The Forgotten
Chapter 26: R and R.
The town of Mideel, home to the 'Pool of Life' as the tourist had come to call it and one of the largest shopping malls in Gaia. Mideel was located south west of the world, connected to the large eastern continent by a huge wooden bridge. After the fall of Shinra and the destruction of the former Mideel the town had moved slightly west and became a popular tourist location, due to the large pool of the lifestream that remained where the old Mideel once was. It was mid-day when Stratus and Gale arrived in the bustling town centre and headed for the nearest inn, dodging many people in the process. The inn was small and cosy, bare flames lighting the room. Stratus approached the man behind the counter and cleared his throat, getting the mans attention.
"Hey. Do you have any rooms left?" asked the teenaged swordsman.
"Yes we do. Just one left, your in luck." His voice was cheerful but Stratus could tell it was forced.
"Is it suitable for two people?" Gale asked over the teens shoulder.
"Yes of course. Would you like the room?" replied the man behind the desk.
"Yeah. How much?"
"500 gil per night."
"Okay. One night please." Stratus dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, before shuffling through it and pulling out the correct amount. The man smiled at him and took the money, then handed the key to the teens and they left up the stairs. The whole inn was decorated with cream walls, the light from the flames flickering of many surfaces. They found their room and entered.
"Not bad." Stratus gave the room another glance. The walls were painted a dark shade of red, much like the rest of the inn and a large open fireplace heated the room. A double bed was in the center, head against the wall with one large window above it that let a large amount of light into the room. "Guess where sharing a bed."
"Not that you mind." Pointed out Gale.
"Nope. Do you?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Not really."
----
"What the hell?" Red howled came from within Vincent's tent. Inside, Vincent and Yuffie lay tangled in sweat soaked sheets that clung to their flesh. Vincent lying atop Yuffie as the woman peered over his shoulder.
"Hey Red." She let out a little laugh at their situation and was sure the furry beast was blushing under his fur. Vincent rolled of Yuffie and opened his mouth to speak but Red cut him off:
"I don't want to know. Just get dressed and meet me in the main tent." Red left the tent as Yuffie glanced at Vincent.
"That was awkward." She laughed again but Vincent expression of though did not change.
"What do you expect? Song and Dance?" his tone was serious and Yuffie couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"I don't know what I did but I like it."
----
Vincent and Yuffie entered the tent to find Red, Blain and Akira sat around a large table in silence, obviously waiting for the pair. They approached and Yuffie sat next to Akira, Vincent standing behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders. Red glare made him think twice and remove his hands, placing them on the chair instead.
"Glad you could make it." Growled Blain, his comment aimed towards the newly formed couple.
"Now, now Blain. We are not here to fight. Red." Akira made a gesture for the beast to take over.
"Okay. We received a message from Cloud earlier today." He froze in thought of how continue.
"And?" Yuffie interrupted.
"He has informed us that Cid and his family have been arrested and are said to be executed in a few days." He grew quieter towards the end and ended in a mere whisper.
"What? Why?" Yuffie stood sharply, knocking the chair back into Vincent who caught it with his clawed hand.
"Cloud said he was arrested for being a traitor and conspiring with Rebels. In other words, us."
"We have to do something Vincent!" Yuffie turned to face the gunslinger.
"We will. Right Red?" he looked towards the fiery beast and was answered with a nod.
"I can't believe this? You want to help him. He works for Ranish for fucks sake? Have you forgotten this?" Blain was on his feet now and glaring at Yuffie and Vincent. Vincent unbuckled his Death Penalty quicker than the eye could see and aimed towards Blain head.
"I don't care what you think Blain. He is our friend, whether he works for them or not! They are going to kill him and I'll be damned if I'm going to let that happen! If you are going to stand in my way I will shoot you right now." He finished with a click of his now loaded gun, primed and ready to fire.
"Vincent! Calm down." The ninja placed a hand on his shoulder and he softened with her touch but still kept his gun aimed at the Bounty Hunter.
"Blain. Sit down. Vincent would you please put your gun down. This is doing nobody any good. I don't like it but Vincent is right. We cannot let them kill him. That would go against our beliefs. Any suggestions?" Akira looked around the room, waiting for a response.
"I believe we should go to Costa Del Sol. Then figure what to do then. Okay?"
"Very well. Everyone pack. Would someone inform Lance and we'll meet at the entrance in an hour." Akira nodded and received several nods in response as the group disbanded. Red was the one to inform Lance of the decision and Luna agreed to going along, at least to Costa Del Sol.
----
The night sky was lit by the bright stars and shinning moon as Stratus and Gale made their way down a dirt path to the most popular tourist attraction on all of Gaia, The Life Pool. They reached the pool to find it almost deserted, the guard who was supposed to guard the landmark sound asleep at his post. Stratus put a finger over his lips in a 'be quiet' gesture and snuck past the guard. Gale followed suite and approached the still Stratus, who stood at the edge of the pool. The large pool of Life glowed a luminous green, shinning on them and giving them the illusion of having green faces. A large wooded bridge had been constructed across the pool and Gale pulled Stratus towards it, still being quiet as to not wake the snoring guard. Earlier in the day Gale had dragged Stratus to the mall to get him some new clothes. He now wore long baggy cream combat pants with a black silver buckled belt holding the too large pants up. He managed to convince Gale to let him keep his vest and shirt but had been convinced to buy new shirts. His current shirt had a dragon symbol on the back and a smaller replica on the front.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Gale whisper into his ear sending chills down his spine. He nodded his agreement and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer and she nuzzled her head into his chest.
"You cold?"
"Not really, maybe a little but I'm fine." She murmured into his chest. His response was to hold her tighter and rub her arms in a vain attempt to warm her.
"Want to go back to the hotel?"
"In a little while. So tell me about this place?" she asked, her voice still muffled by his chest, her breath against his skin making him shiver slightly.
"Well." He started but stopped, thinking of the right words before continuing. "My father said this is where he and my mother grew closer. You see he had fallen into the lifestream, that glowing stuff down there. Anyway, after they got him out he was like a shell, not saying anything and just sitting there. Well my mother somehow pulled him out of his trance just as this huge robot type thing attacked. Something weapon I think, anyway this is the result." He ended with a gesture towards the gaping whole in the planet.
"Sweet."
----
"Listen here Talenous! I don't give a shit what you say; you're just a pathetic worthless brute! I may have let the boy get away but I wounded him. I got my message across. That snivelling little wimp didn't stand a chance against me and he knows it. I took something from him that day, you want to know what? His pride! I crushed it, spat on it and ran it into the fucking ground! And the next time we meet I will finish the job." With a sickening thud he smashed the General into the wall and then let him go. The brute hit the floor with a thud and growled low in his throat as the dark warrior strode from the room.
"General. Are you okay?" a bumbling solider asked from his side.
"Get out of my face!" spat the General, shoving the soldier out of the way and marching after Piper. "Listen here Piper!" he grabbed the man and turned him round coming face to face with the dark haired soldier.
"Remove your hand and get out of my face Talenous." Growled Piper, inches from the General face.
"You think you're so tough don't you! Just because you where trained in every form of combat since you where three years old! Well I've got news for you, I bet my soldiers could take you." He spat the last words into Piper face.
"Very well." Piper broke the mans grip and strode towards a spare gym, Talenous following behind him. "You think your soldiers can take me, lets go."
"Your not serious. Well, I'm not going to turn down the offer. I say twenty of my men could do it." With a signal to his right hand soldier, the man hurried from the room and returned with nineteen other soldiers. "Take out Piper, don't harm him too much. No fatal blows, the president would have my head. Now go!"
The soldiers rushed forward, knowing when not to object an order from Talenous. They circled Piper, who had his hand firmly placed on his blade's handle. They aimed and readied to fire as Piper stood still. Without any hesitation the gunfire erupted, bullets being deflected by Piper's Oblivion. A few bullets shot back and hit the soldiers, wounding them. The remaining fourteen dropped their guns and ran towards Piper. As they reached him they dived, trying to grab at anything they could but missing as he jumped into the air and landed behind them. A few soldiers knocked heads and stumbled briefly; Piper used the opportunity and struck with his fists and feet. Another six guards dropped to the floor, groaning in pain. The remaining eight attacked again, the two up front swinging wildly but missing completely as he ducked and dodged the shots with ease. Piper saw another opening and lodged his elbow into the gut of the closest, dropping onto one hand and kicking another three to the floor whilst spinning on his hand and landing soundly on his feet.
"This all they got Blain?" mocked Piper, not even out of breath. The last four guards looked at each other and then ran towards the door. Pipers, noticing their retreat held out his hand and called for his contain Materia to send the small group into the air with a small Tornado attack. They landed on top of each other, unconscious. Piper dusted his hands off and slowly walked out the room, shooting the enraged Talenous a mock smirk before leaving the room.
----
Chapter 26: R and R.
The town of Mideel, home to the 'Pool of Life' as the tourist had come to call it and one of the largest shopping malls in Gaia. Mideel was located south west of the world, connected to the large eastern continent by a huge wooden bridge. After the fall of Shinra and the destruction of the former Mideel the town had moved slightly west and became a popular tourist location, due to the large pool of the lifestream that remained where the old Mideel once was. It was mid-day when Stratus and Gale arrived in the bustling town centre and headed for the nearest inn, dodging many people in the process. The inn was small and cosy, bare flames lighting the room. Stratus approached the man behind the counter and cleared his throat, getting the mans attention.
"Hey. Do you have any rooms left?" asked the teenaged swordsman.
"Yes we do. Just one left, your in luck." His voice was cheerful but Stratus could tell it was forced.
"Is it suitable for two people?" Gale asked over the teens shoulder.
"Yes of course. Would you like the room?" replied the man behind the desk.
"Yeah. How much?"
"500 gil per night."
"Okay. One night please." Stratus dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, before shuffling through it and pulling out the correct amount. The man smiled at him and took the money, then handed the key to the teens and they left up the stairs. The whole inn was decorated with cream walls, the light from the flames flickering of many surfaces. They found their room and entered.
"Not bad." Stratus gave the room another glance. The walls were painted a dark shade of red, much like the rest of the inn and a large open fireplace heated the room. A double bed was in the center, head against the wall with one large window above it that let a large amount of light into the room. "Guess where sharing a bed."
"Not that you mind." Pointed out Gale.
"Nope. Do you?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Not really."
----
"What the hell?" Red howled came from within Vincent's tent. Inside, Vincent and Yuffie lay tangled in sweat soaked sheets that clung to their flesh. Vincent lying atop Yuffie as the woman peered over his shoulder.
"Hey Red." She let out a little laugh at their situation and was sure the furry beast was blushing under his fur. Vincent rolled of Yuffie and opened his mouth to speak but Red cut him off:
"I don't want to know. Just get dressed and meet me in the main tent." Red left the tent as Yuffie glanced at Vincent.
"That was awkward." She laughed again but Vincent expression of though did not change.
"What do you expect? Song and Dance?" his tone was serious and Yuffie couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"I don't know what I did but I like it."
----
Vincent and Yuffie entered the tent to find Red, Blain and Akira sat around a large table in silence, obviously waiting for the pair. They approached and Yuffie sat next to Akira, Vincent standing behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders. Red glare made him think twice and remove his hands, placing them on the chair instead.
"Glad you could make it." Growled Blain, his comment aimed towards the newly formed couple.
"Now, now Blain. We are not here to fight. Red." Akira made a gesture for the beast to take over.
"Okay. We received a message from Cloud earlier today." He froze in thought of how continue.
"And?" Yuffie interrupted.
"He has informed us that Cid and his family have been arrested and are said to be executed in a few days." He grew quieter towards the end and ended in a mere whisper.
"What? Why?" Yuffie stood sharply, knocking the chair back into Vincent who caught it with his clawed hand.
"Cloud said he was arrested for being a traitor and conspiring with Rebels. In other words, us."
"We have to do something Vincent!" Yuffie turned to face the gunslinger.
"We will. Right Red?" he looked towards the fiery beast and was answered with a nod.
"I can't believe this? You want to help him. He works for Ranish for fucks sake? Have you forgotten this?" Blain was on his feet now and glaring at Yuffie and Vincent. Vincent unbuckled his Death Penalty quicker than the eye could see and aimed towards Blain head.
"I don't care what you think Blain. He is our friend, whether he works for them or not! They are going to kill him and I'll be damned if I'm going to let that happen! If you are going to stand in my way I will shoot you right now." He finished with a click of his now loaded gun, primed and ready to fire.
"Vincent! Calm down." The ninja placed a hand on his shoulder and he softened with her touch but still kept his gun aimed at the Bounty Hunter.
"Blain. Sit down. Vincent would you please put your gun down. This is doing nobody any good. I don't like it but Vincent is right. We cannot let them kill him. That would go against our beliefs. Any suggestions?" Akira looked around the room, waiting for a response.
"I believe we should go to Costa Del Sol. Then figure what to do then. Okay?"
"Very well. Everyone pack. Would someone inform Lance and we'll meet at the entrance in an hour." Akira nodded and received several nods in response as the group disbanded. Red was the one to inform Lance of the decision and Luna agreed to going along, at least to Costa Del Sol.
----
The night sky was lit by the bright stars and shinning moon as Stratus and Gale made their way down a dirt path to the most popular tourist attraction on all of Gaia, The Life Pool. They reached the pool to find it almost deserted, the guard who was supposed to guard the landmark sound asleep at his post. Stratus put a finger over his lips in a 'be quiet' gesture and snuck past the guard. Gale followed suite and approached the still Stratus, who stood at the edge of the pool. The large pool of Life glowed a luminous green, shinning on them and giving them the illusion of having green faces. A large wooded bridge had been constructed across the pool and Gale pulled Stratus towards it, still being quiet as to not wake the snoring guard. Earlier in the day Gale had dragged Stratus to the mall to get him some new clothes. He now wore long baggy cream combat pants with a black silver buckled belt holding the too large pants up. He managed to convince Gale to let him keep his vest and shirt but had been convinced to buy new shirts. His current shirt had a dragon symbol on the back and a smaller replica on the front.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Gale whisper into his ear sending chills down his spine. He nodded his agreement and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer and she nuzzled her head into his chest.
"You cold?"
"Not really, maybe a little but I'm fine." She murmured into his chest. His response was to hold her tighter and rub her arms in a vain attempt to warm her.
"Want to go back to the hotel?"
"In a little while. So tell me about this place?" she asked, her voice still muffled by his chest, her breath against his skin making him shiver slightly.
"Well." He started but stopped, thinking of the right words before continuing. "My father said this is where he and my mother grew closer. You see he had fallen into the lifestream, that glowing stuff down there. Anyway, after they got him out he was like a shell, not saying anything and just sitting there. Well my mother somehow pulled him out of his trance just as this huge robot type thing attacked. Something weapon I think, anyway this is the result." He ended with a gesture towards the gaping whole in the planet.
"Sweet."
----
"Listen here Talenous! I don't give a shit what you say; you're just a pathetic worthless brute! I may have let the boy get away but I wounded him. I got my message across. That snivelling little wimp didn't stand a chance against me and he knows it. I took something from him that day, you want to know what? His pride! I crushed it, spat on it and ran it into the fucking ground! And the next time we meet I will finish the job." With a sickening thud he smashed the General into the wall and then let him go. The brute hit the floor with a thud and growled low in his throat as the dark warrior strode from the room.
"General. Are you okay?" a bumbling solider asked from his side.
"Get out of my face!" spat the General, shoving the soldier out of the way and marching after Piper. "Listen here Piper!" he grabbed the man and turned him round coming face to face with the dark haired soldier.
"Remove your hand and get out of my face Talenous." Growled Piper, inches from the General face.
"You think you're so tough don't you! Just because you where trained in every form of combat since you where three years old! Well I've got news for you, I bet my soldiers could take you." He spat the last words into Piper face.
"Very well." Piper broke the mans grip and strode towards a spare gym, Talenous following behind him. "You think your soldiers can take me, lets go."
"Your not serious. Well, I'm not going to turn down the offer. I say twenty of my men could do it." With a signal to his right hand soldier, the man hurried from the room and returned with nineteen other soldiers. "Take out Piper, don't harm him too much. No fatal blows, the president would have my head. Now go!"
The soldiers rushed forward, knowing when not to object an order from Talenous. They circled Piper, who had his hand firmly placed on his blade's handle. They aimed and readied to fire as Piper stood still. Without any hesitation the gunfire erupted, bullets being deflected by Piper's Oblivion. A few bullets shot back and hit the soldiers, wounding them. The remaining fourteen dropped their guns and ran towards Piper. As they reached him they dived, trying to grab at anything they could but missing as he jumped into the air and landed behind them. A few soldiers knocked heads and stumbled briefly; Piper used the opportunity and struck with his fists and feet. Another six guards dropped to the floor, groaning in pain. The remaining eight attacked again, the two up front swinging wildly but missing completely as he ducked and dodged the shots with ease. Piper saw another opening and lodged his elbow into the gut of the closest, dropping onto one hand and kicking another three to the floor whilst spinning on his hand and landing soundly on his feet.
"This all they got Blain?" mocked Piper, not even out of breath. The last four guards looked at each other and then ran towards the door. Pipers, noticing their retreat held out his hand and called for his contain Materia to send the small group into the air with a small Tornado attack. They landed on top of each other, unconscious. Piper dusted his hands off and slowly walked out the room, shooting the enraged Talenous a mock smirk before leaving the room.
----
