"We are gathered here today to give these four young adults their send-off!" Aeris' next words were drowned out by the cheering villagers. "It is traditional in Wutai for the parents to give a speech on such an occasion."
Gary's parents stepped up and his father began to speak. "We have always known that Gary was intelligent. He has nearly always been at the top of his class. Melinda and I have watched him grow. And although we would love to send him off to a university now, we can only hope that he will learn as much as he can from his journey."
The crowd applauded the parents as the wife began to cry. Harold's mother was next to speak. "Harold has grown up without knowing his father. But the village has helped me raised him. I can only thank all of you for your help with my troublesome child." A smile and a tear both escaped her composed face. "Harold, you were meant for great things. Your goal should encompass the moon, because even if you miss, you will still get the stars."
The people respectfully applauded her off the stage as Megan's foster parent's stepped forward. "Megan has grown up in a tough situation. She has been forced to deal with us harshly at times." Don paused and smiled at Megan. "But overall we are really glad to have someone as special as her in our lives. I have never once seen her face a challenge and quit half-way through. She is committed to her cause, and I believe that she will do really well out there with her friends." Barbara cut in before the crowd could give their exit applause. "Megan, I have one tidbit of advice for you before you leave. Your emotions are meant to be expressed, not suppressed, do not be afraid to cry."
The crowd applauded as Aeris stepped forward. "Jason's parents have asked me to speak on their behalf. And I have graciously accepted. Jason, life is composed up of a series of choices. Right and wrong ones. You will not always be able to tell which is right, and which is wrong with your mind. But your heart will guide you true. And as the leader of this merry band, I have one thing to tell you. It is your responsibility to keep your team out of danger, do not send someone to do something that you would not first volunteer for."
Jason thanked Aeris under the crowd's applause. "The final tradition before we send you on your way goes back for hundreds of years. Wutai was not always a trading post. We used to be a community of hunters. The most notorious materia hunters who ever existed have come from Wutai. It was in fact their way of life. So as the young adults would head out into the world, they would each be given three materia in hopes that they would be able to triple that amount." Aeris smiled at the four. "Now we don't expect you to steal materia (although if you brought some back that would be great.)" The crowd burst into laughter. "But we do expect you to return the materia once you return so that the next generation can profit from it as you have. Bring out the chest!"
A man of about 30 went into the house next to the crowd and came out empty-handed. "It's gone!"
"What?" Surprise flew through the crowd like a wildfire.
Aeris held her hands high for everybody's attention. When the crowd slowly fell silent, she began, "Jason, Megan, Harold, Gary, it looks as though Wutai's materia have all been stolen. Not for 400 years has this happened. I am tasking you four to retrieve it and return all of it back to the house that it came from. You cannot leave until this has happened."
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After the crowd had dispersed, the four were alone to discuss the situation. "Who could it be?" Jason asked.
"Obviously an accomplished thief." Harold pointed out. "No amateur could have broken through that defense system."
"Let's go to Elder Aeris to see what she has to say." Megan offered.
"You do that, I'm going to read up on that incident 400 years ago. There may be parallels that may help us." Gary told them.
"Sounds like a plan, Gary, fill us in if you find anything. I'm going to the crime scene to see if we can figure anything out about the thief." said Jason.
"I've got a hunch. How about we meet back here in about an hour." Harold concluded.
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"How is the search for the materia going Megan?"
"Well, Elder Aeris. We are all doing our parts. I am here to find out if you have any idea who could have done this."
"Ah, very good. I like this trust that you have all formed already. Unfortunately Megan, I have no idea who it could be. But I think it has something to do with the ceremony, because the materia was there last night. It had to be stolen in the dead of night. Or immediately before the ceremony. In either case, the thief can't have gone anywhere, there were no reports of anyone leaving last night by the sentries and the town has been closed off until the materia is recovered."
"So, the thief could be anyone in town?"
"I know of many who are capable, but none that are willing. Unless they have decieved me as well as they have stolen the materia."
"Thank you so much, Elder." With that, Megan left the hut. She came away with no more knowledge than she had started with. She decided to go up to the mountain to go through the caves. Maybe the thief had placed the chest there.
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The traps, where were they? He was looking at the room where the chest had been. He had picked up a few rocks from the riverbed before entering. He threw a rock towards the empty space. It disintegrated when it got within ten feet. Jason whistled. The spell had originated from the wall. He could probably survive the spell, but not well enough to drag the chest out. Who could have done this? Then he looked at the roof. It had a gaping hole over the vacant chest spot. So that's how the thief got past that trap...
Up on the roof, the situation looked a little different. The room looked less foreboding from up here. He took another rock and dropped it through the hole. It hit the ground with a thud. This was interesting. He climbed down through the hole onto the rafters. Who could have transported the chest up through here? He thought for a second... Maybe they didn't have to carry it through here... He climbed down, just to make sure he could get out. He took the rock he had dropped and threw it the entrance to the house. It disintegrated in nearly the same spot as the other one had. Then he grabbed his purse of materia. It had three weak materia jewels that were easily replaceable. He threw it at the entrance. It hit the wall and plopped to the ground... Nice.
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"What have you guys found out?" Inquired Jason. Before anyone could answer, Jason interrupted, "Where's Harold?"
"I saw him go to the school. He was mentioning something about a possible student." Gary answered.
"Okay, to the school we go."
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"Hewitt, Buffie. That's who I need to talk to Principal."
"Why, Harold?"
"I have reason to believe that she has something to do with the theft."
"Well, I can't really help you today, she's absent. She's got the flu."
"Thank you. But I think that a 'sick' girl is going to get a visit."
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"That's how it happened, Jason, I'm sorry I can't give you anything more."
"Can you give me Buffie's address?"
"That is possible, but only this once..."
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An older woman came to the door. Her crow's feet, wrinkled forehead, and bad posture betrayed her age. She was either Buffie's mother, or grandmother. Jason couldn't tell. Her's was a very difficult age to read, because under the signs of age was a very youthful expression, and a beautiful pair of brown eyes. "How are you all today?"
"Fine Mrs. Hewitt. Is Buffie around?"
"Oh, yes. She's sick in her room. She already has company, so I don't know if you should disturb them."
"Actaully, they're expecting us. Harold just was so eager, he had to show up earlier than the rest of us."
WEll in that case, come in you three." Buffie's mother led them up into a room, where a huddled mass lay under covers. It tossed and turned wildly. "Oh dear, maybe we should let her alone. And where is that nice young man who was here earlier? Oh, he must be in the bathroom."
Jason led the other two into the room. "Mrs. Hewitt, we believe that your daughter..." He was interrupted in mid-turn by the door slamming. Gary ran over to the bed as Megan and Jason attacked the door. Under the covers, bound and gagged was Harold.
"Dammit! She snuck up on me. I didn't even have time to pull my gun. Buffie's the thief!"
"What clued you in? Was it the door slamming or the bindings?" Jason panted after realizing that the door was not coming down.
"Funny, but Buffie's jealous that she cannot go. She has wanted to leave the town since she was 5. I knew that she has trained as a thief since the age of 8, so I had a feeling she would try something like this."
"Why didn't you take one of us with you?"
"I didn't want her to think that we were onto her. Because it was after all, just a hunch."
"I hate to interrupt this silly little argument, but need I remind you that we're trapped in this room with no way out." Megan interjected.
"I have an idea..."
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So much for chapter 2... It is meant as a two part, but I didn't expect this part to be so damn long... Please read and review... I'd like any feedback you can give me. Thank you greatly.
I will also give my hat tip to anyone who can name the movie that this last scene references...