I've been a puppy for approximately three hours. Two and a half in which I've been howling at this door.
Professor Hojo's magic monster potion apparently was not the failure he thought it was; it was a completely different type of failure. I was no monster, but a medium sized puppy infused with Mako energy who did not have the power to turn knobs. And so here I was. Howling at the doorway until someone got curious enough to open it.
Clawing at the steel entrance I gave a few whines, one of those adorable ones puppies do when you're almost home, just in view, but not quite at the steps. Pricking my ears, I couldn't hear anyone coming towards the door.
Gotta do better.
Seeing as I couldn't hear anyone in the hallway with my super-dog hearing, I decided to change tactics; why not the vents? Padding over to the grated hole in the wall, I stiffened my stance. I took one step back with a hindleg, a step forward with a front leg. I lowered my head, and with a growl– "RRRUAAARRRFFF!"
The awesome bark echoed down the vent, into the many tunnels and passageways that inevitably lead to other rooms. "RRRUAAARRRFF!" Again, it reverberated down the hollow airway.
Then again, I reflected, no one is crawling through the vents. No one's even listening! It's not like the building's on fire and they're looking for survivors. Where would they go if they heard my barking anyways? I lowered my head, the tips of my ears and tail brushing the floor. A brilliant plan had quickly gone to waste. I tried a few more times, each time the bark appearing less awesome and more feeble. I sat on the floor in defeat, whining quietly to myself. I was hungry, I had barely eaten on the mission and hadn't eaten when I got back. I pitied the aching of my fluffy little belly. Giving a sigh, I returned to my post and slumped onto the floor, my nose tucked into the gap between the door and the floor. Another sigh.
Riiii-ing! Riii-ing! Ears pricked, my head swiveled toward the sound, eyes wide. My phone! I scrambled to my feet and bounded to the desk, hopping onto the chair to look at my vibrating savior. Placing my paws at the bottom of it and lightly grasping the top portion of the phone with my mouth, I flipped it open. I sniffed at it as I read who it was; Kunsel! Carefully, I lined up a claw to the button with the phone symbol and pushed it. Call received.
"Hey Zack, it's getting to be dinner time now. Do you wanna go out to eat? I'm not sure if you're on a mission now, but–"
"RURFF! RURFF! RUFF RUFF!" Kunsel! Kunsel, please help! I'm a dog, and–
"Umm, Zack? Hello? What's going on…?"
Right. I'm a dog. Desperate, I whined and barked. What else could I do?
"Zack, is that a dog? What're you doing with a dog, Zack?" I could hear surprised laughter fill his words. I whined and yelped– just, Kunsel, please!
"OK, OK, I get it. Get back on the phone Zack, and tell me what that dog is all about. Did you find it in the slums?" Whine, whine. "Hello...?" There was uncertainty in his voice; I feared he would hang up. "Zack?" he called. "Zack, you there?" I didn't know what I could do to make him come here. I did all I could. I continued barking, and in fear of Kunsel deciding to hang up, picked up the urgency of my voice. Squealing and yelping, I scratched at the desk, almost hoping that he would hear my desperate cries and follow them to my room.
"Zack? Zack?! ZACK?! Where are you?! What's going on?! Pick up!"
I paused. There were voices at the door.
I didn't very well want to leave Kunsel thinking I was unconscious somewhere with a injured dog, but the sooner I left the sooner I could call him back. I leaped for the door, crossing the room in moments and started barking.
"So I did hear something!" laughed a man just beyond the door.
"Is that a dog?!" exclaimed another. "What's a dog doing in the building?"
"Let's find out."
"I don't think we should–" The door slid open and I didn't wait a breath. By time they probably saw me I was already bolting down the hallway.
I turned the corner and made a bee-line for the elevator. The light above it went from red to green with a bing I could hear down the hall. The doors slid open. Well aren't I a lucky doggie? I laughed to myself with a grin. A SOLDIER dressed in blue stepped out as skidded past him and into the elevator.
"Boof!" See ya! I called behind him.
"What the–?"
"CATCH. THAT. DOG!" cried a voice down the corridor. Oh boy. I lifted my gaze to the buttons; they were out of reach, much like everything else in this unforgiving planet. Alright, I'll jump for it then! I raced forward and lunged for the buttons; I felt two leather hands grip my sides before I was pulled to the ground. I yelped as my body collided with the ground and immediately began to squirm and twist, kicking at the blue mass beside me on the floor.
"Just, keep… Still!" struggled the Third Class. I barked defiantly before slipping out of his gloves and into the hall; the other two SOLDIERS were right on top of me. The larger tried to grab me; I ducked, then lunged onto and off of the second's back once he leaned forward to snatch me. I landed and skidded on the floor behind them and started running, my paws slipping on the smooth floor uselessly. Finally picking up speed, I raced down the hallway like a bolt of black lightning. I'll go down the stairs instead.
Footsteps clattered behind me as I made my way to the double doors; just beyond those doors was the staircase. I don't think I can force the doors open. I pivoted on my pads and skidded to a halt in front of the doors. Time for a new plan! The three stopped just a few feet from me as I bared my teeth with my head down, a low growl emanating from my chest. Man, I must look fierce! Two of the men took out swords. Dog biscuits. I looked for a possible way out, but they were starting to approach; I was cornered. ...What do I got to lose? I sighed with a smile. I pivoted again, lunging at the doors, leaping off of them, and with a spin, clearing over the trio's heads. Oh, yeah! I barked with tail in the air once I landed.
"He what?!"
"That dog!"
"How...?!"
Before they recovered I made my way toward the staircase at the other end of the SOLDIER floor; if I was lucky, someone will open it just in time for me to get through. That, or I can get through the elevator. But for now, I heard the echo of boots hitting the floor behind me, I need to buy time. Ahead I saw the elevator, the light above it still green. I pushed on, trying to get my paws to move faster. Just. A little… Further! The light turned red. No, no, nu-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-NO! It was too late now; to the other staircase I fled.
Luckily the SOLDIER room floor was empty in the evening for the most part; the only people that were here were probably sleeping. Anyone I did see, however, were usually too shocked to give chase or simply weren't fast enough to catch me. I was at the staircase in no time. "Arff arff!" I cheered, breathing heavier. Then again, who would have the mind to climb several stories up to get to the rooms if you could just use the elevator? Another brilliant plan in the trash. Turning around I was cornered again, this time they stepped real close. I couldn't do the same trick this time; I didn't have enough space. I just needed to run past them.
"Shooosh, it's OK," cooed one, "just come here and we'll get you home."
"Yeah, on the street!" added the other with his gruff voice.
"Out-done by a dog…" huffed the newcomer in blue. "Just close-in on him, he won't be able to escape," he ordered in a disinterested tone. I backed up against the door; this was it. Alright, Zack... Let's go! With a breathe I ducked down low and tried to slip away as close to the wall as possible; hopefully Third Class Blue was too inexperienced to have the reflexes to catch me.
I felt their shadows trail off of my back and behind me and smiled before feeling two firm hands grip my sides and air churn under my paws. No, no, NO!
"Alright, alright– calm, hergh, down!" grunted Blue as he struggled to hold me. The others held my head and torso still and he adjusted his grip, both arms wrapped tightly around me. "He'd be a cutie if he wasn't– c'mon!– so, eugh, fiesty!"
"He's a clever dog, I'll give him that much," added another, rubbing underneath his chin. "Hey, does that dog have blue eyes?"
"Seems so," grunted the larger of the trio.
"Maybe he's one of Hojo's pets…" pondered Blue. I had stopped struggling, hoping that Blue would relax his grip, but then started barking, my tail wagging. Yes! I'm one of Hojo's pets. I'm Hojo's! Bring me to Hojo!
"Should we return him?" Yeeeessss!
"Ha! To Hojo?!" Grumpy laughed. "He's better off in the streets!" Nooooooo!
"Maybe we shouldn't do that…." murmured the nice one.
"Hey Morgan, the rules are the rules," Grumpy reassured him. "'No pets in the building!'"
"Unless they're Vice President Shinra's," huffed Blue quietly.
"You're just jealous you don't have a dog named 'Dark Nation'" Morgan, joked, trying to smile. The three made their way to the elevator, stepping inside and pressing button one. The Entrance floor. You don't understand! I need to get to Hojo! I'm Zack, SOLDIER First Class! Zack! I whined as we descended, but didn't struggle. There wouldn't be a use in breaking free in an elevator.
The unit stepped out of the elevator and down the stairs, civilians staring at them without even pretending to be doing something better. "Are you sure we should just throw him out, Landon?" Morgan tried one last time. "He's so cute, and he was in someone's room! What if they owned him?"
"The rules are the rules, Morgan," Landon huffed. "No animals!" Morgan looked at Blue for support, but unfortunately he had the sympathy of a walnut and shrugged at Morgan.
"Whatever stops him from making noise," he sighed. "Let's just get this over with." I wasn't going to be dragged along without a fight. Sorry, Blue.
Twisting my head I sunk my teeth into his gauntlet; frightening, sure, but I never drew any blood. Luckily, he fell for the bluff. Blue yelped in surprise before dropping me onto the floor– this was my last shot. I crossed the polished floor and was already going up the stairs by time Blue called "Get the dog, before he escapes!" The SOLDIERS and secretaries were not ready for the order; one tried to grab me but missed when I ducked under a table and swung around, passing him. Just have to get to the elevator…!
Again, the familiar feeling of being lifted into the air. I turned and snapped at my captor in an effort to startle them, but they didn't flinch. "It appears we have an animal problem," he calmly addressed to the trio. His dark eyes never left mine as I slowly stopped squirming. Tseng of the Turks! At first I was surprised, but then hopeful. Surely he could recognize me? The spiky hair? The scar?
Tseng, it's me, Zack! "Ruff! Rurr, rurr…." I put my paws on his chest and tilted my head, my mouth pulled back in a smile as I panted. "Ruff! Ruff!" He watched curiously as I pawed at my scar on my cheek; his dark irises revealed nothing as to whether he realized or not.
"Oh, Tseng! Sir!" Morgan huffed once he caught up. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, we'll deal with it right away!" Tseng looked up at him before returning his gaze to me.
I need him to know I'm Zack! But how…? Until then, I just need to distract him.
"Rurr, rurr, ruurrr riii-rruuu!" No! I gotta do better! Pant, pant, pant. "Rriii, riii… wrri wrov wuu!"
Tseng blinked before furrowing his eyebrows. "He's… Speaking…." he murmured, his features relaxing and a smile pulling at his lips.
Perfect!
"What?" Blue blinked incredulously.
I inhaled. "Rhhhii…ROR-gh ruu!" No, no, that's just whining, good start though! "Rhhiii wri wru!" Close, close Zack, you did it once, you got this! "... Rhhiii wrov wru!"
"Is he…" Morgan smiled. "Is he saying 'I love you?'"
Pant, pant, pant, tail wag. Yup.
Blue laughed. "Smart dog indeed! Tseng, sir, I think he's taking a liking to you."
"Who owns this dog?" Tseng's voice was laced with amusement.
I've got him! I cried mentally, a short, excited bark escaping me. …. Now what?
"We found him one of the SOLDIER rooms upstairs," answered Morgan. "He doesn't have a collar or anything like that, so I can't honestly say who's it is…"
Landon furrowed his brows and rubbed underneath his chin. "Sss… I don't know, there was an 'A' in it I think. Definitely starts with a 'S' though."
Brilliant. I couldn't keep from giving a snort.
"Anyways," Blue interrupted, "we can't keep animals in the rooms besides. They have the potential to wreck all sorts of havoc, especially for the science department upstairs."
"Where are you going to take him?" As Tseng spoke Blue reached over and grabbed me by my sides, starting to slowly take me from Tseng's arms.
"I'm sure someone will be happy to adopt him from a shelter," Morgan thought out loud. "Someone who doesn't live in such a confined space with mad scientists as roommates."
"What of the own–"
Whoops, Blue. Better luck next time! Before Tseng could finish the question I twisted my body, slipping out of the clumsy grips the both held on me as I was transferred. Who's idea is it for Blue to hold me anyways? No matter, I'm outta here! My claws scrapped against the slippery polished floor before I started to gain momentum, dashing towards the elevator like a black chocobo on sylkis greens–
"WHERE'DYA THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" Can chocobo's fly? If not they'd be jealous. I was running, then my body started take off, rising off of the ground and up towards the ceiling. "You've been enough trouble; don't you move a muscle, ya hear?!" Oh, Big Lean and Mean's got me. Great. And I thought I was a super mako dog who could fly! Guess not.
I was marched to the door, my body slung over Landon's broad shoulders. Tseng! TSEENNGGG! Tseng stared, his eyes widened and mouth open slightly, but once the shock eased his mouth settled to a light indifferent frown and he turned away towards the elevator. I pleaded at his back; some people griped and moaned at the noise, but I didn't care. TSEENNGGG! I clawed at the SOLDIER's chest with my hind legs, my nails snagging the fabric of his uniform. Morgan shouted something at Landon and Blue huffed, but they're words were half-drowned out by barking and howling. What little I could hear I didn't pay attention to.
The shining glass double doors swung open with a sharp kick and we were out the door. I felt the cool night wind rustle my fur as I was jostled down the steps, my only hope for a cure shutting with the doors. "Pain in the back is what this pup is!" grumbled Landon.
"Don't be so rough with him," Morgan protested.
"Look, as soon as we get him to a shelter we can try to look for the guy who owned him, explain the whole thing, and laugh about it over a few drinks," Blue sighed.
Morgan's face twisted with irritation and confusion. "Shouldn't we do that first? You know, tell the owner he's got to get rid of the dog. Let them do it themselves."
"Whatever, he's out here now," Landon shrugged, "best we put him somewhere before he escapes again."
Not gonna to happen. Teeth baring, a menacing growl started to reverberate throughout my body, my bristling black fur warped in the dark. Landon's muscles stiffened and Blue and Morgan fell silent. If I'm carefully, this just might work!
I paused for a moment before striking.
Neck extended I sunk my pointed teeth into the lowest section of Landon's tattered leather pants strap, and pulling myself toward his back with my head and forearms, slid my limp hindlegs out of my captor's frigid arms. Morgan lunged forward, his eyes wide and mouth open, and my arched back rubbed past the wrist of his outstretched arm before he could readjust his trajectory. Flipping in the air I landed heavily on my paws, my body low to the ground. Abandoning the Shinra Building I blazed down the stone roads turned orange from the streetlights. I need to lose these guys! Without looking back I escaped into the night, unsure of where to go. Hopefully I could find a quiet place to lay low for a while after I leave these guys behind, then I can try to reenter the Shinra Building. Nothing shall forestall my return!