"Some of the aspects decide to change the rules a little by altering the original mindless cannon fodder nature of the manikins. First step: basic sentience, along with the capacity to learn and adapt. Second step: Let's add all the worst traits of every fighter in this conflict and see what happens! "
This would actually not work in the aspect's favour if you think about it hard enough. Manikins only work because they possess no minds of their own and therefore lack their own desires, thoughts and awareness of their own existence, therefore they can keep on fighting till their demise with no qualms. If they gained sentience they would appreciate their own lives too much to fight without inhibitions and could quite possibly rebel against their own masters.
Case in point #1: Kuja. Aware that he has a will of his own and a life he wants to control himself, he rejects the purpose of his existence as someone's tool and rebels against his master.
Case in point #2: Zidane. Originally raised to believe he was an ordinary person, he is too attached to life as he knows it to dispose of it to serve as a tool and rebels against his master.
Case in point #3: The Black Mages. Designed as mindless puppets, they gain awareness due to the horror of war shocking them into wanting to survive. They flee from humans and learn to respect life rather than casually destroy it.
Case in point #4: WoL. Created as a blank slate, he was given a reason to live and fight by Prishe and Cosmos, choosing to serve the goddess of his own free will as he feels it gives him something to live for.
Odds are the manikins would go off and do their own thing and even if some of them tried following the aspects there is no guarentee that they wouldn't ditch it after realising they were just being used.
Also the worst traits of each warrior doesn't neccesarily mean a badder manikin. For example Laguna's worst trait is his goofy clumsiness which would mean a derp manikin tripping over it's own feet. Tidus' worst trait is his stubborn immaturity which would equal a petulant manikin. etc.
I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just that it doesn't neccesarily mesh with the plot. Though sentient manikins defecting would be a perfect example of chaos unfolding on all ends. It just wouldn't be as much of a threat to the Cosmos/Chaos warriors as it would be to the aspects.
A thought
This would actually not work in the aspect's favour if you think about it hard enough. Manikins only work because they possess no minds of their own and therefore lack their own desires, thoughts and awareness of their own existence, therefore they can keep on fighting till their demise with no qualms. If they gained sentience they would appreciate their own lives too much to fight without inhibitions and could quite possibly rebel against their own masters.
Case in point #1: Kuja. Aware that he has a will of his own and a life he wants to control himself, he rejects the purpose of his existence as someone's tool and rebels against his master.
Case in point #2: Zidane. Originally raised to believe he was an ordinary person, he is too attached to life as he knows it to dispose of it to serve as a tool and rebels against his master.
Case in point #3: The Black Mages. Designed as mindless puppets, they gain awareness due to the horror of war shocking them into wanting to survive. They flee from humans and learn to respect life rather than casually destroy it.
Case in point #4: WoL. Created as a blank slate, he was given a reason to live and fight by Prishe and Cosmos, choosing to serve the goddess of his own free will as he feels it gives him something to live for.
Odds are the manikins would go off and do their own thing and even if some of them tried following the aspects there is no guarentee that they wouldn't ditch it after realising they were just being used.
Also the worst traits of each warrior doesn't neccesarily mean a badder manikin. For example Laguna's worst trait is his goofy clumsiness which would mean a derp manikin tripping over it's own feet. Tidus' worst trait is his stubborn immaturity which would equal a petulant manikin. etc.
I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just that it doesn't neccesarily mesh with the plot. Though sentient manikins defecting would be a perfect example of chaos unfolding on all ends. It just wouldn't be as much of a threat to the Cosmos/Chaos warriors as it would be to the aspects.