(Okay I don't know how this will turn out, hopefully not really crappy. I guess I've been slacking off because of the counting of school is less than 20 days!! And a lot is happening around school. So I guess that you will see how crappy this chapter is.)
Chapter 9
The sun was slowly rising over the Da-chu Mountains. I got up slowly, and got some clothes on and walked up Da-chu path. I went through a cave and walked out on a ledge and sat down. I looked around and the ocean was silently hitting the rocks and beach below. I saw vivid colors of purples, blues, and a little of black. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, and exhaled slowly. When my eyes were shut, I saw something I've seen many times: A young woman holding a baby, crying for help. Blood was everywhere; bodies and weapons scattered around the small village. I opened my eyes and looked around frantically.
"I don't know what to do anymore....I feel so lost...and so insecure-"
"Maybe its because you don't know what to feel."
"Master Godu?"
"I knew I'd find you here. You were always attracted to this place..Ever since I could remember...Zeal..I think its time you know something...I had a long talk with Joel. And I should have told you something a long time ago. But I didn't know how to say it."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been here for 17 years. Out of those years, the time of the bloody war was around. ---"
He continued on and on about what happened. A little after the sun rose, he was finished.
"And that's what I know."
I just sat there..My stomach felt like it was twisting inside of me.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I told you, I didn't know how."
"So what you are trying to tell me is that my parents were killed in the war?"
"Yes."
"An-And my real name is Brooke?"
".....Mmmhmm"
"I-I thought you said they died with honor"
"They did, saving you, and bringing me the best 16 years of my life."
I felt my eyes burn and water; I didn't know what to say. I mean who would when you just found out after 16 years you found out what happened to their parents. There was only one thing I could do. I hurried up and ran down the mountain path, and to the entrance of town. I stopped to look back, and I continued to run. I ran east to the beach, and walked in the water. I fell down and looked at the crystal waters below me. A flood of questions filled my head. And I couldn't think straight. I leaned back, and let the little waves roll gently onto me. The sun shone and sparkled, I got up, and started to walk up the beach area.
"Zeal!!"
I looked up.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes.... I'm okay, Joel."
Joel wrapped his arms around me and I held him back.
"Why am I so devastated, why am I acting like this, I mean. I barely knew them."
"Hey, its okay...every one tends to.....Uh, be a bit shocked when they found out about their parents."
"And you are an expert on this?"
"My parents are dead too, don't forget that."
"...Sorry."
"Its okay I understand..."
I sat down on the warm sand. Joel sat down beside me. I took off my tee shirt, and I had a tank top underneath. I put my hands in the sand, and let it slip through my fingers.
"Joel, I don't know what to feel...I mean I feel so...so...-"
"Unsure?"
"Yeah..I mean I right now, just found out that my parents were killed in cold blood, and I don't know what to feel."
"Feel whatever you feel like."
"*Sigh*........."
I looked out onto the horizon. The sun smiled brightly everywhere.
"Ya know what..."
"You are leaving?"
"No, not yet."
"What is it then?"
"I think its time for me to visit the Pagoda. Maybe I can find something on my parents, and maybe you can find some info on yours?"
"Yeah, maybe."
I got up and dusted the sand off of my shorts, and put my tee-shirt sleeves in my pocket. Joel dusted himself off, and we walked up the beach, and onto the grassy plains.
"Joel...?"
"Yeah?"
"About Martin.."
"...............What about him?"
"Aren't you really upset?"
"Of course I am. I just don't want everyone else to get depressed or even more depressed around me."
"Oh, sorry."
"Its okay."
"No, it was a really dumb question."
"Not really, its okay."
"I'm sure you just want to forget that he died-"
"I want him to remain in our hearts."
"But I barely knew him."
"It's alright, ok? Just remember the funny stuff in the store, like that one time where he was playing with the stick people on the desk, and how he accidentally set them on fire, and he said that the village was burning down. Or how about the time where you first met him: and he was trying to act cool, and he choked on his cigarette smoke..Heh..Ya know."
"Heh, that was funny..Or the time when we were having lunch, and he had that big booger hanging out of his nose, when he was drinking the chocolate milk."
"Heh, heh, heh, yeah. That was hilarious."
We continued to talk about Martin until we got to Wutai. The town was awfully quiet. I squinted my eyes in confusion.
"What the?"
"What the hell..Everytime I go somewhere, something always happens! GOD DAMN!"
I ran to the bar, and opened the door.
"AL?!"
"Y-yes?"
"Where is everyone?"
"Well, you know how many kids are here right?"
"Under 12? Yeah, Miachi and Reiben."
"Well, from Mia: Ben and her were playing in the caves, when Soldiers from ShinRa attacked them. They had an orangeish reddish dog thing with them, and...Ben..Didn't make it. He was abducted by ShinRa."
"The ShinRa was behind this?"
"Joel, calm down-"
"I thought they went under 17 years ago?"
"Well I guess there is some advisories still running around looking for male children and men to do research on them."
"But Hojo is dead, who can be behind this?"
"Al! Joel! Listen!! Now..Let's think. Have you been listening to the radio a lot Al?"
"Yes, everyday."
"How many encounters have their been?"
"Over 20, in various parts of the country."
"...First encounter?"
"Um, Kalm..."
"Then?"
"Fort Condor."
"...?
"Junon."
"So what you are basically telling me is that, they are going city to city to pick up these people?"
"I guess Joel, But..Who can be behind the science department?"
"I have no clue this isn't right...Okay...Um, where are they going next?"
They all looked at each other.
"BONE VILLAGE!"
"But, why would they go to B.V?"
"Albert, don't you see. Then the next target is Icicle area."
"Joel, if we go there, we can find out what is going on!"
"Why did it kill Martin, why didn't they just take him as a hostage?!"
"I don't know! Lets just hop on the next plane out of here, Al.."
"Yes?"
"Watch the town for me. Please?"
"Ok Brooke, I'll try my best."
I looked at him strangely, Joel was tugging on my shirt like a child, and then he pulled me back as walked reluctantly out the door.
"He-He just called me Brooke."
"I know, we will worry about that later. Okay? Come on, you wanted to go, now let's go!"
We ran outside of the town, and went to the docking area. We ran onto the boat, and it headed for Junon. After a few hours, we were in Junon. We kind of snuck in one of the planes headed for Icicle Area. On that plane, it read in huge letters, 'The Highwind VI' we waited in the cargo area, and when the plane went off, we kind of relaxed. The plane got to Icicle area in about a half-hour. We departed, and we were VERY UN prepared for this kind of weather. It was summer there, in that range of the season; it didn't reach above freezing.-like about 30 degrees in the summer, and negative 25 degrees in the winter. Joel and I scrounged up enough money to buy some cheap snow pants, and a jacket, and some rubber boots. We laughed at each other because we looked really dumb. But, this was no laughing matter. We had to stay focused.
"So, when do all of the encounters start?"
I said almost yelling over the blowing wind.
"I really don't know. About sunset, a little after dark?"
"Yeah, that's probably when."
"So what do you want to do until then?"
"Somewhere close to the entrance, so we can see then come in."
"Okay."
It was almost a complete whiteout. We could only see a few feet in front of us. We saw bright lights flicker on and off. It read INN. We went into the INN, and everyone looked at us. They turned around, and continued to drink. We hung-up our clothes, and looked for an available table next to the frosted window. Joel took his sleeve, and wiped off the frost off of the one side of the glass, and looked outside. A young woman came to our table, and handed us a menu.
"Hello, welcome to the Icicle Inn/bar. We have an unlimited supply of hot chocolate, and it's free. My name is Nadia, what can I do fer ya?"
"Umm 2 hot chocolates please?"
"Comin right up sugar."
She took our menus and walked behind the counter.
"Joel, we need some money."
"Yeah, I know, we are almost broke."
He put his hands on mine, and smiled.
"Did'ja hear about the killin's goin' 'round the country?"
"I've heard a little bit about it. What's goin on?"
"Justin came back from Bone Village, he said that his brother was attacked, and token away."
Joel looked at me, and then to the old guys at the table.
"Joel...What time is it?"
"Umm."
He looked at his watch.
"10 minutes after 9"
"Is their anyone outside?"
"Not that I can see."
"Let's go check."
"Are you crazy?"
"Just a little, I want to help you Joel. I want to find out about this as much as you."
He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Fine, after we are done with our hot chocolate."
"Okay."
The waitress came over and dropped off our drinks; I drank mine quickly, while Joel was sipping his slowly. My adrenaline was rushing throughout my body. I wanted to go out there. When Joel was done, he left one gill on the table, and we got dressed and we walked outside. We saw headlights coming up the hill.
"Hey, what's that?"
"Maybe its ShinRa"
"Maybe.."
We stood beside the un-vacant house, and waited. I was breathing deeply in and out. I tried to calm down, but I was overwhelmed with anxiety. Slowly it came up the hill. I heard a door open, then close.
"Hey, is the hell hound ready?"
A voice shouted over the wind.
"Yeah, do you see anyone?"
"No, but the INN seems to be a good place, lets let it loose here."
I tugged Joel lightly. We shimmed our way to the car. And hid in front of it.
"There is only 2 people there, we can get into the truck when they aren't looking."
Then we heard a blood-curdling scream, followed by the glass shattering, and gunshots. We jumped into some crates and waited for the truck to move again. The screams faded into the wind, and the smell of fresh blood was lurking in the truck.
"Good job Daemon.."
A female voice said.
"It was an easy catch miss."
"Good, good, lets get back to the headquarters."
"Yes ma'am."
"~(Joel...it talks..)~"
"~(I know..Shh..)~"
The animal jumped into the truck, and sat upright.
"Lady Leena?"
"What?"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, yes, let's go."
The truck sped off to the icy plains. And then we were loaded into a helicopter.
"Oh, professor Kelliger...Hello, I didn't expect you here."
"Ahem....I have some inside information about Joel and Zeal."
"Oh, ok"
"They said something about going to Wutai."
"We were already there."
"I know. But, I think they are catching on."
"They aren't as dumb as I thought they were."
"Mmhmm."
He peered his eyes over his glasses, and looked at Leena.
"Too bad I didn't get Joel..Instead I got Martin."
I felt a sharp tingle in my body.
"Joel..That-thats.."
"That's Anne.."
He said quietly
"Well Leena, he was a great experiment."
"Yes, I know."
"Do you know who really intrigues me?"
"Who?"
"That Zeal girl."
"Why?"
"She is very strong. Just like her Mother."
"Her Mother was a part of this organization?"
"Yes, actually she was. But her mother was against human research, so she left. and headed for Wutai, and married a guy named Reno Malisaki. Which he was head of the ShinRa weapon facility for a long time. When I read in the newspaper that Reno and Zeal got married, I was furious. Zeal had all of the documents memorized, and she could easily squeal the information. So she had to be annihilated. That's when I saw Gud-butt, or whatever his name is with their child Brooklyn, I wanted to research on her."
"But she was a child then professor. She couldn't do anything."
"Yes, I know. But she was a gifted child. I don't know what was about her; She was like her father mostly. And a little of her mother lived in her."
"So, that karate dude took care of her and named her after her mother."
"Apparently so."
The helicopter lowered down and landed at a landing pad in what was once Midgar.
"Professor."
"Yes Daemon."
"Is that all for tonight?"
"Yes, you may rest now."
He snorted through his nose, and ran off to the sector 6 slums.
When the Professor and Leena left the area to go to the ShinRa building, Joel got out. I was still in the crate, bewildered by the last conversation.
"Zeal?"
He tapped me on the shoulder.
"Zeal?"
He shook me roughly.
"Wha?"
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I don't know."
I got out of the crate, and took off my over clothes. Joel did the same thing.
"Are you SURE you want to go any further?"
"We came all of this way, we have to now. No turning back.."
"Your right."
"Ok, Ready?"
"Yeah."
Midgar wasn't like it was back then. It looked more of like a junkyard jungle kind of thing. Not the booming economic place it was 20+ years ago. We followed Leena, and the Professor. When they went into the old ShinRa building, we stopped and waited awhile behind some metal pillars. We walked inside of the rusted doorway, and looked around.
"Wow..So this is the legendary ShinRa building"
"Yeah, well...Um Zeal...lets go."
"Yeah, lets go."
The whole place was dim. Very little light shone through the huge wholes in the ceiling and walls. Joel walked ahead, while I was right behind him. We tried to watch where we were walking, we didn't want to fall down through a hole in the floor, or get caught. We finally got to the stairs. He took my hand and we walked up the stairway. When we got to the 60th floor, Joel stood there for a second, and looked back to see if we were being followed. When he didn't hear anything, he proceeded to walk up the stairs to the 68th floor. We heard a faint but distinct mumbling. Joel quietly pried open the door. It made a low humming noise. He immediately stopped pushing on the door and listened closely. He pushed it the rest of the way and quietly crept out the doorway.
"Now Lady Leena. Where is the next target?"
"I was thinking along the line of Mideel."
"Oh, the repaired Mideel. Yes, there is an abundant amount of the Life Stream under them. Excellent."
"How much longer before we find the right specimen?"
"It may take awhile ma'am. Please be patient."
"We need this as soon as possible."
"I know Hojo is a complex character. What if he doesn't turn out right?"
"Then we will dispose of him."
"But he will be a living life form Leena."
"I know that. We can't have a billion-gill copy of Hojo running around. People will get suspicious."
"Hmm, then he can be your assistant."
"My assistant ma'am?"
I looked at Joel.
("They are planning to make a clone of Hojo?")
"(Apparently so.)"
Leena looked around the room.
"Yes, your assistant, since we had to use Larson."
"..."
"I know how tragic that was for you...But he was almost as smart as Hojo."
("What a real creep..I'm so going to kick her arse.")
"(No, not now.)"
("I know..When the time comes.")
"Now Leena, about this Joel and Zeal business."
"Yes, we can't have them interrupt in our business."
"I know what else should we do to get rid of a pest?"
"Exterminate them?"
"You read my mind."
"But how?"
"Well, we have to lure them into a trap or something."
"Hmm."
"How about we set fire to Zeal's village?"
"Sounds sneaky."
"(Joel!)"
"(I know, lets get out of here.)"
"(Hn?!)"
"(I got an idea)"
"(But we don't have any money.)"
"(Don't worry, I'll get you to Wutai.)"
"(Alright.)"
We slowly crept out of the room, and ran down the stairs.
"Now, what is your plan?"
"Well, uh-"
"YOU don't have a plan?"
"Well, sort of."
"SORT OF?"
"Yea..Um.."
He scratched the back of his head.
"JOEL!"
I said impatiently.
"Look, don't worry, I'll get you home. I promise."
He gave me a reassuring smile.
"Alright.."
We were finally out of the ShinRa building. We went to the parking lot, and looked around. Joel ran to one of the cars, and opened the door. He sat in the car, and turned the car on.
"Get in."
I ran to the other side, and got in.
"Now, um. This thing is weird."
"I'll say, its pink, and it has 8 friggin wheels."
"Well, I thought girls liked pink."
"When they are little."
"Oh, ok."
He put the car in drive, and sped out of the parking lot. We traveled through the Midgar pass-AKA; the caves near the Marshes- and went back to Junon. We somewhat sold the car, for about 5,000 gill. We got on the boat and traveled back to WuTai. It was still in one piece. The wind howled through the branches of the Trees, and whistled through the pine trees. I ran to the Bar, and saw Albert.
"Your back already?"
"Yeah, Where is master Godu?"
"In the pagoda."
"Alright."
I ran to the padgonda, and opened the door. The room was dark, and damp.
"Master Godu?"
My voice echoed through the room. I walked to the next room. I saw candles lit, and Master Godu, praying to the Levithian god. I stood in the doorway silently, and bowed my head. Godu got up, and walked to me.
"I already heard what happened. Wutai will be safe."
"Are you sure?"
"Levithiean says it will be fine. We just have to trust it."
"I trust him."
He smiled and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Where is Joel?"
"He's with Al."
"Go to him."
I nodded, and I went to the front of the doorway and looked back.
(I cant think of anything, lol, i'll try to post the rest later. Sorry for the delay folks.)
Chapter 9
The sun was slowly rising over the Da-chu Mountains. I got up slowly, and got some clothes on and walked up Da-chu path. I went through a cave and walked out on a ledge and sat down. I looked around and the ocean was silently hitting the rocks and beach below. I saw vivid colors of purples, blues, and a little of black. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, and exhaled slowly. When my eyes were shut, I saw something I've seen many times: A young woman holding a baby, crying for help. Blood was everywhere; bodies and weapons scattered around the small village. I opened my eyes and looked around frantically.
"I don't know what to do anymore....I feel so lost...and so insecure-"
"Maybe its because you don't know what to feel."
"Master Godu?"
"I knew I'd find you here. You were always attracted to this place..Ever since I could remember...Zeal..I think its time you know something...I had a long talk with Joel. And I should have told you something a long time ago. But I didn't know how to say it."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been here for 17 years. Out of those years, the time of the bloody war was around. ---"
He continued on and on about what happened. A little after the sun rose, he was finished.
"And that's what I know."
I just sat there..My stomach felt like it was twisting inside of me.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I told you, I didn't know how."
"So what you are trying to tell me is that my parents were killed in the war?"
"Yes."
"An-And my real name is Brooke?"
".....Mmmhmm"
"I-I thought you said they died with honor"
"They did, saving you, and bringing me the best 16 years of my life."
I felt my eyes burn and water; I didn't know what to say. I mean who would when you just found out after 16 years you found out what happened to their parents. There was only one thing I could do. I hurried up and ran down the mountain path, and to the entrance of town. I stopped to look back, and I continued to run. I ran east to the beach, and walked in the water. I fell down and looked at the crystal waters below me. A flood of questions filled my head. And I couldn't think straight. I leaned back, and let the little waves roll gently onto me. The sun shone and sparkled, I got up, and started to walk up the beach area.
"Zeal!!"
I looked up.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes.... I'm okay, Joel."
Joel wrapped his arms around me and I held him back.
"Why am I so devastated, why am I acting like this, I mean. I barely knew them."
"Hey, its okay...every one tends to.....Uh, be a bit shocked when they found out about their parents."
"And you are an expert on this?"
"My parents are dead too, don't forget that."
"...Sorry."
"Its okay I understand..."
I sat down on the warm sand. Joel sat down beside me. I took off my tee shirt, and I had a tank top underneath. I put my hands in the sand, and let it slip through my fingers.
"Joel, I don't know what to feel...I mean I feel so...so...-"
"Unsure?"
"Yeah..I mean I right now, just found out that my parents were killed in cold blood, and I don't know what to feel."
"Feel whatever you feel like."
"*Sigh*........."
I looked out onto the horizon. The sun smiled brightly everywhere.
"Ya know what..."
"You are leaving?"
"No, not yet."
"What is it then?"
"I think its time for me to visit the Pagoda. Maybe I can find something on my parents, and maybe you can find some info on yours?"
"Yeah, maybe."
I got up and dusted the sand off of my shorts, and put my tee-shirt sleeves in my pocket. Joel dusted himself off, and we walked up the beach, and onto the grassy plains.
"Joel...?"
"Yeah?"
"About Martin.."
"...............What about him?"
"Aren't you really upset?"
"Of course I am. I just don't want everyone else to get depressed or even more depressed around me."
"Oh, sorry."
"Its okay."
"No, it was a really dumb question."
"Not really, its okay."
"I'm sure you just want to forget that he died-"
"I want him to remain in our hearts."
"But I barely knew him."
"It's alright, ok? Just remember the funny stuff in the store, like that one time where he was playing with the stick people on the desk, and how he accidentally set them on fire, and he said that the village was burning down. Or how about the time where you first met him: and he was trying to act cool, and he choked on his cigarette smoke..Heh..Ya know."
"Heh, that was funny..Or the time when we were having lunch, and he had that big booger hanging out of his nose, when he was drinking the chocolate milk."
"Heh, heh, heh, yeah. That was hilarious."
We continued to talk about Martin until we got to Wutai. The town was awfully quiet. I squinted my eyes in confusion.
"What the?"
"What the hell..Everytime I go somewhere, something always happens! GOD DAMN!"
I ran to the bar, and opened the door.
"AL?!"
"Y-yes?"
"Where is everyone?"
"Well, you know how many kids are here right?"
"Under 12? Yeah, Miachi and Reiben."
"Well, from Mia: Ben and her were playing in the caves, when Soldiers from ShinRa attacked them. They had an orangeish reddish dog thing with them, and...Ben..Didn't make it. He was abducted by ShinRa."
"The ShinRa was behind this?"
"Joel, calm down-"
"I thought they went under 17 years ago?"
"Well I guess there is some advisories still running around looking for male children and men to do research on them."
"But Hojo is dead, who can be behind this?"
"Al! Joel! Listen!! Now..Let's think. Have you been listening to the radio a lot Al?"
"Yes, everyday."
"How many encounters have their been?"
"Over 20, in various parts of the country."
"...First encounter?"
"Um, Kalm..."
"Then?"
"Fort Condor."
"...?
"Junon."
"So what you are basically telling me is that, they are going city to city to pick up these people?"
"I guess Joel, But..Who can be behind the science department?"
"I have no clue this isn't right...Okay...Um, where are they going next?"
They all looked at each other.
"BONE VILLAGE!"
"But, why would they go to B.V?"
"Albert, don't you see. Then the next target is Icicle area."
"Joel, if we go there, we can find out what is going on!"
"Why did it kill Martin, why didn't they just take him as a hostage?!"
"I don't know! Lets just hop on the next plane out of here, Al.."
"Yes?"
"Watch the town for me. Please?"
"Ok Brooke, I'll try my best."
I looked at him strangely, Joel was tugging on my shirt like a child, and then he pulled me back as walked reluctantly out the door.
"He-He just called me Brooke."
"I know, we will worry about that later. Okay? Come on, you wanted to go, now let's go!"
We ran outside of the town, and went to the docking area. We ran onto the boat, and it headed for Junon. After a few hours, we were in Junon. We kind of snuck in one of the planes headed for Icicle Area. On that plane, it read in huge letters, 'The Highwind VI' we waited in the cargo area, and when the plane went off, we kind of relaxed. The plane got to Icicle area in about a half-hour. We departed, and we were VERY UN prepared for this kind of weather. It was summer there, in that range of the season; it didn't reach above freezing.-like about 30 degrees in the summer, and negative 25 degrees in the winter. Joel and I scrounged up enough money to buy some cheap snow pants, and a jacket, and some rubber boots. We laughed at each other because we looked really dumb. But, this was no laughing matter. We had to stay focused.
"So, when do all of the encounters start?"
I said almost yelling over the blowing wind.
"I really don't know. About sunset, a little after dark?"
"Yeah, that's probably when."
"So what do you want to do until then?"
"Somewhere close to the entrance, so we can see then come in."
"Okay."
It was almost a complete whiteout. We could only see a few feet in front of us. We saw bright lights flicker on and off. It read INN. We went into the INN, and everyone looked at us. They turned around, and continued to drink. We hung-up our clothes, and looked for an available table next to the frosted window. Joel took his sleeve, and wiped off the frost off of the one side of the glass, and looked outside. A young woman came to our table, and handed us a menu.
"Hello, welcome to the Icicle Inn/bar. We have an unlimited supply of hot chocolate, and it's free. My name is Nadia, what can I do fer ya?"
"Umm 2 hot chocolates please?"
"Comin right up sugar."
She took our menus and walked behind the counter.
"Joel, we need some money."
"Yeah, I know, we are almost broke."
He put his hands on mine, and smiled.
"Did'ja hear about the killin's goin' 'round the country?"
"I've heard a little bit about it. What's goin on?"
"Justin came back from Bone Village, he said that his brother was attacked, and token away."
Joel looked at me, and then to the old guys at the table.
"Joel...What time is it?"
"Umm."
He looked at his watch.
"10 minutes after 9"
"Is their anyone outside?"
"Not that I can see."
"Let's go check."
"Are you crazy?"
"Just a little, I want to help you Joel. I want to find out about this as much as you."
He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Fine, after we are done with our hot chocolate."
"Okay."
The waitress came over and dropped off our drinks; I drank mine quickly, while Joel was sipping his slowly. My adrenaline was rushing throughout my body. I wanted to go out there. When Joel was done, he left one gill on the table, and we got dressed and we walked outside. We saw headlights coming up the hill.
"Hey, what's that?"
"Maybe its ShinRa"
"Maybe.."
We stood beside the un-vacant house, and waited. I was breathing deeply in and out. I tried to calm down, but I was overwhelmed with anxiety. Slowly it came up the hill. I heard a door open, then close.
"Hey, is the hell hound ready?"
A voice shouted over the wind.
"Yeah, do you see anyone?"
"No, but the INN seems to be a good place, lets let it loose here."
I tugged Joel lightly. We shimmed our way to the car. And hid in front of it.
"There is only 2 people there, we can get into the truck when they aren't looking."
Then we heard a blood-curdling scream, followed by the glass shattering, and gunshots. We jumped into some crates and waited for the truck to move again. The screams faded into the wind, and the smell of fresh blood was lurking in the truck.
"Good job Daemon.."
A female voice said.
"It was an easy catch miss."
"Good, good, lets get back to the headquarters."
"Yes ma'am."
"~(Joel...it talks..)~"
"~(I know..Shh..)~"
The animal jumped into the truck, and sat upright.
"Lady Leena?"
"What?"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, yes, let's go."
The truck sped off to the icy plains. And then we were loaded into a helicopter.
"Oh, professor Kelliger...Hello, I didn't expect you here."
"Ahem....I have some inside information about Joel and Zeal."
"Oh, ok"
"They said something about going to Wutai."
"We were already there."
"I know. But, I think they are catching on."
"They aren't as dumb as I thought they were."
"Mmhmm."
He peered his eyes over his glasses, and looked at Leena.
"Too bad I didn't get Joel..Instead I got Martin."
I felt a sharp tingle in my body.
"Joel..That-thats.."
"That's Anne.."
He said quietly
"Well Leena, he was a great experiment."
"Yes, I know."
"Do you know who really intrigues me?"
"Who?"
"That Zeal girl."
"Why?"
"She is very strong. Just like her Mother."
"Her Mother was a part of this organization?"
"Yes, actually she was. But her mother was against human research, so she left. and headed for Wutai, and married a guy named Reno Malisaki. Which he was head of the ShinRa weapon facility for a long time. When I read in the newspaper that Reno and Zeal got married, I was furious. Zeal had all of the documents memorized, and she could easily squeal the information. So she had to be annihilated. That's when I saw Gud-butt, or whatever his name is with their child Brooklyn, I wanted to research on her."
"But she was a child then professor. She couldn't do anything."
"Yes, I know. But she was a gifted child. I don't know what was about her; She was like her father mostly. And a little of her mother lived in her."
"So, that karate dude took care of her and named her after her mother."
"Apparently so."
The helicopter lowered down and landed at a landing pad in what was once Midgar.
"Professor."
"Yes Daemon."
"Is that all for tonight?"
"Yes, you may rest now."
He snorted through his nose, and ran off to the sector 6 slums.
When the Professor and Leena left the area to go to the ShinRa building, Joel got out. I was still in the crate, bewildered by the last conversation.
"Zeal?"
He tapped me on the shoulder.
"Zeal?"
He shook me roughly.
"Wha?"
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I don't know."
I got out of the crate, and took off my over clothes. Joel did the same thing.
"Are you SURE you want to go any further?"
"We came all of this way, we have to now. No turning back.."
"Your right."
"Ok, Ready?"
"Yeah."
Midgar wasn't like it was back then. It looked more of like a junkyard jungle kind of thing. Not the booming economic place it was 20+ years ago. We followed Leena, and the Professor. When they went into the old ShinRa building, we stopped and waited awhile behind some metal pillars. We walked inside of the rusted doorway, and looked around.
"Wow..So this is the legendary ShinRa building"
"Yeah, well...Um Zeal...lets go."
"Yeah, lets go."
The whole place was dim. Very little light shone through the huge wholes in the ceiling and walls. Joel walked ahead, while I was right behind him. We tried to watch where we were walking, we didn't want to fall down through a hole in the floor, or get caught. We finally got to the stairs. He took my hand and we walked up the stairway. When we got to the 60th floor, Joel stood there for a second, and looked back to see if we were being followed. When he didn't hear anything, he proceeded to walk up the stairs to the 68th floor. We heard a faint but distinct mumbling. Joel quietly pried open the door. It made a low humming noise. He immediately stopped pushing on the door and listened closely. He pushed it the rest of the way and quietly crept out the doorway.
"Now Lady Leena. Where is the next target?"
"I was thinking along the line of Mideel."
"Oh, the repaired Mideel. Yes, there is an abundant amount of the Life Stream under them. Excellent."
"How much longer before we find the right specimen?"
"It may take awhile ma'am. Please be patient."
"We need this as soon as possible."
"I know Hojo is a complex character. What if he doesn't turn out right?"
"Then we will dispose of him."
"But he will be a living life form Leena."
"I know that. We can't have a billion-gill copy of Hojo running around. People will get suspicious."
"Hmm, then he can be your assistant."
"My assistant ma'am?"
I looked at Joel.
("They are planning to make a clone of Hojo?")
"(Apparently so.)"
Leena looked around the room.
"Yes, your assistant, since we had to use Larson."
"..."
"I know how tragic that was for you...But he was almost as smart as Hojo."
("What a real creep..I'm so going to kick her arse.")
"(No, not now.)"
("I know..When the time comes.")
"Now Leena, about this Joel and Zeal business."
"Yes, we can't have them interrupt in our business."
"I know what else should we do to get rid of a pest?"
"Exterminate them?"
"You read my mind."
"But how?"
"Well, we have to lure them into a trap or something."
"Hmm."
"How about we set fire to Zeal's village?"
"Sounds sneaky."
"(Joel!)"
"(I know, lets get out of here.)"
"(Hn?!)"
"(I got an idea)"
"(But we don't have any money.)"
"(Don't worry, I'll get you to Wutai.)"
"(Alright.)"
We slowly crept out of the room, and ran down the stairs.
"Now, what is your plan?"
"Well, uh-"
"YOU don't have a plan?"
"Well, sort of."
"SORT OF?"
"Yea..Um.."
He scratched the back of his head.
"JOEL!"
I said impatiently.
"Look, don't worry, I'll get you home. I promise."
He gave me a reassuring smile.
"Alright.."
We were finally out of the ShinRa building. We went to the parking lot, and looked around. Joel ran to one of the cars, and opened the door. He sat in the car, and turned the car on.
"Get in."
I ran to the other side, and got in.
"Now, um. This thing is weird."
"I'll say, its pink, and it has 8 friggin wheels."
"Well, I thought girls liked pink."
"When they are little."
"Oh, ok."
He put the car in drive, and sped out of the parking lot. We traveled through the Midgar pass-AKA; the caves near the Marshes- and went back to Junon. We somewhat sold the car, for about 5,000 gill. We got on the boat and traveled back to WuTai. It was still in one piece. The wind howled through the branches of the Trees, and whistled through the pine trees. I ran to the Bar, and saw Albert.
"Your back already?"
"Yeah, Where is master Godu?"
"In the pagoda."
"Alright."
I ran to the padgonda, and opened the door. The room was dark, and damp.
"Master Godu?"
My voice echoed through the room. I walked to the next room. I saw candles lit, and Master Godu, praying to the Levithian god. I stood in the doorway silently, and bowed my head. Godu got up, and walked to me.
"I already heard what happened. Wutai will be safe."
"Are you sure?"
"Levithiean says it will be fine. We just have to trust it."
"I trust him."
He smiled and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Where is Joel?"
"He's with Al."
"Go to him."
I nodded, and I went to the front of the doorway and looked back.
(I cant think of anything, lol, i'll try to post the rest later. Sorry for the delay folks.)