Fantasy Thunder Chapter Five: Epsilon
By Blue Dragon
It's about time Epsilon came back. That fool has no life.
Cid sat in the pilot's seat of the machina airship, waiting for the "scouts" that he had sent out to return with information on the surroundings. He was relieved when he noticed the approaching figures, but was worried when he saw four more coming along with them.
He heard of a buzz on the door of the ship, and had almost forgotten to let down the platform so that they could board.
After a few minutes the group made it to the bridge, and Cid turned around.
"You know, we might be able to find our way back. The ship surprisingly ain't as damaged as I thought, and we can fly 'er. She's tougher than I thought"
Everyone took their positions on the bridge save the four newcomers, who stood at the entrance in awe. The one with the cigar, especially, seemed to be interested deeply in the colorful-looking interior, three-dimensional control panels that popped up from the consoles, and the wide windows that gave an amazing view of the outside.
"Aviation of the future. . . " he said.
"Who are these guys?"
"These are Cloud, Cid, Red and Tifa, daddy"
"Ya'll can take a seat if you want, buy do ya have business here?"
"They may be able to help us navigate, and on top of that, they have weapons and may be able to help defend our ship if necessary." Tidus explained.
Cid Highwind quickly walked up to Cid the Al Bhed.
"Are you Cid, by any chance?"
"That'd be me. I hear yer a Cid too"
Cid quickly put his cigar in his pocket on put on his goggles.
"This is the best-lookin' ship that I've ever seen! Is it capable of space flight? Are you the pilot? Can I give it a spin?"
"Slow down there! I wouldn't know if it was capable of space flight because I've never heard of space. I am the pilot, and if you're one too you shouldn't have much trouble figuring out the controls"
Cid seemed impressed.
"You all have never heard of space?" he asked
The Spirans slowly shook their heads.
"Space is what you see at night when you look up in the sky! Space is where the stars and the sun are!"
Cid, Brother, Rikku, Lulu, Tidus, Wakka, Yuna, and Kimahri all gave him blank looks.
"I'll show you! Let me pilot this thing!"
"I guess. . . " Cid stepped away from the controls, and Cid Highwind took over.
"These actually seem pretty simple. . . " he said as he strapped himself in.
"CRAP!" yelled Cloud.
He, Tifa, an Red immediately found a seat and strapped themselves in. Red, of course, had a little trouble.
"What's wrong?" Lulu questioned Cloud directly.
Cid may be a good pilot, but expect a turbulent flight.
"Everyone should find a seat. . . " Cid said, unresponsive to Tidus' comment.
Everyone scrambled to a seat.
"Now I'm sure! She can fly, all right! Everyone, prepare for liftoff!"
The ship started slowly, than began rocketing upwards with a roar as everyone was pressed back in his or her seat.
Cloud, Tifa, and Red weren't worried because they trusted Cid.
The Spirans weren't worried because they hadn't yet contemplated space travel. Rikku, however, soon got a little worried.
"Your flying straight up! Are you sure you won't be struck by Yevon!?"
"Huh!!? Who's Yev. . . " voices were soon drowned out as the ship approached the speed of sound, then twice as fast, three times faster, four, and finally five times faster.
The ship rumbled slightly as Cid guided it through the atmosphere at just the right angle, and finally, there was silence as the ship went into space. Everyone let out sounds of amazement looking down on Spira.
"Amazing." said Yuna.
"You'll have to teach me how to do that, man" said Cid.
Highwind wore a proud expression on his face, and decided to have a little fun.
"Cloud, Tifa, Red, remain seated, if you know what I mean. . . "
"Cid, you shouldn't be--"
"Shh!" Cid cut Red off.
The Spirans began to take off their belts, and then, were floating around.
"AHHH!" Cid let out a girly scream.
"What's goin' on!?" asked Wakka as he bounced off of the ceiling and then floated back down.
Cid Highwind let out a chuckle.
"Of course you know what gravity is. In space, there is none!"
***
Oren appeared suddenly in the crater left where the ship had taken off.
"My senses indicate they went. . . "
Oren looked up.
"Why did they go to space?"
***
Barret wiped the sweat off of his forehead, and continued relaxing on his couch in the nicely rebuilt Corel. Marlene sate at his side watching television.
"Daddy, when will we see Mr. Strife again?"
"I thought he was visitin' today, darlin'. He must be a little late."
The massive man stood up, remembering again he had a gun-arm.
With the way things have been, it might as well be a teddy bear. . . he thought.
Barret went to get more lemonade from the refrigerator on the opposite room of the parlor, but was interrupted by a blue zap and a sudden appearance of a strange man with black jeans with matching boots, skin of a light tan color and long brown coat made of a wooly material, not to mention an eerie blue glow in his eyes.
"What the he--" Barret remembered his manners in front of Marlene just in time.
"Sorry for bursting in like that, but I haven't much time. My name is Oren Murasaki, are you Barret?"
"Excuse me? Who are you? And how you do that?"
"I swear I'll explain later. I'm a friend, I know Cloud. Please, just bring Marlene and touch my shoulder.
"How did you know about Marlene? Are you one of them monkey salesmen? I told you that monkeys scare me and I don't want one"
"?"
". . . "
"Sir, please just come and I'll rescue you from those. . . monkey salesmen"
Barret decided to just sit down on the couch.
"I don't believe you, now get out of my house"
". . . I understand you have to watch over Corel, but this may concern the whole world. I may even be able to get Aeris back. . . "
Barret sat bolt upright. Marlene, who had been paying little attention before, was now suddenly interested in the event.
"I believe you then. Come on Marlene."
"Okay!" Marlene ran over to Barret and was lifted on his shoulder, happy at the thought of finding the flower lady.
Barret touched Oren's shoulder.
"I trust you"
"Thank you"
With a roar, a portal appeared and Oren took his company through.
***
"What do you mean I don't have enough?"
"Look, MAN, I don't care if you're an honorary Shinra employee, I don't care if you have benefits from employment, and I really don't give a shit if there happens to be a claim that you have payment in prior."
"You don't understand, I was among the group that defeated Sephiroth!"
"Sir, that was a doll you were controlling, that also self-destructed. You do understand that I can't give you any credit based on those claims?"
". . . " Reeve looked the man in the eye that had come to collect his bills. With money he had counted on the city to pay, therefore didn't have it himself.
"Someone help me!" he looked into the sky and pleaded for help.
A loud boom made Reeve and the IRS agent jump in surprise.
"DEBT CANCELLED! I DIDN'T KNOW I MADE GOD ANGRY! NOW I'LL CATCH HOLY HELL!"
The IRS agent ran away at high speeds towards his car and drove off down the bumpy road of Junon that had actually gotten much bigger due to the lack of losses from Mako.
Thank you, god. Reeve thought.
Reeve had moved away from his station in Shinra long before the other residents because he knew that Meteor would hit long prior. He had moved his station for the controlling of the Cait Sith doll to the safer Junon, and the town had insisted on making him a permanent resident due to the publicity he would receive for aiding in the saving of the planet.
Reeve closed the door and turned to see Barret, a strange guy, and Marlene.
"What the. . . how did you guys get in here? Your not assisting in the sale of those damn monkeys, are you?"
Reeve asked suspiciously.
The strange man spoke up.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I will introduce myself. I'm Oren Murasaki, and I am in need of your mechanical assistance, so do you think I could have you come with me?"
Reeve backed away.
"Come on man, he's cool" Barret tried to convince him.
"Daddy says he's a nice man, Mr. Reeve. I bet he's nicer than you!"
Marlene was referring to the kidnapping earlier. She still hadn't completely forgiven him.
"I guess, but one more question. Are you with the IRS, Murasaki?"
"What does IRS stand for?"
Reeve looked at Barret and smiled.
"The Idiotic Retard Service" said Reeve with a chuckle.
"I thought it was the Internal Revenue Service?" said Barret with a questioning glance.
"What's the difference?" asked Reeve as he walked up to Oren.
"I'm--"
"Reeve, I know. I have been searching for you. Please touch my shoulder."
The second Reeve's hand hit Oren's shoulder, there was a roar and the party disappeared into another destination.
***
Yuffie stared in awe at the many balls of materia she had gained from the party that they had willingly relinquished.
"So much materia, so much more than I've ever had! I'll make a freakin' fortune!"
Yuffie had emptied her bag in the rec room of the training facility in the central area of the much larger Wutai. The glow of the balls of many colors and types filled her eyes as she felt that all of her need for money and materia had been satisfied.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
A shop owner came in with a big smile on his face.
"Ms. Yuffie, did you hear the news? Materia mines were discovered all over Wutai from the energy left over from the Mako. There are millions upon millions in this one area!"
"Oh no!"
The owner's smile was replaced by a worried expression.
"Did I say something wrong, Ms. Yuffie?"
"Now the prices of materia will go down, won't they!?"
"Well yes. Prices have been reduced by about ninety-two percent here in Wutai."
"DAMMIT! ALL MY WORK!"
Yuffie started screaming and pounding on the walls throwing random balls of materia around. The shop owner just barely dodged one, and decided he had best leave.
Suddenly with a roar, after the shop owner left, a portal of blue appeared and out came Oren, Barret, Reeve, and Marlene. Oren spoke rapidly because he had grown weary of explanation.
"HellomynameisOrenyoudon'tknowmeIknowyoufollowmesowecancombineforcesandpossi blyreviveAerisandthisguynamedAuronyoudon'tknowaboutbutwe'llneedthehelpofthe. . Turks."
Yuffie didn't catch any of that except for the part about the enemy the deeply disliked. The Turks.
***
Seifer sat in deeper into the seat he couldn't really recline in, Jessica looking on waiting from sort of response from him.
"My parents, the story of them actually isn't a very happy one"
"I don't mind, if you're willing to tell it"
"I am. My father, I don't really know who he was, but I can go on what my mom would say about him. . . "
***
The five-year-old Seifer ran to is mother, who was Evaria Almasy. Through the front door of his little house by the beach on Centra, through the kitchen, and into the living room where his mother seemed to be intently watching the news was where the child was headed.
"Mommy! I saw this cool knife called a gunblade! Can I have one?"
". . . Not now dear, I'm watching the news" Seifer was certainly his mother's child. His features deriving completely from her, save the smirk adopted from his father. The woman sat with her arms folded and her legs crossed, absent-mindedly stroking her son's hair and brushing some of her own out of her eyes so that she could watch the television with no interference.
"Mom, whatcha watchin'?"
"The sorceress war, honey. They say that live broadcasts like this soon may not be possible if some plan works to trap Adel"
"She's that mean sorceress, right mom?"
"Yes, son" she said, not even taking her focus off of the screen.
"Mom, will dad come home if the war ends?"
For the first time Evaria looked away to see her son, and smiled.
"If Loire's plan works, and Adel is defeated, then he'll be back"
"Mom. What's he like?"
"He's a great man. You would love him, Seifer. He left, right before you were born, but you'll see him now. He really loves you and wants to see you"
"I wanna see him too!"
Seifer never saw his father. Because the next day.
"MOMMY!" Seifer ran up in his nightclothes as fast as his legs would carry him up the stairs.
"The war's over! Daddy's coming home!"
Evaria woke up out of bed and took the veil off of her eyes.
"What? Where did you here this?"
"Mom, the news says it! Come watch!"
Evaria ran down almost as fast as her son.
". . . And all soldiers are reporting back home. We can now shout victory, for the world is liberated again from Sorceress Adel!"
Evaria's eyes widened as she heard the reporter. She and Seifer danced around, eager to see the man return.
It was now around nine o' clock p.m. and the man still hadn't returned. It was storming wildly outside, and Evaria sat with her son who was crying, hoping to see his father. There was a bang on the door and a crack of thunder.
Evaria ran hoping to see her love again, but was dismayed to see an Esthar soldier.
"Yes?" she asked as if in a hurry.
"Mrs., I mean Ms. Almasy, we are sorry to say that you're husband was killed in the last battle fought against Adel before the new president Loire imprisoned her. We are very sorry."
"No.no.. YOU'RE LYING! Get off of my property you bastard!"
"Again, I'm very sorry" the Esthar soldier ran back to the shore where the docked ship was.
Seifer walked to his mother.
"Mom? Is dad coming?"
"Yes son. Those bad men were lying. He'll be here tomorrow."
"Okay mommy. I love you"
"I love you too son. Now lets go to bed"
The next day there was a bang on the door.
Evaria opened the door and saw two Galbadian soldiers at the entrance.
"Excuse me"
She ran to her son who was on the couch.
"Seifer-honey"
She crouched down and talked to her son.
"Son, hide behind the couch until mommy says its okay, alright?"
"Okay mom" Seifer complied, even though he was hesitant to withdraw himself from the Sorceresses Knight movie starring Laguna Loire. His victory pose with the gunblade was so awesome, he would have to try it.
Seifer hid behind the couch and peeped.
The soldiers came in.
"What did Almasy tell you?" they snapped.
"I don't know what you mean. He hasn't even returned, so stop pestering me, okay?"
"Liar. I hope we won't have to force the info out of you. He was planning something big against Galbadia, six months from now. We heard, you know"
"Listen, I know nothing. I have a child here and you need to just--"
The soldier slammed her into the ground.
"Hold her down," commanded the other one.
"Hey!"
Seifer wanted to help, but he knew he couldn't disobey mother.
"I don't know--"
"Kill her"
"No! I have a child!"
"That's a lie, too, isn't it?"
The soldier that was given orders took out his machine gun and emptied every round into her body as Seifer hid behind the chair not looking at the scene unfolding.
When he came out, he saw a trail of blood leading to a transport that had long since departed.
***
"I lost two parents in such a short time. It isn't really a happy story. I've gotten over it a little but I don't like following orders"
Jessica looked horribly sad.
"Seifer, I'm so sorry. I didn't know--"
"That's okay. I told it on my own free will"
She stood up, her ponytail falling back to the back of her.
"I suppose I had better prepare then. Oren should be back in about fifteen minutes."
Seifer felt strange. He had never let out that story aloud. How his life was crushed. He was glad she hadn't asked him to go any further, for he might have become emotionally unstable.
Could that be why I don't follow orders well? Because the last one I did was enough to have my mother killed? Just by not showing myself?
"Again, Seifer, I'm sorry. My story will have to wait, I have to announce Oren's reappearance."
With that she struck towards the center of the imperial room, trying not to make sparks flame up.
***
Oren appeared in the Turk headquarters, a rather professional looking place due to the large money recently acquired from Shinra.
Rude was sorting through as many papers as he could, getting it all finished. What Reno would call the "technical stuff".
Elena would check funds and job offers on the computer, what Reno would call the "nerd stuff".
Reno would slack with his boots on his desk, what Rude and Elena would call the "damn lazy bum stuff".
"Rude, you done yet? I want action"
"You know, we can't do anything until all of the important things are taken care of. Why do you refuse to see this? I guess its because YOU spend you time slacking, huh Reno?" Elena spoke up for her often-silent comrade.
" I doubt it. You all don't seem to be getting anything done. When it comes down to the jobs themselves, I'm the main worker."
"You shut up!" Elena stood up from her monitor glaring at Reno. "You don't know the half of all that we have to do just to keep you butt in check! If not for us you would have lost business completely and the ranking of a true Turk!"
"Whatever. Just finish whatever you have to so the money can roll in"
There's no talking to him, Elena thought as she sat back down rolling her eyes and straightening her blue suit.
He doesn't work, calculate, the guy doesn't even tuck in his shirt! How did he become the leader?
Vincent walked in to the door.
"What the?" Reno stood up from the desk.
"Aren't you that vampire guy? What are you doing here?"
Vincent paused, adjusting his frightening figure in the doorway, which was actually one of the few things that would send chills up the spine of a Turk.
"I came to ask a favor"
Reno turned to his fellow Turks who were watching him, smiled, and turned back around.
"Listen, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but if you name your price. . . "
Barret with Marlene on his shoulder, Oren, Yuffie and Reeve walked in behind Vincent, who didn't seem surprised at all although he was quite startled on the inside.
"And who the hell are you guys?" asked Elena, her eyes only falling on Oren before.
"Holy crap!" Elena stood up quickly, as did Rude as soon as they caught sight of Yuffie and Barret, who had similar reactions to them.
"And Reeve!" said Reno.
"You were a fellow Shinra employee. I would have expected better!"
"I moved on to better things, Reno. Like saving this planet."
"Pah! Whatever, man." Reno decided not to draw his weapon.
"How about you explain your business here with Mr. Vincent, hmm?"
"Actually" Barret said with hostility in his voice.
"We didn't even really know he was here. Oren brought us."
Vincent turned to face him.
"Vincent and the Turks" said Oren. "Two birds with one stone. I need you all to come with me"
"What?" Reno seemed skeptical.
"Sorry, no time for explanation. I'll have to take you by force."
***
Cid was plunging the ship back towards the ground at full force.
"HIGHWIND! What are you doing to my plane!"
Cid the Al Bhed yelled.
"Shit, I don't know how to land these things!" Cid Highwind yelled back.
"We can't crash!" Tidus yelled.
"Cid, do something!" Tifa yelled in support to the middle-aged pilot.
"I can't, we're gonna crash!"
***
Suddenly Oren and the group appeared in the field where the airship was about to land, the Turks and Vincent looking confused.
"What did you do?" Vincent didn't seem to direct the question like it always seemed when he talked.
"I teleported us--"
"Why should we listen to you!? What have you done for us? Get us back, I demand it!" Reno yelled at the top of his lungs.
Suddenly in the sky, an airship plunged down towards the ground.
"Darn it!"
Oren ran towards the spot where the figure was rapidly descending, and flew. Yes, he actually jumped so high he seemed to fly. 300 feet in the air he seemed to collide and then grabbed the ship by the nose, and began to slow it down. It looked funny, seeing something so small compared to the airship holding it back.
"What in Marcus is going on here?!" asked Reno, unimaginably confused.
Oren held the airship for a second, and then set it nicely on the ground, breathing hard.
***
"I'm a pretty damn good pilot!" said Cid.
No one said anything, as they were all breathing hard with the memory of the close call fresh in their minds.
***
"Everyone, follow me!" no one was eager to defy someone who stopped a giant mass with his bare hands, most of them still awed by the display. They all followed Oren up the landing dock that had fallen open, and ran up inside.
Reeve, Yuffie, Marlene, Barret, and Vincent made a big discovery when they saw Cloud, Tifa, and Red sitting in the back area, with Cid in the front.
"He was right! Wassup man!?" Barret and the others ran to rejoin the friends that they hadn't seen in such a long time, while Tidus and his party looked on in wonder, very confused.
No one had even seen the Turks, however.
Cloud looked up, and saw the unknown guy that was Oren, and the Turks.
"What in the---"
"I'll explain in just a few minutes" Oren cut him off. "Now that I finally have you all, I will unite you for good"
With a flash everyone on the bridge of the ship disappeared.
***
"He should be here in. . . " Jessica counted off the seconds of the arrival of the new recruits and Oren. Everyone looked on in anticipation at finally meeting the ones they had wanted to notice for hours.
"Three. . . two. . . one. . . "
SWEEEP!
Tidus, Yuna, Lulu, Rikku, Brother, Kimahri, Wakka, Cid the Al Bhed, Cid Highwind, Yuffie, Barret, Reeve, Marlene, Cloud, Red, Cid, Tifa, Vincent, Rude, Reno, and Elena all landed out of nowhere in a heap around Jessica with Oren on top.
"That was quite a ride through the universe, but finally! The gang is all here!" Oren shouted in victory.
***
The twins Delta and Epsilon laughed as they spied on their targets through the windows of the grand castle in an unknown location.
"How stupid--" Delta started.
"--can they get?" Epsilon finished.
"These guys--"
"--are pathetic"
"Gamma may be in recovery, Alpha and Beta, may want revenge--"
"--bet we'll have to take care of them. I can't believe Pyros sent us up against this trash. I say that we just dispose of them, already"
"Especially now that they are all together" Epsilon continued.
"I don't think it will be--"
"--too hard"
Epsilon finished for Delta. With that, the two charged for the window to eliminate each and every one of the foes.
_______________________________________________________________________
AN: There be another chapter. Oh, and by the way.REVIEW MY FICS OTHER THAN THAT ONE NICE REVIEWER ALREADY! I NEED MORE REVIEWS!. (But thanks to that one author that's been reviewing, though!)
By Blue Dragon
It's about time Epsilon came back. That fool has no life.
Cid sat in the pilot's seat of the machina airship, waiting for the "scouts" that he had sent out to return with information on the surroundings. He was relieved when he noticed the approaching figures, but was worried when he saw four more coming along with them.
He heard of a buzz on the door of the ship, and had almost forgotten to let down the platform so that they could board.
After a few minutes the group made it to the bridge, and Cid turned around.
"You know, we might be able to find our way back. The ship surprisingly ain't as damaged as I thought, and we can fly 'er. She's tougher than I thought"
Everyone took their positions on the bridge save the four newcomers, who stood at the entrance in awe. The one with the cigar, especially, seemed to be interested deeply in the colorful-looking interior, three-dimensional control panels that popped up from the consoles, and the wide windows that gave an amazing view of the outside.
"Aviation of the future. . . " he said.
"Who are these guys?"
"These are Cloud, Cid, Red and Tifa, daddy"
"Ya'll can take a seat if you want, buy do ya have business here?"
"They may be able to help us navigate, and on top of that, they have weapons and may be able to help defend our ship if necessary." Tidus explained.
Cid Highwind quickly walked up to Cid the Al Bhed.
"Are you Cid, by any chance?"
"That'd be me. I hear yer a Cid too"
Cid quickly put his cigar in his pocket on put on his goggles.
"This is the best-lookin' ship that I've ever seen! Is it capable of space flight? Are you the pilot? Can I give it a spin?"
"Slow down there! I wouldn't know if it was capable of space flight because I've never heard of space. I am the pilot, and if you're one too you shouldn't have much trouble figuring out the controls"
Cid seemed impressed.
"You all have never heard of space?" he asked
The Spirans slowly shook their heads.
"Space is what you see at night when you look up in the sky! Space is where the stars and the sun are!"
Cid, Brother, Rikku, Lulu, Tidus, Wakka, Yuna, and Kimahri all gave him blank looks.
"I'll show you! Let me pilot this thing!"
"I guess. . . " Cid stepped away from the controls, and Cid Highwind took over.
"These actually seem pretty simple. . . " he said as he strapped himself in.
"CRAP!" yelled Cloud.
He, Tifa, an Red immediately found a seat and strapped themselves in. Red, of course, had a little trouble.
"What's wrong?" Lulu questioned Cloud directly.
Cid may be a good pilot, but expect a turbulent flight.
"Everyone should find a seat. . . " Cid said, unresponsive to Tidus' comment.
Everyone scrambled to a seat.
"Now I'm sure! She can fly, all right! Everyone, prepare for liftoff!"
The ship started slowly, than began rocketing upwards with a roar as everyone was pressed back in his or her seat.
Cloud, Tifa, and Red weren't worried because they trusted Cid.
The Spirans weren't worried because they hadn't yet contemplated space travel. Rikku, however, soon got a little worried.
"Your flying straight up! Are you sure you won't be struck by Yevon!?"
"Huh!!? Who's Yev. . . " voices were soon drowned out as the ship approached the speed of sound, then twice as fast, three times faster, four, and finally five times faster.
The ship rumbled slightly as Cid guided it through the atmosphere at just the right angle, and finally, there was silence as the ship went into space. Everyone let out sounds of amazement looking down on Spira.
"Amazing." said Yuna.
"You'll have to teach me how to do that, man" said Cid.
Highwind wore a proud expression on his face, and decided to have a little fun.
"Cloud, Tifa, Red, remain seated, if you know what I mean. . . "
"Cid, you shouldn't be--"
"Shh!" Cid cut Red off.
The Spirans began to take off their belts, and then, were floating around.
"AHHH!" Cid let out a girly scream.
"What's goin' on!?" asked Wakka as he bounced off of the ceiling and then floated back down.
Cid Highwind let out a chuckle.
"Of course you know what gravity is. In space, there is none!"
***
Oren appeared suddenly in the crater left where the ship had taken off.
"My senses indicate they went. . . "
Oren looked up.
"Why did they go to space?"
***
Barret wiped the sweat off of his forehead, and continued relaxing on his couch in the nicely rebuilt Corel. Marlene sate at his side watching television.
"Daddy, when will we see Mr. Strife again?"
"I thought he was visitin' today, darlin'. He must be a little late."
The massive man stood up, remembering again he had a gun-arm.
With the way things have been, it might as well be a teddy bear. . . he thought.
Barret went to get more lemonade from the refrigerator on the opposite room of the parlor, but was interrupted by a blue zap and a sudden appearance of a strange man with black jeans with matching boots, skin of a light tan color and long brown coat made of a wooly material, not to mention an eerie blue glow in his eyes.
"What the he--" Barret remembered his manners in front of Marlene just in time.
"Sorry for bursting in like that, but I haven't much time. My name is Oren Murasaki, are you Barret?"
"Excuse me? Who are you? And how you do that?"
"I swear I'll explain later. I'm a friend, I know Cloud. Please, just bring Marlene and touch my shoulder.
"How did you know about Marlene? Are you one of them monkey salesmen? I told you that monkeys scare me and I don't want one"
"?"
". . . "
"Sir, please just come and I'll rescue you from those. . . monkey salesmen"
Barret decided to just sit down on the couch.
"I don't believe you, now get out of my house"
". . . I understand you have to watch over Corel, but this may concern the whole world. I may even be able to get Aeris back. . . "
Barret sat bolt upright. Marlene, who had been paying little attention before, was now suddenly interested in the event.
"I believe you then. Come on Marlene."
"Okay!" Marlene ran over to Barret and was lifted on his shoulder, happy at the thought of finding the flower lady.
Barret touched Oren's shoulder.
"I trust you"
"Thank you"
With a roar, a portal appeared and Oren took his company through.
***
"What do you mean I don't have enough?"
"Look, MAN, I don't care if you're an honorary Shinra employee, I don't care if you have benefits from employment, and I really don't give a shit if there happens to be a claim that you have payment in prior."
"You don't understand, I was among the group that defeated Sephiroth!"
"Sir, that was a doll you were controlling, that also self-destructed. You do understand that I can't give you any credit based on those claims?"
". . . " Reeve looked the man in the eye that had come to collect his bills. With money he had counted on the city to pay, therefore didn't have it himself.
"Someone help me!" he looked into the sky and pleaded for help.
A loud boom made Reeve and the IRS agent jump in surprise.
"DEBT CANCELLED! I DIDN'T KNOW I MADE GOD ANGRY! NOW I'LL CATCH HOLY HELL!"
The IRS agent ran away at high speeds towards his car and drove off down the bumpy road of Junon that had actually gotten much bigger due to the lack of losses from Mako.
Thank you, god. Reeve thought.
Reeve had moved away from his station in Shinra long before the other residents because he knew that Meteor would hit long prior. He had moved his station for the controlling of the Cait Sith doll to the safer Junon, and the town had insisted on making him a permanent resident due to the publicity he would receive for aiding in the saving of the planet.
Reeve closed the door and turned to see Barret, a strange guy, and Marlene.
"What the. . . how did you guys get in here? Your not assisting in the sale of those damn monkeys, are you?"
Reeve asked suspiciously.
The strange man spoke up.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I will introduce myself. I'm Oren Murasaki, and I am in need of your mechanical assistance, so do you think I could have you come with me?"
Reeve backed away.
"Come on man, he's cool" Barret tried to convince him.
"Daddy says he's a nice man, Mr. Reeve. I bet he's nicer than you!"
Marlene was referring to the kidnapping earlier. She still hadn't completely forgiven him.
"I guess, but one more question. Are you with the IRS, Murasaki?"
"What does IRS stand for?"
Reeve looked at Barret and smiled.
"The Idiotic Retard Service" said Reeve with a chuckle.
"I thought it was the Internal Revenue Service?" said Barret with a questioning glance.
"What's the difference?" asked Reeve as he walked up to Oren.
"I'm--"
"Reeve, I know. I have been searching for you. Please touch my shoulder."
The second Reeve's hand hit Oren's shoulder, there was a roar and the party disappeared into another destination.
***
Yuffie stared in awe at the many balls of materia she had gained from the party that they had willingly relinquished.
"So much materia, so much more than I've ever had! I'll make a freakin' fortune!"
Yuffie had emptied her bag in the rec room of the training facility in the central area of the much larger Wutai. The glow of the balls of many colors and types filled her eyes as she felt that all of her need for money and materia had been satisfied.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
A shop owner came in with a big smile on his face.
"Ms. Yuffie, did you hear the news? Materia mines were discovered all over Wutai from the energy left over from the Mako. There are millions upon millions in this one area!"
"Oh no!"
The owner's smile was replaced by a worried expression.
"Did I say something wrong, Ms. Yuffie?"
"Now the prices of materia will go down, won't they!?"
"Well yes. Prices have been reduced by about ninety-two percent here in Wutai."
"DAMMIT! ALL MY WORK!"
Yuffie started screaming and pounding on the walls throwing random balls of materia around. The shop owner just barely dodged one, and decided he had best leave.
Suddenly with a roar, after the shop owner left, a portal of blue appeared and out came Oren, Barret, Reeve, and Marlene. Oren spoke rapidly because he had grown weary of explanation.
"HellomynameisOrenyoudon'tknowmeIknowyoufollowmesowecancombineforcesandpossi blyreviveAerisandthisguynamedAuronyoudon'tknowaboutbutwe'llneedthehelpofthe. . Turks."
Yuffie didn't catch any of that except for the part about the enemy the deeply disliked. The Turks.
***
Seifer sat in deeper into the seat he couldn't really recline in, Jessica looking on waiting from sort of response from him.
"My parents, the story of them actually isn't a very happy one"
"I don't mind, if you're willing to tell it"
"I am. My father, I don't really know who he was, but I can go on what my mom would say about him. . . "
***
The five-year-old Seifer ran to is mother, who was Evaria Almasy. Through the front door of his little house by the beach on Centra, through the kitchen, and into the living room where his mother seemed to be intently watching the news was where the child was headed.
"Mommy! I saw this cool knife called a gunblade! Can I have one?"
". . . Not now dear, I'm watching the news" Seifer was certainly his mother's child. His features deriving completely from her, save the smirk adopted from his father. The woman sat with her arms folded and her legs crossed, absent-mindedly stroking her son's hair and brushing some of her own out of her eyes so that she could watch the television with no interference.
"Mom, whatcha watchin'?"
"The sorceress war, honey. They say that live broadcasts like this soon may not be possible if some plan works to trap Adel"
"She's that mean sorceress, right mom?"
"Yes, son" she said, not even taking her focus off of the screen.
"Mom, will dad come home if the war ends?"
For the first time Evaria looked away to see her son, and smiled.
"If Loire's plan works, and Adel is defeated, then he'll be back"
"Mom. What's he like?"
"He's a great man. You would love him, Seifer. He left, right before you were born, but you'll see him now. He really loves you and wants to see you"
"I wanna see him too!"
Seifer never saw his father. Because the next day.
"MOMMY!" Seifer ran up in his nightclothes as fast as his legs would carry him up the stairs.
"The war's over! Daddy's coming home!"
Evaria woke up out of bed and took the veil off of her eyes.
"What? Where did you here this?"
"Mom, the news says it! Come watch!"
Evaria ran down almost as fast as her son.
". . . And all soldiers are reporting back home. We can now shout victory, for the world is liberated again from Sorceress Adel!"
Evaria's eyes widened as she heard the reporter. She and Seifer danced around, eager to see the man return.
It was now around nine o' clock p.m. and the man still hadn't returned. It was storming wildly outside, and Evaria sat with her son who was crying, hoping to see his father. There was a bang on the door and a crack of thunder.
Evaria ran hoping to see her love again, but was dismayed to see an Esthar soldier.
"Yes?" she asked as if in a hurry.
"Mrs., I mean Ms. Almasy, we are sorry to say that you're husband was killed in the last battle fought against Adel before the new president Loire imprisoned her. We are very sorry."
"No.no.. YOU'RE LYING! Get off of my property you bastard!"
"Again, I'm very sorry" the Esthar soldier ran back to the shore where the docked ship was.
Seifer walked to his mother.
"Mom? Is dad coming?"
"Yes son. Those bad men were lying. He'll be here tomorrow."
"Okay mommy. I love you"
"I love you too son. Now lets go to bed"
The next day there was a bang on the door.
Evaria opened the door and saw two Galbadian soldiers at the entrance.
"Excuse me"
She ran to her son who was on the couch.
"Seifer-honey"
She crouched down and talked to her son.
"Son, hide behind the couch until mommy says its okay, alright?"
"Okay mom" Seifer complied, even though he was hesitant to withdraw himself from the Sorceresses Knight movie starring Laguna Loire. His victory pose with the gunblade was so awesome, he would have to try it.
Seifer hid behind the couch and peeped.
The soldiers came in.
"What did Almasy tell you?" they snapped.
"I don't know what you mean. He hasn't even returned, so stop pestering me, okay?"
"Liar. I hope we won't have to force the info out of you. He was planning something big against Galbadia, six months from now. We heard, you know"
"Listen, I know nothing. I have a child here and you need to just--"
The soldier slammed her into the ground.
"Hold her down," commanded the other one.
"Hey!"
Seifer wanted to help, but he knew he couldn't disobey mother.
"I don't know--"
"Kill her"
"No! I have a child!"
"That's a lie, too, isn't it?"
The soldier that was given orders took out his machine gun and emptied every round into her body as Seifer hid behind the chair not looking at the scene unfolding.
When he came out, he saw a trail of blood leading to a transport that had long since departed.
***
"I lost two parents in such a short time. It isn't really a happy story. I've gotten over it a little but I don't like following orders"
Jessica looked horribly sad.
"Seifer, I'm so sorry. I didn't know--"
"That's okay. I told it on my own free will"
She stood up, her ponytail falling back to the back of her.
"I suppose I had better prepare then. Oren should be back in about fifteen minutes."
Seifer felt strange. He had never let out that story aloud. How his life was crushed. He was glad she hadn't asked him to go any further, for he might have become emotionally unstable.
Could that be why I don't follow orders well? Because the last one I did was enough to have my mother killed? Just by not showing myself?
"Again, Seifer, I'm sorry. My story will have to wait, I have to announce Oren's reappearance."
With that she struck towards the center of the imperial room, trying not to make sparks flame up.
***
Oren appeared in the Turk headquarters, a rather professional looking place due to the large money recently acquired from Shinra.
Rude was sorting through as many papers as he could, getting it all finished. What Reno would call the "technical stuff".
Elena would check funds and job offers on the computer, what Reno would call the "nerd stuff".
Reno would slack with his boots on his desk, what Rude and Elena would call the "damn lazy bum stuff".
"Rude, you done yet? I want action"
"You know, we can't do anything until all of the important things are taken care of. Why do you refuse to see this? I guess its because YOU spend you time slacking, huh Reno?" Elena spoke up for her often-silent comrade.
" I doubt it. You all don't seem to be getting anything done. When it comes down to the jobs themselves, I'm the main worker."
"You shut up!" Elena stood up from her monitor glaring at Reno. "You don't know the half of all that we have to do just to keep you butt in check! If not for us you would have lost business completely and the ranking of a true Turk!"
"Whatever. Just finish whatever you have to so the money can roll in"
There's no talking to him, Elena thought as she sat back down rolling her eyes and straightening her blue suit.
He doesn't work, calculate, the guy doesn't even tuck in his shirt! How did he become the leader?
Vincent walked in to the door.
"What the?" Reno stood up from the desk.
"Aren't you that vampire guy? What are you doing here?"
Vincent paused, adjusting his frightening figure in the doorway, which was actually one of the few things that would send chills up the spine of a Turk.
"I came to ask a favor"
Reno turned to his fellow Turks who were watching him, smiled, and turned back around.
"Listen, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but if you name your price. . . "
Barret with Marlene on his shoulder, Oren, Yuffie and Reeve walked in behind Vincent, who didn't seem surprised at all although he was quite startled on the inside.
"And who the hell are you guys?" asked Elena, her eyes only falling on Oren before.
"Holy crap!" Elena stood up quickly, as did Rude as soon as they caught sight of Yuffie and Barret, who had similar reactions to them.
"And Reeve!" said Reno.
"You were a fellow Shinra employee. I would have expected better!"
"I moved on to better things, Reno. Like saving this planet."
"Pah! Whatever, man." Reno decided not to draw his weapon.
"How about you explain your business here with Mr. Vincent, hmm?"
"Actually" Barret said with hostility in his voice.
"We didn't even really know he was here. Oren brought us."
Vincent turned to face him.
"Vincent and the Turks" said Oren. "Two birds with one stone. I need you all to come with me"
"What?" Reno seemed skeptical.
"Sorry, no time for explanation. I'll have to take you by force."
***
Cid was plunging the ship back towards the ground at full force.
"HIGHWIND! What are you doing to my plane!"
Cid the Al Bhed yelled.
"Shit, I don't know how to land these things!" Cid Highwind yelled back.
"We can't crash!" Tidus yelled.
"Cid, do something!" Tifa yelled in support to the middle-aged pilot.
"I can't, we're gonna crash!"
***
Suddenly Oren and the group appeared in the field where the airship was about to land, the Turks and Vincent looking confused.
"What did you do?" Vincent didn't seem to direct the question like it always seemed when he talked.
"I teleported us--"
"Why should we listen to you!? What have you done for us? Get us back, I demand it!" Reno yelled at the top of his lungs.
Suddenly in the sky, an airship plunged down towards the ground.
"Darn it!"
Oren ran towards the spot where the figure was rapidly descending, and flew. Yes, he actually jumped so high he seemed to fly. 300 feet in the air he seemed to collide and then grabbed the ship by the nose, and began to slow it down. It looked funny, seeing something so small compared to the airship holding it back.
"What in Marcus is going on here?!" asked Reno, unimaginably confused.
Oren held the airship for a second, and then set it nicely on the ground, breathing hard.
***
"I'm a pretty damn good pilot!" said Cid.
No one said anything, as they were all breathing hard with the memory of the close call fresh in their minds.
***
"Everyone, follow me!" no one was eager to defy someone who stopped a giant mass with his bare hands, most of them still awed by the display. They all followed Oren up the landing dock that had fallen open, and ran up inside.
Reeve, Yuffie, Marlene, Barret, and Vincent made a big discovery when they saw Cloud, Tifa, and Red sitting in the back area, with Cid in the front.
"He was right! Wassup man!?" Barret and the others ran to rejoin the friends that they hadn't seen in such a long time, while Tidus and his party looked on in wonder, very confused.
No one had even seen the Turks, however.
Cloud looked up, and saw the unknown guy that was Oren, and the Turks.
"What in the---"
"I'll explain in just a few minutes" Oren cut him off. "Now that I finally have you all, I will unite you for good"
With a flash everyone on the bridge of the ship disappeared.
***
"He should be here in. . . " Jessica counted off the seconds of the arrival of the new recruits and Oren. Everyone looked on in anticipation at finally meeting the ones they had wanted to notice for hours.
"Three. . . two. . . one. . . "
SWEEEP!
Tidus, Yuna, Lulu, Rikku, Brother, Kimahri, Wakka, Cid the Al Bhed, Cid Highwind, Yuffie, Barret, Reeve, Marlene, Cloud, Red, Cid, Tifa, Vincent, Rude, Reno, and Elena all landed out of nowhere in a heap around Jessica with Oren on top.
"That was quite a ride through the universe, but finally! The gang is all here!" Oren shouted in victory.
***
The twins Delta and Epsilon laughed as they spied on their targets through the windows of the grand castle in an unknown location.
"How stupid--" Delta started.
"--can they get?" Epsilon finished.
"These guys--"
"--are pathetic"
"Gamma may be in recovery, Alpha and Beta, may want revenge--"
"--bet we'll have to take care of them. I can't believe Pyros sent us up against this trash. I say that we just dispose of them, already"
"Especially now that they are all together" Epsilon continued.
"I don't think it will be--"
"--too hard"
Epsilon finished for Delta. With that, the two charged for the window to eliminate each and every one of the foes.
_______________________________________________________________________
AN: There be another chapter. Oh, and by the way.REVIEW MY FICS OTHER THAN THAT ONE NICE REVIEWER ALREADY! I NEED MORE REVIEWS!. (But thanks to that one author that's been reviewing, though!)