Hey there guys! Sorry my chapter is alot later than I promised, but I decided to participate in Nanowrimo, then Finals crept up on me. I can't believe this is a year old and I'm still working on it! Well, here it is!
And don't forget to REVIEW!
Enjoy!
Chapter 10
A startled gasp. A wind whistling down the chilled peaks. Frantic footsteps pounding on a stone walkway.
"What!? This was all supposed to be burnt down, right!?"
"I thought so..."
"Then why...? My house is still there too..."
"Something strange..."
"I'm not lying! I remember the intense heat of the flames."
Dagger looked around the small village, houses built all around them. The street was made of uneven stones while the houses were painted like little cabins. A large fountain sat in the middle of the small village while a broken down truck lay near the entrance gate. Looking up at the other end of town, a large mansion stood regally, creepily underneath the twisted and grey mountains of Nibelheim. Chills ran through Dagger's bodies as she watched the townspeoples and those covered in black cloaks. Those covered staggered as if they were sick while the townspeople had no signs of life. As though they were puppets being controlled...
"You feel it too don't you," Aeris spoke seriously as she stood next to Dagger, both of them looking around at the little village. "It's so empty of life..." The two girls watched as Tifa and Cloud walked towards the Inn. Much fo the group wondered around the town, looking to see what was really the Truth and what was actually fake. "C'Mon..." The two girls walked over to the largest house in town, other than the mansion at the top of the hill itself. As they entered the house, they looked around to see more black-caped people inside of there. As they approached the one squirming in the living room, they felt the air in the room change.
"The... Great... Se... phi... roth... is... near... In... side... inside... the Mansion... Urrrrrrgh... the great... Sephi... roth," the black caped man called out into the silence. There was a shift in reality as everything around the two young women grew dark.
"Aeris!" Dagger cried out, reaching to the flowergirl and grasping her hand. The Summoner felt a large and ominous heartbeat that wasn't her own course throughout her body. She could feel the same heartbeat progressing throughout Aeris's hand as well. They both watched as a wave of silver hair started to appear from the floor. Gasping at the sight, Dagger took a step back seeing Sephiroth come into the dark plain of existance that they were both trapped in. The sharp green eyes burned into Dagger's soul as both girls looked at him.
"So the young Ancient and Summoner have come to me at last," Sephiroth spoke quietly as his sword was held within his tight grip. Dagger glared at him, unmoving as she felt Aeris's presence beside her. "The world of Gaia has been so much better without you being there. Such growth and tranquility... All your Summons do is destroy..."
"Shut up!" Dagger yelled at him, her anger peaking. "What do you know about any of it!?" Sephiroth just smirked at the young girl. He walked towards the two girls, Dagger putting her arm in front of Aeris protectingly.
"What do you want?" Aeris asked, her voice remaining stable as she looked into Sephiroth's bright green eyes.
"Why... The Eidolons dear girl," Sephiroth said as if Aeris were but a silly five year old. "The power to call and wield such amazing spirits... Spirits who are..." He paused to lick his lips, as if eating something extremely delicious. "Filled with such energy." Dagger narrowed her eyes.
"My Eidolons are not yours and they never will be!" Dagger hissed at the man, her eyes narrowing. "I am now too old to have them extracted. The age of 16 has long since passed me..."
"Whoever said I'd extract," Sephiroth whispered dangerously. "It would be easy to kill you dear girl. And then absorbing your power..." He took a stance, his sword pointed at Dagger. The girl armed her bow, but Sephiroth had already stepped from his position. Closing her eyes for impact, she heard Aeris scream and a rushing wind followed by a crashing sounds. She opened her eyes, looking to see Sephiroth lying on the black ground in front of them. He looked at them with absolute anger in his eyes. "How did you stop that!?"
"You shall not harm her!" Ramuh's booming voice echoed through in the darkness. He stood out in front of Dagger, his staff having deflected the blow from Sephiroth. The missing SOLIDER growled in anger before getting back to his feet and running at Ramuh. The Thunder Eidolon deflected each blow the Sephiroth tried to land. He laughed.
"Such power and grace!" Sephiroth cackled, his eyes full of absolute mirth. He threw out a spell not seen to either Dagger or Aeris before, knocking the Eidolon back. Ramuh let out a cry as he crashed an unseen wall. Dagger cried out his name before running over to Ramuh.
"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly, looking into the old man's eyes. Ramuh smiled as he looked at her. Aeris came up behind them, her stave out, ready to protect the two as best she could from Sephiroth.
"I shall be fine my child..." Ramuh told her, running his old hand along Dagger's cheek. Blinking out a few tears, she stood up and swung around, looking at Sephiroth. He just smirked, powering up a spell in his left hands.
"Now my dear... why don't you die!" Sephiroth cried out, firing the spell at the two girls and Eidolon. The spell was faster than Ramuh could handle and the two girls braced themselves. Right before the spell hit, a loud shing echoed through the vast darkness and the spell was reflected off an invisible barrier. Aeris gasped as she saw the barrier sparkle and glow before it disappeared. "What!?"
"What in the great Gods's name...?" Ramuh asked as he stood up, watching Sephiroth attack the barrier time and time again. He cried out in anger as the barrier wouldn't give. "My word..."
"Leave her alone!" a young boy's voice cried out. Dagger gasped, her eyes widening in shock. It couldn't be! There was no way on either Earth or Heaven... Dagger felt the energy in the room change as the fabric of space ripped open from above, revealing a bright white light. Sephiroth growled in anger as he looked up to see the insolent being that dared interrupt his work. The flapping of wings could be heard as a small doll descended into the black area. He was no taller than 5 feet, even with the tan steepled hat that rested on his head. A bright blue jacket and white gloves adorned his torso while green and white striped and puffed pants covered his legs. The creature was wearing rugged brown boots as well. His face was shouded in darkness except for two bright yellow eyes shining from the shroud. Two large, white angel wings adorned his back.
"Vivi!" Dagger cried out as she came forward to the young mage. He turned around to look at Dagger, his I eyes shining brilliantly in the darkness. Tears started to fall down her face as she walked over to him. Aeris said nothing and Ramuh looked on in awe.
"That's Vivi?" Aeris asked Ramuh, causing the old man to nod. "But... Isn't he in the Lifestream back on Gaia?"
"Do not worry about that now. Just watch," Ramuh told her, looking on at the spectacle. Vivi turned around to face Dagger.
"Dagger... I'm sorry I stopped," Vivi told the girl quietly. Dagger shook her head as she laughed, tears falling down her face. She took Vivi into a hug. The mage hugged her back, but showing emotion was well beyound the young mage. Sephiroth frowned, the smirk he had once before leaving his face. He growled in anger.
"Rotten puppet! How many times must you interfere!?" Sephiroth yelled at him, causing Dagger and Vivi to turn and look at him. Aeris said nothing, but feared the anger that started pulsating from Dagger's body. Vivi also looked angry, opening his hand. A large stave appeared in it, the handle made out of a rather thick wood but at the top of the staff was a small decorated black mage that looked very similar to Vivi, only without the arms.
"Dagger... Summon me..." Vivi spoke quietly, his gaze fixed on Sephiroth.
"Vivi, how...?" Dagger asked, confused out of her very soul.
"I'm a Spirit Dagger and thusly, you can call upon my power when you need it. I'm always there," Vivi told her softly, before taking his traditional attack stance. Dagger nodded as she pulled her arms into a praying position.
"Master Vivi, the greatest friend I ever knew and one of the most powerful and kindest mages to grace my presence," her voice boomed in the darkness. Sephiroth took a step back, his anger quickly changing into shock. "I call upon you to help me... To help us... I summon thee to my presence, Vivi Ornitier!" Vivi nodded as he brought both his hands on his staff, waving it around. A powerful energy filled the room as Dagger pushed everyone back, standing in front of Aeris to protect her. Vivi did his little leap into the air as the magic grew. A powerful rumbling sounded from above them as a large meteor headed straight at Sephiroth. Vivi nodded as he leapt back, the meteor striking Sephiroth with powerful Shadow Magic. The magic disappeared as Sephiroth fell to one knee.
"Damn it! You live for now Summoner, but only because you have friends protecting you..." Sephiroth hissed before he disappeared into the floor. Aeris smiled as she heaved Dagger off of her.
"Mr. Vivi, that was amazing!" Aeris cooed at her, smiling charmingly. If Vivi could blush, her certainly would have.
"Please... It's just Vivi. Now... Dagger, how about we get you and your friend back?" Vivi told the Summoner. Raising his staff, the tip let out a white flash as the darkness melted all around them. As they came too, they were in a dark passageway, rocks surrounding them. Dagger looked to her left to see a staircase and to her right was a metal door with a small wooden one just to its left.
"This is the basement of the Shinra Mansion..." Aeris said, taking in her surroundings. Ramuh walked over to the floating Vivi.
"Come now Vivi, we must depart," Ramuh told the young mage quietly. Vivi just nodded before Ramuh disappeared in a yellow flash.
"If you ever need me Dagger, just call... I'm always with you, okay?" Vivi told the young girl. Dagger nodded and laughed before Vivi disappeared in a whirl of white light and feathers. Aeris came over to the Summoner and put her hand on Dagger's shoulder.
"Dagger, are you alright?" Aeris asked her. The Summoner just nodded and smiled at the Ancient. Throwing her into a tight hug, Aeris felt Dagger hug her back tightly. "You were great back there with Sephiroth... " A loud noise broke the two girls apart, the source from beyound the metal door at the end of the cavern hallway. They walk slowly to the door, weapons armed.
"Reunion... Calamity from the skies?" Cloud's voice came from beyound the door. It ripped open and a loud yell was let out before to high pitched screams were let out. In the mass of all the confused, Cloud had pulled out his sword and had it pointed it at Dagger, who had fallen to the floor in confusion.
"Dagger?" Cloud asked confused before he was slapped in the back of the head by Tifa. Crying out, he let up his sword and sheathed it. Him and Tifa got into an argument before Yuffie barreled through both of them.
"Where were you guys?" the ninja asked, helping Dagger off the floor. She brushed herself off before looking to see Barret and Red XIII behind the other two. Dagger smiled before Yuffie proceeded to fill in what had happened in the lab. She told them that while in the lab, they had encountered Sephiroth. Aeris's eyebrows shot up in surprise, as she kept quiet upon a look given by Dagger. Some things were not meant to be shared with everyone else. Sephiroth had tantalized everyone with the question of a Reunion and that if they wanted to find out more, they were to travel past the Nibel Mountains behind the village. "We also came upon a large monster in building too. We really could've used your help, especially when it decided to become resistant to everyone's physical attacks."
"Yuffie, be quiet..." Tifa told the hostile ninja, the response being a quiet pout. "Where were you two?"
"We got caught up in a few things, nothing to worry about," Aeris piped up, smiling gracefully. "We were also trying to get into the locked door before we heard you guys." Dagger shook her head in amazement. The Ancient was really good at that and Dagger could only laugh. Tifa's eyes came to a realization as she yanked over Barret's left arm, his armlet shining in the darkness. Cait Sith jumped through the doorway as it b ecame vacant. He jumped next to Aeris, the two starting in on a little conversation of their own.
"We found some Summon Materia!" Tifa told Dagger, pulling it out of his armlet. "I think it's Odin... Do you already have him? I'd love to see another pact!" Dagger smiled at the martial artist.
"Yeah. I already have Odin..." she told Tifa, watching the young woman's face fall. "I promise you'll get to see the next one, alright? Now, is there some sort of key for the door?"
"Oh yeah!" Cloud said, pulling the key from his pocket and handing it to Dagger. She nodded before opening the locked door next to them. As she opened the door, she was immediatley pushed back into the hallway with the stench of death.
"Good Gods!" Dagger cursed as she got used to the smell. The others had a bit of trouble handling the smell as well. Dagger pushed through to find five coffins inside. Four of the lids had been knocked off, revealing mummified corpses. The fifth one remained closed. Cloud walked by slowly, approaching the fifth one. As he got within a few feet of the coffin, a voice rang out.
"To wake me from this nightmare..."
The lid flew off into the back of the room, causing everyone to cry out. Within the coffin lay a man dress in a black armour wrapped in a blood red cloak. Adorning his feet were golden and pointed boots. The cloak front fell down to the bottom of his chest and his head was wrapped in an extremely large red bandana. The man opened his blood red eyes and sat up in his coffin.
"You were... having a nightmare," Cloud said cautiously, everyone peering at the male. Tifa walked next to Dagger to get a better angle at man.
"How bad was it?" she asked calmly. The man in the coffin peered towards both the young girls, causing them to tense a bit underneath the gaze.
"Hmph... a nightmare...? My long sleep has given me time to atone," the man spoke quietly, letting out a creepy tone. Dagger shook her head and let the creepy vibes passed. She had been in even creepier situations. Especially back in the village of Dali when it was filled with kids, no adults within sight. "I have nothing to say to strangers. Get out. This mansion is the beginning of your nightmare."
"You can say that again..." Cloud sighed, recieving a nod of agreement from everyone in the room. The man gave them all a raised eyebrow before Cloud continued. "Like you said, this mansion is the beginning of a nightmare. No, it's not a dream, it's for real. Sephiroth has lost his mind. He found the secrets hidden in this mansion." The man let out Sephiroth's name in a state of shock, knowing of who the man was. The man flipped out of the coffin with incredible grace, landing on the head of the coffin. He looked at the group.
"You start first," he told all of them. Cloud, with the help of others, regaled the truth and origin of Sephiroth. Everyone chimed in when Cloud couldn't remember certain ideas, but the ex-SOLIDER was able to finish the story on his own. The man just nodded as he looked pensive. ""So Sephiroth knows he was created five years ago? And about the Jenova Project? ...He was missing. But he just recently reappeared. He has taken many lives and is seeking the Promised Land."
"Now it's your turn," Cait Sith said calmly, looking at the man. He shook his head.
"I cannot speak," the man told them. Tifa let out a heartfelt remark of disappoint before the man flipped back down into his coffin. "Hearing your stories has added upon me yet another sin. More nightmares shall come to me now, more than I previously had. Now please leave..." The coffin lid flipped back over and covered the man. Dagger frowned as she looked at the coffin. Walking up to it, she cast a burning gaze down at it.
"At least tell us your name!" Dagger spat acidicly. "It's polite!" The coffin lid flew back up as the man sat up again, looking directly at Dagger who had bothered her.
"I was with... the Shinra Manufacturing Department in Adminstrative Research, otherwise known as-- the Turks... My name is Vincent," the man spoke quietly and calmly. Cloud let out the Turks' name, putting himself up in arms. Vincent shook his head. "Formally fo the Turks. I have no affiliation with Shinra now. What about you?"
"Cloud... Former Shinra Soldier," the blond responded, obviously calming down.
"You were also with Shinra then..." Vincent thought pensively. "Then do you know Lucrecia?"
"Who's that?" Tifa asked, looking towards Vincent. He sighed.
"The woman who gave birth to Sephiroth," Vincent stated calmly. He looked at everyone's shocked states as Cloud let out a little outburst.
"Gave birth? But isn't Jenova Sephiroth's mother?" Cloud asked in shock, trying to figure out everything in his head.
"That isn't completely wrong, but just a theory," Vincent explained calmly. "He was born from a beautiful lady. That lady was Lucrecia. She was an assistant to Professor Gast of the Jenova Project. Beautiful Lucrecia... There was no way to cancel the experiment. I couldn't stop her. That was my sin. I let the one I loved, the one I respected most, face the worst." The Former Turk shook his head before laying back down into the coffin, the lid covering him.
"So your punishment is sleep...? That's pretty weird," Tifa responded to the story. there was no response. The group started to move out into the hallway.
"Human experimentation," Cait Sith responded quietly. "Toying with the lives of certain people and creating things not meant to be of this world..." Dagger just shook her head.
"Creating life is very much an immoral ethic of nature," she responded, chiming in her opinion. "At least Sephiroth has a soul..." Upon Aeris' questioning look, Dagger gave her a cutthroat motion. Barret just shook his head at the young Ancient.
"Some soul..." Cloud spoke bitterly, looking at the approaching stairs. As the group was about to ascend them, a voice called for them to wait. The group turned around to find Vincent leaping after them. As he came upon them, he looked directly at Cloud.
"If I go with you, will I meet Hojo?" Vincent asked, loading a handgun.
"I dunno. We're going after him and Sephiroth, so we should run into him sooner or later," Cloud told the caped man. Vincent let out Lucrecia's name before nodding at the group.
"Then allow me to join you all. As a former Turk I may be of some assistance," Vincent responded, cocking his gun.
SCENECHANGETIMECHANGESCENECHANGETIMECHANGESCENECHANGETIMECHANGESCENECHANGETIMECHANGESCENECHANGETIMECHANGE
"So, what is that thing?" Tifa asked as she, Vincent, Yuffie, Aeris and Dagger stared at a giant monster. To head over the Nibel Mountains, the group had decided to split into two smaller groups. Since both Tifa and Cloud knew different ways through the mountains, having two smaller groups would be easier for fighting and for trekking through the dangerous paths the range had to offer. Unfortunately for Tifa's group, a large monster blocked their path. It looked much like a spider, except it had six legs, three per side, rather than eight. It also had a long tail coming from its backside. The Sense Materia glowed as the Summoner flicked her wrist.
"Let's see..." Dagger responded as she closed her eyes, the familiar purple words filling her mind. "The Materia Keeper... Rare to existance, they live in the chilly peaks of the Nibel Mountains. The Materia Keeper attacks with blinding swiftness and strong blows, so proceed with utmost caution!" Vincent nodded before leaping into the air, firing a round of shot at the Materia Keeper. It screamed as it swung its tail at the gunman, knocking him into a wall. "Tifa!"
"Right!" Tifa cried out, raising her gloved hand. A bright green materia sparkled in it as magic flowed out of her gloved hand. Dagger pulled out her bow and arrow as the magic hit, clock appearing and circling around her. She felt her moves increase as she leaped up and fired a bunch of arrows into the Materia Keeper's back. Aeris immediately followed by a Strength Two Fire Spell. The Materia Keeper swiped its tail, kncoking Aeris into Dagger. Immediately following the assualt, the Materia Keeper wiggled its tail, unleashing large triangles of electricity. As they hit the two girls, both of them cried out in extraordinary pain.
"Damn!" Dagger cursed as her Enemy Materia shined brightly before fading. "Let's go Ifrit!" Dagger felt her body course a vast warmness as Ifrit appeared in an explosion of fire, standing tall before the Materia Keeper. He swiped his paw at the ground, bringing Hellfire into the midst and burning the Materia Keeper. Ifirt nodded to Dagger before disappearing.
"You guys alright?" Yuffie let out before healing both of them with a Strength One Cure Spell. Dagger still felt weak but didn't glower at Yuffie for not strengthening her Materia. Tifa ran over to the monster, letting out a strong string of punches upon its back. As it went to counter-attack, Tifa leapt into the air and came down on its back with a hard kick. A couple of shots from Vincent's gun caused the Materia Keeper to beserk. Tifa leapt off its back as it went over to Dagger, attacking it full on with two of its spiked legs and tail. The Summoner screamed in pain before falling to her knees, blood pouring from various wounds. The Ancient's emotions flared over.
"I call upon the great protectors of the Planet! Give this young Summoner your healing prowess! Pulse of Life!" she cried out. Dagger nearly cried at this, feeling the warm energy enter her body, rapidly healing all her wounds, both physcially and spiritually. The young Summoner fired an arrow straight into the Materia Keeper's eye, watching the monster squirm and squeal. following suit, Vincent shot its other eye out, causing it to become completely blind. Dagger leapt up near Vincent as she concentrated. Yuffie threw her Gigantic Throwing Star at the middle of the Materia Keeper's tail, nearly cutting it clean off. The Ancient leapt up to Dagger as well, grabbing her shoulder.
"I seek thine aid Master Odin! Relinquish your Sword of Death onto those of inferior blood! I call to thee!" Dagger cried out as Aeris pulled together her energy into a bright red orb of Materia.
"Come on out Shiva!" Aeris said, her staff floating horizontally in front of her. Dagger's felt like a gust of wind had just kicked up as the sound of a galloping horse filled the air. Upon a large, six legged horse, a large and muscular creature was holding a giant sword, its blood red eyes focused upon the Materia Keeper. Two giant horns came from either side of it's bald head and gold-plated armour layered its torso. The air around everyone dropped as well as Shiva descended from the sky in a shimmering and flowing ice blue gown. She spun around, throwing large chunks of ice at the Materia Keeper, freezing its legs in place. Odin came upon the Materia Keeper, slashing through it easily with its sword. As it did, a burst of wind exploded from underneath the Materia Keeper. It let out one last cry before it fell to the Planet, dead. Tifa was the first to leap down, watching the body melt into the ground.
"C'mon... Rocket Town's not much farther than this..." Tifa said, pointing down the mountains slope. In the distance everyone could see a small village with a large, crooked structure built there. They started to hie down the mountains, Aeris making sure that everyone was healed up from the fight they had just encountered. Dagger walked quietly next to Vincent.
"I did not know that there was someone who could call upon the Spirits of the world without Summon Materia," Vincent spoke gruffily, trying to make for conversation. Yuffie bounded up on Dagger's other side.
"Yeah! Dagger's really cool like that!" Yuffie piped up, wrapped her shoulder around the Summoner. Dagger laughed a bit uneasily underneath of Vincent's piercing gaze. "She can also make pacts with the Summons from the Summon Materia! It's really cool!"
"A Summoner..." Vincent spoke quietly as they walked along the trail leading from the mountain basin. "You were not the creation of any scientific experiments, were you?" At this, Dagger's eyes widened as her mouth dropped in humorous shock. She shook her head. "Then how are you able to summon such creatures?"
"It's in my blood," Dagger said honestly as they kept walking. Vincent said nothing more as Yuffie managed to get Dagger into talking about the Golden Saucer. After about an hour of walking, the group came upon a large town. As they stopped at the entrance, Dagger arched her back to look at the humungous structure that towered above them and then town.
"That's the ShinRa 26," Aeris spoke from next to Dagger, also gazing up at the rocket. "I forget how long ago it was, like 5 years or so, Shinra was supposed to send that very rocket into outer space, but for some reason, the mission was aborted right at liftoff. Since then, Shinra stopped putting their money into the Space Program and into their Weapons Development and Peace Management. It's rumored now that the Captain, the man who was supposed to go into Outer Space and be the first astronaut ever, still lives here and survives on broken dreams of space flight."
"Outer space? Astronauts...?" Dagger spoke, the words foreign to her tongue. Aeris was about to say something when a voice cut her off.
"What took you guys so long?" Cloud's voice spoke, causing Dagger to look forward. Tifa walked up to him, putting her hands on her hips.
"We ran into a bit of trouble on the mountainside. It seems one of the Materia Keeper's decided to pay us a little visit," Tifa told him before Cloud smirked. "What have you guys been up to?"
"Well, Barret, Red XIII, and Cait Sith are at the bar, pulling back a few cold ones while I went and talked to the Captain about seeing if we could borrow his plane to get to the Northern Continent. His name happens to be Cid Highwind, one of the most amazing pilots in the world," Cloud explained, filling them all in on the situation at hand. Dagger went to open her mouth, but decided against it with her better judgment. "I was about to head back to the Cid's house..."
"I'll come along!" Dagger piped up, wanting to know more about with what was going on. Tifa agreed to coming along as well.
"We're going to go reserve a room at the Inn, so if you need us, call on the GPS," Aeris told the three happily. They nodded before Cloud led Tifa and Dagger to the Captain's house. As they entered, they saw a woman standing in the little kitchen area. She had brown hair that was wrapped up in a tight bun near the top of her head. She was dressed in a long, white lab coat while a pair of black-framed sleek glasses deocrated her face.
"Cloud...? Did the Captain say anything?" Shera asked hopefully. Cloud shook his head before the door slammed open. Turning around, the group saw a tall man stalk towards them. Wearing bright red goggles on top of his head, his blond hair spiked up. Dark blond scruff lined his chin as a cigarette hung from his mouth. He was wearing dark beige pants and a deep blue jacket. His ice cold eyes looked directly at the guests.
"Fuck Shera!" he cried out, causing the scientist to jump in surprise. "We got some guest! What are you, blind? SERVE THEM TEA!" Shera nodded in surprise, causing Dagger and Tifa's brows to narrow dangerously.
"Don't mind us..." Cloud started to say, but Cid threw him an angry look.
"Just shut up, sit down your ass down in that chair and drink yer god damn TEA!" Cid told them angrily. Nodding compliantly, the three sat down. Cid walked over to the table as Shera grabbed some glasses from the cabinet above the sink. "Arggggggh! DAMN, I'm pissed! Shera! I'll be in the backyard tunin' up Tiny Bronco! An' make sure to serve them some tea! All right!?" Cid took a long puff on his cigarette before he stormed out the backdoor. Shera just sighed.
"What a horrible man!" Dagger seethed angrily, her nails digging into the table in front of her.
"I'm sorry," Cloud said apologetically. "It's our fault..."
"No no," Shera responded, "He's always like this."
"Is it always like this...? Why is Cid so hard on you?" Tifa asked, also putoff by Cid's nasty behaviour. Shera turned around as she put a tea kettle of water on the stove.
""No... It's because of my stupid mistake," Shera spoke a little sadly. "I was the one who destroyed his dream..."
"What happened?" Dagger asked.
"Oh my... It must've been nearly 5 years ago," Shera started her eyes looking towards the floor. "Shinra was going to launch its state-of-the-art rocket into orbit. Cid was going to be the first astronaut in outer space ever. On the day of the launch, I was working very slowly on the oxygen tanks in the rocket to make sure that everything would be alright. I had wanted to make sure that they were all working order because during out tests, the Number 8 oxygen tank had been giving strange results, so I was worried. Cid wanted me to hurry, but I was very adamant on making sure that it was alright. Finally, the launch was to get underway. As the countdown began, I was still in engine room, checking the oxygen tanks. Cid told me to get out of there otherwise the heat from the launch would kill me, but I wasn't concerned. I wanted to see his dreams come true so I kept working on the oxygen tanks. I worked right up until the countdown reached zero. He pushed the Emergency Engine Shut Down switch, aborting the mission, to save my life. After that, the Space Program was cut back and the launch was canceled. It's my fault his dream was destroyed... So that's why it's alright. I don't care what the Cpatain says, I'll live my life for him." A loud slam from the backdoor ensued as Cid swaggered into the room. His eyes looked at the unserved guests in front of him.
"Shera! You still haven't served 'em tea!" Cid yelled at Shera. She nodded and turned around, turning on the stove so the water would come to the proper warmth for tea. Cid sat down in the chair, lounging out. "They're late... Where's Rufus?" A knock on the door gathered everyone's attention before an extremely fat man squeezed his way through the door.
"Hey-HEY! Long time no see! So Cid, how ya been?" the fat man said. Cid's eyes lit up as he walked over to the extremely round fellow.
"Well, if it ain't fat man, Palmer. How long were you figurin' on keepin' me waitin'!?" Cid spoke up, causing Palmer to just smile. "So? When's the Space Program gonna start up again?" Palmer just shook his head.
"Hey-hey! I don't know. The President's outside, so why don't you ask him?" Palmer said, looking around and not really paying attention to Cid. The pilot growled.
"Fuck! Good for nothing fat fucker!" Cid said before he stormed outside. Palmer turned around, wiggling back and forth.
"Don't say fat!" he pouted before turning around. Upon spotting Shera serving tea, his eyes lit up. "Hey-hey! Tea! Can I have some too? With lotsa sugar and honey and... oh yeah, don't forget the lard!" Dagger let out a gag before they group stood up. Conjuring in the corner by the door, the three guests opened the door to a crack to see what was going on outside.
"What the...! You got me all excited for nothing!?" Cid cried out, looking angrily at President Rufus. "Then, what'd you come here for?"
Rufus looked at Cid in a very uncaring manner. "I want to borrow the Tiny Bronco," he spoke acidically. "We're going after Sephiroth. But it seems like we're been going in the wrong direction. But now, we think we know where he's headed. But, we have to cross the ocean. That's why we want your plane..." Cid kicked the ground in anger.
"Fuck! First the Airship, then the Rocket, and now, the Tiny Bronco," Cid yelled at the uncaring president. "Shinra took outer space away from me and now you want to take the sky away from me too!?" Rufus looked at him, sneering.
"Oh my..." Rufus said a bit dangerously. "You seem to forget it was because of Shinra, Inc. that you were able to fly in the first place..."
"Excuse me..."
The group turned around to see Shera standing behind them. Dagger closed the door behind her. "You want to use the Tiny Bronco, right? I believe Palmer's going to take it. Why don't you talk to him about it?" Gasping, Tifa, Cloud, and Dagger ran into the backyard, nearly knocking Shera out of their way. Outside they saw Palmer sitting on a small blue and red airplane, trying to figure out the controls.
"Hmm... Why do I have to do this...? I'm the head of the Space Program..." Palmer pouted, trying to figure out how to turn it on. Cloud walked forward, looking at the fat man.
"We'll be taking the Tiny Bronco, thanks," Cloud told the fat man, crossing his arms. Palmer looked down, his face contorting into a fat facial expression of thought.
"I've seen you somewhere before," Palmer spoke, scratching his head. It then hit him like a ton of bricks. "I know! The Shinra building! When the President was killed! Ulp! Se... se... security!!" Palmer jumped off the plane, a gun in his hand. As he hit the ground, the earth gave a small shake.
"Oh hell no!" Tifa cried out before she dashed over, knocking her fist straight into Palmer's fat. It rebounded off before she was hit in the chest by a shot from the gun. A Strength 2 Fire Spell flared up. "Damn!" Dagger bent down, pulling an arrow back on her bow. With precise accuracy, she shot at the fat man. He was quicker than he looked, firing a shot from his gun at the arrow, destroying it with a Strength 2 Bolt Spell. Cloud dashed at the fat man, knocking him in the face with the butt of sword. Dagger fired another arrow at him, watching it get stuck in his lard-filled leg. Tifa was the last to attack, punching him in the face and knocking him over. The engine of the Tiny Bronco roared to life as the airplane spun around.
"C'mon!" Cloud said, jumping onto the airplane. Palmer ran around, trying not to get scalped by one of the propeller's on the wing.
"It won't stop!" Tifa cried out, trying to figure out the controls. Dagger tried to get to the plane, but Palmer had run into her, knocking her a few feet away. The plane roared somemore before it started to wheel around to take off, Cloud and Tifa hanging on for dear life.
"Damn it!" Dagger cursed as she leapt over the fence. She hit the ground as the airplane flew dangerously low over her. She watched as Rufus and his soldiers ducked as well. Cid, however, ran after the Tiny Bronco, jumping onto its wing. Dagger stood up as the rest of the gang ran out of the Inn.
"What's going on?" Red XIII demanded as he watched the Shinra soldiers fire.
"We need to catch up with them!" she cried out. Throwing her hand into the air, her voice exploded into the sky. "Bahamut! King of the Dragons! Come to my aid!" A giant roar tore through the air as a giant dragon flew down from the sky. People screamed and Rufus fell over as Bahamut roared again. His soldiers threw down their guns in fear and ran into the Inn. The dragon stopped, bringing down both his hands to the group. "Get on!"
"Are you nuts!?" Cait Sith cried out, looking to see Aeris, Barret, and Red XIII climbing onto Bahamut. Dagger climbed on as Bahamut lifted them onto his shoulder.
"Let's go ya dumb cat!" Yuffie cried out, leaping onto Bahamut's shoulder, following Vincent. Bahamut grabbed the stuff doll roughly before flapping his wings and taking off. Flying after the Tiny Bronco, they watched the airplane fall down into the ocean that was next to the town. Bahamut floated down next to the plane, his legs dipping into the cool sea. They watched as Cid cursed.
"Shit! She won't fly anymore..." Cid cursed, looking at the overheated engine. Cloud looked at him.
"Can we still use it as a boat?" he asked cautiously, causing Cid throw a venomous look.
"Fuck! Do whatever you want... I'm history with Shinra," Cid said, looking out at the ocean. "I've given up on the town..."
"What about your wife? Shera?" Tifa asked, cautiously eyeing the giant dragon behind them. Cid and Cloud had taken no notice of it just yet. Cait Sith floated in the water, pouting at how rude the dragon was for just dropping him.
"Wife? Don't make me laugh! Just thinkin' 'bout marryin' her gives me the chills!" Cid said, shaking a little bit. "What're you guys gonna do?"
"We're going after a man named Sephiroth. We'll have to get Rufus of the Shinra someday too," Cloud said, turning around. Dagger sighed to herself, feeling her energy spike randomly as Bahamut stirred in the waters, also listening to the group.
"I don't know about any of that..." Cid said slowly, his eyes lighting up. "But what the hell! Sign me up!"
"How about it everyone?" Tifa cried out, waving at the dragon behind her. Cloud and Cid turned around, Cid crying out in horror. He stumbled back, falling onto the wing and almost the water, if Cloud hadn't caught him.
"FUCK SHIT FUCK! What is that!?" Cid yelled, his voice becoming hoarse. Bahamut arched his neck, bringing his head near the plane.
"I am not a what," Bahamut spoke in a deep bass voice. "I am Bahamut! King of the Dragons..." Dagger laughed as she watched Cid nod, his eyes widened, his mouth shut completely.
"Welcome aboard!" Aeris shouted, waving her hands. Cid regained composure, looking around and smiling.
"Glad to be aboard, numbskulls!" Cid said, laughing. Upon Cloud questioning the name, Cid just smirked. "Yeah. Anyone stupid enough to go up against Shinra nowadays, has GOTTA be a numbskull! I like it!" Cid shrugged as he stretched. "So, where we headed? Rufus was goin' after Sephiroth towards the Temple of the Ancients."
"Really!? ...Where is it? That Temple of the Ancients?" Cloud asked hopefully. Cid just shrugged.
"Dunno. That numbskull kid was tellin' me he was headin 'the wrong direction'... so maybe it's off this way?" Cid asked. Everyone was quiet, especially Aeris. She was very pensive, thinking about what she had just heard. Yuffie's eyes lit up as she smiled deviously.
"Let's just head for land and get some information. Temple of the Ancients... that name bothers me..." Cloud responded quietly. Bahamut cleared his throat.
"I must be departing now," he said, helping the group down onto the airplane. He picked up the soggy Cait Sith from the water and placed it uncaringly on the tip of the wing. "Call me whenever you need me Miss Dagger." Dagger bowed gracefully and smiled as Bahamut took off into the air. Bahamut let out a roar before it disappeared into golden sparkles in the sky. Cid turned to the Summoner.
"Miss Dagger eh?" Cid smirked, causing Dagger to sigh. "Got dragon-boy slaves have you?" Dagger frowned as she slapped Cid in the face. "What was that for!? Bitch!" Aeris sighed to herself before smiling.
"This is going to be one long journey..."
Well, there ya go! Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter'll be a little bit of a surprise for what goes on, but I hope you enjoy it none-the-less. And please review! They make my soul happy! And make me post more chapters!