Chapter Four: Selphie and a Mad Scientist, So What Could Go Wrong?
***
"AHHHHHHHH!" Seifer screamed in pain, "Let me gooooooo!" he pleaded. Quistis wrenched the four-figure leg lock she had on Seifer tighter.
Seifer tried many times to reverse the hold, put Quistis just kept pinning him back down in position. A few inches away from him was Squall, bagging his fists in agony on the carpet.
"I GIVE DAMN IT! I GIVE! Have mercy Rinoa!" Rinoa had Squall in the dreaded 'sharpshooter'. She laughed harshly at his pleas for mercy. She sat down more with the submission hold and in doing so she applied more pressure.
"AHHHHH!" Squall yelled, losing his composure. "Have you no ears?! Let go you crazy bitch!!"
Laguna stood in the door rubbing the back of his head. "I'm really feeling like a dad now. I'm about to break up my first brother and sister fight."
Laguna proudly walked over to Squall and Rinoa, stepping over Seifer, who was grabbing at his pants yelping.
"Help me, help me she's gonna break my leg!" Laguna bent down and began to pull Rinoa by the arm. "Come on honey let your brother go."
Rinoa was breathing heavily. Squall was a hard person to control. "Tell-Quistis-to let-Seifer go-first" she said in pieces.
Quistis shook her head no. "I don't trust you, we let them go together on three," Quistis strained her voice because it was getting harder to keep Seifer in the hold.
Rinoa agreed.
"Ok then on three," Laguna said happily. "1-2-3." At the same time Rinoa and Quistis relinquished their holds. Squall and Seifer fully dropped to the floor and moaned at the soreness of their legs.
Laguna threw his arms up in confusion. "Now what's this all about?" He said trying to play peacemaker.
Squall began to get up. "I'll tell you what this is all about," he started as he rose up from the floor using his hand for balance. "Nothing. It's over," Squall crossed his arms apart.
Laguna still had no idea what anyone was talking about.
"What's he talking about?" he said looking at Rinoa.
"He means we're over!" Rinoa yelled at Squall from his side as he and Quistis strolled out the room. "And the feelings are mutual," Rinoa said standing on the tips of her toes trying to match height with Squall. "Come on Seifer, let's make like old times," Rinoa said as she pulled him by the hand and leading him out the room.
Irvine and Zell dashed into the room led by Selphie. "Whoa!! Must have been a hell of a rumble!" Zell said looking over the damage.
"Yeah they really messed this joint up," Irvine said tipping his hat.
One of the mattresses of the bed was tipped over onto the floor. The frames of paintings that were hanging on the wall were horribly knocked out of place. Also some of the glass in the frames were broken or cracked. The mirror that was connected to a grand dresser (that you could tell was very expensive) was shattered. Pieces of glass lay on the floor and partly on the dresser.
Zell tapped Laguna on his arm with the back of his hand. "Hey but this ain't nothing your advanced team of scientists, architects, and builders can't fix right?" Zell teased smiling.
"I'm going to get to the bottom of this," Laguna said, walking sharply out the room.
"Hey Sir Laguna, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Selphie's voice trailed off behind Laguna who had just about to reach Squall and Quistis.
"Squall," Laguna said as he grabbed his shoulder. Quistis had just pressed the elevator button. Squall did not turn around right away. He tapped his foot and breathed heavily in aggravation.
"What?" Squall said with no emotion. Laguna's eyes could not focus straightly.
"I just want to know what's going on," Laguna said sounding concerned as any father would.
"He wants to know what's going on," Squall whispered to himself. Then his voice perked up and he began to laugh, "Hey Quistis, he wants to know what's going on." Squall turned around with a monster-like look on his face.
"If you had a processor in that brain of yours, it would be so damn clear what was going on that it wouldn't be funny!" Squall shrieked in anger and rage that he had been saving for seventeen years.
"You have to be the worst father, friend and leader that ever lived! In fact how you are still alive and this city isn't in ruins boggles the mind!"
As soon as Squall got done screaming those last words the elevator door rang opened. Laguna just stood there with his mouth opened, unable to form a sentence.
"As far as I'm concerned everything bad that's ever happened to me is your fault." Squall said with a piercing ice bolt in his voice.
"I... I... " Laguna began. Squall turned his back on his father and walked in the elevator with Quistis. The door hissed shut behind them.
For five minutes Laguna just stood there. In his mind it was like someone kept hitting rewind. He would have stayed there for an hour if Kiros did not slap him up side the head.
"Got damn it Laguna. Snap out of it," Kiros howled.
Laguna faced Kiros, but his mind was still far and away with the thoughts of Squall's words. He could not have meant what he said. He just could not have! He was just angry and confused. Yeah that's it! He know he was a good person he just know it! Squall was probably still mad at him for never speaking to him about his mother. Man he still couldn't believe that it had been so long. He wish he could have been there for Squall. Maybe then I could have got hooked up with Edea. Man what a foxy lady!
Suddenly and without warning, a huge black fist came crashing into Laguna's face. Laguna went pummeling to the floor, stirring up Selphie who had been in the room seeing what caught her eye to steal from Rinoa's shopping bags.
"Now what made you go and do that for?" Laguna barked at Kiros, who did a full spin stomped his foot and gritted his teeth at Laguna.
"See this is exactly why I knocked the @#$% out of you! I stand here for twelve minutes and lay you out for not giving the schedule speech about the Neon Flower Night Celebration. And when I ask you what you have to say for yourself you just stand there looking out into space, because you haven't been listening at all!"
Laguna tried to get up but fell back down. "I've got lot on my mind," he whimpered.
"You know Laguna that's just the response I expect from you." Kiros looked up and began to shake his head. "Seriously man, you are an irresponsible bastard. And I pray that one of your kids makes a better leader than you." Kiros said calmly, then stepped over the top of Laguna and went into the elevator.
This was two tongue-lashings in one day, one in back the other. That was too much for Laguna to handle. Kiros had to take that back.
Laguna turned over on his stomach so that he could look up at Kiros as he stepped in the elevator. "You don't really mean all that do you old buddy?" he spoke so pitifully that had Raine been alive she would have slapped him for being so weak.
"I wish I could say I didn't," Kiros said.
Then the doors closed up along with Laguna's confidence. Laguna's eyes began to build up with tears. Perhaps Squall had been right after all.
Laguna closed his eyes. Everyone was getting on his case about being responsible and doing things right. Then a feeling started to grow with in Laguna, and one of them is irritation.
Nobody is looking at all the good things I've done. All they're looking at is that I make mistakes. But everybody makes mistakes. But oh no, it's not right for him to mess up. When he messes up it's "you, irresponsible bastard!"
Well screw them! He was the boss around here, and he was going to start acting like it. From now on if someone says something that he don't like he was going to tell he or her where to go! And if they catch an attitude about it then he'd get rid of them. That right this is the beginning of a new Laguna one that doesn't take crap from anyone!
Just when he opened his eyes Laguna he felt someone took hold of his shoulder.
"Hey Sir Laguna, are you feeling alright? Did Kiros hurt you badly?" It was Selphie, with her usual cheery manner.
Laguna shook Selphie's hand from his shoulder and stood up quickly. "No, nobody is going to hurt me any more." He started walking down the opposite direction from the elevator.
Selphie stayed at his side wanting to ask questions. "Well if you feel alright, I would just like to ask you about the Neon Night Celebration. I mean it is tomorrow..."
Laguna turned sideways to face Selphie. She was about to get an undeserving full dose of the new Laguna.
"Listen up you Peter Pan want to be! I don't need you or anybody else telling me what to do! I've got the Neon Night Celebration well under control and that's all you need to know!"
It felt as though someone was taking a high heeled shoe and was hitting Selphie in the chest with it. Why was Laguna being so mean to her? Had she done something wrong? "Sir Laguna I just want to..." Laguna interrupted.
"You just wanted to what?!" He snapped. "And why are you alwas calling me Sir Laguna?! Are you trying to suck-up? You are, aren't you? You just want a piece of the action like everybody else.
Well, let me tell you something sister you can take that Sir Laguna crap and stick it up your butt!"
Tears welted up in Selphie's eyes. Laguna was very proud of himself. Now he had to add the finishing touch.
"Now cry!" he demanded. Selphie's tears flowed on to the carpet as she ran down the hall to the elevator crying.
Laguna began to strut happily down the steps. He had left a hundred pounds off his chest.
***
Outside the city of Esthar was a beat up abandon warehouse. You could tell it was not one of Esthar's outside establishments. The structure of the building was plain. The paint on the building was not bright and in fact it was all nearly faded away and the paint that was still there was chipping off. In years birds had found it to make a perfect toilet.
The area around the building was desolate, not a single person ever came by. Professor Teanois loved the landscape, it was out of the way. There was no one to disturb his work.
The warehouse proved to be the perfect liberator. Because of its outward look no one would ever think anything of it. Because of the location no one would come snooping around. Teanois was free to carry out his experiments. Inside the lab was dark, with two or three beams of light escaped from the window.
But Prof. Teanois did not care if it was dark. The gleam from his beautiful 'Resurrection Uplifter' was all the light he needed. Teanois out stretched his arms upon the gigantic machine. Teanois looked up at the glorious device that he had created.
He gave a deranged smile.
"Three hard years but it's all worth it. Soon, very soon I shall use you for your purpose. The dark link has been connected. Now all you need is the one with the limit break of great destruction to be reborn in."
Suddenly Teanois swelled with anger and punched the machine. "But how long will that take? Days, months, more years?! I cannot wait for so long. My plan was already once threaten with the rise of Adel. Thank god that new Sorceress was a joke." Prof. Teanois walked alongside the 'Resurrection Uplifter'. He let his fingers run over the cold steel. "How shall I begin my search," he rubbed his finger on the bridge of his chin.
Just as Teanois had gotten to the end of machine, he heard a whimper. Teanois quickly snapped his fingers off the device and twisted around.
"Who's there?" he claimed, picking up a baseball bat that was close by. When he heard the whimper again Teanois realized that the sound was coming from outside.
The sound formed from whimpering to crying. Teanois hugged the bat close to his side. Slowly he crept to the door. Teanois swallowed hard as he outstretched his hand to the door. His hand was shaking profusely, even with a weapon Teanois was a coward. When his hand was about ten inches from the knob, Teanois snapped his eyes shut. Apprehensively he snatched open the door and swung the bat but all he hit was air.
Once Teanois had notice that the bat had not made contact with anything he fearfully opened one eye. Nothing was there, yet still he heard the crying of a girl. Teanois lowered the bat to his side, and walked out into the sun- setting day.
He aimlessly walked alongside the building until he leant to the corner. Even though the cries sounded weak, he still could not be too sure. Teanois sheepishly peeked from around the corner.
Much to his surprise all the professor saw was a girl in a yellow dress sitting down on the ground. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her arms were wrapped around them. Her cries where thick and heavy as she shook herself back and forth.
Teanois gave a long lingering sigh. He was so ashamed of himself, nearly scared to death by a crying teenage girl. The professor threw down the bat. It drew an empty hollow sound.
He stared down at the girl for a few minutes. He hoped that she would eventually look up and explain herself, but she just sat there crying, not saying a word. Teanois groaned.
"Guess I'll have to talk to her," he muttered to himself. How Professor Teanois hated talking to people especially teens. He did not even know how to talk to her. He had always failed group assignments in school. And the only thing he had ever talked to was his machine and that could not talk back!
He breathed heavily and started off the best way he knew how. "So what's up?" the professor said straightforwardly.
The girl gave no response, she just kept crying. It was beginning to get dark. A rush of cold air knocked Teanois in the face.
"It's going to be night in ten minutes. I've got to get her out of here," Teanois thought. He tried again, "Hey are you alright?" This time the girl cried even louder.
Teanois had lost his patience. "Damn it what's wrong with you? Are you on drugs! It's getting really dark really fast and pretty soon the Hojquies are going to be out soon!"
The girl for the first time looked up. Her eyes were pink and the sides of her cheek were solid with tears.
"(Sniffle, sniffle). Hojquies?" The professor took a deep breath.
"Finally she speaks" Teanois squatted down, "Yes Hojquies. They are monsters that are three feet tall have blue and red fur with tiny razor sharp teeth and can adjust their jaws to devour anything. And if you think that's nothing I've got a scoop for ya. They always attack in numbers. Plus they like to go after brightly colored things." Prof. Teanois tugged at her dress.
The girl got up off the ground and dusted off the bottom of her dress. "I don't care," she squawked, "If they come near me I'll call upon my limit break of "The End" and kill them all in one swift blow!"
Professor Teanois eyes dilated and a smile grew from ear to ear. Teanois changed his whole attitude completely. "What is your name sweet child?" he said kindly.
"Selphie," she whimpered as she whipped away more tears. Teanois clapped his hands together warmly. "Well Selphie since Esthar is so far away and it is dark now, I think it would be safe if you spent the night here. I have more than enough room. I'm a doctor." The sound of Hojquies began to rattle in the air.
"Iyeyeyeyeyi!" Selphie started to look around.
"Well I guess your right." Teanois grabbed Selphie by the hand, "This way please." The first thing Selphie noticed when she stepped into the lab was the darkness.
"Why don't you have any lights on? It's so dark," she said walking in circles looking around. Teanois was quick to explain.
"Well you see because this place is what you would say in the 'middle of nowhere'. So if I had the lights burning robbers would see it as an easy target. Therefore I see it safer to keep the lights off."
Selphie nodded her head in conformation.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" Prof. Teanois said tossing his lab coat on a chair.
"Tea would be nice," she said as her eyes skimmed every crevices of the laboratory.
"Good, good," he stuttered walking over to the icebox. Teanois took out a cup and began to fill it with water. In a brief second Teanois looked out to the corner of his eye to see Selphie touching a beaker filled with a purple liquid.
"Put that down," he shrilled. Selphie did as she was told. The professor came running over to inspect his chemical for damage.
"I'm sorry. You have all these chemicals and machines. I thought you said you were a doctor, but you look like more of a scientist."
Teanois chuckled, "Well I am a doctor but I also try to come up with ways to heal people and find cures for diseases."
Selphie was amazed. "This is sooo cool! You know you should go work in Esthar. They could use a brilliant man like you Doctor..."
The professor finished her sentence. "Teanois, Aurther J. Teanois." The shine of his intventions beamed in his eyes.
"Well then Doc. Teanois, why don't you go and work in Esthar?" Selphie inquired.
Teanois walked back to the counter to finish the tea. "I once did, but President Loire didn't exactly see the wonders of my genius." The spoon began to hit the inside of the cup very hard as he stirred the tea.
Selphie lowered her head to the floor in sadness. "I myself am beginning to see a new side of Laguna."
Teanois was just about to slip in some sleeping powder into Selphie's tea but halted at her words. "You know Loire?"
Selphie rose her head back up. "Yes, I'm friends with his son. You see Laguna's son Squall me and our friends are SeeDs"
Teanois poured in the sleeping powder and stirred it wildly in shaded anger. "Oh really. So Loire's son is the great leader of SeeD that killed Ultimecia. That must have took guts," Teanois said vengefully. "You know I didn't know Loire had a son." In his head Teanois rephrased his words, "More like didn't know there was a woman who was dumb enough to get herself knocked up by him."
"Yes Squall is a great leader but we're working on his personality" Selphie finished.
Prof. Teanois walked over and handed Selphie her tea.
"Thanks," Selphie said beginning to regain her cheerfulness. Selphie sipped her tea. When she looked back up she locked eyes on the 'Resurrection Uplifter'.
"Wow! What's that Doc Teanois?" Selphie yelled walking quickly over to the machine. Teanois began to inflate with pride.
"You like it. She's my pride and joy, the offspring of my divine passion if you will." He lightheartedly joined Selphie in front of the machine. Selphie marveled over the sleek design. "What is this?" she said in amazement. Teanois let the words leave his mouth before he thought about them through.
"My wonderful Resurr..." Teanois caught to himself. "Rejuvenation machine. It helps to cleanse the body of harmful bacteria that is causing the body to ache and become sick. A major breakthrough in the medical world."
Selphie jumped up and down. "Way past cool! You're a genius," she exclaimed. Teanois grinned, but in his mind he was breathing a sigh of relief.
"Whew! Cutting it a bit close Aruther." Selphie turned to face Teanois. "Doc that was good tea. Could you show me where I'll be sleeping for tonight?" Selphie said handing him the empty cup.
Teanois saw his opportunity and jumped for it. "Selphie I would like to ask for your help." Selphie was back to her over-cheerful self and ready to help. "Sure Doc!"
Teanois began to press a few buttons on the machine. "Well there is a new bug going around Esthar from the polluted air. And I was wondering if you get hooked up to the machine so that I might find a quick cure for it before it gets very harmful."
Selphie slapped Prof. Teanois on the back in a playful manner, but still she hit him kind of hard. Teanois flew forward and almost fell to the floor if he had not caught his balance by grabbing the table.
"Doc if it will help make thousands of people feel better hook me up!"
Teanois looked up with a diabolical smile. "Just lie down right here."
***
"AHHHHHHHH!" Seifer screamed in pain, "Let me gooooooo!" he pleaded. Quistis wrenched the four-figure leg lock she had on Seifer tighter.
Seifer tried many times to reverse the hold, put Quistis just kept pinning him back down in position. A few inches away from him was Squall, bagging his fists in agony on the carpet.
"I GIVE DAMN IT! I GIVE! Have mercy Rinoa!" Rinoa had Squall in the dreaded 'sharpshooter'. She laughed harshly at his pleas for mercy. She sat down more with the submission hold and in doing so she applied more pressure.
"AHHHHH!" Squall yelled, losing his composure. "Have you no ears?! Let go you crazy bitch!!"
Laguna stood in the door rubbing the back of his head. "I'm really feeling like a dad now. I'm about to break up my first brother and sister fight."
Laguna proudly walked over to Squall and Rinoa, stepping over Seifer, who was grabbing at his pants yelping.
"Help me, help me she's gonna break my leg!" Laguna bent down and began to pull Rinoa by the arm. "Come on honey let your brother go."
Rinoa was breathing heavily. Squall was a hard person to control. "Tell-Quistis-to let-Seifer go-first" she said in pieces.
Quistis shook her head no. "I don't trust you, we let them go together on three," Quistis strained her voice because it was getting harder to keep Seifer in the hold.
Rinoa agreed.
"Ok then on three," Laguna said happily. "1-2-3." At the same time Rinoa and Quistis relinquished their holds. Squall and Seifer fully dropped to the floor and moaned at the soreness of their legs.
Laguna threw his arms up in confusion. "Now what's this all about?" He said trying to play peacemaker.
Squall began to get up. "I'll tell you what this is all about," he started as he rose up from the floor using his hand for balance. "Nothing. It's over," Squall crossed his arms apart.
Laguna still had no idea what anyone was talking about.
"What's he talking about?" he said looking at Rinoa.
"He means we're over!" Rinoa yelled at Squall from his side as he and Quistis strolled out the room. "And the feelings are mutual," Rinoa said standing on the tips of her toes trying to match height with Squall. "Come on Seifer, let's make like old times," Rinoa said as she pulled him by the hand and leading him out the room.
Irvine and Zell dashed into the room led by Selphie. "Whoa!! Must have been a hell of a rumble!" Zell said looking over the damage.
"Yeah they really messed this joint up," Irvine said tipping his hat.
One of the mattresses of the bed was tipped over onto the floor. The frames of paintings that were hanging on the wall were horribly knocked out of place. Also some of the glass in the frames were broken or cracked. The mirror that was connected to a grand dresser (that you could tell was very expensive) was shattered. Pieces of glass lay on the floor and partly on the dresser.
Zell tapped Laguna on his arm with the back of his hand. "Hey but this ain't nothing your advanced team of scientists, architects, and builders can't fix right?" Zell teased smiling.
"I'm going to get to the bottom of this," Laguna said, walking sharply out the room.
"Hey Sir Laguna, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Selphie's voice trailed off behind Laguna who had just about to reach Squall and Quistis.
"Squall," Laguna said as he grabbed his shoulder. Quistis had just pressed the elevator button. Squall did not turn around right away. He tapped his foot and breathed heavily in aggravation.
"What?" Squall said with no emotion. Laguna's eyes could not focus straightly.
"I just want to know what's going on," Laguna said sounding concerned as any father would.
"He wants to know what's going on," Squall whispered to himself. Then his voice perked up and he began to laugh, "Hey Quistis, he wants to know what's going on." Squall turned around with a monster-like look on his face.
"If you had a processor in that brain of yours, it would be so damn clear what was going on that it wouldn't be funny!" Squall shrieked in anger and rage that he had been saving for seventeen years.
"You have to be the worst father, friend and leader that ever lived! In fact how you are still alive and this city isn't in ruins boggles the mind!"
As soon as Squall got done screaming those last words the elevator door rang opened. Laguna just stood there with his mouth opened, unable to form a sentence.
"As far as I'm concerned everything bad that's ever happened to me is your fault." Squall said with a piercing ice bolt in his voice.
"I... I... " Laguna began. Squall turned his back on his father and walked in the elevator with Quistis. The door hissed shut behind them.
For five minutes Laguna just stood there. In his mind it was like someone kept hitting rewind. He would have stayed there for an hour if Kiros did not slap him up side the head.
"Got damn it Laguna. Snap out of it," Kiros howled.
Laguna faced Kiros, but his mind was still far and away with the thoughts of Squall's words. He could not have meant what he said. He just could not have! He was just angry and confused. Yeah that's it! He know he was a good person he just know it! Squall was probably still mad at him for never speaking to him about his mother. Man he still couldn't believe that it had been so long. He wish he could have been there for Squall. Maybe then I could have got hooked up with Edea. Man what a foxy lady!
Suddenly and without warning, a huge black fist came crashing into Laguna's face. Laguna went pummeling to the floor, stirring up Selphie who had been in the room seeing what caught her eye to steal from Rinoa's shopping bags.
"Now what made you go and do that for?" Laguna barked at Kiros, who did a full spin stomped his foot and gritted his teeth at Laguna.
"See this is exactly why I knocked the @#$% out of you! I stand here for twelve minutes and lay you out for not giving the schedule speech about the Neon Flower Night Celebration. And when I ask you what you have to say for yourself you just stand there looking out into space, because you haven't been listening at all!"
Laguna tried to get up but fell back down. "I've got lot on my mind," he whimpered.
"You know Laguna that's just the response I expect from you." Kiros looked up and began to shake his head. "Seriously man, you are an irresponsible bastard. And I pray that one of your kids makes a better leader than you." Kiros said calmly, then stepped over the top of Laguna and went into the elevator.
This was two tongue-lashings in one day, one in back the other. That was too much for Laguna to handle. Kiros had to take that back.
Laguna turned over on his stomach so that he could look up at Kiros as he stepped in the elevator. "You don't really mean all that do you old buddy?" he spoke so pitifully that had Raine been alive she would have slapped him for being so weak.
"I wish I could say I didn't," Kiros said.
Then the doors closed up along with Laguna's confidence. Laguna's eyes began to build up with tears. Perhaps Squall had been right after all.
Laguna closed his eyes. Everyone was getting on his case about being responsible and doing things right. Then a feeling started to grow with in Laguna, and one of them is irritation.
Nobody is looking at all the good things I've done. All they're looking at is that I make mistakes. But everybody makes mistakes. But oh no, it's not right for him to mess up. When he messes up it's "you, irresponsible bastard!"
Well screw them! He was the boss around here, and he was going to start acting like it. From now on if someone says something that he don't like he was going to tell he or her where to go! And if they catch an attitude about it then he'd get rid of them. That right this is the beginning of a new Laguna one that doesn't take crap from anyone!
Just when he opened his eyes Laguna he felt someone took hold of his shoulder.
"Hey Sir Laguna, are you feeling alright? Did Kiros hurt you badly?" It was Selphie, with her usual cheery manner.
Laguna shook Selphie's hand from his shoulder and stood up quickly. "No, nobody is going to hurt me any more." He started walking down the opposite direction from the elevator.
Selphie stayed at his side wanting to ask questions. "Well if you feel alright, I would just like to ask you about the Neon Night Celebration. I mean it is tomorrow..."
Laguna turned sideways to face Selphie. She was about to get an undeserving full dose of the new Laguna.
"Listen up you Peter Pan want to be! I don't need you or anybody else telling me what to do! I've got the Neon Night Celebration well under control and that's all you need to know!"
It felt as though someone was taking a high heeled shoe and was hitting Selphie in the chest with it. Why was Laguna being so mean to her? Had she done something wrong? "Sir Laguna I just want to..." Laguna interrupted.
"You just wanted to what?!" He snapped. "And why are you alwas calling me Sir Laguna?! Are you trying to suck-up? You are, aren't you? You just want a piece of the action like everybody else.
Well, let me tell you something sister you can take that Sir Laguna crap and stick it up your butt!"
Tears welted up in Selphie's eyes. Laguna was very proud of himself. Now he had to add the finishing touch.
"Now cry!" he demanded. Selphie's tears flowed on to the carpet as she ran down the hall to the elevator crying.
Laguna began to strut happily down the steps. He had left a hundred pounds off his chest.
***
Outside the city of Esthar was a beat up abandon warehouse. You could tell it was not one of Esthar's outside establishments. The structure of the building was plain. The paint on the building was not bright and in fact it was all nearly faded away and the paint that was still there was chipping off. In years birds had found it to make a perfect toilet.
The area around the building was desolate, not a single person ever came by. Professor Teanois loved the landscape, it was out of the way. There was no one to disturb his work.
The warehouse proved to be the perfect liberator. Because of its outward look no one would ever think anything of it. Because of the location no one would come snooping around. Teanois was free to carry out his experiments. Inside the lab was dark, with two or three beams of light escaped from the window.
But Prof. Teanois did not care if it was dark. The gleam from his beautiful 'Resurrection Uplifter' was all the light he needed. Teanois out stretched his arms upon the gigantic machine. Teanois looked up at the glorious device that he had created.
He gave a deranged smile.
"Three hard years but it's all worth it. Soon, very soon I shall use you for your purpose. The dark link has been connected. Now all you need is the one with the limit break of great destruction to be reborn in."
Suddenly Teanois swelled with anger and punched the machine. "But how long will that take? Days, months, more years?! I cannot wait for so long. My plan was already once threaten with the rise of Adel. Thank god that new Sorceress was a joke." Prof. Teanois walked alongside the 'Resurrection Uplifter'. He let his fingers run over the cold steel. "How shall I begin my search," he rubbed his finger on the bridge of his chin.
Just as Teanois had gotten to the end of machine, he heard a whimper. Teanois quickly snapped his fingers off the device and twisted around.
"Who's there?" he claimed, picking up a baseball bat that was close by. When he heard the whimper again Teanois realized that the sound was coming from outside.
The sound formed from whimpering to crying. Teanois hugged the bat close to his side. Slowly he crept to the door. Teanois swallowed hard as he outstretched his hand to the door. His hand was shaking profusely, even with a weapon Teanois was a coward. When his hand was about ten inches from the knob, Teanois snapped his eyes shut. Apprehensively he snatched open the door and swung the bat but all he hit was air.
Once Teanois had notice that the bat had not made contact with anything he fearfully opened one eye. Nothing was there, yet still he heard the crying of a girl. Teanois lowered the bat to his side, and walked out into the sun- setting day.
He aimlessly walked alongside the building until he leant to the corner. Even though the cries sounded weak, he still could not be too sure. Teanois sheepishly peeked from around the corner.
Much to his surprise all the professor saw was a girl in a yellow dress sitting down on the ground. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her arms were wrapped around them. Her cries where thick and heavy as she shook herself back and forth.
Teanois gave a long lingering sigh. He was so ashamed of himself, nearly scared to death by a crying teenage girl. The professor threw down the bat. It drew an empty hollow sound.
He stared down at the girl for a few minutes. He hoped that she would eventually look up and explain herself, but she just sat there crying, not saying a word. Teanois groaned.
"Guess I'll have to talk to her," he muttered to himself. How Professor Teanois hated talking to people especially teens. He did not even know how to talk to her. He had always failed group assignments in school. And the only thing he had ever talked to was his machine and that could not talk back!
He breathed heavily and started off the best way he knew how. "So what's up?" the professor said straightforwardly.
The girl gave no response, she just kept crying. It was beginning to get dark. A rush of cold air knocked Teanois in the face.
"It's going to be night in ten minutes. I've got to get her out of here," Teanois thought. He tried again, "Hey are you alright?" This time the girl cried even louder.
Teanois had lost his patience. "Damn it what's wrong with you? Are you on drugs! It's getting really dark really fast and pretty soon the Hojquies are going to be out soon!"
The girl for the first time looked up. Her eyes were pink and the sides of her cheek were solid with tears.
"(Sniffle, sniffle). Hojquies?" The professor took a deep breath.
"Finally she speaks" Teanois squatted down, "Yes Hojquies. They are monsters that are three feet tall have blue and red fur with tiny razor sharp teeth and can adjust their jaws to devour anything. And if you think that's nothing I've got a scoop for ya. They always attack in numbers. Plus they like to go after brightly colored things." Prof. Teanois tugged at her dress.
The girl got up off the ground and dusted off the bottom of her dress. "I don't care," she squawked, "If they come near me I'll call upon my limit break of "The End" and kill them all in one swift blow!"
Professor Teanois eyes dilated and a smile grew from ear to ear. Teanois changed his whole attitude completely. "What is your name sweet child?" he said kindly.
"Selphie," she whimpered as she whipped away more tears. Teanois clapped his hands together warmly. "Well Selphie since Esthar is so far away and it is dark now, I think it would be safe if you spent the night here. I have more than enough room. I'm a doctor." The sound of Hojquies began to rattle in the air.
"Iyeyeyeyeyi!" Selphie started to look around.
"Well I guess your right." Teanois grabbed Selphie by the hand, "This way please." The first thing Selphie noticed when she stepped into the lab was the darkness.
"Why don't you have any lights on? It's so dark," she said walking in circles looking around. Teanois was quick to explain.
"Well you see because this place is what you would say in the 'middle of nowhere'. So if I had the lights burning robbers would see it as an easy target. Therefore I see it safer to keep the lights off."
Selphie nodded her head in conformation.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" Prof. Teanois said tossing his lab coat on a chair.
"Tea would be nice," she said as her eyes skimmed every crevices of the laboratory.
"Good, good," he stuttered walking over to the icebox. Teanois took out a cup and began to fill it with water. In a brief second Teanois looked out to the corner of his eye to see Selphie touching a beaker filled with a purple liquid.
"Put that down," he shrilled. Selphie did as she was told. The professor came running over to inspect his chemical for damage.
"I'm sorry. You have all these chemicals and machines. I thought you said you were a doctor, but you look like more of a scientist."
Teanois chuckled, "Well I am a doctor but I also try to come up with ways to heal people and find cures for diseases."
Selphie was amazed. "This is sooo cool! You know you should go work in Esthar. They could use a brilliant man like you Doctor..."
The professor finished her sentence. "Teanois, Aurther J. Teanois." The shine of his intventions beamed in his eyes.
"Well then Doc. Teanois, why don't you go and work in Esthar?" Selphie inquired.
Teanois walked back to the counter to finish the tea. "I once did, but President Loire didn't exactly see the wonders of my genius." The spoon began to hit the inside of the cup very hard as he stirred the tea.
Selphie lowered her head to the floor in sadness. "I myself am beginning to see a new side of Laguna."
Teanois was just about to slip in some sleeping powder into Selphie's tea but halted at her words. "You know Loire?"
Selphie rose her head back up. "Yes, I'm friends with his son. You see Laguna's son Squall me and our friends are SeeDs"
Teanois poured in the sleeping powder and stirred it wildly in shaded anger. "Oh really. So Loire's son is the great leader of SeeD that killed Ultimecia. That must have took guts," Teanois said vengefully. "You know I didn't know Loire had a son." In his head Teanois rephrased his words, "More like didn't know there was a woman who was dumb enough to get herself knocked up by him."
"Yes Squall is a great leader but we're working on his personality" Selphie finished.
Prof. Teanois walked over and handed Selphie her tea.
"Thanks," Selphie said beginning to regain her cheerfulness. Selphie sipped her tea. When she looked back up she locked eyes on the 'Resurrection Uplifter'.
"Wow! What's that Doc Teanois?" Selphie yelled walking quickly over to the machine. Teanois began to inflate with pride.
"You like it. She's my pride and joy, the offspring of my divine passion if you will." He lightheartedly joined Selphie in front of the machine. Selphie marveled over the sleek design. "What is this?" she said in amazement. Teanois let the words leave his mouth before he thought about them through.
"My wonderful Resurr..." Teanois caught to himself. "Rejuvenation machine. It helps to cleanse the body of harmful bacteria that is causing the body to ache and become sick. A major breakthrough in the medical world."
Selphie jumped up and down. "Way past cool! You're a genius," she exclaimed. Teanois grinned, but in his mind he was breathing a sigh of relief.
"Whew! Cutting it a bit close Aruther." Selphie turned to face Teanois. "Doc that was good tea. Could you show me where I'll be sleeping for tonight?" Selphie said handing him the empty cup.
Teanois saw his opportunity and jumped for it. "Selphie I would like to ask for your help." Selphie was back to her over-cheerful self and ready to help. "Sure Doc!"
Teanois began to press a few buttons on the machine. "Well there is a new bug going around Esthar from the polluted air. And I was wondering if you get hooked up to the machine so that I might find a quick cure for it before it gets very harmful."
Selphie slapped Prof. Teanois on the back in a playful manner, but still she hit him kind of hard. Teanois flew forward and almost fell to the floor if he had not caught his balance by grabbing the table.
"Doc if it will help make thousands of people feel better hook me up!"
Teanois looked up with a diabolical smile. "Just lie down right here."
