Stat Sue Cuique Dies (Author Tales): TRA! Trala. Tralalalalaaaaaa. I hit 100,000 words. I… My life is complete. I could stop writing now and be a-okay. Because this is the only story I've written so much for. I'm happy. At last a goal is complete. And in 25 chapters. This one's just icing on the cake, and because I already had it partially finished so I just went ahead and rushed it. Still. One Hundred THOUSAND words...

It feels pretty great.

Chapter XXVI – (Reality of Cloud)
There is a day for Everyone

'Be ready when I get there' is all Hollander had said, leaving his message through another doctor that raced out of the room a second later in a panic.

I don't know why everyone was in such a hurry, since nothing good can come from being rushed.

So, waiting for Hollander now, I was fully dressed in the uniform, pacing nervously around my hospital room. Earlier this morning a woman came by and gave my hair a small trim, pretty much making me look like I did before the incident a month ago. All and all, she changed nothing.

What if Hollander had lied? What if he was really going to introduce me today? That was beyond terrible. If that was true, then I was following orders that would bring about my own downfall.

That was the only explanation that made sense. He was going against his word and revealing me now.

The traitor.

There was a commotion outside my door, voices raised at each other and were silenced by a third, more commanding tone. Soon, everything quieted again. Then there were quick footsteps and then the feeling of someone looming outside my door, swinging open a moment later.

"Forgive me for being so late," Hollander apologized upon his arrival, breathing heavily as he entered my room and halted his fast-paced walking. That was hardly any exercise worthy enough to tire anyone out, especially since I assumed he took the elevator. The distance from the main entrance to my room wasn't exactly far on foot.

But that wasn't the case now.

"You had me get ready? For what?" I asked frenetically, believing the worst-case scenario. This was the last thing I expected to happen today. I was prepared to sit around all day and relax, and then mentally prepare myself for that horrible occasion dealing with all those people later on. "I thought I still had another day before the introduction at the convention…"

He held up a hand to silence me, a complacent smile on his face. "There will be no need for that. I'm sure that conference will be the least of anyone's concerns in another few minutes. It nears noon."

"And?" I demanded, calming a little with his reply. But it explained nothing. "Is something going to happen?"

"I've heard news—great news. I've learned…rumors of an incident that will soon come to fruition. We should be present when that event begins."

I shot him a look of confusion, but he brushed it off with a vivacious laugh, noticeably excited. "What are you talking about? Rumors? You can't—"

"Everything you will need is waiting in the car just outside." The mad scientist gestured towards the doorway with a grin, not going into further detail. It would be an understatement to say that this moment seemed 'strange'.

I took a step forward, and paused. This didn't seem right. Why wouldn't he divulge any further? Why were the hospital crew so worked up? He knew why, and refused to say. "What do you know Hollander?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," was his avowal. "Trust me on this. Now come, good lad, it's time."

"Time for what?" I would keep pressing my inquiry until I got the reply I wanted; yet I was aware that I had boundaries that should not be overstepped. Should I pay no heed to his blatant disregard for meaningful answers and just go along with his arrangements?

"Our destination is still the Convention Center," he informed, ignoring my questions yet again. I grew tired of his secrets, but knew to accept them regardless. He pulled my strings too easily. If I caused trouble, those threads would break and where would I be left to go? "You will take your place on the rooftop and wait for the opportune moment to strike."

"Wait. Strike? Will I be firing at people? Is that what you're saying?" What was he getting at? "I don't understand."

"You don't need to comprehend, not with every little thing. As I've said, trust me." He turned his back in silence, taking a tensed stance at the doorway.

I hung my head in defeat momentarily, grasping at his intensely vague hints. After a heavy sigh, I raked a hand through my newly cut hair, gradually coming to peace over what I was about to do. "I don't want to hurt anybody."

"If you continue to think that way, you'll only make this harder for yourself. Instead, consider things from another angle, one not so negative. You'll probably reunite with your previous allies over the next couple of hours, so prepare yourself now for that reunion." The air about him changed, becoming serious. Hollander wasn't his previous lighthearted self anymore. "Today, you will become a hero."

The room began to shake. Hollander grabbed onto the doorframe and held on for dear life while I slowly made my way to the wall and pressed myself against it. The quake only seemed to last for a few seconds, but it seemed to leave an impact on the staff and patients just outside my doorway, some screaming, others yelling for assistance.

The smell of smoke drifting through the open space that was once a window caught my attention.

"There was an error. It isn't even noon yet." There was an ashen look to the older man's face. "To the roof. See the damages to the city and look for any obstructions that might hinder our path to the convention center. Report back to me as soon as you can. I'll be waiting in the car," he informed with a grave tone as he left for the elevator, at least if it was still in order.

I jetted off, bursting through the door to the stairwell and climbing as fast as I could possibly go.

I carefully neared the edge of the hospital's roof once I'd emerged into the outside world, not sure if the cement was stable.

I concentrated as I'd been told so many times before, focusing where the smoke was rising. The mid-level of Junon was in flames; the lowest level was missing part of its support system and was slowly sinking.

Even from afar I could hear the terrified shrieks and panicked cries from the people who were caught in this disaster.

Men were running through the streets, dressed in uniforms that signified the Wutai fleet. They attacked people left and right, striking down who and whatever they saw.

I could barely hear the cracking of my knuckles as I clenched my fist, the sound of machine guns and clashing metal below almost drowning out everything else.

This scene, where Wutai fighters ran rampant through a devastated city, brought back memories. I was weak then, I couldn't do anything. I relied solely on them and look how that ended. They were almost killed because of me. Though this time I could do something about this devastation—I can help people, save them even. And with my own power.

I'm going to make a difference this time.