ISomewhere in another land, far, far away…/I.
Sephiroth backed out of the portal, still holding on to the girl, who was still complaining to herself.
"Man. Instead of having interesting dreams where something actually happens, I'm being dragged around by some weird guy with a really bad haircut. Why can't I meet an interesting guy in my dreams. For that matter, why dose this weirdo have a sword at my neck? I mean it's my dream. So therefor I should be able to…"
Sephiroth dragged her further into the forest, away from the clearing where the gate had placed them. He was getting very tired of listing to the girl's complaints.
"Shut up you fool! This is no dream! As soon as my companions get here, I shall kill you, and take over this world."
"This dream is getting stranger all the time. Next I'll be seeing a talking dog, or someone calling a thunder storm out of a clear sky."
She lets herself be dragged for a moment longer, then an idea hits her.
"Hey! Listen Mr.…. This is my dream, and I'm sick of having your stupid sword to my neck! Now I'm leaving!!"
With that, she grabs Sephiroth's arm, and pulls it, and the sword away from her neck, and storms off into the forest, in a direction away from both Sephiroth, and the clearing where the gate had place the two, just moments before.
"If this were a dream, then it would…Ouch!"
She pinched herself, and it hurt. Suddenly all the blood drained from her face, and she turned pale white.
"This is not a dream. That guy with the sword really did try to… Oh man! Here I was complaining that this was a lousy dream, and it's REAL!!! Cool! Now I have a great reason to miss that lab tomorrow. Being abducted by some guy with a lousy hair cut, and a really big sword. I can just imagine the TA's face when I tell him this one. I guess it's a good thing I took karate lessons after all. I mean, they did teach me how to face an armed opponent, and it must be about as hard to take on some guy with a sword, as it is a guy with any other type of weapon. Wonder where I am, and why that guy looked so much like a guy out of a video game…"
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
Meanwhile, Sephiroth watched with a bemused look as the girl walked off into the forest. Then he resumed his normal form.
"You must be losing your edge if a mere girl can defeat you…"
"Really? I had that all planed. Cloud and his foolish friend will try to help her. And she'll be convinced that they are the reason that she's stuck here. Ha! That will keep them busy long enough for us to find him."
"Perhaps it will. As long as the other doesn't find her first, and ruin everything! You know that some how the Ancient allowed them to escape here. And if they find those fools…"
"Really mother, you worry too much. They will never believe that he is not me. Besides, I thought you were going to arrange a reception for them? It may be that we can use the fools in this world to destroy the ones who are following us. It should then be easy for us to finish them off."
"Perhaps… Either way, we must find the one before anything else. I have already taken care of their reception. Shortly after they arrive, they will meet this world's heroes. And I believe that like before, numbers will be the deciding factor."
Jenova and Sephiroth turn and leave. But once again, they are no longer themselves. Instead, it is two, near identical figures leave. The only difference was the color of their hair…
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
The portal flares to life once again. Cloud and Tifa step out.
"He's near. I can feel him…"
"Cloud, I think we have more problems that just Sephiroth. Like, where the heck are we? And how do we get back home. Cloud? Cloud are you listing to me? CLOUD!"
"Tifa wait here for the others. I'm going after him. I mean to save that girl, before I have another innocent's blood on my hands…"
"Cloud, wait a second! You're in no position to take Sephiroth on by yourself. Cloud listen to me!"
But Cloud ignored her. He headed off into the forest, following the trail that he alone, with his cursed blood, could follow. As he neared the clearing, he already knew who else was here. But the feeling of Jenova bothered him less, then the double Sephiroth did.
"What the hell happened here?"
The first thing he noticed was the signs of a struggle. The second thing was the set of tracks leading into the woods, but they weren't Sephiroth. The third thing found him.
"Not so hot without your sword to my neck, are you?"
That's the only thing Cloud hear before he went flying across the path, until a tree stopped him.
"What the…"
He got up, and turned around.
"How did you get away from Sephiroth?"
"So that's your name. Great, a fool who models himself after a video game character. Can't we be a little more creative?"
Cloud looked shocked.
"What the hell are you talking about! I've never done anything to you! I came to rescue you FROM Sephiroth, not to get killed by you in the process. Really."
"Man! You must think I was born yesterday. You had your sword to my neck, and you said you'd kill me as soon as your friends got here. Too bad I ain't no wimpy fool. Pay back time."
The girl comes flying across the path, and kicks Cloud hard. But then a shot rings out.
"What the… So your friends are here. Well I'm outa here! I'll get even with you for this mess latter. Bye!"
The girl vanishes into the forest. Vincent walks up, holding his gun.
"Tifa was worried about you, and sent me to find you."
He looked at the point where the girl had vanished.
"Who was your friend?"
"That's the girl Sephiroth took off with. For some reason she's convinced it was me, and she's also convinced that I tried to kill her. Go figure that one out."
Vincent just looks at him. "……"
Cloud surges, "Well maybe we should get back to the others. I have good news, then I have great news. I just told you the good news. The great news is even better."
"I can't wait…."
So Cloud and Vincent head back through the woods to the clearing. Unfortunately, the group that was waiting for them had grow. And not all of them were happy to see Cloud.
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
"Tifa! What's going on?"
"These men came outa no where, and told us that we were under arrest. When Barret went to fight them, one of them put him to sleep. I'm glad…"
"SILENCE!!! I am Sir Chrono, and in the name of the king, I arrest you on charges of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and arson. Surrender peacefully, or we will use force!"
Cloud took one look at the soldiers in the clearing, and the ones surrounding his friends, and dropped his sword. Vincent followed, and dropped his gun. Two soldiers came up, and tied their wrists together. And soon the strange procession was heading off through the forest. They soon left the forest, and met up with another group.
"Chrono! So you found them? That's good. All we found was this girl. She was trying to rob a house, not too far from here. I was forced to take her the hard way. She attacked, and nearly killed two soldiers in the process with nothing but her bare hands. I'd say she could sure give Alya a run for her money."
Cloud looked up at the girl.
"It's her! That's the one who…"
"Silence. Any more from you, and I'll have you gagged. I do not wish to hear any more of your lies. Even since I found you, you have kept insisting it was someone else who has done those things, yet I have several witnesses who have described you perfectly, and many others who are almost perfect. None have even mentioned a black cape, or white hair. I do not know what kind of game you play, but it will not work!"
"What's the problem Chrono?"
"Even since we found him, he's been claming there's another guy who's causing all the trouble. A guy wearing a black cape, and has white hair. There's been no reports of anyone by that description in any of the reports…"
"Not to mention all of the eye witnesses who saw him. Man this guy's crazy if he thinks we'll believe that."
They soon reached the castle. The guards at the front entrance immediately recognized Chrono and Luca.
"Sir Chrono! I see you have had a successful hunt. The king is awaiting you."
"I shall go see him immediately. Please take care of these prisoners."
"Yes sir!"
Cloud and his friends are marched off towards the dungeon. As one of the guards goes to grab the girl, Luca turns to him.
"Be careful of that one. She took down two men with her bare hands. I don't want to see anyone else hurt."
The guard turned white.
"Thank you for the warning. I shall take it to heart."
"Well Luca, shall we go meet the king?"
"It is not wise to keep royalty waiting. Let us go."
So as Cloud and company, and the girl, are marched down to the dungeons, Luca and Chrono go to meet the king.
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
"Your majesty, I have returned. And I have managed to capture one of the rogues terrorizing the land. The reports did not mention his companions however… But I successfully brought them all here."
"Well done Captain Chrono. Anything to add Luca?"
"Well, I had no luck discovering the where abouts of ether rouge, but I did prevent a girl from stealing from a family not to far from here. Or at least I believe that was what she was planning. When she saw us heading her was, she attacked. At first we believed she was insane for attempting to defeat us with her bare hands. But she managed to severely injure two men who were with me. If I had not used those special bullets I have been working on, I fear she could have killed several others before she was stopped."
"Why would she do such a thing?"
"I do not know my Lord. When we spotted her, she was observing a family. I proceeded to ask her what she was doing, but the moment she saw armed soldiers, she when crazy. She rushed us, and most of the men had no chance to act before she hit them. If I had not had my gun loaded I fear she may have injured someone. But she kept yelling 'Never again!'".
"Strange. I suppose it is another problem to deal with thought. Get some of the witnesses here to see the man. And his friends. See if any of them recognize him."
"Very well sir."
Chrono and Luca leave the king's chambers. One of the guards walks up to them with a piece of Materia.
"Sir! The prisoners had these funny stones on them. The ninja was not very willing to give hers up. And she had three that were much larger than the others. They appear to be more green and yellow than most, although there are also red, blue and purple ones. I was wondering if you wish to observe one."
"No. Let us speak to the prisoners of them. I also wish to see this girl who attacked several armed guardsmen with her bare hands. That must truly be a great warrior. Luca, you like strange stuff. Do you want to come Luca? I'm sure this is your kind of stuff."
"If you sure Nadia won't mind. The last thing I want to do is get her highness mad."
"Well you are the scientific genius. If anyone can make sense of this stuff, it will probably be you. Besides, Nadia is…"
"Is what?"
Chrono turns around, and turns bright red.
"Ahh, I thought you were supposed to be busy…?"
"Well my father decided that I should go and see this warrior. Besides, it gives me a chance to be with you, Chrono."
"I think it's a good idea if I sit this one out."
"No, come with us Luca. Chrono is right for once. We will need your help if we want a prayer to decipher what these people will say."
"It's just that…"
"Come on Luca. Don't make me have to order you now."
"Well if you're going to put it that way…"
The three head down to the dungeons, the strange rock in hand. But things were not under control, like they should be…
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
As they entered the area where Cloud and company were being held, the sounds of a battle reached them.
"What is going on here?"
"Oh! Sir Chrono, princess, please forgive us. We put the three women in a cell together, but when the third one awoke…"
"Don't tell me. She started a fight. Great. Have you tried separating them?"
"We needed more people before we attempted that. It's just too risky to do it with only the few down here, at least after what Luca said. But with your help, Captain, I believe that we can accomplish it."
"Indeed. Wait here. I will get the girl out."
"Chrono…"
"Luca, you said she took you by surprise. Since I'm ready for her, it can't be that bad."
"If you say so. Still, I don't like it."
"Captain, I must object. If she is as dangerous as claimed then you should not try to do this alone."
"I believe that I am more than capable of taking on one unarmed opponent. Now, I want you to find another place to keep her. We don't need another fight breaking out."
"Yes Sir!"
One of the guardsmen leave. The others cover the doorway. Nadia and Luca stand behind them. Chrono approaches the cell, where the sounds of battle are emerging from.
"HALT THIS AT ONCE!!!!"
His speech has no effect on the girl. The other two are forced to defend themselves. It's at this point that Chrono could begin to make out what is being said."
"I heard him very well!! He said that he would kill me as soon as his companions appeared. You admitted that you were them. I will not be hunted!"
Chrono opens the cell door, and keeps his eyes on the girl. But as soon as he steps into the cell, the girl reacts to his presence. Unfortunately, it was not the reaction Chrono planed on.
"I said HALT TH…."
With a sudden movement, Chrono was sent flying through the air, into the far wall. Without a second thought, the girl rushes into the hall, and charges the guards. The guards, so shocked by her sudden attack, that they barley had time to draw their swords before she crashed into them. The force of her impact threw them backwards into Luca and Nadia, who were standing a couple of feet behind the guards. With barley a second glance, she tore down a hall, and disappears. Luca and Nadia both rushed forwards, to see if Chrono was alright.
"Chrono, you okay?"
"Yea. Did you…"
Luca shook her head.
"No. She was faster then I remembered. Before anyone had much of a chance to react, she was down the hall, and crashing into the guards. Sorry."
"That's the last time I ever underestimate your statements, Luca. Honestly, I thought you were over exaggerating her strength."
"Well, at least we don't have to worry about them fighting again."
"Nadia, that's hardly a good thing. She could cause a lot of trouble before we find her again."
"I was only kidding Chrono. I know as well as you how dangerous she could be loose. Err, at least I can guess how dangerous she'd be from what I saw…"
One of the guardsmen come up and lock the cell door. Neither Tifa nor Yuffie look that well after the battle.
"I guess we'd better go tell the king about this. He's not gonna be happy…"
"Guess you right Chrono. Let's go now before I feel the desire to run off, and try to find her myself."
"Come on you two. My dad's not all that bad…Just when something goes immensely wrong. Besides, how angry can he get with the people who saved out world?"
"I'll remember that when he's talking to us, Nadia."
"Me too…"
With that, the three head out towards the throne room, not at all eager to meet the king….
Author's notes. Okay, I admit this chapter is very creative. I seriously disbelieve that most people could accomplish this girl's acts. But hey, you think that's weird, wait till you see what's next…..
