Authors note: Thanks for the reviews you guy's. And I've had two people e-
mail me about them having trouble remembering who the characters are. Any
one else having trouble? If so, e-mail or leave it in a review, and I'll
make a list or something to use as a reference...
Im sorry this chapter took so long... I got kind of... preoccupied. Namely, beating Final Fantasy X in 4 days, and Kingdom hearts. Im in the last world of Kingdom hearts, and I only need 9 more Dalmatians... wish me luck.
Then I had a school report on comparing and contrasting 2 asian mythological creatures. I chose Kitsune and Oriental Dragons. Just got that finished.
Now, on with the chapter...
CHAPTER 23
"So where are we headed again?" Leon asked, sitting on one of the many couches in the main room.
"Some ZBC compound not far from here. Chris asked us to go, saying it was really important. When I asked why, all he said was that It would help against Sin." Hiro explained.
"Really..." Leon shook his head, "And Cloud?"
"Sin got him. He just vanished... Like Koh did the first time. We managed to save the kids and the others, but Sin got his wish and has Cloud and Rain." Hiro replied sourly, "We were close..."
Everyone except the kids or Chris were sitting or lying, in various places around the main room. No one said anything for a while, each wishing they could come up with some new plan that would at least help. But, none of them could. It all just seemed hopeless... or pointless.
Izumi sat up and cringed as one of her wounds ached, "So whatever this Chris guy has up his sleeve is pretty much our last hope... huh..." She laughed inwardly, a saddened smile coming to her face.
"I just hope it works..." Ryuji said, much in the same way Izumi had spoken. He got up and walked out into the hallway, deciding to gaze out one of the windows at the storm. He stood there for a while, wondering what all of them had done exactly to receive a fate like this. 'Well... I know what Copper did to deserve this anyway...' He thought.
His thoughts then wandered to Ayane, and how she had reacted to the news of Copper. He hated those old memories, and the things his counterpart had did. If only he could find a way to change everything... never stumble upon the Deathsoarer piece... Then...
"You ok?" Goji asked, walking up behind Ryuji. His voice startled him a bit, and he turned to face the Temjin X's pilot. He noticed Zack was with him and nodded.
"I was just thinking." Ryuji said, "About some... stuff."
"Copper." Zack said, "I can tell."
"Yeah..." Ryuji chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"It's in the past." Goji told him, "Just a bad memory, you should just forget about it."
"I was just thinking that if I had never found that old Deathsoarer piece.... Copper wouldn't have ever existed you know..."
"Everyone has things they regret doing... things that they couldn't help, and some they could have. You didn't do anything wrong about finding the deathsoarer piece...." Zack said, "Something bad just kinda, came out of it. It's life I guess..."
"Everyone has a bit of a mean side to them... some more than others of course." Goji said, "Copper was exceptionally cruel, and mean. He had no good side..." He paused, "And you have to remember. You and Copper were two separate people."
"It's like when I was Zero I guess." Zack said, "I regret that now. That was something I could have helped too... But it's in the past, so I let it go. It was a bad choice I made back then and now I just have to live with it... but you see, you couldn't help it. So you really shouldn't hold it against yourself."
"Yeah, I guess your right..." Ryuji sighed... his thoughts still on Ayane.
"She'll come around. Don't worry." Goji said, then left, returning to the main room.
*******************************
Chris looked down at his watch, "We should be there any time now." He sighed and looked over at LightStrike, "This is it old friend."
Zeke growled and followed Chris back down the hall and back into the kid's room. The old organoid looked at each of them in turn, studying them. He growled softly just as Chris began to speak.
"All right everyone. Please listen up." He paused as everyone turned to see him, quietly giving him all their attention, "What you are going to see is a top secret ZBC compound. As you know, I have all asked you to be part of this operation..." He looked down at the ground, "Anything you see in this compound must be remained top secret..." He looked up again, "Do I have your word that you will tell no one?"
The kids took turns looking at each other, almost as if they were deciding who would speak up... or who would be their leader. Their gazes eventually fell onto Nadia. She took in a deep breath and stood, LightStrike at her side in an instant.
"First you have to promise me something." Nadia said, walking up to Chris, her ever protective organoid still behind her.
"Yes?" Chris asked, scanning her face, trying to discover what she might be up to.
"This has to be the end..." She paused, "We've been talking, each of us, and..."
"And..." Chris was still a bit unsure of what she was asking.
"Will this end it? For them...?" Nadia asked. Chris wasn't sure who she was talking about until she looked up, and stared directly into his eyes. Her Silver eyes told him everything... She was asking if this would be the last fight that her parents and their friends would have to take part of.
"I promise. It will be the last fight no matter what, they won't have to suffer anymore. They can live peaceful once this battle is over. And I promise, they will be rewarded for everything they've ever done to aid Zi."
"Do I really have your word on that?"
"You have my word as a ZBC commander and as a Fly-height." Chris answered, putting out his hand. Nadia took it and they shook, and almost as if it were a signal the other teenagers stood up and stood behind Nadia.
"Lets get going then." Nadia said, following Chris as he led the way. The others followed, and they all made their way down to the main room, just as Doc came onto the intercom, "Chris, please come down here, we're at the coordinates you gave us."
The door to the main room shifted open, and in walked the 8 kids, and Chris. The two organoids followed at a difference.
"Dad..." Nadia spoke up before anyone could speak... "We decided that no matter what... we're fighting this battle."
Hiro looked at her, a bit stunned. Chris grinned. Good... it was their fight now anyway.
"Listen up, Im taking the kids in first." Chris said, "I want them to see something, then we will come back here at tell you everything you need to know. You stay here until then... they are in charge now."
"Now wait a minute." Orihime exclaimed, at the same time Izumi asked "What?!" The other adults also objected.
"Stop this." Nadia said, quieting everyone down, "We agreed to it already, and you aren't stopping us." She looked up at her father, who was standing on an elevated platform, "None of you."
"Nadia!" Hiro shook his head, but was interrupted again by his son, who slowly walked into the room.
"Didn't you hear her dad? Just back down for once..." Koh said, a small grin coming to his face, "You aren't going to stop her in whatever it is she is planning."
Nadia turned to face him and smiled slightly, as he walked up to her and the others.
"And..." Koh added, "Im behind them all the way." He looked over at Kristen and the others and continued, "Im sorry... for well, you know..."
Chris nodded, "You should be a part of it to... Koh, was it?"
Koh nodded, "Koh Solehart at your service..."
"Koh! You should still be in bed!" Hiro objected.
"Just shut up already!" Koh said, "Im fine Alright. Geeze. Sir..?" He turned to Chris.
"Chris Fly-height."
"Whatever, just lead the way already before they try and tie us down..." Koh chuckled slightly.
"Koh!" Hiro continued, "Nadia...." But it was already too late. They were leaving... and there was nothing he could do to stop them... but he could still object, "Both of you are grounded for the rest of your lives."
"So? Who's to say that we're going to live long lives anyway?" Koh almost teased, "Just listen to us for once dad. I have no clue what's going on, and frankly, I don't care as long as I can help now... after well, after what I did."
Goji stood, "Shiro!"
"You be quiet too." Shiro said, "You aren't stopping me either."
"And before you say anything..." Kristen said, waving over at her parents, "Forget it. I've already made up my mind." Will, Hikari and Rion all nodded.
"Us too." Rion said.
Ryuji stood and looked down at his daughter, and nodded, "Your going too?"
"Yes." Ayane answered swiftly, averting her gaze to the ground. She was surprised when Ryuji wrapped his arms around her and hugged her gently, "Then be careful ok? And..."
"Ryuji you can't be serious!" Jemie said.
"Good luck." Ryuji said, "After all, according to Chris, you are all in charge now... and I wouldn't feel safer in anyone else's hands..."
"Dad..." Ayane nodded, "Im sorry.."
"Don't worry about it. You should all get going now, no time to waist." Ryuji said, "I trust you. I've been thinking and well... This is..." He was surprised when Nadia took the words out of his mouth.
"Our fight now." Nadia said, causing the other adults to quiet down immediately, "This is our fight."
Chris couldn't help it. He smiled inwardly, 'Good Girl' he thought, "Lets get going then... shall we?"
The teenagers nodded, and followed Chris out, both organoids with them. It left the adults completely... dumbfounded.
****************************
Gabrielle looked over at the two other demi-humans in the room, both of whom were still completely in control of themselves. Sin had promised that. They'd be able to be themselves... even if they were to weak and unable to stop him.
Cloud was unconscious, and had been moved to sit in the corner... Rain at his side. She had a look of complete hopelessness.
Gabrielle turned away quickly, feeling something in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time. So long, she couldn't recognize what it was.
Sin's voice suddenly filled the room, even waking Cloud up, "Are you all ready?"
"Go to hell Sin." Gabrielle replied.
"Good. Now get them ready."
Gabrielle cursed as she forced Rain onto her feet and towards the center of the room. She shoved her onto a round platform, where wires and cords from all over began to wind themselves and attach themselves into her armor. As soon as the first cord attached to her armor she seemed to be paralyzed, unable to escape. Then she did the same with Cloud. But before she could shove him up he spoke to her.
"Why are you doing this?" Cloud whispered, "Before everything... before you kidnapped us when we were little... I can remember you... You were different. You used to come over, and visit... you were so... nice. What did you have against us?"
Gabrielle was stunned, she didn't have a strait forward answer at first, "I always hated you. Always will."
"That's not what I remember..." Cloud said, and Gabrielle shoved him onto the platform.
"Then tell me this..." Cloud said as the wires began to attach to his armor, "Why are you helping him?"
Gabrielle didn't answer, just walked over to the third spot on the platform and jumped up, allowing the wires to wrap themselves around her. She cursed on the inside.
The platform began to rise, slowly but surely into the room directly above them. When it stopped the three demi-humans were in a triangle position around the Chaos-sin's core.
**********************************
Chris pressed a small button on his watch, and the mud that had once been sand shifted, a large metal platform pushing up out of the ground. He whipped the water from his eyes and pushed back his blowing hair, leading the teenagers into the underground compound. Immediately ZBC officials began walking up to him left and right, but he just waved them all off.
The teenagers looked at everything, from the hundreds of computer's to the hundreds of people, to the hundreds of rare zoids. It was actually quite amazing.
"Ok, here we are." Chris said, approaching an elevator, He put his hand against a screen, and they all watched as a small light, or laser, scanned each of his fingerprints. The door opened, and Chris let them all in before entering himself. He closed the door and the elevator immediately began to lower. It seemed to descend for a good five minutes.
The elevator was made of glass, and with each floor the teenagers got a glance of something completely amazing. Zoids, people, computers, junk. Everything. Everytime the elevator would pass up another floor the lights would fill the closed space, and show them something completely new.
Finally they reached a floor that was completely blocked from view. Chris pressed his hand against the screen once again, and the door shifted open to a pitch black room.
"This, my friends...." Chris said as they all walked in, stumbling in the darkness, "Is project Phoenix," He flipped on a light and a gasp was caught in everyone's throats.
~~~~~~~~~~End of Chapter 23~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors note: Im sorry about the cliffhanger... I couldn't resist. :P I'll start writing the next chapter now...
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Im sorry this chapter took so long... I got kind of... preoccupied. Namely, beating Final Fantasy X in 4 days, and Kingdom hearts. Im in the last world of Kingdom hearts, and I only need 9 more Dalmatians... wish me luck.
Then I had a school report on comparing and contrasting 2 asian mythological creatures. I chose Kitsune and Oriental Dragons. Just got that finished.
Now, on with the chapter...
CHAPTER 23
"So where are we headed again?" Leon asked, sitting on one of the many couches in the main room.
"Some ZBC compound not far from here. Chris asked us to go, saying it was really important. When I asked why, all he said was that It would help against Sin." Hiro explained.
"Really..." Leon shook his head, "And Cloud?"
"Sin got him. He just vanished... Like Koh did the first time. We managed to save the kids and the others, but Sin got his wish and has Cloud and Rain." Hiro replied sourly, "We were close..."
Everyone except the kids or Chris were sitting or lying, in various places around the main room. No one said anything for a while, each wishing they could come up with some new plan that would at least help. But, none of them could. It all just seemed hopeless... or pointless.
Izumi sat up and cringed as one of her wounds ached, "So whatever this Chris guy has up his sleeve is pretty much our last hope... huh..." She laughed inwardly, a saddened smile coming to her face.
"I just hope it works..." Ryuji said, much in the same way Izumi had spoken. He got up and walked out into the hallway, deciding to gaze out one of the windows at the storm. He stood there for a while, wondering what all of them had done exactly to receive a fate like this. 'Well... I know what Copper did to deserve this anyway...' He thought.
His thoughts then wandered to Ayane, and how she had reacted to the news of Copper. He hated those old memories, and the things his counterpart had did. If only he could find a way to change everything... never stumble upon the Deathsoarer piece... Then...
"You ok?" Goji asked, walking up behind Ryuji. His voice startled him a bit, and he turned to face the Temjin X's pilot. He noticed Zack was with him and nodded.
"I was just thinking." Ryuji said, "About some... stuff."
"Copper." Zack said, "I can tell."
"Yeah..." Ryuji chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"It's in the past." Goji told him, "Just a bad memory, you should just forget about it."
"I was just thinking that if I had never found that old Deathsoarer piece.... Copper wouldn't have ever existed you know..."
"Everyone has things they regret doing... things that they couldn't help, and some they could have. You didn't do anything wrong about finding the deathsoarer piece...." Zack said, "Something bad just kinda, came out of it. It's life I guess..."
"Everyone has a bit of a mean side to them... some more than others of course." Goji said, "Copper was exceptionally cruel, and mean. He had no good side..." He paused, "And you have to remember. You and Copper were two separate people."
"It's like when I was Zero I guess." Zack said, "I regret that now. That was something I could have helped too... But it's in the past, so I let it go. It was a bad choice I made back then and now I just have to live with it... but you see, you couldn't help it. So you really shouldn't hold it against yourself."
"Yeah, I guess your right..." Ryuji sighed... his thoughts still on Ayane.
"She'll come around. Don't worry." Goji said, then left, returning to the main room.
*******************************
Chris looked down at his watch, "We should be there any time now." He sighed and looked over at LightStrike, "This is it old friend."
Zeke growled and followed Chris back down the hall and back into the kid's room. The old organoid looked at each of them in turn, studying them. He growled softly just as Chris began to speak.
"All right everyone. Please listen up." He paused as everyone turned to see him, quietly giving him all their attention, "What you are going to see is a top secret ZBC compound. As you know, I have all asked you to be part of this operation..." He looked down at the ground, "Anything you see in this compound must be remained top secret..." He looked up again, "Do I have your word that you will tell no one?"
The kids took turns looking at each other, almost as if they were deciding who would speak up... or who would be their leader. Their gazes eventually fell onto Nadia. She took in a deep breath and stood, LightStrike at her side in an instant.
"First you have to promise me something." Nadia said, walking up to Chris, her ever protective organoid still behind her.
"Yes?" Chris asked, scanning her face, trying to discover what she might be up to.
"This has to be the end..." She paused, "We've been talking, each of us, and..."
"And..." Chris was still a bit unsure of what she was asking.
"Will this end it? For them...?" Nadia asked. Chris wasn't sure who she was talking about until she looked up, and stared directly into his eyes. Her Silver eyes told him everything... She was asking if this would be the last fight that her parents and their friends would have to take part of.
"I promise. It will be the last fight no matter what, they won't have to suffer anymore. They can live peaceful once this battle is over. And I promise, they will be rewarded for everything they've ever done to aid Zi."
"Do I really have your word on that?"
"You have my word as a ZBC commander and as a Fly-height." Chris answered, putting out his hand. Nadia took it and they shook, and almost as if it were a signal the other teenagers stood up and stood behind Nadia.
"Lets get going then." Nadia said, following Chris as he led the way. The others followed, and they all made their way down to the main room, just as Doc came onto the intercom, "Chris, please come down here, we're at the coordinates you gave us."
The door to the main room shifted open, and in walked the 8 kids, and Chris. The two organoids followed at a difference.
"Dad..." Nadia spoke up before anyone could speak... "We decided that no matter what... we're fighting this battle."
Hiro looked at her, a bit stunned. Chris grinned. Good... it was their fight now anyway.
"Listen up, Im taking the kids in first." Chris said, "I want them to see something, then we will come back here at tell you everything you need to know. You stay here until then... they are in charge now."
"Now wait a minute." Orihime exclaimed, at the same time Izumi asked "What?!" The other adults also objected.
"Stop this." Nadia said, quieting everyone down, "We agreed to it already, and you aren't stopping us." She looked up at her father, who was standing on an elevated platform, "None of you."
"Nadia!" Hiro shook his head, but was interrupted again by his son, who slowly walked into the room.
"Didn't you hear her dad? Just back down for once..." Koh said, a small grin coming to his face, "You aren't going to stop her in whatever it is she is planning."
Nadia turned to face him and smiled slightly, as he walked up to her and the others.
"And..." Koh added, "Im behind them all the way." He looked over at Kristen and the others and continued, "Im sorry... for well, you know..."
Chris nodded, "You should be a part of it to... Koh, was it?"
Koh nodded, "Koh Solehart at your service..."
"Koh! You should still be in bed!" Hiro objected.
"Just shut up already!" Koh said, "Im fine Alright. Geeze. Sir..?" He turned to Chris.
"Chris Fly-height."
"Whatever, just lead the way already before they try and tie us down..." Koh chuckled slightly.
"Koh!" Hiro continued, "Nadia...." But it was already too late. They were leaving... and there was nothing he could do to stop them... but he could still object, "Both of you are grounded for the rest of your lives."
"So? Who's to say that we're going to live long lives anyway?" Koh almost teased, "Just listen to us for once dad. I have no clue what's going on, and frankly, I don't care as long as I can help now... after well, after what I did."
Goji stood, "Shiro!"
"You be quiet too." Shiro said, "You aren't stopping me either."
"And before you say anything..." Kristen said, waving over at her parents, "Forget it. I've already made up my mind." Will, Hikari and Rion all nodded.
"Us too." Rion said.
Ryuji stood and looked down at his daughter, and nodded, "Your going too?"
"Yes." Ayane answered swiftly, averting her gaze to the ground. She was surprised when Ryuji wrapped his arms around her and hugged her gently, "Then be careful ok? And..."
"Ryuji you can't be serious!" Jemie said.
"Good luck." Ryuji said, "After all, according to Chris, you are all in charge now... and I wouldn't feel safer in anyone else's hands..."
"Dad..." Ayane nodded, "Im sorry.."
"Don't worry about it. You should all get going now, no time to waist." Ryuji said, "I trust you. I've been thinking and well... This is..." He was surprised when Nadia took the words out of his mouth.
"Our fight now." Nadia said, causing the other adults to quiet down immediately, "This is our fight."
Chris couldn't help it. He smiled inwardly, 'Good Girl' he thought, "Lets get going then... shall we?"
The teenagers nodded, and followed Chris out, both organoids with them. It left the adults completely... dumbfounded.
****************************
Gabrielle looked over at the two other demi-humans in the room, both of whom were still completely in control of themselves. Sin had promised that. They'd be able to be themselves... even if they were to weak and unable to stop him.
Cloud was unconscious, and had been moved to sit in the corner... Rain at his side. She had a look of complete hopelessness.
Gabrielle turned away quickly, feeling something in her heart that she hadn't felt in a long time. So long, she couldn't recognize what it was.
Sin's voice suddenly filled the room, even waking Cloud up, "Are you all ready?"
"Go to hell Sin." Gabrielle replied.
"Good. Now get them ready."
Gabrielle cursed as she forced Rain onto her feet and towards the center of the room. She shoved her onto a round platform, where wires and cords from all over began to wind themselves and attach themselves into her armor. As soon as the first cord attached to her armor she seemed to be paralyzed, unable to escape. Then she did the same with Cloud. But before she could shove him up he spoke to her.
"Why are you doing this?" Cloud whispered, "Before everything... before you kidnapped us when we were little... I can remember you... You were different. You used to come over, and visit... you were so... nice. What did you have against us?"
Gabrielle was stunned, she didn't have a strait forward answer at first, "I always hated you. Always will."
"That's not what I remember..." Cloud said, and Gabrielle shoved him onto the platform.
"Then tell me this..." Cloud said as the wires began to attach to his armor, "Why are you helping him?"
Gabrielle didn't answer, just walked over to the third spot on the platform and jumped up, allowing the wires to wrap themselves around her. She cursed on the inside.
The platform began to rise, slowly but surely into the room directly above them. When it stopped the three demi-humans were in a triangle position around the Chaos-sin's core.
**********************************
Chris pressed a small button on his watch, and the mud that had once been sand shifted, a large metal platform pushing up out of the ground. He whipped the water from his eyes and pushed back his blowing hair, leading the teenagers into the underground compound. Immediately ZBC officials began walking up to him left and right, but he just waved them all off.
The teenagers looked at everything, from the hundreds of computer's to the hundreds of people, to the hundreds of rare zoids. It was actually quite amazing.
"Ok, here we are." Chris said, approaching an elevator, He put his hand against a screen, and they all watched as a small light, or laser, scanned each of his fingerprints. The door opened, and Chris let them all in before entering himself. He closed the door and the elevator immediately began to lower. It seemed to descend for a good five minutes.
The elevator was made of glass, and with each floor the teenagers got a glance of something completely amazing. Zoids, people, computers, junk. Everything. Everytime the elevator would pass up another floor the lights would fill the closed space, and show them something completely new.
Finally they reached a floor that was completely blocked from view. Chris pressed his hand against the screen once again, and the door shifted open to a pitch black room.
"This, my friends...." Chris said as they all walked in, stumbling in the darkness, "Is project Phoenix," He flipped on a light and a gasp was caught in everyone's throats.
~~~~~~~~~~End of Chapter 23~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors note: Im sorry about the cliffhanger... I couldn't resist. :P I'll start writing the next chapter now...
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!