DIMENSIONS
by
The Ionic Butterfly(aurelia_@yahoo.com)
Ranwolf(ranwolf@hotmail.com)
All Gargoyles characters belong to Disney/Buena vista studios. Characters
from the Final Fantasy series, Chronotrigger etc. belong to Square and
Squaresoft. The Characters of Nic Maza and Miyabe Tendo belong to Ranwolf
and Ionic, respectively. C&C are always welcomed. Flames will be read,
considered, laughed at, then burned. (Get it? Flames? Burned? ^_^)
CHAPTER 1: TO INFINITY...
Nicodemus Maza smiled to himself when he heard the water from the shower
being turned off. He was cooking dinner for his mate, Miyabe, at her
apartment. He turned off the burner beneath the chicken soup, and with a
gloved hand, pulled the rolls out of the oven.
Miyabe had just finished her shower that she had promised, "would only
take a minute." Nic had started dinner when she began. Now that she was
finished, so was she. He began setting the dinner table.
"Hon? Dinner's waiting," Nic called out. Miya strolled into the kitchen,
smiling. Nic's mind raced when he saw her.
Dressed in a white tee shirt, blue jeans shorts, and socks, she was still
stunning.Her waist-length jet black hair was still wet but combed neatly
away from her face. The steam from the shower had turned her face from its
usual porcelain white to a temporary red. The red brought out her jade-green
eyes, which Nic would swear were sparkling.
Nic smiled back at her as she locked arms with him to give him a quick
kiss. He caught a whiff of her shampoo, or maybe it was her soap, but it
smelled good.
"Dinner smells delicious," Miya said, sitting down at the table.
So do you, Nic considered saying, but kept it to himself as he sat down.
As soon as he was seated, the doorbell rang.
(Ranwolf: Don't you hate it when that happens?
Ionic Butterfly: Yup. That's why I have an electric doormat.
Ranwolf: *raises an eyebrow* What's it do? *As if on cue, the lights in
the room flicker and a muffled scream is heard* Oh.)
Nic and Miya stared at one another for a moment wondering who it could
be. "I'll get it," Miya finally said.
"Stay put. I'll get it," Nic said, and went to answer the door.
He kept his tail carefully hidden behind his left leg as he opened the door.
It was a deliveryman dressed in a light blue uniform. Nic felt the skin at
the back of his neck prickle at the sight of him, but wasn't sure why. "Can
I help you?" he asked.
"Is this the apartment of Mr. Nicodemus Maza and Miss Miyabe Tendo?" the
man looking at a clipboard asked in a high pitched voice.
Nic wondered how anyone knew his name and that he was staying with Miya.
"Yes, it is," he answered slowly, the prickly feeling increasing slightly.
"Great. Well, if I could just get you both to sign on these lines, I have
a few packages for you," the man said, his voice a little steadier now.
Nic wondered if it was fear in the man's voice. He studied the man a
little more closely, and read the name on his shirt. The man's name was
Masa. His shirt said he was from the Zeal Wind Delivery Co. He spoke in
slight accent he couldn't quite place. Nic was wary, and called to Miya.
"Miya... Come here, please" he said.
Nic took the clipboard from Masa and signed his name on a line. Miya
appeared behind him, and he felt her hand on the back of his shoulder. Masa
touched his hat in a gesture of respect for her. "Package for you, miss. If
you would just sign..." he said.
Miya smiled and took the clipboard from Nic, signing her name. "Do you
know who it's from?" she asked.
"Sorry, Miss Tendo, I'm only a delivery man," Mune said.
"Brother, are you almost finished?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Almost," Masa answered. He gave Nic a lopsided grin. "My brother," he
said, jerking his thumb in the direction of the voice. He handed a small
package to Miya, and a larger one to Nic. He also handed Nic a hefty
envelope.
"Look, brother! I'm the wind!" the second voice called from the hall. Nic
peered out to see a boy dressed in the similar uniform as his brother with
his arms spread wide, running in small circles.
"Mune, behave!" Masa hissed. The boy, Mune, smiled sheepishly and
stopped.
"Be sure to tell them! Can I tell them? Please? Can I?" Mune asked,
running up beside his brother.
"Yes, Mune, you can tell them," Mune sighed.
"Those who sent this said, that you must be warned to be careful. Careful
and to keep your gifts in your possession at all times,"Masa said proudly.
"I thought you said you didn't know who sent it!" Nic said, suspicion
creeping into his voice.
"We don't. We only know what the company tells us," Mune said, his voice
getting higher.
Nic nodded. Turning from the door, he used his thermograph vision to
quickly scan the packages, making sure no bombs or harmful devices had been
placed inside. Inside, he saw saw something but couldn't make it out, but he
did not deem them dangerous.
Miyabe had been staring at him. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Nic nodded and turned back to the door. Masa and Mune were gone. He stuck
his head out of the door, looking to see where they went. They were gone,
just like the wind. Nic went over to the window to try to see if there was a
delivery van of some sort. It was dark outside but using his night-vision he
can easily see in the darkness. Nothing was there.
"That's strange," Nic said. He wondered who was on patrol and if they had
seen anything.
"What is it?" Miya asked.
"They're gone. Something's not right. Didn't you sense it?" Nic asked,
looking to his mate.
"Well, just a bit. But I'm not sure what," she admitted.
Nic sighed in frustration. "Let's open these over dinner," he said,
heading back to the kitchen. Miya followed him.
Nic watched carefully as Miya opened her package. Inside was a metal box.
She slowly opened the box, and inside was a piece of copper jewelry. A thick
and massive chain was attached to a pendant of some sort. Miya held it up,
and the pendant caught the light and sparkled. It reminded them both of a
large key.
"Isn't it pretty?" Miya asked. Nic nodded, and impatiently opened his
box.
Inside his metal box, was also a piece of copper. Nic picked it up to
inspect it.
It was in the shape of an egg, but reminded Nic of a compass. The dial on
it could be moved manually, though. The dial stopped in five different
places. Words of some sort were written in some other language on each of
the five stops.
Miya noticed that in the top of the pendant was a symbol that greatly
resembled the egg-like compass in Nic's hands. She quietly showed Nic her
discovery. He nodded and started to open the envelope. He noticed then that
no postmark or any kind of price paid was on the boxes or envelope.
"Wait a minute," he said. "Miya, I know New York is strange, but what
delivery service delivers after seven at night?"
Miya stared at him and then found a phone book. She quickly tried to find
Zeal Wind Delivery Co., but found nothing. She grabbed up the phone and
dialed information. The operator informed her there was no listing for Zeal
wind.
"Nic, they don't exist," she said, scratching her head.
A soft breeze passed through the room. "Nic-chan, the window isn't open,"
Miya said, moving closer to him.
"Look, brother, I'm the wind!" Mune had said.
Nic also remembered the boy's strange warning. "What in hell..?," he
wondered. He tore open the envelope, hoping to find some answers. He read
the letter aloud.
Nicodemus and Miyabe,
You have not met me yet. But I have met you. We need you're help,
but when you meet me, I will not know with what. I do not know now.
You hold in your hands a set of devices called a Gate Key and a
Chronotrigger (or Time Controller). Only four sets were ever made,
but with the way time has been corrupted, too many exist. Many people
have died to get this set to you. We need your help. Please, at
midnight this very night, be at the tree marked on the map. Be sure
to bring the set.
Gaspar
"What sense did that make?" Miya asked. "This is getting a little too
weird."
Nic reread the letter twice before answering. "I'm not really sure. Think
I'll take this to the guys back at the castle, see what they have to say."
Miya bit her lip. "Then I'm going with you," she said.
"I don't think so." Nic answered flatly.
Miya smiled a bit, knowing she would go but not wanting to argue. After a
long eye-lock, she asked, "So where is this map Gasper spoke about?"
Nic turned the page to see a map of Central Park. Miya looked over his
shoulder. "Cleopatra's Needle" she said. "Didn't Elisa have some kind of
problem there a few years ago?"
Nic grinned. "Yeah, you could say that."
"Are you going to go?" she asked craftily, still knowing she was going.
"I think I have to," Nic said.
"It could be Quarrymen, you know," Miya warned.
Nic nodded. "If it is, How would they know about you? It's not like we're
on the news. We can pass for a human couple pretty easily," he said.
"What if they found out somehow? Maybe it's a trap. If they have us, the
others would surely come after us." Miya said.
Nic sighed, turning to the next page of the letter. He was now staring at
another map. This map was much older. The paper was stiff and had a brownish
tint from age. It was of a world Nic had never seen. The words were again in
another language, the same language as that on the Chronotrigger.
The map intrigued Nic for some strange reason. He didn't want to put Miya
in danger, but could all but read the determination on her face. "You can go
with me to the castle," he said.
Miya smiled. I'm going further than that, she thought.
"Let's eat. Then we'll go," he said.
*****
"Who did ye say sent this?," Hudson asked, holding the Gate Key up to his
good eye.
"These two guys from Zeal Wind Delivery Co. Their names were Masa and
Mune. Strangely enough, they didn't know who it was from. How did they know
_my_ name, and that I could be found at Miya's?," Nic said.
Lexington was holding the Chronotrigger, completely amazed. "I've never
seen anything like this. It's... so old ,yet so advanced at the same time.
It seems to contain some sort of power." he said.
Nic looked at Lexington with a wry grin. "What gave you that idea?" he
asked.
Lexington looked up. "I just... Are you poking fun of me?" he asked,
smiling. Miya let out a small laugh.
"Ever seen that writing before, Hudson?" Nic asked, showing him the
ancient map.
"Nay. But if ye gave us a few nights we'd be able to figure it out," the
gargoyle answered. "Perhaps the Grinorum will have answers."
Miya blinked. "I heard it was destroyed."
"You really think Xanatos didn't make a copy or two, just in case?," Lex
replied.
Bronx wandered into the room to see what was going on. Miya smiled at him
and he sat down at her feet.
"We don't have that much time. Where's Brooklyn and Broadway?" Nic asked.
"Brooklyn went out with Avery, Angela and Broadway are watching the
hatchlings"
"What about Pop?"
"Elisa's place."
"So, do you think it's a trap?" Miya blurted out. Everyone looked at her.
"What? Like it couldn't be Quarrymen?" she asked.
"I dinna think aboot that," Hudson said.
"I'm going to find Brooklyn and Broadway. We'll all go to the park at
midnight," Lexington said.
"No. Someone has to stay here with Miya," Nic said.
"I'm going," she said stubbornly.
Nic sighed and shook his head. "You are not," he said.
"Bronx kin stay with her," Hudson said, "I dinna think he'll mind." Bronx
seemed to grin in response.
"I'm going." Miya said stubbornly. "That's final."
*****
"I don't believe they left me behind!!!!" Miyabe yelled, when Avery found
the short japanese woman in a closet a few minutes after the others had
left.
"What's going on here?" Avery asked. "Who locked you in the closet?"
Avery saw Miya's eyes smolderin anger, if she didn't know better she'd say
they were about to light up. Bronx whimpered at her side looking distraught
at Miya, as he followed her.
"Nic no yaro..." she hissed, making her way past the hybrid. Miya stormed
her way to where her things were.
Angela was coming out of the bathroom when she spotted Miya with Avery
following a short distance behind. "What's wrong with Miyabe?," she asked
Avery.
"I don't know," the blond hybrid answered, "but the girl's pissed and it
has something to do with your brother."
"CHIKUSHO!!!" The two heard Miya scream. "He took my keys!"
"Miya, what in the world is going on?" Angela asked, trying to calm Miya
down.Miya told them about the packages and the map. "So Nic locked you in
the closet?"
Miyabe nodded. "Hai" She then said something that roughly translated to:
"When I find him, I'm gonna rip his tail off and stuff it down his throat!"
"Miya," said Avery to her, "deep breaths. You're gonna give yourself
aneurism." Miya did as told. After a few seconds she visibly calmed. "Feel
better?"
"A little, but I'm still gonna kill him. The letter asked both of us to
be there."
"Well then, let's go," Avery said, heading to her room and quickly
returning with a set of keys and a pair of black, police-issue nightsticks.
"I suppose you want me to keep watching the hatchlings?" Angela asked
wryly.
"Would you?"
Angela sighed. "I don't have much choice, do I?" She watched as her
friends headed out to head to Central Park. Angela looked down at her
swollen belly, placing her hand gently on it "As much as I love being
pregnant..." She left the statement hanging in the air.
(Ionic Butterfly: Wouldn't someone have noticed the screaming coming
from the closet before this scene takes place?
Ranwolf: Uhm... It's one of those flubs that show up in stories every once
in a while.
Ionic Butterfly: Oh. So you put that in on purpose.
Ranwolf: Uh.. Yeah? )
*****
Nic, disguise to look as human as he could, was sitting at a bench near
the Needle. He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for. Four gargoyles
were hidden within the vicinity. He had the Chronotrigger and Gate Key in
one of his trench coat pockets, and the ancient map in another. He looked at
his watch. It was ten 'til midnight.
The only thing on his mind was how angry Miyabe had been when he really
left her behind at the castle with Bronx. He knew hell was going to have to
be paid to get her to even speak to him again, but she was so worth it.
He began fidgeting with a loose string on his coat when he heard a rustle
in the bushes behind the bench. He turned slowly, hearing a familiar
scratching.
"Would you quit it?" he heard a very familiar voice ask.
"Miya?!," he all but yelled. Bronx crept from the bushes where he
had started digging. "I told you to keep her at the castle! Why didn't
you?," Nic demanded. Bronx whimpered apologetically, and tried to hide
under his paws
"Don't blame him," Avery said coming out with Miya. Nic groaned.
"Look, whoever wanted you here, wanted both of you. Miya told me what
was going on so I brought her. I had to," she said.
Miyabe's and Avery's appearance brought the other gargoyles from hiding.
They all stared at Bronx, who seemed to cringe.
"Don't blame him. Blame me," Miya said.
Nic stood up and hugged Miya close. "Why?" he whispered again.
Suddenly, a surge of heat burned Nic's leg. Being so close, Miya jumped
back from it too. Nic looked to his pocket and reached in, pulling out the
Gate Key. It burned his gloved hand, and he dropped it, swearing under his
breath. "Fuck!!"
Miya reached down and picked it up. It was cool to her touch. Everyone
just stared without saying a word. Nic pulled out the Chronotrigger, and saw
the dial moving on its own. It was going haywire, moving from all its points
very quickly. It stopped on the right-most symbol, which Nic then realized
what the symbol was.
It was the symbol for infinity.
Nic glanced at his watch. The face read five seconds 'til midnight, and
then the hands began moving on their own, going as fast as they could. The
wind picked up. Nic was eerily reminded of the boy playing in the hallway.
A flash of light lit the air, causing the gargoyles to be on guard. The
wind stopped, and so did the hands on Nic's watch. He tried to move the dial
of the Chronotrigger to another position, but it would not turn.
"What sort of magic is this?" Hudson asked, just to break the silence.
Miya noticed something behind Hudson at that point. It was a small
purplish-blue dot of... light? She moved closer, holding the gate key in
front of her. The dot enlarged with every step.
Nic and the rest had now taken notice. "What the...?" Lexington gasped.
Miya looked to Nic. He grabbed her arm. She kept moving forward. He
followed.
Soon, all they could see was the light, and even though Miya tried to
stop, some force was pulling her within. Nic was pulled along with her. They
both fell into the light.
Nic heard Hudson yell, "Nooo!" and saw the elder reach out for them
before the light closed them off from the park. The light surrounded them,
flying very quickly past them. They were falling now. Falling was not the
best word, since Nic and Miya both felt they were on some sort of roller
coaster, heading toward a predetermined point. Where that point was, Nic had
no idea.
Suddenly, they hit something hard. Nic heard Miya groan, and since the
light was gone and he could see her, he instantly made sure she was all
right. When he was satisfied, he looked around.
"Well, lookie what the 'Trigger dragged in," someone said.
"Where are we?" Miya asked. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. After
a few moments the pain passed and she realized she is beside Nic and looked
around.
It was a street of some sort. Lamp posts lit the darkness, even though
the street was not that long. Three people sat leaning against a water
fountain in the middle of the street. At the end of the street, were five
points of light. Behind Nic and Miya was another dot of light. They were at
the other end. Miya realized these lights must
be gates.
The strangest thing was this street was all that existed. The street
ended abruptly in both directions, and no roads led off. All that existed
besides the street was blackness. This bothered Miya to no measure. "Where
are we?" Miya asked again.
"Great. More people that don't know what they are doing," the same voice,
a female one, said. Miya looked to the fountain.
There was only one female. She had short black hair, cut off at her ears.
Her face was white and the shape of her eyes made Miya think she was
Japanese, but something about her that made Miya think otherwise. She held a
weapon neither Miya or Nic had ever seen before. A giant Shuriken. And to
top it all off, she looked like a teenager. She was smiling at them with a
mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Dear gods, Yuffie, will you behave?" one of the men said. The man stood
up. He was pretty tall, maybe just a bit shorter than Nic. His blonde hair
was the most unruly mat of hair Miya had ever seen in her life. A giant
broadsword was sheathed on his back. His big blue eyes shocked Miya, letting
her know the other was not fully human.
The girl, Yuffie, glared at the man. "I want to go home," she spat out,
folding her arms. "How will we get home if they don't know what they are
doing?"
"Who said they are here to help us? They may want to kill us. Look, the
guy isn't even human," the man said. They both looked to Nic and Miyabe.
(Ionic Butterfly: The tail's a dead giveaway.)
Nic stood and helped Miya up. He stood in front of her, and reached
behind his back, closing his hand around his telescopic Bo.
"There is no need for aggression on anyone's part," the third person
said, standing up. He was dressed in complete black. A black cloak was
pulled tightly around him. His hat he wore hid his eyes. "Welcome,
Nicodemus, Miyabe," he said.
Nic's grip tightened on his Bo. "Who are you?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "Why, I am the guru of time. Gaspar, of course. Who
else sent for you?" he asked.
"Why did you bring us here?" Nic asked, angry at the cloaked figure.
Gaspar shrugged. "That depends on which letter you received. Even then, I
can't be sure. All that matters is that you are here."
"Who are they?" Nic asked.
"Well, this charming young lady is Yuffie Kisaragi. And this man is Cloud
Strife. Yuffie, Cloud, meet Nicodemus Maza and Miyabe Tendo," Gasper said.
For a time no one said anything. "Well, come on, let's be nice. No one's
done anyone any harm, so let's say we get along and be nice," the guru said,
a almost charming smile playing on his features.
Cloud sighed and walked over to Nic. He held out his hand. Nic hesitated
then took Cloud by the forearm. Nic wondered exactly what Cloud was. He was
human, yet there was something foreign about that.
Yuffie rolled her eyes then followed suit. "So have you actually got a
'trigger and a key?" she asked after shaking hands with both Nic and Miya.
"You know what they are?" Nic asked.
Cloud spoke before Yuffie could come back with a smart remark. "The set
controls time through gates. They once belonged to sages who were wise and
just... The sages were murdered and now the time sets belong to many
different people. How did you acquire yours?"
Nic pointed at Gaspar. "He sent it. Along with this map," he said pulling
out the map and showing it to Cloud.
Cloud smiled. "Home sweet home. The Old Man must have sent you here to
take Yuffie and me home."
"That must be it," the old man agreed.
"What is this place?" Miya asked, still intrigued by the small existence.
"This is the End of Time. When all worlds, realities, universes, whatever
you want to call them, ends, it comes here. It just takes a while to get
here," Gaspar said.
"Infinity," Nic whispered.
"Amazing concept, isn't it, boy?" Gaspar asked.
"I am not a boy," Nic growled.
"Compared to me, you are," Gaspar said nonchalantly.
"So, like, are you going to take us home or not?" Yuffie asked.
"If I knew how, I would," Nic said.
Yuffie walked up to the old man and grabbed him by the collar. "Why did
you send amateurs?"
"Of all the worlds, they were the best suited. Trust me, little lady," he
answered, as he gently pried Yuffie's hands off of his person.
Cloud headed down the street, motioning for Nic and Miya to follow. He
began explaining. "These are called time gates, or just gates. Gate keys,
like the one Miyabe holds, can open them.
Now, the one you two fell through, is a controlled gate. Using the
trigger, you can pick the place you go. See how it was set to infinity?
Well, that is the End of Time. So you came through and ended up here. Now
these five gates here are determined gates. They only go to one place time
whatever you want to call it. It is best not to screw around with them. You
could end up messing up another world.
This gate here," he said, pointing to a gate in the middle, "can be opened
by holding the key in front of it. This one is the gate back to my world or
time, however you want to look at it."
"So how did you get here?" Miyabe asked.
Cloud laughed a bit, looking to a fuming Yuffie. "Well, our world only
had one set. She was guarding it one night. But there was a..um.. a
distraction, shall we say. The set was stolen. She came to me for help, and
when we tracked down the thief, he brought us here, and left us. So we are
trapped in infinity until someone takes us home," he said.
"So all we have to do is use this key to get you home?" Miya asked. Cloud
nodded.
"Hold it, not true. There are four of us," Yuffie said.
Cloud grimaced, and Gaspar chuckled back at the fountain. "Only three can
pass through a gate at a time. So one of you would have to stay here and
bring us through, then go back," Cloud said.
"That's not going to happen. Miya will take you two through one at a time
so I'll be with her," Nic said quickly, not fully trusting the strangers.
Cloud nodded. "Alright. Is she your wife?"
"In a sense, yes," Nic answered.
"Then I understand completely," Cloud laughed. "Oh, how I miss my wife.
And my daughter. And my newborn son," he said.
"How long have you been here?" Miya asked.
"Almost a year. Time passes strangely here. Maybe a week has passed in my
world," Cloud said softly.
"Well, let's get you home then," Miya said, taking Nic's arm.
"Yuffie, you go first. And don't run off either. I'll need your help
getting anywhere," Cloud said.
"Yes, father," Yuffie mocked, taking Miya's other arm.
They slowly walked toward the gate, and were pulled through the same way
as the other gate. They hit ground. Nic and Miya found themselves beneath a
beautiful blue sky on a beach.
Yuffie swore. "Hurry. Go back and get Cloud. It's dangerous here," she
said, looking around warily.
Miya and Nic did as they were told. The process was repeated, Cloud said
a week might have passed. They emerged back in Cloud's world to find Yuffie
surrounded by creatures resembling Gamera. There were two of them, but the
danger was evident.
Yuffie was fighting with her weapon, and Cloud instantly drew his sword,
jumping into the fight. Nic stood back, guarding Miya. As Cloud and Yuffie
focused on one of the beasts, the other turned its attention to Nic and
Miya.
"Cloud! What the hell is going on!?" Nic yelled, backing up.
"Ever since our set was lost, these creatures have been raiding our
lands! Just kill them!" Cloud yelled back.
"Kill?" Miya said behind him.
"Don't go PETA on me now, Miya." Nic said to her.
Nic realized Miya had never seen any thing of this kind before, and
realized she must really be scared. He took a deep breath and concentrated,
then said the words, "Fulminos Venite!"
Nic felt the familiar surge of power flow through his body, just before
lightning shot from his hands, and hit both beasts in the face, stunning
them. Cloud and Yuffie stared for a moment, and Nic had enough sense to
cover Miya's eyes before they quit staring and put the finishing touches on
the beasts.
Nic felt Miya holding onto him, her face buried in his shoulder with
fear. He felt tired from the spell, unintentionally putting more power into
the spell. "It's okay, Miya," he whispered to her .
"Whoa, man! What was that? That was pretty awesome," Yuffie cried
out. "What kind of materia can do that?"
"Materia?" Nic asked.
"Yuf, I think that was _real_ magic," Cloud said. Yuffie's eyes at the
implications if the statement is true.
"Come on, let's get out of here before their friends and family show up,"
Cloud said.
Somehow, instinctively, Nic knew Miya was pretty scared. She could fight
fairly well,but her weapons of choice, the Yumi, were at her apartment.
Kenpo may get her killed in this world. Then again Cloud and Yuffie used
hand weapons against those Gamera things
"We did what we were suppose too. We're heading back."
"Nic, I am so sorry...," Miya said.
"For what?"
"I dropped it. I don't know where it is... I looked but it is not
here...," Miya said.
"You dropped the key?" everyone asked in unison. Miya winced.
"No matter." Cloud said. "We can find another one."
"But you said only one was here and it was stolen," Nic said.
"Well, since the gate is open, so many fly through here. We can find
one," he said.
"Okay, well whatever we are going to do, we need to do right now," Yuffie
said, seeing humps out in the ocean moving in their direction.
"Follow me," Cloud said, taking off in a slow run. Everyone followed.
"I'm sorry," Miya muttered.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way back. It'll be okay," Nic said just to
comfort her, not believing his own words.
End Part One
________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
by
The Ionic Butterfly(aurelia_@yahoo.com)
Ranwolf(ranwolf@hotmail.com)
All Gargoyles characters belong to Disney/Buena vista studios. Characters
from the Final Fantasy series, Chronotrigger etc. belong to Square and
Squaresoft. The Characters of Nic Maza and Miyabe Tendo belong to Ranwolf
and Ionic, respectively. C&C are always welcomed. Flames will be read,
considered, laughed at, then burned. (Get it? Flames? Burned? ^_^)
CHAPTER 1: TO INFINITY...
Nicodemus Maza smiled to himself when he heard the water from the shower
being turned off. He was cooking dinner for his mate, Miyabe, at her
apartment. He turned off the burner beneath the chicken soup, and with a
gloved hand, pulled the rolls out of the oven.
Miyabe had just finished her shower that she had promised, "would only
take a minute." Nic had started dinner when she began. Now that she was
finished, so was she. He began setting the dinner table.
"Hon? Dinner's waiting," Nic called out. Miya strolled into the kitchen,
smiling. Nic's mind raced when he saw her.
Dressed in a white tee shirt, blue jeans shorts, and socks, she was still
stunning.Her waist-length jet black hair was still wet but combed neatly
away from her face. The steam from the shower had turned her face from its
usual porcelain white to a temporary red. The red brought out her jade-green
eyes, which Nic would swear were sparkling.
Nic smiled back at her as she locked arms with him to give him a quick
kiss. He caught a whiff of her shampoo, or maybe it was her soap, but it
smelled good.
"Dinner smells delicious," Miya said, sitting down at the table.
So do you, Nic considered saying, but kept it to himself as he sat down.
As soon as he was seated, the doorbell rang.
(Ranwolf: Don't you hate it when that happens?
Ionic Butterfly: Yup. That's why I have an electric doormat.
Ranwolf: *raises an eyebrow* What's it do? *As if on cue, the lights in
the room flicker and a muffled scream is heard* Oh.)
Nic and Miya stared at one another for a moment wondering who it could
be. "I'll get it," Miya finally said.
"Stay put. I'll get it," Nic said, and went to answer the door.
He kept his tail carefully hidden behind his left leg as he opened the door.
It was a deliveryman dressed in a light blue uniform. Nic felt the skin at
the back of his neck prickle at the sight of him, but wasn't sure why. "Can
I help you?" he asked.
"Is this the apartment of Mr. Nicodemus Maza and Miss Miyabe Tendo?" the
man looking at a clipboard asked in a high pitched voice.
Nic wondered how anyone knew his name and that he was staying with Miya.
"Yes, it is," he answered slowly, the prickly feeling increasing slightly.
"Great. Well, if I could just get you both to sign on these lines, I have
a few packages for you," the man said, his voice a little steadier now.
Nic wondered if it was fear in the man's voice. He studied the man a
little more closely, and read the name on his shirt. The man's name was
Masa. His shirt said he was from the Zeal Wind Delivery Co. He spoke in
slight accent he couldn't quite place. Nic was wary, and called to Miya.
"Miya... Come here, please" he said.
Nic took the clipboard from Masa and signed his name on a line. Miya
appeared behind him, and he felt her hand on the back of his shoulder. Masa
touched his hat in a gesture of respect for her. "Package for you, miss. If
you would just sign..." he said.
Miya smiled and took the clipboard from Nic, signing her name. "Do you
know who it's from?" she asked.
"Sorry, Miss Tendo, I'm only a delivery man," Mune said.
"Brother, are you almost finished?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Almost," Masa answered. He gave Nic a lopsided grin. "My brother," he
said, jerking his thumb in the direction of the voice. He handed a small
package to Miya, and a larger one to Nic. He also handed Nic a hefty
envelope.
"Look, brother! I'm the wind!" the second voice called from the hall. Nic
peered out to see a boy dressed in the similar uniform as his brother with
his arms spread wide, running in small circles.
"Mune, behave!" Masa hissed. The boy, Mune, smiled sheepishly and
stopped.
"Be sure to tell them! Can I tell them? Please? Can I?" Mune asked,
running up beside his brother.
"Yes, Mune, you can tell them," Mune sighed.
"Those who sent this said, that you must be warned to be careful. Careful
and to keep your gifts in your possession at all times,"Masa said proudly.
"I thought you said you didn't know who sent it!" Nic said, suspicion
creeping into his voice.
"We don't. We only know what the company tells us," Mune said, his voice
getting higher.
Nic nodded. Turning from the door, he used his thermograph vision to
quickly scan the packages, making sure no bombs or harmful devices had been
placed inside. Inside, he saw saw something but couldn't make it out, but he
did not deem them dangerous.
Miyabe had been staring at him. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly.
Nic nodded and turned back to the door. Masa and Mune were gone. He stuck
his head out of the door, looking to see where they went. They were gone,
just like the wind. Nic went over to the window to try to see if there was a
delivery van of some sort. It was dark outside but using his night-vision he
can easily see in the darkness. Nothing was there.
"That's strange," Nic said. He wondered who was on patrol and if they had
seen anything.
"What is it?" Miya asked.
"They're gone. Something's not right. Didn't you sense it?" Nic asked,
looking to his mate.
"Well, just a bit. But I'm not sure what," she admitted.
Nic sighed in frustration. "Let's open these over dinner," he said,
heading back to the kitchen. Miya followed him.
Nic watched carefully as Miya opened her package. Inside was a metal box.
She slowly opened the box, and inside was a piece of copper jewelry. A thick
and massive chain was attached to a pendant of some sort. Miya held it up,
and the pendant caught the light and sparkled. It reminded them both of a
large key.
"Isn't it pretty?" Miya asked. Nic nodded, and impatiently opened his
box.
Inside his metal box, was also a piece of copper. Nic picked it up to
inspect it.
It was in the shape of an egg, but reminded Nic of a compass. The dial on
it could be moved manually, though. The dial stopped in five different
places. Words of some sort were written in some other language on each of
the five stops.
Miya noticed that in the top of the pendant was a symbol that greatly
resembled the egg-like compass in Nic's hands. She quietly showed Nic her
discovery. He nodded and started to open the envelope. He noticed then that
no postmark or any kind of price paid was on the boxes or envelope.
"Wait a minute," he said. "Miya, I know New York is strange, but what
delivery service delivers after seven at night?"
Miya stared at him and then found a phone book. She quickly tried to find
Zeal Wind Delivery Co., but found nothing. She grabbed up the phone and
dialed information. The operator informed her there was no listing for Zeal
wind.
"Nic, they don't exist," she said, scratching her head.
A soft breeze passed through the room. "Nic-chan, the window isn't open,"
Miya said, moving closer to him.
"Look, brother, I'm the wind!" Mune had said.
Nic also remembered the boy's strange warning. "What in hell..?," he
wondered. He tore open the envelope, hoping to find some answers. He read
the letter aloud.
Nicodemus and Miyabe,
You have not met me yet. But I have met you. We need you're help,
but when you meet me, I will not know with what. I do not know now.
You hold in your hands a set of devices called a Gate Key and a
Chronotrigger (or Time Controller). Only four sets were ever made,
but with the way time has been corrupted, too many exist. Many people
have died to get this set to you. We need your help. Please, at
midnight this very night, be at the tree marked on the map. Be sure
to bring the set.
Gaspar
"What sense did that make?" Miya asked. "This is getting a little too
weird."
Nic reread the letter twice before answering. "I'm not really sure. Think
I'll take this to the guys back at the castle, see what they have to say."
Miya bit her lip. "Then I'm going with you," she said.
"I don't think so." Nic answered flatly.
Miya smiled a bit, knowing she would go but not wanting to argue. After a
long eye-lock, she asked, "So where is this map Gasper spoke about?"
Nic turned the page to see a map of Central Park. Miya looked over his
shoulder. "Cleopatra's Needle" she said. "Didn't Elisa have some kind of
problem there a few years ago?"
Nic grinned. "Yeah, you could say that."
"Are you going to go?" she asked craftily, still knowing she was going.
"I think I have to," Nic said.
"It could be Quarrymen, you know," Miya warned.
Nic nodded. "If it is, How would they know about you? It's not like we're
on the news. We can pass for a human couple pretty easily," he said.
"What if they found out somehow? Maybe it's a trap. If they have us, the
others would surely come after us." Miya said.
Nic sighed, turning to the next page of the letter. He was now staring at
another map. This map was much older. The paper was stiff and had a brownish
tint from age. It was of a world Nic had never seen. The words were again in
another language, the same language as that on the Chronotrigger.
The map intrigued Nic for some strange reason. He didn't want to put Miya
in danger, but could all but read the determination on her face. "You can go
with me to the castle," he said.
Miya smiled. I'm going further than that, she thought.
"Let's eat. Then we'll go," he said.
*****
"Who did ye say sent this?," Hudson asked, holding the Gate Key up to his
good eye.
"These two guys from Zeal Wind Delivery Co. Their names were Masa and
Mune. Strangely enough, they didn't know who it was from. How did they know
_my_ name, and that I could be found at Miya's?," Nic said.
Lexington was holding the Chronotrigger, completely amazed. "I've never
seen anything like this. It's... so old ,yet so advanced at the same time.
It seems to contain some sort of power." he said.
Nic looked at Lexington with a wry grin. "What gave you that idea?" he
asked.
Lexington looked up. "I just... Are you poking fun of me?" he asked,
smiling. Miya let out a small laugh.
"Ever seen that writing before, Hudson?" Nic asked, showing him the
ancient map.
"Nay. But if ye gave us a few nights we'd be able to figure it out," the
gargoyle answered. "Perhaps the Grinorum will have answers."
Miya blinked. "I heard it was destroyed."
"You really think Xanatos didn't make a copy or two, just in case?," Lex
replied.
Bronx wandered into the room to see what was going on. Miya smiled at him
and he sat down at her feet.
"We don't have that much time. Where's Brooklyn and Broadway?" Nic asked.
"Brooklyn went out with Avery, Angela and Broadway are watching the
hatchlings"
"What about Pop?"
"Elisa's place."
"So, do you think it's a trap?" Miya blurted out. Everyone looked at her.
"What? Like it couldn't be Quarrymen?" she asked.
"I dinna think aboot that," Hudson said.
"I'm going to find Brooklyn and Broadway. We'll all go to the park at
midnight," Lexington said.
"No. Someone has to stay here with Miya," Nic said.
"I'm going," she said stubbornly.
Nic sighed and shook his head. "You are not," he said.
"Bronx kin stay with her," Hudson said, "I dinna think he'll mind." Bronx
seemed to grin in response.
"I'm going." Miya said stubbornly. "That's final."
*****
"I don't believe they left me behind!!!!" Miyabe yelled, when Avery found
the short japanese woman in a closet a few minutes after the others had
left.
"What's going on here?" Avery asked. "Who locked you in the closet?"
Avery saw Miya's eyes smolderin anger, if she didn't know better she'd say
they were about to light up. Bronx whimpered at her side looking distraught
at Miya, as he followed her.
"Nic no yaro..." she hissed, making her way past the hybrid. Miya stormed
her way to where her things were.
Angela was coming out of the bathroom when she spotted Miya with Avery
following a short distance behind. "What's wrong with Miyabe?," she asked
Avery.
"I don't know," the blond hybrid answered, "but the girl's pissed and it
has something to do with your brother."
"CHIKUSHO!!!" The two heard Miya scream. "He took my keys!"
"Miya, what in the world is going on?" Angela asked, trying to calm Miya
down.Miya told them about the packages and the map. "So Nic locked you in
the closet?"
Miyabe nodded. "Hai" She then said something that roughly translated to:
"When I find him, I'm gonna rip his tail off and stuff it down his throat!"
"Miya," said Avery to her, "deep breaths. You're gonna give yourself
aneurism." Miya did as told. After a few seconds she visibly calmed. "Feel
better?"
"A little, but I'm still gonna kill him. The letter asked both of us to
be there."
"Well then, let's go," Avery said, heading to her room and quickly
returning with a set of keys and a pair of black, police-issue nightsticks.
"I suppose you want me to keep watching the hatchlings?" Angela asked
wryly.
"Would you?"
Angela sighed. "I don't have much choice, do I?" She watched as her
friends headed out to head to Central Park. Angela looked down at her
swollen belly, placing her hand gently on it "As much as I love being
pregnant..." She left the statement hanging in the air.
(Ionic Butterfly: Wouldn't someone have noticed the screaming coming
from the closet before this scene takes place?
Ranwolf: Uhm... It's one of those flubs that show up in stories every once
in a while.
Ionic Butterfly: Oh. So you put that in on purpose.
Ranwolf: Uh.. Yeah? )
*****
Nic, disguise to look as human as he could, was sitting at a bench near
the Needle. He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for. Four gargoyles
were hidden within the vicinity. He had the Chronotrigger and Gate Key in
one of his trench coat pockets, and the ancient map in another. He looked at
his watch. It was ten 'til midnight.
The only thing on his mind was how angry Miyabe had been when he really
left her behind at the castle with Bronx. He knew hell was going to have to
be paid to get her to even speak to him again, but she was so worth it.
He began fidgeting with a loose string on his coat when he heard a rustle
in the bushes behind the bench. He turned slowly, hearing a familiar
scratching.
"Would you quit it?" he heard a very familiar voice ask.
"Miya?!," he all but yelled. Bronx crept from the bushes where he
had started digging. "I told you to keep her at the castle! Why didn't
you?," Nic demanded. Bronx whimpered apologetically, and tried to hide
under his paws
"Don't blame him," Avery said coming out with Miya. Nic groaned.
"Look, whoever wanted you here, wanted both of you. Miya told me what
was going on so I brought her. I had to," she said.
Miyabe's and Avery's appearance brought the other gargoyles from hiding.
They all stared at Bronx, who seemed to cringe.
"Don't blame him. Blame me," Miya said.
Nic stood up and hugged Miya close. "Why?" he whispered again.
Suddenly, a surge of heat burned Nic's leg. Being so close, Miya jumped
back from it too. Nic looked to his pocket and reached in, pulling out the
Gate Key. It burned his gloved hand, and he dropped it, swearing under his
breath. "Fuck!!"
Miya reached down and picked it up. It was cool to her touch. Everyone
just stared without saying a word. Nic pulled out the Chronotrigger, and saw
the dial moving on its own. It was going haywire, moving from all its points
very quickly. It stopped on the right-most symbol, which Nic then realized
what the symbol was.
It was the symbol for infinity.
Nic glanced at his watch. The face read five seconds 'til midnight, and
then the hands began moving on their own, going as fast as they could. The
wind picked up. Nic was eerily reminded of the boy playing in the hallway.
A flash of light lit the air, causing the gargoyles to be on guard. The
wind stopped, and so did the hands on Nic's watch. He tried to move the dial
of the Chronotrigger to another position, but it would not turn.
"What sort of magic is this?" Hudson asked, just to break the silence.
Miya noticed something behind Hudson at that point. It was a small
purplish-blue dot of... light? She moved closer, holding the gate key in
front of her. The dot enlarged with every step.
Nic and the rest had now taken notice. "What the...?" Lexington gasped.
Miya looked to Nic. He grabbed her arm. She kept moving forward. He
followed.
Soon, all they could see was the light, and even though Miya tried to
stop, some force was pulling her within. Nic was pulled along with her. They
both fell into the light.
Nic heard Hudson yell, "Nooo!" and saw the elder reach out for them
before the light closed them off from the park. The light surrounded them,
flying very quickly past them. They were falling now. Falling was not the
best word, since Nic and Miya both felt they were on some sort of roller
coaster, heading toward a predetermined point. Where that point was, Nic had
no idea.
Suddenly, they hit something hard. Nic heard Miya groan, and since the
light was gone and he could see her, he instantly made sure she was all
right. When he was satisfied, he looked around.
"Well, lookie what the 'Trigger dragged in," someone said.
"Where are we?" Miya asked. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. After
a few moments the pain passed and she realized she is beside Nic and looked
around.
It was a street of some sort. Lamp posts lit the darkness, even though
the street was not that long. Three people sat leaning against a water
fountain in the middle of the street. At the end of the street, were five
points of light. Behind Nic and Miya was another dot of light. They were at
the other end. Miya realized these lights must
be gates.
The strangest thing was this street was all that existed. The street
ended abruptly in both directions, and no roads led off. All that existed
besides the street was blackness. This bothered Miya to no measure. "Where
are we?" Miya asked again.
"Great. More people that don't know what they are doing," the same voice,
a female one, said. Miya looked to the fountain.
There was only one female. She had short black hair, cut off at her ears.
Her face was white and the shape of her eyes made Miya think she was
Japanese, but something about her that made Miya think otherwise. She held a
weapon neither Miya or Nic had ever seen before. A giant Shuriken. And to
top it all off, she looked like a teenager. She was smiling at them with a
mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Dear gods, Yuffie, will you behave?" one of the men said. The man stood
up. He was pretty tall, maybe just a bit shorter than Nic. His blonde hair
was the most unruly mat of hair Miya had ever seen in her life. A giant
broadsword was sheathed on his back. His big blue eyes shocked Miya, letting
her know the other was not fully human.
The girl, Yuffie, glared at the man. "I want to go home," she spat out,
folding her arms. "How will we get home if they don't know what they are
doing?"
"Who said they are here to help us? They may want to kill us. Look, the
guy isn't even human," the man said. They both looked to Nic and Miyabe.
(Ionic Butterfly: The tail's a dead giveaway.)
Nic stood and helped Miya up. He stood in front of her, and reached
behind his back, closing his hand around his telescopic Bo.
"There is no need for aggression on anyone's part," the third person
said, standing up. He was dressed in complete black. A black cloak was
pulled tightly around him. His hat he wore hid his eyes. "Welcome,
Nicodemus, Miyabe," he said.
Nic's grip tightened on his Bo. "Who are you?" he asked.
The old man smiled. "Why, I am the guru of time. Gaspar, of course. Who
else sent for you?" he asked.
"Why did you bring us here?" Nic asked, angry at the cloaked figure.
Gaspar shrugged. "That depends on which letter you received. Even then, I
can't be sure. All that matters is that you are here."
"Who are they?" Nic asked.
"Well, this charming young lady is Yuffie Kisaragi. And this man is Cloud
Strife. Yuffie, Cloud, meet Nicodemus Maza and Miyabe Tendo," Gasper said.
For a time no one said anything. "Well, come on, let's be nice. No one's
done anyone any harm, so let's say we get along and be nice," the guru said,
a almost charming smile playing on his features.
Cloud sighed and walked over to Nic. He held out his hand. Nic hesitated
then took Cloud by the forearm. Nic wondered exactly what Cloud was. He was
human, yet there was something foreign about that.
Yuffie rolled her eyes then followed suit. "So have you actually got a
'trigger and a key?" she asked after shaking hands with both Nic and Miya.
"You know what they are?" Nic asked.
Cloud spoke before Yuffie could come back with a smart remark. "The set
controls time through gates. They once belonged to sages who were wise and
just... The sages were murdered and now the time sets belong to many
different people. How did you acquire yours?"
Nic pointed at Gaspar. "He sent it. Along with this map," he said pulling
out the map and showing it to Cloud.
Cloud smiled. "Home sweet home. The Old Man must have sent you here to
take Yuffie and me home."
"That must be it," the old man agreed.
"What is this place?" Miya asked, still intrigued by the small existence.
"This is the End of Time. When all worlds, realities, universes, whatever
you want to call them, ends, it comes here. It just takes a while to get
here," Gaspar said.
"Infinity," Nic whispered.
"Amazing concept, isn't it, boy?" Gaspar asked.
"I am not a boy," Nic growled.
"Compared to me, you are," Gaspar said nonchalantly.
"So, like, are you going to take us home or not?" Yuffie asked.
"If I knew how, I would," Nic said.
Yuffie walked up to the old man and grabbed him by the collar. "Why did
you send amateurs?"
"Of all the worlds, they were the best suited. Trust me, little lady," he
answered, as he gently pried Yuffie's hands off of his person.
Cloud headed down the street, motioning for Nic and Miya to follow. He
began explaining. "These are called time gates, or just gates. Gate keys,
like the one Miyabe holds, can open them.
Now, the one you two fell through, is a controlled gate. Using the
trigger, you can pick the place you go. See how it was set to infinity?
Well, that is the End of Time. So you came through and ended up here. Now
these five gates here are determined gates. They only go to one place time
whatever you want to call it. It is best not to screw around with them. You
could end up messing up another world.
This gate here," he said, pointing to a gate in the middle, "can be opened
by holding the key in front of it. This one is the gate back to my world or
time, however you want to look at it."
"So how did you get here?" Miyabe asked.
Cloud laughed a bit, looking to a fuming Yuffie. "Well, our world only
had one set. She was guarding it one night. But there was a..um.. a
distraction, shall we say. The set was stolen. She came to me for help, and
when we tracked down the thief, he brought us here, and left us. So we are
trapped in infinity until someone takes us home," he said.
"So all we have to do is use this key to get you home?" Miya asked. Cloud
nodded.
"Hold it, not true. There are four of us," Yuffie said.
Cloud grimaced, and Gaspar chuckled back at the fountain. "Only three can
pass through a gate at a time. So one of you would have to stay here and
bring us through, then go back," Cloud said.
"That's not going to happen. Miya will take you two through one at a time
so I'll be with her," Nic said quickly, not fully trusting the strangers.
Cloud nodded. "Alright. Is she your wife?"
"In a sense, yes," Nic answered.
"Then I understand completely," Cloud laughed. "Oh, how I miss my wife.
And my daughter. And my newborn son," he said.
"How long have you been here?" Miya asked.
"Almost a year. Time passes strangely here. Maybe a week has passed in my
world," Cloud said softly.
"Well, let's get you home then," Miya said, taking Nic's arm.
"Yuffie, you go first. And don't run off either. I'll need your help
getting anywhere," Cloud said.
"Yes, father," Yuffie mocked, taking Miya's other arm.
They slowly walked toward the gate, and were pulled through the same way
as the other gate. They hit ground. Nic and Miya found themselves beneath a
beautiful blue sky on a beach.
Yuffie swore. "Hurry. Go back and get Cloud. It's dangerous here," she
said, looking around warily.
Miya and Nic did as they were told. The process was repeated, Cloud said
a week might have passed. They emerged back in Cloud's world to find Yuffie
surrounded by creatures resembling Gamera. There were two of them, but the
danger was evident.
Yuffie was fighting with her weapon, and Cloud instantly drew his sword,
jumping into the fight. Nic stood back, guarding Miya. As Cloud and Yuffie
focused on one of the beasts, the other turned its attention to Nic and
Miya.
"Cloud! What the hell is going on!?" Nic yelled, backing up.
"Ever since our set was lost, these creatures have been raiding our
lands! Just kill them!" Cloud yelled back.
"Kill?" Miya said behind him.
"Don't go PETA on me now, Miya." Nic said to her.
Nic realized Miya had never seen any thing of this kind before, and
realized she must really be scared. He took a deep breath and concentrated,
then said the words, "Fulminos Venite!"
Nic felt the familiar surge of power flow through his body, just before
lightning shot from his hands, and hit both beasts in the face, stunning
them. Cloud and Yuffie stared for a moment, and Nic had enough sense to
cover Miya's eyes before they quit staring and put the finishing touches on
the beasts.
Nic felt Miya holding onto him, her face buried in his shoulder with
fear. He felt tired from the spell, unintentionally putting more power into
the spell. "It's okay, Miya," he whispered to her .
"Whoa, man! What was that? That was pretty awesome," Yuffie cried
out. "What kind of materia can do that?"
"Materia?" Nic asked.
"Yuf, I think that was _real_ magic," Cloud said. Yuffie's eyes at the
implications if the statement is true.
"Come on, let's get out of here before their friends and family show up,"
Cloud said.
Somehow, instinctively, Nic knew Miya was pretty scared. She could fight
fairly well,but her weapons of choice, the Yumi, were at her apartment.
Kenpo may get her killed in this world. Then again Cloud and Yuffie used
hand weapons against those Gamera things
"We did what we were suppose too. We're heading back."
"Nic, I am so sorry...," Miya said.
"For what?"
"I dropped it. I don't know where it is... I looked but it is not
here...," Miya said.
"You dropped the key?" everyone asked in unison. Miya winced.
"No matter." Cloud said. "We can find another one."
"But you said only one was here and it was stolen," Nic said.
"Well, since the gate is open, so many fly through here. We can find
one," he said.
"Okay, well whatever we are going to do, we need to do right now," Yuffie
said, seeing humps out in the ocean moving in their direction.
"Follow me," Cloud said, taking off in a slow run. Everyone followed.
"I'm sorry," Miya muttered.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way back. It'll be okay," Nic said just to
comfort her, not believing his own words.
End Part One
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