A Light That Never Comes

PROLOGUE:

Undisclosed Location

Gran Nuva

16 years ago...

"...Good evening, this is CyberNews with your host as always, Cait Sith. Tonight's news: a murder in Gran Nuva leads police to the serial killer naming himself "Jack the Ripper", and today marks the 95th anniversary of the GC's founding. But first, our top story for tonight: the fall of ACCorp."

"For a year now, ACCorp has been under constant investigation after rumors of illegal human testing, as well as destructive projects that are considered against business rules. Sources from the GC have stated that an investigation will begin in the next few months regarding ACCorp. If the rumors are revealed to be true, ACCorp could be facing consequential charges that could lead to bankruptcy, and it's CEO, Alex Armstrong, to a sentence that Nuva Pulse hadn't seen since."

"In regards to the fact that ACCorp has yet to be facing charges for their crimes, stocks in the company has been decreasing for the past year, and if ACCorp is found innocent, it could be a while before their financial budget-"

The TV in the room blacked out, leaving the moonlight as the only source of light. The room was large than any regular office, with glass walls for a perfect view of the city below them, a desk with a computer on it near the far side near the back of the office, a coffee table and lounge chairs to the side along with a television built into the wall near the door.

In the office chair sat a man in his early 30s, with dark hair and dressed in a black suit, holding a glass as he glared at the television, even though he shut it off.

"Damn Midgarian moron." the man breathed as he shot the glass empty. Moving away from his desk towards a glass cabinet with various drinks, he took out a bottle of alcohol. As he closed the cabinet shut, he caught his own reflection glaring back at him. Was this... replica really him? Normally, he was more at a standstill when he faces his own self, despite what situation either he or his company had gotten into. He could just release a wave of confidence that would cause others whom were chickenhearted to join him in his tranquil state. But even as of now, his zombie-like skin and bags under his eyes wouldn't bring said state to anyone, causing mass panic throughout everything.

He sealed his eyes, drifting away from the cabinet containing his reflection and to one of many glass windows as he looked down. The darkest of night has already fallen, for this time people from their jobs were returning home, have dinner, and maybe a late night program before they went to bed. However, it was never a routine for this man. He didn't even have the time for cooked meals, or any program on television.

Not even a family.

Not when he had a company as large as ACCorp to run.

Couldn't even have a moment's break from his job. If that happened, something catastrophic will happen worse than the company's fall.

The faint sound of an opening door caught his ears, eyes darting from the city below to the reflection of his secretary, whom was looking at his back.

"He's here to see you, Mr. Armstrong."

"...Dismissed." Armstrong muttered loud enough for his secretary to hear, walking out and leaving the door open. A moment later, another figure walked in, Armstrong not paying attention to observe the man. He's met him many times already, and was able to remember everything about him, from his messy blonde hair, rectangular glasses, and his lab coat that made him have the appearance of a mad scientist.

"Mr. Armstrong."

"Formalities were your strong point, Jack, but now is not the time." The men sat down at the seat and behind the desk, sliding a glass that he had fetched earlier and placed it in front of the scientist.

"I make it a habit to not drink on the job, Alex." He pushed the glass slightly away, CEO shrugging and taking the glass back. "So, how much are we in hell?"

"If CyberNews Network continues to report this rumor garbage, our stocks would be worth nothing more than paper towels."

"Stocks should be the smallest of our worries. We're about to be inspected by the GC, and if they find out what we've been doing, you, me, hell! Even the company could be accused for illegal experimentation on humans, a charge that's the half-baked side of ACCorp!"

Armstrong held the glass as he began to dive into his mind. He was able to evade the law for about a decade now, and there could be a way to prevent his company from bankruptcy and his freedom. "How long can we cease the warrants for our labs?"

"Anywhere from two to three days, that is, if they aren't slacking off and depending on whom they go through to get the DA."

The chairman nodded as he put the still full glass down, too deep in thought to have his focus gone. "...All right, I'll get in front of a camera tomorrow, I think we still have a few friends in CyberNews; tell them that we have plans to reform one of our labs to help the general public should get the press and people on our side to raise our stocks."

"That's all swell for the stocks, but what about when the GC finds the projects, Alex? How are you gonna get out of that one?" The scientist probed.

The CEO had predicted the answer to the question ever since he took ACCorp after his father, and with this crisis, he had to. "Shut it all down. Eliminate all data, including our research and findings, have all our top employees relocated, the rest let go and pay them handsomely so they keep their mouths shut."

"Are you crazy?! We've spent millions of munny on these projects each! If you suddenly decide to terminate them, there's hell to pay!"

"We've survived through worse before, and as long as the Mythril condensers generate enough to make power, and high stocks, we'll get the lost funds back in time." Armstrong poured himself another drink, now into his calm stature again.

"Then think about the pain-staking time and effort we sacrificed for those projects. Think about the things we were doing, to restore our world to it's natural state with no pollution, sir."

"I shall not be able to restore our world while in a maximum security prison cell, if my freedom must mean terminating the projects, then it has to be done."

"Sir, what about the CN Project?! The project that we promised to-"

"ENOUGH!" The chairman pounded his fist on the desk, shaking the entire piece of furniture and making Jack step back. "You seem to be having the impression that I want to get rid of the projects. However, the truth of the matter is that we've been close to the success of the CN Project that I am tempted to risk indictment to complete the CN Project and the others, but the risk is too great now. We need to end this mishap as soon as possible. How long will it take?"

"Well, if we hold the conference tomorrow, that might get the press to stop sticking their noses where it doesn't belong... We should be able to have all of the projects and programs shutdown and erased within a couple of hours after the conference, and if we're lucky, the GC will be off our backs."

The scientist began to make his way towards the door, but the chairman stopped him. "Jack, I'm sorry about having to shut down the CN Project and countless others. I know how long your time and effort was put into the CN Project, but you must understand-"

"Alex, how long have we known each other?"

"Since we were kids."

"Since we were colleagues, before that, the best of friends. After that, before ACCorp, it was a mere private military company and weapons manufacturer. I don't enjoy the fact that I'm to close down the project after using up five years on it, but if it has to be this way, I will follow orders." Jack readjusted his glasses, getting up from the chair and towards the door.

"Thank you for understanding, Jack."

The scientist nodded and made his way out of the office, closing the door soundlessly behind him. The CEO, on the other hand, huffed out of his nostrils as he looked out the window. "Maybe one day, we'll continue..."

Okay, okay, I know it's been a long time since I've posted. Okay; not that long, just about two months. A lot has changed for me, but I'm back (and hopefully). So here's my crack shot at my first Kingdom Hearts fanfic, and I hope it'll serve well as it is somewhat influenced by Jared Someone's Jenova; well, ONLY the prologue. The rest will an original from me.

Now, as for Protocol: Omega for those readers whom have read it, you can tell it has taken a major time gap because it's hard for me to decide whom to write next.

Hopefully, you'll enjoy my first outing for a Kingdom Hearts fanfic.

-Link234521.