Shadow Dance
By: Liquid Ice
Author's Notes: Please be adviced that this is continuously revised and edited and constantly adding or changing scenarios to better entertain readers.
Disclaimer: Don't own Sailor Moon or Final Fantasy Seven
Chapter One
"We have the damage estimates for Sector 7. Considering those factories we already set up and all the investments, those damages are estimated of approximately 10 billion gill…" Reeve announced, pausing for a moment, looking at the committee, to engage in the importance of what he was about to say. "All in all, the estimated cost to rebuild Sector 7 is…"
"We're not rebuilding." The President suddenly interrupted. Reeve stiffened, forgetting the speech he implemented so well in his mind and stared at the president in astonishment.
"What!"
"We're leaving Sector 7 as it is…and restarting the Neo-Midgar plan," The President continued.
"…then the Ancients?" Reeve asked curiously. An odd feeling rose within Reeve as a calculating smile appeared on the President's face.
"The promise land will soon be ours," he said, "I want you to raise the Mako rates 15 in every area."
"Rate hike! Rate hike! Ha ha ha! And please include our Space Program in the budge!" Palmer squealed happily, clapping his hands in an irritating manner. Everyone turned around and glared at Palmer who fidgeted excitedly in his seat.
"Reeve and Scarlet will divide the extra income from the rate increase," The President remarked coolly. Palmer's smile disappeared and groaned.
"Sir. If you raise the rates, the people will lose confidence…" Reeve trailed off, confused and disturbed by this sudden announcement. That feeling again - uncomfortable and unfathomably pressured with worry at the state of Midgar's future.But the President, having a slight glimmer in his eyes, Reeve noticed, had an answer.
"It'll be all right. The ignorant citizens won't lose confidence; they'll trust Shinra, Inc. even more."
Reeve frowned. It was then that Heidegger started laughing, catching the scenario of the situation.
"Ha ha ha ha! It's true!" He laughed in an almost maniacal way, "After all, we're the one who saved Sector 7 from AVALANCHE!" He roared.
Above the meeting, in a duct, Barret clenched his fists tightly.
"That dirty &$#!" He whispered vehemently.
"Barret shut up! They might hear you!" Tifa mouthed. She lightly wacked the bulky man to gain his attention."Barre -"
Tifa's intentions to silence Barret disappeared when she was distracted by the appearance of astrange man that entered the room, wearing a white lab coat and glasses. Cloud furrowed his brows, feeling a sense of familiarity for the stranger.
"Hojo how's the girl?" The President questioned, not bothering to acknowledge the man's sudden appearance to the meeting. Hojo cocked his head to the President.
"As a specimen, she is inferior to her mother. I'm still in the process of comparing her to her mother, Ifalna, but for now the difference is 18 percent," Hojo informed him.
"How long will this research take?" Hojo looked up in thought, directly above the open duct Cloud, Tifa and Barret were viewing from. In panic, the three scrambled to hide from the man's view, in the case of the possibility that the man could see them.
"Probably 120 years." He answered curtly,"It's probably impossible to finish in our lifetime…or in the lifetime of the specimen too, for that matter…" His eyes held a guardeddemeanor,"That's why we're thinking of breeding her. Then we could create one that could withstand our research for a long time."
"What about the Promised Land? Won't it hinder our plans?"
Hojo place his hand under his chin in deep thought, "That's what I need to plan. The mother is strong…and yet has her weakness…" He began giggling, the mere thought of the possibilities and opportunities that the girl held in her blood made him ecstatic. No other opportunity could be granted to him as much as this and as a scientist, he fully intends to make the best of it.
Reeve shooked his head in dismay wandering how the meeting had taken a turn he did not want to indulge in.
Hojo, inclined a nod towards his benefactor and began to walk away.
"Wait Hojo, what about the Tsukino situation? Is that taken care of?" The President enquired.
Hojo stopped midway, silence filled the room, "Ahh…yes…Tsukino is sleeping right now. And she's been taken care of…"
He left the room.
"That concludes our meeting." The President stated.
Slowly, everyone began to leave. Scarlet halfway from exiting, paused above the duct that Cloud, Barret and Tifa were watching from.
"Something stinks horribly here," Her nose scrunched in a distasteful manner as she left the room.
Cloud glanced at Tifa and Barret, "They were talking about Aeris…right?"
Barret shrugged, "I dunno."
"Probably…but who is Tsukino?" Tifa wondered. Cloud offerred a shrug as well but there was a feeling he quite couldn't grab a hold on. The familiarity that spark when the man, Hojo, had said Tsukino's name. He just couldn't quite place it.
"Let's follow 'em." They quietly left the duct and went back to the room they entered: the washroom.
Avoiding any confrontation with the employees; Cloud, Tifa and Barret followed the scientist with much discretion. The closer the proximity to Hojo, the more alert they became.
"Hojo huh?" Cloud whispered to himself. Sizing up the scientist that knew where Aeris was located.They followed Hojo up to the next floor.
"I remember him," Barret suddenly stated, "that Hojo guy, he's in charge of the Shinra's Science Department." He turned to Cloud curiously, "Cloudshouldn't you know him?"
Cloud shook his head, "This is the first time I've actually ever seen him. So that's what he looks like."
They resumed to following the scientist to the next floorthat landed them toa lab room. Hojo stopped in front of a glass caged containing a creature that looked like a cross of a tiger and dog.
A young girl with short blue hair suddenly appeared at the other side of the lab. She too was wearing a white lab coat and wore a light blue-shaded glasses.
"Professor Hojo?" The girl called. Hojo turned his head to her direction.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Aer… I mean the Ancient is ready for experimentation," she informed him.
"Good. Send this specimen to level two. We don't want this two rare specimen to die out now hmm?" Hojo said, a sadistic smile forming on his face.
The girl's attitude suddenly changed, her eyes flashed dangerously.
"What about Usagi, Hojo," she said in a low voice, "We had a bargain that you will let her go for the data I extract of the Ancient."
Hojo suddenly laughed, "What bargain?"
Ina matter ofmoments, with speed that cause Cloud to widened his eyes at such a sight, Hojo was pushed up against the wall. The animal in the glass cage watched the strange scene with interest.
Cloud at the girl in surprise. She was different…something told him she had quite a story to tell.
"Hojo I warned you, Usagi is not something to be made fun of, we had a bargain and a bargain you will keep," she hissed. The sadistic smile was still on Hojo's face.
"Ahh…but Ms. Mizuno. I can't let you do that now can I? That specimen is far too important to let go…and beside you work for me, you know I can't release you without my consent. So don't even try…" As if to make his point, his hand played with the choker around her neck.
"Damn you, Hojo!" the girl spat on his face causing Hojo to smile mockingly, "You'll regret ever saying that, you really have no idea who you're dealing with."
She left angrily, stomping towards the elevator.
Hojo smiled.
"Oh don't worry Ms. Mizuno, I know exactly what am I dealing with. After all a myth is just a myth…"
So…What do you think? Be nice and Review please…