DIMENSIONS
by
The Ionic Butterfly(aurelia_@yahoo.com)
Ranwolf(ranwolf@hotmail.com)
All Gargoyles characters belong to Disney/Buena vista studios. Characters
from the Final Fantasy series, Chronotrigger etc. belong to Square and Squaresoft.
The Characters of Nic Maza and Miyabe Tendo belong to Ranwolf and Ionic,
respectively. C&C are always welcomed. Flames will be read, considered, laughed
at, then burned. (Get it? Flames? Burned? ^_^)
CHAPTER 1: TO INFINITY...
Nicodemus Maza smiled to himself when he heard the water from the shower
being turned off. He was cooking dinner for his mate, Miyabe, at her apartment.
He turned off the burner beneath the chicken soup, and with a gloved hand, pulled
the rolls out of the oven.
Miyabe had just finished her shower that she had promised, "would only take a
minute." Nic had started dinner when she began. Now that she was finished, so
was she. He began setting the dinner table.
"Hon? Dinner's waiting," Nic called out. Miya strolled into the kitchen, smiling.
Nic's mind raced when he saw her.
Dressed in a white tee shirt, blue jeans shorts, and socks, she was still stunning.
Her waist-length jet black hair was still wet but combed neatly away from her face.
The steam from the shower had turned her face from its usual porcelain white to a
temporary red. The red brought out her jade-green eyes, which Nic would swear
were sparkling.
Nic smiled back at her as she locked arms with him to give him a quick kiss.
He caught a whiff of her shampoo, or maybe it was her soap, but it smelled good.
"Dinner smells delicious," Miya said, sitting down at the table.
So do you, Nic considered saying, but kept it to himself as he sat down. As
soon as he was seated, the doorbell rang.
(Ranwolf: Don't you hate it when that happens?
Ionic Butterfly: Yup. THat's why I have an electric doormat.
Ranwolf: *raises an eyebrow* Whats it do? *As if on cue, the lights in the room flicker
and a muffled scream is heard* Oh.)
Nic and Miya sat staring at one another for a moment wondering who it could be.
"I'll get it," Miya finally said.
"Stay put. I'll get it," Nic said, and went to answer the door.
He kept his tail carefully hidden behind his left leg as he opened the door. It was
a deliveryman dressed in a light blue uniform. Nic felt the skin at the back of his
neck prickle at the sight of him, but wasn't sure why. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Is this the apartment of Mr. Nicodemus Maza and Miss Miyabe Tendo?" the
man looking at a clipboard asked in a high pitched voice.
Nic wondered how anyone knew his name and that he was staying with Miya.
"Yes, it is," he answered slowly, the prickly feeling increasing slightly.
"Great. Well, if I could just get you both to sign on these lines, I have a few
packages for you," the man said, his voice a little steadier now.
Nic wondered if it was fear in the man's voice. He studied the man a little more
closely, and read the name on his shirt. The man's name was Masa. His shirt
said he was from the Zeal Wind Delivery Co. He spoke in slight accent he couldn't
quite place. Nic was wary, and called to Miya. "Miya... Come here, please" he said.
Nic took the clipboard from Masa and signed his name on a line. Miya appeared
behind him, and he felt her hand on the back of his shoulder. Masa touched his
hat in a gesture of respect for her. "Package for you, miss. If you would just sign..."
he said.
Miya smiled and took the clipboard from Nic, signing her name. "Do you know
who it's from?" she asked.
"Sorry, Miss Tendo, I'm only a delivery man," Mune said.
"Brother, are you almost finished?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Almost," Masa answered. He gave Nic a lopsided grin. "My brother," he said,
jerking his thumb in the direction of the voice. He handed a small package to Miya,
and a larger one to Nic. He also handed Nic a hefty envelope.
"Look, brother! I'm the wind!" the second voice called from the hall. Nic peered
out to see a boy dressed in the similar uniformas his brother with his arms spread
wide, running in small circles.
"Mune, behave!" Masa hissed. The boy, Mune, smiled sheepishly and
stopped.
"Be sure to tell them! Can I tell them? Please? Can I?" Muneasked, running
up beside his brother.
"Yes, Mune, you can tell them," Mune sighed.
"Those who sent this said, that you must be warned to be careful. Careful and
to keep your gifts in your possession at all times,"Masa said proudly.
"I thought you said you didn't know who sent it!" Nic said, suspicion creeping
into his voice.
"We don't. We only know what the company tells us," Mune said, his voice
getting higher.
Nic nodded. Turning from the door, he used his thermograph vision to quickly
scan the packages, making sure no bombs or harmful devices had been placed
inside. Inside, he saw saw something but couldn't make it out, but he did not
deem them dangerous.
Miyabe had been staring at him. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Nic nodded and turned back to the door. Masa and Mune were gone. He stuck
his head out of the door, looking to see where they went. They were gone, just
like the wind. Nic went over to the window to try to see if there was a delivery
van of some sort. It was dark outside but using his night-vision he can easily see
in the darkness. Nothing was there.
"That's strange," Nic said. He wondered who was on patrol and if they had seen
anything.
"What is it?" Miya asked.
"They're gone. Something's not right. Didn't you sense it?" Nic asked, looking to
his mate.
"Well, just a bit. But I'm not sure what," she admitted.
Nic sighed in frustration. "Let's open these over dinner," hesaid, heading back
to the kitchen. Miya followed him.
Nic watched carefully as Miya opened her package. Inside was a metal box.
She slowly opened the box, and inside was a piece of copper jewelry. A thick
and massive chain was attached to a pendant of some sort. Miya held it up,
and the pendant caught the light and sparkled. It reminded them both of a large key.
"Isn't it pretty?" Miya asked. Nic nodded, and impatiently opened his box.
Inside his metal box, was also a piece of copper. Nic picked it up to inspect it.
It was in the shape of an egg, but reminded Nic of a compass. The dial on it
could be moved manually, though. The dial stopped in five different places. Words
of some sort were written in some other language on each of the five stops.
Miya noticed that in the top of the pendant was a symbol that greatly resembled
the egg-like compass in Nic's hands. She quietly showed Nic her discovery. He
nodded and started to open the envelope. He noticed then that no postmark or
any kind of price paid was on the boxes or envelope.
"Wait a minute," he said. "Miya, I know New York is strange, but what delivery
service delivers after seven at night?"
Miya stared at him and then found a phone book. She quickly tried to find
Zeal Wind Delivery Co., but found nothing. She grabbed up the phone and dialed
information. The operator informed her there was no listing for Zeal wind.
"Nic, they don't exist," she said, scratching her head.
A soft breeze passed through the room. "Nic-chan, the window isn't open,"
Miya said, moving closer to him.
"Look, brother, I'm the wind!" Mune had said.
Nic also remembered the boy's strange warning. "What in hell..?," he wondered.
He tore open the envelope, hoping to find some answers. He read the letter aloud.
Nicodemus and Miyabe,
You have not met me yet. But I have met you. We need you're help,
but when you meet me, I will not know with what. I do not know now.
You hold in your hands a set of devices called a Gate Key and a
Chronotrigger (or Time Controller). Only four sets were ever made,
but with the way time has been corrupted, too many exist. Many people
have died to get this set to you. We need your help. Please, at
midnight this very night, be at the tree marked on the map. Be sure
to bring the set.
Gaspar
"What sense did that make?" Miya asked. "This is getting a little too weird."
Nic reread the letter twice before answering. "I'm not really sure. Think I'll take
this to the guys back at the castle, see what they have to say."
Miya bit her lip. "Then I'm going with you," she said.
"I don't think so." Nic answered flatly.
Miya smiled a bit, knowing she would go but not wanting to argue. After a long
eye-lock, she asked, "So where is this map Gasper spoke about?"
Nic turned the page to see a map of Central Park. Miya looked over his shoulder.
"Cleopatra's Needle" she said. "Didn't Elisa have somekind of problem there a
few years ago?"
Nic grinned. "Yeah, you could say that."
"Are you going to go?" she asked craftily, still knowing she was going.
"I think I have to," Nic said.
"It could be Quarrymen, you know," Miya warned.
Nic nodded. "If it is, How would they know about you? It's not like we're on the
news. We can pass for a human couple pretty easily," he said.
"What if they found out somehow? Maybe it's a trap. If they have us, the others
would surely come after us." Miya said.
Nic sighed, turning to the next page of the letter. He was now staring at another
map. This map was much older. The paper was stiff and had a brownish tint from
age. It was of a world Nic had never seen. The words were again in another language,
the same language as that on the Chronotrigger.
The map intrigued Nic for some strange reason. He didn't want to put Miya in
danger, but could all but read the determination on her face. "You can go with me
to the castle," he said.
Miya smiled. I'm going further than that, she thought.
"Let's eat. Then we'll go," he said.
*****
"Who did ye say sent this?," Hudson asked, holding the Gate Key up to his
good eye.
"These two guys from Zeal Wind Delivery Co. Their names were Masa and Mune.
Strangely enough, they didn't know who it was from. How did they know _my_ name,
and that I could be found at Miya's?," Nic said.
Lexington was holding the Chronotrigger, completely amazed. "I've never seen
anything like this. It's... so old ,yet so advanced at the same time. It seems to
contain some sort of power." he said.
Nic looked at Lexington with a wry grin. "What gave you that idea?" he asked.
Lexington looked up. "I just... Are you poking fun of me?" he asked, smiling.
Miya let out a small laugh.
"Ever seen that writing before, Hudson?" Nic asked, showing him the ancient map.
"Nay. But if ye gave us a few nights we be able to figure it out," the gargoyle
answered. "Perhaps the Grinorum will have answers."
Miya blinked. "I heard it was destroyed."
"You really think Xanatos didn't make a copy or two, just in case?," Lex replied.
Bronx wandered into the room to see what was going on. Miya smiled at him
and he sat down at her feet.
"We don't have that much time. Where's Brooklyn and Broadway?" Nic asked.
"Brooklyn went out with Avery, Angela and Broadway are watching the hatchlings"
"What about Pop?"
"Elisa's place."
"So, do you think it's a trap?" Miya blurted out. Everyone looked at her. "What?
Like it couldn't be Quarrymen?" she asked.
"I dinna think aboot that," Hudson said.
"I'm going to find Brooklyn and Broadway. We'll all go to the park at midnight,"
Lexington said.
"No. Someone has to stay here with Miya," Nic said.
"I'm going," she said stubbornly.
Nic sighed and shook his head. "You are not," he said.
"Bronx kin stay with her," Hudson said, "I dinna think he'll mind." Bronx seemed
to grin in response.
"I'm going." Miya said stubbornly. "That's final."
*****
"I don't beleive they left me behind!!!!" Miyabe yelled, when Avery found
the short japanese woman in a closet a few minutes after the others had left.
"What's going on here?" Avery asked. "Who locked you in the closet?"
Avery saw Miya's eyes smoulder in anger, if she didn't know better she'd
say they were about to light up. Bronx whimpered at her side looking distraught
at Miya, as he followed her.
"Nic no yaro..." she hissed, making her way past the hybrid. Miya stormed
her way to where her things were.
Angela was coming out of the bathroom when she spotted Miya with Avery
following a short distance behind. "What's worng with Miyabe?," she asked Avery.
"I don't know," the blond hybrid answered, "but the girl's pissed and it has
something to do with your brother."
"CHIKUSO!!!" The two heard Miya scream. "He took my keys!"
"Miya, what in the world is going on?" Angela asked, trying to calm Miya down.
Miya told them about the packages and the map. "So Nic locked you in the closet?"
Miyabe nodded. "Hai" She then said something that roughly translated to:
"When I find him, I'm gonna rip his tail off and stuff it down his throat!"
"Miya," said Avery to her, "deep breaths. You're going to give yourself
aneurism." Miya did as told. After a few seconds she visibly calmed. "Feel better?"
"A little, but I'm still gonna kill him. The letter asked both of us to be there."
"Well then, let's go," Avery said, heading to her room and quickly returning
with a set of keys and a pair of black, police-issue nightsticks.
"I suppose you want me to keep watching the hatchlings?" Angela asked wryly.
"Would you?"
Angela sighed. "I don't have much choice, do I?" She watched as her friends
headed out to head to Central Park. Angela looked down at her swollen belly,
placing her hand gently on it "As much as I love being pregnant..." She left the
statement hanging in the air.
(Ionic Butterfly: Wouldn't someone have noticed the screaming coming
from the closet before this scene takes place?
Ranwolf: Uhm... It's one of those flubs that show up in stories every once in a while.
Ionic Butterfly: Oh. So you put that in on purpose.
Ranwolf: Uh.. Yeah? )
*****
Nic, disguise to look as human as he could, was sitting at a bench near
the Needle. He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for. Four gargoyles
were hidden within the vicinity. He had the Chronotrigger and Gate Key in
one of his trench coat pockets, and the ancient map in another. He looked
at his watch. It was ten 'til midnight.
The only thing on his mind was how angry Miyabe had been when he really
left her behind at the castle with Bronx. He knew hell was going to have to be
paid to get her to even speak to him again, but she was so worth it.
He began fidgeting with a loose string on his coat when he heard a rustle in
the bushes behind the bench. He turned slowly, hearing a familiar scratching.
"Would you quit it?" he heard a very familiar voice ask.
"Miya?!," he all but yelled. Bronx crept from the bushes where he
had started digging. "I told you to keep her at the castle! Why didn't
you?," Nic demanded. Bronx whimpered apologetically, and tried to hide
under his paws
"Don't blame him," Avery said coming out with Miya. Nic groaned.
"Look, whoever wanted you here, wanted both of you. Miya told me what
was going on so I brought herI had to," she said.
Miyabe's and Avery's appearance brought the other gargoyles from hiding. They
all stared at Bronx, who seemed to cringe.
"Don't blame him. Blame me," Miya said.
Nic stood up and hugged Miya close. "Why?" he whispered again.
Suddenly, a surge of heat burned Nic's leg. Being so close, Miya jumped back
from it too. Nic looked to his pocket and reached in, pulling out the Gate Key. It
burned his gloved hand, and he dropped it, swearing under his breath. "Fuck!!"
Miya reached down and picked it up. It was cool to her touch. Everyone just
stared without saying a word. Nic pulled out the Chronotrigger, and saw the dial
moving on its own. It was going haywire, moving from all its points very quickly.
It stopped on the right-most symbol, which Nic then realized what the symbol was.
It was the symbol for infinity.
Nic glanced at his watch. The face read five seconds 'til midnight, and then the
hands began moving on their own, going as fast as they could. The wind picked up.
Nic was eerily reminded of the boy playing in the hallway.
A flash of light lit the air, causing the gargoyles to be on guard. The wind stopped,
and so did the hands on Nic's watch. He tried to move the dial of the Chronotrigger
to another position, but it would not turn.
"What sort of magic is this?" Hudson asked, just to break the silence.
Miya noticed something behind Hudson at that point. It was a small purplish-blue
dot of... light? She moved closer, holding the gate key in front of her. The dot
enlarged with every step.
Nic and the rest had now taken notice. "What the...?" Lexington gasped.
Miya looked to Nic. He grabbed her arm. She kept moving forward. He followed.
Soon, all they could see was the light, and even though Miya tried to stop, some
force was pulling her within. Nic was pulled along with her. They both fell into the
light.
Nic heard Hudson yell, "Nooo!" and saw the elder reach out for them before the
light closed them off from the park. The light surrounded them, flying very quickly
past them. They were falling now. Falling was not the best word, since Nic and
Miya both felt they were on some sort of roller coaster, heading toward a
predetermined point. Where that point is, Nic had no idea.
Suddenly, they hit something hard. Nic heard Miya groan, and since the light
was gone and he could see her, he instantly made sure she was all right. When
he was satisfied, he looked around.
"Well, lookie what the 'trigger dragged in," someone said.
"Where are we?" Miya asked. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. After a
few moments the pain passed and she realized she is beside Nic and looked around.
It was a street of some sort. Lamp posts lit the darkness, even though the street
was not that long. Three people sat leaning against a water fountain in the middle
of the street. At the end of the street, were five dots of light. Behind Nic and Miya
was another dot of light. They were at the other end. Miya realized these dots must
be gates.
The strangest thing was this street was all that existed. The street ended
abruptly in both directions, and no roads led off. All that existed besides the
street was blackness. This bothered Miya to no measure. "Where are we?"
Miya asked again.
"Great. More people that don't know what they are doing," the same voice, a
female one, said. Miya looked to the fountain.
There was only one female. She had short black hair, cut off at her ears. Her
face was white and the shape of her eyes made Miya think she was Japanese,
but something about her that made Miya think otherwise. She held a weapon
neither Miya or Nic had ever seen before. A giant Shuriken. And to top it all off,
she looked like a teenager. She was smiling at them with a mischievous glint in
her eyes.
"Dear gods, Yuffie, will you behave?" one of the men said. The man stood up.
He was pretty tall, maybe just a bit shorter than Nic. His blonde hair was the most
unruly mat of hair Miya had ever seen in her life. A giant broadsword was sheathed
on his back. His big blue eyes shocked Miya, letting her know the other was not
fully human.
The girl, Yuffie, glared at the man. "I want to go home," she spat out, folding
her arms. "How will we get home if they don't know what they are doing?"
"Who said they are here to help us? They may want to kill us. Look, the guy
isn't even human," the man said. They both looked to Nic and Miyabe.
(Ionic Butterfly: The tail's a dead givaway.)
Nic stood and helped Miya up. He stood in front of her, and reached behind his
back, closing his hand around his telescopic Bo.
"There is no need for aggression on anyone's part," the third person said, standing
up. He was dressed in complete black. A black cloak was pulled tightly around him.
The hat he wore hid his eyes. "Welcome, Nicodemus, Miyabe," he said.
Nic's grip tightened on his Bo. "Who are you?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "Why, I am the guru of time. Gaspar, of course. Who else
sent for you?" he asked.
"Why did you bring us here?" Nic asked, angry at the cloaked figure.
Gaspar shrugged. "That depends on which letter you received. Even then, I can't
be sure. All that matters is that you are here."
"Who are they?" Nic asked.
"Well, this charming young lady is Yuffie Kisaragi. And this man is Cloud Strife.
Yuffie, Cloud, meet Nicodemus Maza and Miyabe Tendo," Gasper said.
For a time no one said anything. "Well, come on, let's be nice. No one's done
anyone any harm, so let's say we get along and be nice," the guru said, a almost
charming smile playing on his features.
Cloud sighed and walked over to Nic. He held out his hand. Nic hesitated then
took Cloud by the forearm. Nic wondered exactly what Cloud was. He was human,
yet there was something foreign about that.
Yuffie rolled her eyes then followed suit. "So have you actually got a 'trigger and
a key?" she asked after shaking hands with both Nic and Miya.
"You know what they are?" Nic asked.
Cloud spoke before Yuffie could come back with a smart remark. "The set
controls time through gates. They once belonged to sages who were wise and
just... The sages were murdered and now the time sets belong to many different
people. How did you acquire yours?"
Nic pointed at Gaspar. "He sent it. Along with this map," he said pulling out the
map and showing it to Cloud.
Cloud smiled. "Home sweet home. The Old Man must have sent you here to take
Yuffie and me home."
"That must be it," the old man agreed.
"What is this place?" Miya asked, still intrigued by the small existence.
"This is the End of Time. When all worlds, realities, universes, whatever you want
to call them, ends, it comes here. It just takes a while to get here," Gaspar said.
"Infinity," Nic whispered.
"Amazing concept, isn't it, boy?" Gaspar asked.
"I am not a boy," Nic growled.
"Compared to me, you are," Gaspar said nonchalantly.
"So, like, are you going to take us home or not?" Yuffie asked.
"If I knew how, I would," Nic said.
Yuffie walked up to the old man and grabbed him by the collar. "Why did you send
amateurs?"
"Of all the worlds, they were the best suited. Trust me, little lady," he answered,
as he gently pried Yuffie's hands off of his person.
Cloud headed down the street, motioning for Nic and Miya to follow. He began
explaining. "These are called time gates, or just gates. Gate keys, like the one
Miyabe holds, can open them.
Now, the one you two fell through, is a controlled gate. Using the trigger, you
can pick the place you go. See how it was set to infinity? Well, that is the End of
Time. So you came through and ended up here. Now these five gates here are
determined gates. They only go to one place time whatever you want to call it. It
is best not to screw around with them. You could end up messing up another world.
This gate here," he said, pointing to a gate in the middle, "can be opened by
holding the key in front of it. This one is the gate back to my world or time,
however you want to look at it."
"So how did you get here?" Miyabe asked.
Cloud laughed a bit, looking to a fuming Yuffie. "Well, our world only had one set.
She was guarding it one night. But there was a..um.. a distraction, shall we say.
The set was stolen. She came to me for help, and when we tracked down the thief,
he brought us here, and left us. So we are trapped in infinity until someone takes
us home," he said.
"So all we have to do is use this key to get you home?" Miyaasked. Cloud
nodded.
"Hold it, not true. There are four of us," Yuffie said.
Cloud grimaced, and Gaspar chuckled back at the fountain. "Only three can
pass through a gate at a time. So one of you would have to stay here and bring us
through, then go back," Cloud said.
"That's not going to happen. Miya will take you two through one at a time so I'll
be with her," Nic said quickly, not fully trusting the strangers.
Cloud nodded. "Alright. Is she your wife?"
"In a sense, yes," Nic answered.
"Then I understand completely," Cloud laughed. "Oh, how I miss my wife. And
my daughter. And my newborn son," he said.
"How long have you been here?" Miya asked.
"Almost a year. Time passes strangely here. Maybe a week has passed in my
world," Cloud said softly.
"Well, let's get you home then," Miya said, taking Nic's arm.
"Yuffie, you go first. And don't run off either. I'll need your help getting anywhere,"
Cloud said.
"Yes, father," Yuffie mocked, taking Miya's other arm.
They slowly walked toward the gate, and were pulled through the same way as
the other gate. They hit ground. Nic and Miya found themselves beneath a beautiful
blue sky on a beach.
Yuffie swore. "Hurry. Go back and get Cloud. It's dangerous here," she said,
looking around warily.
Miya and Nic did as they were told. The process was repeated, Cloud said a week
might have passed. They emerged back in Cloud's world to find Yuffie surrounded
by creatures resembling Gamera. There were two of them, but the danger was
evident.
Yuffie was fighting with her weapon, and Cloud instantly drew his sword, jumping
into the fight. Nic stood back, guarding Miya. As Cloud and Yuffie focused on
one of the beasts, the other turned its attention to Nic and Miya.
"Cloud! What the hell is going on!?" Nic yelled, backing up.
"Ever since our set was lost, these creatures have been raiding our lands! Just
kill them!" Cloud yelled back.
"Kill?" Miya said behind him.
"Don't go PETA on me now, Miya." Nic said to her.
Nic realized Miya had never seen any thing of this kind before, and realized she
must really be scared. He took a deep breath and concentrated, then said the
words, "Fulminos Venite!"
Nic felt the familiar surge of power flow through his body, just before lightning
shot from his hands, and hit both beasts in the face, stunning them. Cloud and
Yuffie stared for a moment, and Nic had enough sense to cover Miya's eyes
before they quit staring and put the finishing touches on the beasts.
Nic felt Miya holding onto him, her face buried in his shoulder with fear. He felt
tired from the spell, unintentionally putting more power into the spell. "It's okay,
Miya," he whispered to her .
"Whoa, man! What was that? That was pretty awesome," Yuffie cried
out. "What kind of materia can do that?"
"Materia?" Nic asked.
"Yuf, I think that was _real_ magic," Cloud said. Yuffie's eyes at the implications if
the statement is true.
"Come on, let's get out of here before their friends and family show up," Cloud said.
Somehow, instinctively, Nic knew Miya was pretty scared. She could fight fairly well,
but her weapons of choice, the Yumi, were at her apartment. Kenpo may get her killed
in this world. Then again Cloud and Yuffie used hand weapons against those Gamera
things
"We did what we were suppose too. We're heading back."
"Nic, I am so sorry...," Miya said.
"For what?"
"I dropped it. I don't know where it is... I looked but it is not here...," Miya said.
"You dropped the key?" everyone asked in unison. Miya winced.
"No matter." Cloud said. "We can find another one."
"But you said only one was here and it was stolen," Nic said.
"Well, since the gate is open, so many fly through here. We can find one," he said.
"Okay, well whatever we are going to do, we need to do right now," Yuffie said,
seeing humps out in the ocean moving in their direction.
"Follow me," Cloud said, taking off in a slow run. Everyone followed.
"I'm sorry," Miya muttered.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way back. It'll be okay," Nic said just to comfort her,
not believing his own words.
End Part One
by
The Ionic Butterfly(aurelia_@yahoo.com)
Ranwolf(ranwolf@hotmail.com)
All Gargoyles characters belong to Disney/Buena vista studios. Characters
from the Final Fantasy series, Chronotrigger etc. belong to Square and Squaresoft.
The Characters of Nic Maza and Miyabe Tendo belong to Ranwolf and Ionic,
respectively. C&C are always welcomed. Flames will be read, considered, laughed
at, then burned. (Get it? Flames? Burned? ^_^)
CHAPTER 1: TO INFINITY...
Nicodemus Maza smiled to himself when he heard the water from the shower
being turned off. He was cooking dinner for his mate, Miyabe, at her apartment.
He turned off the burner beneath the chicken soup, and with a gloved hand, pulled
the rolls out of the oven.
Miyabe had just finished her shower that she had promised, "would only take a
minute." Nic had started dinner when she began. Now that she was finished, so
was she. He began setting the dinner table.
"Hon? Dinner's waiting," Nic called out. Miya strolled into the kitchen, smiling.
Nic's mind raced when he saw her.
Dressed in a white tee shirt, blue jeans shorts, and socks, she was still stunning.
Her waist-length jet black hair was still wet but combed neatly away from her face.
The steam from the shower had turned her face from its usual porcelain white to a
temporary red. The red brought out her jade-green eyes, which Nic would swear
were sparkling.
Nic smiled back at her as she locked arms with him to give him a quick kiss.
He caught a whiff of her shampoo, or maybe it was her soap, but it smelled good.
"Dinner smells delicious," Miya said, sitting down at the table.
So do you, Nic considered saying, but kept it to himself as he sat down. As
soon as he was seated, the doorbell rang.
(Ranwolf: Don't you hate it when that happens?
Ionic Butterfly: Yup. THat's why I have an electric doormat.
Ranwolf: *raises an eyebrow* Whats it do? *As if on cue, the lights in the room flicker
and a muffled scream is heard* Oh.)
Nic and Miya sat staring at one another for a moment wondering who it could be.
"I'll get it," Miya finally said.
"Stay put. I'll get it," Nic said, and went to answer the door.
He kept his tail carefully hidden behind his left leg as he opened the door. It was
a deliveryman dressed in a light blue uniform. Nic felt the skin at the back of his
neck prickle at the sight of him, but wasn't sure why. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Is this the apartment of Mr. Nicodemus Maza and Miss Miyabe Tendo?" the
man looking at a clipboard asked in a high pitched voice.
Nic wondered how anyone knew his name and that he was staying with Miya.
"Yes, it is," he answered slowly, the prickly feeling increasing slightly.
"Great. Well, if I could just get you both to sign on these lines, I have a few
packages for you," the man said, his voice a little steadier now.
Nic wondered if it was fear in the man's voice. He studied the man a little more
closely, and read the name on his shirt. The man's name was Masa. His shirt
said he was from the Zeal Wind Delivery Co. He spoke in slight accent he couldn't
quite place. Nic was wary, and called to Miya. "Miya... Come here, please" he said.
Nic took the clipboard from Masa and signed his name on a line. Miya appeared
behind him, and he felt her hand on the back of his shoulder. Masa touched his
hat in a gesture of respect for her. "Package for you, miss. If you would just sign..."
he said.
Miya smiled and took the clipboard from Nic, signing her name. "Do you know
who it's from?" she asked.
"Sorry, Miss Tendo, I'm only a delivery man," Mune said.
"Brother, are you almost finished?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Almost," Masa answered. He gave Nic a lopsided grin. "My brother," he said,
jerking his thumb in the direction of the voice. He handed a small package to Miya,
and a larger one to Nic. He also handed Nic a hefty envelope.
"Look, brother! I'm the wind!" the second voice called from the hall. Nic peered
out to see a boy dressed in the similar uniformas his brother with his arms spread
wide, running in small circles.
"Mune, behave!" Masa hissed. The boy, Mune, smiled sheepishly and
stopped.
"Be sure to tell them! Can I tell them? Please? Can I?" Muneasked, running
up beside his brother.
"Yes, Mune, you can tell them," Mune sighed.
"Those who sent this said, that you must be warned to be careful. Careful and
to keep your gifts in your possession at all times,"Masa said proudly.
"I thought you said you didn't know who sent it!" Nic said, suspicion creeping
into his voice.
"We don't. We only know what the company tells us," Mune said, his voice
getting higher.
Nic nodded. Turning from the door, he used his thermograph vision to quickly
scan the packages, making sure no bombs or harmful devices had been placed
inside. Inside, he saw saw something but couldn't make it out, but he did not
deem them dangerous.
Miyabe had been staring at him. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Nic nodded and turned back to the door. Masa and Mune were gone. He stuck
his head out of the door, looking to see where they went. They were gone, just
like the wind. Nic went over to the window to try to see if there was a delivery
van of some sort. It was dark outside but using his night-vision he can easily see
in the darkness. Nothing was there.
"That's strange," Nic said. He wondered who was on patrol and if they had seen
anything.
"What is it?" Miya asked.
"They're gone. Something's not right. Didn't you sense it?" Nic asked, looking to
his mate.
"Well, just a bit. But I'm not sure what," she admitted.
Nic sighed in frustration. "Let's open these over dinner," hesaid, heading back
to the kitchen. Miya followed him.
Nic watched carefully as Miya opened her package. Inside was a metal box.
She slowly opened the box, and inside was a piece of copper jewelry. A thick
and massive chain was attached to a pendant of some sort. Miya held it up,
and the pendant caught the light and sparkled. It reminded them both of a large key.
"Isn't it pretty?" Miya asked. Nic nodded, and impatiently opened his box.
Inside his metal box, was also a piece of copper. Nic picked it up to inspect it.
It was in the shape of an egg, but reminded Nic of a compass. The dial on it
could be moved manually, though. The dial stopped in five different places. Words
of some sort were written in some other language on each of the five stops.
Miya noticed that in the top of the pendant was a symbol that greatly resembled
the egg-like compass in Nic's hands. She quietly showed Nic her discovery. He
nodded and started to open the envelope. He noticed then that no postmark or
any kind of price paid was on the boxes or envelope.
"Wait a minute," he said. "Miya, I know New York is strange, but what delivery
service delivers after seven at night?"
Miya stared at him and then found a phone book. She quickly tried to find
Zeal Wind Delivery Co., but found nothing. She grabbed up the phone and dialed
information. The operator informed her there was no listing for Zeal wind.
"Nic, they don't exist," she said, scratching her head.
A soft breeze passed through the room. "Nic-chan, the window isn't open,"
Miya said, moving closer to him.
"Look, brother, I'm the wind!" Mune had said.
Nic also remembered the boy's strange warning. "What in hell..?," he wondered.
He tore open the envelope, hoping to find some answers. He read the letter aloud.
Nicodemus and Miyabe,
You have not met me yet. But I have met you. We need you're help,
but when you meet me, I will not know with what. I do not know now.
You hold in your hands a set of devices called a Gate Key and a
Chronotrigger (or Time Controller). Only four sets were ever made,
but with the way time has been corrupted, too many exist. Many people
have died to get this set to you. We need your help. Please, at
midnight this very night, be at the tree marked on the map. Be sure
to bring the set.
Gaspar
"What sense did that make?" Miya asked. "This is getting a little too weird."
Nic reread the letter twice before answering. "I'm not really sure. Think I'll take
this to the guys back at the castle, see what they have to say."
Miya bit her lip. "Then I'm going with you," she said.
"I don't think so." Nic answered flatly.
Miya smiled a bit, knowing she would go but not wanting to argue. After a long
eye-lock, she asked, "So where is this map Gasper spoke about?"
Nic turned the page to see a map of Central Park. Miya looked over his shoulder.
"Cleopatra's Needle" she said. "Didn't Elisa have somekind of problem there a
few years ago?"
Nic grinned. "Yeah, you could say that."
"Are you going to go?" she asked craftily, still knowing she was going.
"I think I have to," Nic said.
"It could be Quarrymen, you know," Miya warned.
Nic nodded. "If it is, How would they know about you? It's not like we're on the
news. We can pass for a human couple pretty easily," he said.
"What if they found out somehow? Maybe it's a trap. If they have us, the others
would surely come after us." Miya said.
Nic sighed, turning to the next page of the letter. He was now staring at another
map. This map was much older. The paper was stiff and had a brownish tint from
age. It was of a world Nic had never seen. The words were again in another language,
the same language as that on the Chronotrigger.
The map intrigued Nic for some strange reason. He didn't want to put Miya in
danger, but could all but read the determination on her face. "You can go with me
to the castle," he said.
Miya smiled. I'm going further than that, she thought.
"Let's eat. Then we'll go," he said.
*****
"Who did ye say sent this?," Hudson asked, holding the Gate Key up to his
good eye.
"These two guys from Zeal Wind Delivery Co. Their names were Masa and Mune.
Strangely enough, they didn't know who it was from. How did they know _my_ name,
and that I could be found at Miya's?," Nic said.
Lexington was holding the Chronotrigger, completely amazed. "I've never seen
anything like this. It's... so old ,yet so advanced at the same time. It seems to
contain some sort of power." he said.
Nic looked at Lexington with a wry grin. "What gave you that idea?" he asked.
Lexington looked up. "I just... Are you poking fun of me?" he asked, smiling.
Miya let out a small laugh.
"Ever seen that writing before, Hudson?" Nic asked, showing him the ancient map.
"Nay. But if ye gave us a few nights we be able to figure it out," the gargoyle
answered. "Perhaps the Grinorum will have answers."
Miya blinked. "I heard it was destroyed."
"You really think Xanatos didn't make a copy or two, just in case?," Lex replied.
Bronx wandered into the room to see what was going on. Miya smiled at him
and he sat down at her feet.
"We don't have that much time. Where's Brooklyn and Broadway?" Nic asked.
"Brooklyn went out with Avery, Angela and Broadway are watching the hatchlings"
"What about Pop?"
"Elisa's place."
"So, do you think it's a trap?" Miya blurted out. Everyone looked at her. "What?
Like it couldn't be Quarrymen?" she asked.
"I dinna think aboot that," Hudson said.
"I'm going to find Brooklyn and Broadway. We'll all go to the park at midnight,"
Lexington said.
"No. Someone has to stay here with Miya," Nic said.
"I'm going," she said stubbornly.
Nic sighed and shook his head. "You are not," he said.
"Bronx kin stay with her," Hudson said, "I dinna think he'll mind." Bronx seemed
to grin in response.
"I'm going." Miya said stubbornly. "That's final."
*****
"I don't beleive they left me behind!!!!" Miyabe yelled, when Avery found
the short japanese woman in a closet a few minutes after the others had left.
"What's going on here?" Avery asked. "Who locked you in the closet?"
Avery saw Miya's eyes smoulder in anger, if she didn't know better she'd
say they were about to light up. Bronx whimpered at her side looking distraught
at Miya, as he followed her.
"Nic no yaro..." she hissed, making her way past the hybrid. Miya stormed
her way to where her things were.
Angela was coming out of the bathroom when she spotted Miya with Avery
following a short distance behind. "What's worng with Miyabe?," she asked Avery.
"I don't know," the blond hybrid answered, "but the girl's pissed and it has
something to do with your brother."
"CHIKUSO!!!" The two heard Miya scream. "He took my keys!"
"Miya, what in the world is going on?" Angela asked, trying to calm Miya down.
Miya told them about the packages and the map. "So Nic locked you in the closet?"
Miyabe nodded. "Hai" She then said something that roughly translated to:
"When I find him, I'm gonna rip his tail off and stuff it down his throat!"
"Miya," said Avery to her, "deep breaths. You're going to give yourself
aneurism." Miya did as told. After a few seconds she visibly calmed. "Feel better?"
"A little, but I'm still gonna kill him. The letter asked both of us to be there."
"Well then, let's go," Avery said, heading to her room and quickly returning
with a set of keys and a pair of black, police-issue nightsticks.
"I suppose you want me to keep watching the hatchlings?" Angela asked wryly.
"Would you?"
Angela sighed. "I don't have much choice, do I?" She watched as her friends
headed out to head to Central Park. Angela looked down at her swollen belly,
placing her hand gently on it "As much as I love being pregnant..." She left the
statement hanging in the air.
(Ionic Butterfly: Wouldn't someone have noticed the screaming coming
from the closet before this scene takes place?
Ranwolf: Uhm... It's one of those flubs that show up in stories every once in a while.
Ionic Butterfly: Oh. So you put that in on purpose.
Ranwolf: Uh.. Yeah? )
*****
Nic, disguise to look as human as he could, was sitting at a bench near
the Needle. He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for. Four gargoyles
were hidden within the vicinity. He had the Chronotrigger and Gate Key in
one of his trench coat pockets, and the ancient map in another. He looked
at his watch. It was ten 'til midnight.
The only thing on his mind was how angry Miyabe had been when he really
left her behind at the castle with Bronx. He knew hell was going to have to be
paid to get her to even speak to him again, but she was so worth it.
He began fidgeting with a loose string on his coat when he heard a rustle in
the bushes behind the bench. He turned slowly, hearing a familiar scratching.
"Would you quit it?" he heard a very familiar voice ask.
"Miya?!," he all but yelled. Bronx crept from the bushes where he
had started digging. "I told you to keep her at the castle! Why didn't
you?," Nic demanded. Bronx whimpered apologetically, and tried to hide
under his paws
"Don't blame him," Avery said coming out with Miya. Nic groaned.
"Look, whoever wanted you here, wanted both of you. Miya told me what
was going on so I brought herI had to," she said.
Miyabe's and Avery's appearance brought the other gargoyles from hiding. They
all stared at Bronx, who seemed to cringe.
"Don't blame him. Blame me," Miya said.
Nic stood up and hugged Miya close. "Why?" he whispered again.
Suddenly, a surge of heat burned Nic's leg. Being so close, Miya jumped back
from it too. Nic looked to his pocket and reached in, pulling out the Gate Key. It
burned his gloved hand, and he dropped it, swearing under his breath. "Fuck!!"
Miya reached down and picked it up. It was cool to her touch. Everyone just
stared without saying a word. Nic pulled out the Chronotrigger, and saw the dial
moving on its own. It was going haywire, moving from all its points very quickly.
It stopped on the right-most symbol, which Nic then realized what the symbol was.
It was the symbol for infinity.
Nic glanced at his watch. The face read five seconds 'til midnight, and then the
hands began moving on their own, going as fast as they could. The wind picked up.
Nic was eerily reminded of the boy playing in the hallway.
A flash of light lit the air, causing the gargoyles to be on guard. The wind stopped,
and so did the hands on Nic's watch. He tried to move the dial of the Chronotrigger
to another position, but it would not turn.
"What sort of magic is this?" Hudson asked, just to break the silence.
Miya noticed something behind Hudson at that point. It was a small purplish-blue
dot of... light? She moved closer, holding the gate key in front of her. The dot
enlarged with every step.
Nic and the rest had now taken notice. "What the...?" Lexington gasped.
Miya looked to Nic. He grabbed her arm. She kept moving forward. He followed.
Soon, all they could see was the light, and even though Miya tried to stop, some
force was pulling her within. Nic was pulled along with her. They both fell into the
light.
Nic heard Hudson yell, "Nooo!" and saw the elder reach out for them before the
light closed them off from the park. The light surrounded them, flying very quickly
past them. They were falling now. Falling was not the best word, since Nic and
Miya both felt they were on some sort of roller coaster, heading toward a
predetermined point. Where that point is, Nic had no idea.
Suddenly, they hit something hard. Nic heard Miya groan, and since the light
was gone and he could see her, he instantly made sure she was all right. When
he was satisfied, he looked around.
"Well, lookie what the 'trigger dragged in," someone said.
"Where are we?" Miya asked. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. After a
few moments the pain passed and she realized she is beside Nic and looked around.
It was a street of some sort. Lamp posts lit the darkness, even though the street
was not that long. Three people sat leaning against a water fountain in the middle
of the street. At the end of the street, were five dots of light. Behind Nic and Miya
was another dot of light. They were at the other end. Miya realized these dots must
be gates.
The strangest thing was this street was all that existed. The street ended
abruptly in both directions, and no roads led off. All that existed besides the
street was blackness. This bothered Miya to no measure. "Where are we?"
Miya asked again.
"Great. More people that don't know what they are doing," the same voice, a
female one, said. Miya looked to the fountain.
There was only one female. She had short black hair, cut off at her ears. Her
face was white and the shape of her eyes made Miya think she was Japanese,
but something about her that made Miya think otherwise. She held a weapon
neither Miya or Nic had ever seen before. A giant Shuriken. And to top it all off,
she looked like a teenager. She was smiling at them with a mischievous glint in
her eyes.
"Dear gods, Yuffie, will you behave?" one of the men said. The man stood up.
He was pretty tall, maybe just a bit shorter than Nic. His blonde hair was the most
unruly mat of hair Miya had ever seen in her life. A giant broadsword was sheathed
on his back. His big blue eyes shocked Miya, letting her know the other was not
fully human.
The girl, Yuffie, glared at the man. "I want to go home," she spat out, folding
her arms. "How will we get home if they don't know what they are doing?"
"Who said they are here to help us? They may want to kill us. Look, the guy
isn't even human," the man said. They both looked to Nic and Miyabe.
(Ionic Butterfly: The tail's a dead givaway.)
Nic stood and helped Miya up. He stood in front of her, and reached behind his
back, closing his hand around his telescopic Bo.
"There is no need for aggression on anyone's part," the third person said, standing
up. He was dressed in complete black. A black cloak was pulled tightly around him.
The hat he wore hid his eyes. "Welcome, Nicodemus, Miyabe," he said.
Nic's grip tightened on his Bo. "Who are you?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "Why, I am the guru of time. Gaspar, of course. Who else
sent for you?" he asked.
"Why did you bring us here?" Nic asked, angry at the cloaked figure.
Gaspar shrugged. "That depends on which letter you received. Even then, I can't
be sure. All that matters is that you are here."
"Who are they?" Nic asked.
"Well, this charming young lady is Yuffie Kisaragi. And this man is Cloud Strife.
Yuffie, Cloud, meet Nicodemus Maza and Miyabe Tendo," Gasper said.
For a time no one said anything. "Well, come on, let's be nice. No one's done
anyone any harm, so let's say we get along and be nice," the guru said, a almost
charming smile playing on his features.
Cloud sighed and walked over to Nic. He held out his hand. Nic hesitated then
took Cloud by the forearm. Nic wondered exactly what Cloud was. He was human,
yet there was something foreign about that.
Yuffie rolled her eyes then followed suit. "So have you actually got a 'trigger and
a key?" she asked after shaking hands with both Nic and Miya.
"You know what they are?" Nic asked.
Cloud spoke before Yuffie could come back with a smart remark. "The set
controls time through gates. They once belonged to sages who were wise and
just... The sages were murdered and now the time sets belong to many different
people. How did you acquire yours?"
Nic pointed at Gaspar. "He sent it. Along with this map," he said pulling out the
map and showing it to Cloud.
Cloud smiled. "Home sweet home. The Old Man must have sent you here to take
Yuffie and me home."
"That must be it," the old man agreed.
"What is this place?" Miya asked, still intrigued by the small existence.
"This is the End of Time. When all worlds, realities, universes, whatever you want
to call them, ends, it comes here. It just takes a while to get here," Gaspar said.
"Infinity," Nic whispered.
"Amazing concept, isn't it, boy?" Gaspar asked.
"I am not a boy," Nic growled.
"Compared to me, you are," Gaspar said nonchalantly.
"So, like, are you going to take us home or not?" Yuffie asked.
"If I knew how, I would," Nic said.
Yuffie walked up to the old man and grabbed him by the collar. "Why did you send
amateurs?"
"Of all the worlds, they were the best suited. Trust me, little lady," he answered,
as he gently pried Yuffie's hands off of his person.
Cloud headed down the street, motioning for Nic and Miya to follow. He began
explaining. "These are called time gates, or just gates. Gate keys, like the one
Miyabe holds, can open them.
Now, the one you two fell through, is a controlled gate. Using the trigger, you
can pick the place you go. See how it was set to infinity? Well, that is the End of
Time. So you came through and ended up here. Now these five gates here are
determined gates. They only go to one place time whatever you want to call it. It
is best not to screw around with them. You could end up messing up another world.
This gate here," he said, pointing to a gate in the middle, "can be opened by
holding the key in front of it. This one is the gate back to my world or time,
however you want to look at it."
"So how did you get here?" Miyabe asked.
Cloud laughed a bit, looking to a fuming Yuffie. "Well, our world only had one set.
She was guarding it one night. But there was a..um.. a distraction, shall we say.
The set was stolen. She came to me for help, and when we tracked down the thief,
he brought us here, and left us. So we are trapped in infinity until someone takes
us home," he said.
"So all we have to do is use this key to get you home?" Miyaasked. Cloud
nodded.
"Hold it, not true. There are four of us," Yuffie said.
Cloud grimaced, and Gaspar chuckled back at the fountain. "Only three can
pass through a gate at a time. So one of you would have to stay here and bring us
through, then go back," Cloud said.
"That's not going to happen. Miya will take you two through one at a time so I'll
be with her," Nic said quickly, not fully trusting the strangers.
Cloud nodded. "Alright. Is she your wife?"
"In a sense, yes," Nic answered.
"Then I understand completely," Cloud laughed. "Oh, how I miss my wife. And
my daughter. And my newborn son," he said.
"How long have you been here?" Miya asked.
"Almost a year. Time passes strangely here. Maybe a week has passed in my
world," Cloud said softly.
"Well, let's get you home then," Miya said, taking Nic's arm.
"Yuffie, you go first. And don't run off either. I'll need your help getting anywhere,"
Cloud said.
"Yes, father," Yuffie mocked, taking Miya's other arm.
They slowly walked toward the gate, and were pulled through the same way as
the other gate. They hit ground. Nic and Miya found themselves beneath a beautiful
blue sky on a beach.
Yuffie swore. "Hurry. Go back and get Cloud. It's dangerous here," she said,
looking around warily.
Miya and Nic did as they were told. The process was repeated, Cloud said a week
might have passed. They emerged back in Cloud's world to find Yuffie surrounded
by creatures resembling Gamera. There were two of them, but the danger was
evident.
Yuffie was fighting with her weapon, and Cloud instantly drew his sword, jumping
into the fight. Nic stood back, guarding Miya. As Cloud and Yuffie focused on
one of the beasts, the other turned its attention to Nic and Miya.
"Cloud! What the hell is going on!?" Nic yelled, backing up.
"Ever since our set was lost, these creatures have been raiding our lands! Just
kill them!" Cloud yelled back.
"Kill?" Miya said behind him.
"Don't go PETA on me now, Miya." Nic said to her.
Nic realized Miya had never seen any thing of this kind before, and realized she
must really be scared. He took a deep breath and concentrated, then said the
words, "Fulminos Venite!"
Nic felt the familiar surge of power flow through his body, just before lightning
shot from his hands, and hit both beasts in the face, stunning them. Cloud and
Yuffie stared for a moment, and Nic had enough sense to cover Miya's eyes
before they quit staring and put the finishing touches on the beasts.
Nic felt Miya holding onto him, her face buried in his shoulder with fear. He felt
tired from the spell, unintentionally putting more power into the spell. "It's okay,
Miya," he whispered to her .
"Whoa, man! What was that? That was pretty awesome," Yuffie cried
out. "What kind of materia can do that?"
"Materia?" Nic asked.
"Yuf, I think that was _real_ magic," Cloud said. Yuffie's eyes at the implications if
the statement is true.
"Come on, let's get out of here before their friends and family show up," Cloud said.
Somehow, instinctively, Nic knew Miya was pretty scared. She could fight fairly well,
but her weapons of choice, the Yumi, were at her apartment. Kenpo may get her killed
in this world. Then again Cloud and Yuffie used hand weapons against those Gamera
things
"We did what we were suppose too. We're heading back."
"Nic, I am so sorry...," Miya said.
"For what?"
"I dropped it. I don't know where it is... I looked but it is not here...," Miya said.
"You dropped the key?" everyone asked in unison. Miya winced.
"No matter." Cloud said. "We can find another one."
"But you said only one was here and it was stolen," Nic said.
"Well, since the gate is open, so many fly through here. We can find one," he said.
"Okay, well whatever we are going to do, we need to do right now," Yuffie said,
seeing humps out in the ocean moving in their direction.
"Follow me," Cloud said, taking off in a slow run. Everyone followed.
"I'm sorry," Miya muttered.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way back. It'll be okay," Nic said just to comfort her,
not believing his own words.
End Part One