Mask on her face.

It's interesting seeing another artist take on this theme, *Jokerisdaking is definitely on to something here...

Usually it was *shoxxe that handled the Mask crossover art. His style usually adjusts according to the character's style. When I commission Mask crossover art his results usually end up with a cartoony or exaggerated effect when the character puts on the Mask. With his collection of notes, he has to show that the character is wearing the Mask without relying on color to hammer that point.

Now looking at =DKSTUDIOS05 her style differs a bit. It's much akin to more "grown up" anime or manga styles like Claymore or Berserk, or in SOME cases Naruto. In a sense, it's much akin to working with live actors or CG (especially when drawing them out on a 2D medium). Such a style would call for more suggested than exaggerated transformation the Mask has on its wearer. You don't see MUCH alteration, but there's a slight change that shows it all the same.

Whatever the case, both artists with their respective methods do their job pretty damned well. The important thing is that both artists keep in mind the wearer's original face before they draw out how the Mask "distorts" them. Ironically, this is something we demand (without saying it forthright) in spite of the fact that the cartoon and comic book never following said "rule".

Finally, the tagline from the original artist REALLY sticks in mind because it references the original comic book. If I could snag her quote (because it's so awesome):

"big head and big smile"
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Artwork © =DKSTUDIOS05
Rydia of the Mist, Final Fantasy IV © 1991, 2007, 2008 Square-Enix.