A Planet in Despair
Energy rippled the air around Ruby like threads of intense lightning, mirroring the light show that danced around her young foe. He would not stand a chance; neither of them would, now that she was ready to display her true potential.
The accursed man she was bound to protect miles away from her, she would be free to release an onslaught worthy of one born to fight the her mother's greatest enemy of all time. These pesky mortals, though worthy opponents, could not last as long as the Great Betrayer had managed to. They would meet their ends now.
Reading the startled emotions suddenly rising up in chaos within her green foe's mind, Ruby was forced to admit that although these opponents were mortals, they were respectable. The amount of control that one kept even as his instincts told him to flee was truly impressive. Too bad it would do him no good.
"NOW GOHAN! DON'T WASTE A SECOND!"
Ruby could feel the complexity of the folds of energy around her young adversary. That level of density in spirit energy was almost impossible. Not only were the flows folded over one another, now they were being knit together in an impenetrable barrier. Very impressive indeed these two were. Chances were that the boy, and he was no more than a boy, a child, knew nothing of what he was truly doing. None of them probably did, they were only mortals after all. She was the pride of the Planet. She would prove it.
"MA"
Ruby felt more than saw, although now the gathering energy was plainly visible, the complex weaves being shifted around the adolescent warrior's body. A mass of energy that condensed was impossible!
Or was it?
That was it. The lines between the possible and the impossible suddenly fled from Ruby's grasp. Against these two there was no telling what would happen...
"SEN"
There was no doubting his intentions now. Even without her ability to read the fly's thoughts, Ruby knew there could be only one purpose for the madness of destroying such a powerful shield. He was creating a weapon, a deadly one trained upon her loyal heart.
Forcing the fear that struggled for a hold on her mind away, Ruby fell into a trance-like state. She was the only one of her brothers and sisters left to protect their mother. She was Ruby WEAPON. It was time.
Not caring anymore, Ruby thrust her elegant yet powerful claws deep into the Planet. The knowledge, her knowledge by birthright, flooded her mind. The Ancients. They were family. The knowledge they shared with her mother they shared with her as well. She would do this for them, put down a part of the rebellion that had shamed their noble people for so long.
Manipulating the energy around her was nothing.
Carefully threading the weaves around her with a deft mind like a master seamstress would a needle, Ruby chose a pattern that clashed with the boy's. It was very impressive that a mortal could do what he had by pure feel, but there was no way he knew the reality of what he did. That would be his downfall. A rough weave like his, no matter how densely knotted, would not be able to tear through a tight steady one without seams. That was what she needed, a barrier to shield her from the death that threatened.
A thought whisked in and out of Ruby's mind as she forced her control to linger. Perhaps the boy could not even see the drifting flows of energy that he used to create such powerful fabrics from. It was unlikely, but it would explain his haphazard manner. If so, all the better for her.
Finishing her task, Ruby set about on a new one.
How would these mortals deal with an offensive as awesome as their own?
"KO!!"
Ruby watched in astonishment each individual thread of the millions that surrounded the boy, split perfectly in two, the force of the break, like a whip, shot half of the great mass at Ruby with deadly speed and accuracy.
Maybe the boy did know what he was doing.
The other warrior had merely thrown his attacks, whereas this child wasted no such energy. He used the laws of nature to do that work for him. It was a shame for such a child to have to die.
What?!
Ruby was more intent on the voice of her mother than the ball of energy that harmlessly impacted her own weave. The flexible barrier merely rolled the attack to the side, sending it skyward and away from anywhere damage could have been done.
What was her mother saying?!
But she could yet win this! The mortals' fates were sealed!!! Why was the Planet worried!?
What?
The reality of the words sunk in as Ruby released her mother's embrace, pulling her claws away from the comforting ground. Yet another mortal that her mother saw crucial to survival. Why? Could she not do anything they could? Had she not proved she could do it better?! What was forcing her mother to betray her so?!! Grudgingly, Ruby cut off the offensive she had begun to form. It was not fair. She would be forced to flee or die. She was the pride of the Planet. This could not be happening.
The sadness in that made Ruby shudder as the sudden realization of the truth sank in. She had all the power to defeat these mortals, but she would not be allowed to use it, and there was no way they would let her go. Her barrier could not last forever, and now, these two had gotten it into their heads that they could destroy her. She wouldn't be able to live in peace with them as she had with the other man. It was only a matter of time for her now. It was not fair that such a magnificent existence as hers would go to such a shameful waste...
*~*~*~*
What was wrong?
Gohan saw it, but he couldn't believe it.
The monster had begun forming a ki blast larger than anything Gohan had ever seen, but now, it faded away unused. The beast had to be up to something!! But, nothing happened.
"Gohan! If ki won't work try that materia Cloud gave you!"
Gohan heard what Piccolo was saying, but he couldn't bring himself to do anything. What was happening!? He could feel that perfect barrier surrounding his crimson enemy withering away.
"Gohan! Don't you hear me?! It's now or never!"
Confusion flooded Gohan's mind at voice that uttered its melodious message inside his head. This was the same as when he'd first touched the Magic materia, what Cloud had called the knowledge of the Ancients.
No, it was different.
The similarities where over whelming, but this was only one where the other had been thousands speaking in unison. Who, or what, was this? It was as if someone was mimicking the Ancients.
Jenova?
Until it's too late.
The second came as an undertone and took Gohan by surprise. That voice he did recognize. He would never mistake Jenova's sickeningly sweet tone that lulled the mind into submission.
Yes, friend, don't you recognize me?
Gohan didn't know what to think. Who was this?!
"GOHAN! IT'S GOING TO GET AWAY!! YOU HAVE TO CAST IT NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!" The familiar voice was a comfort. It was nice to hear something with your ears instead of your mind!
Of course I haven't. My daughter will do that for me. Can't you see the resemblance? Between my child and myself?
Forcing the two sets of voices, both sweet yet one serene while the other intoxicating, out of his mind altogether, Gohan focused on the materia he had on his wrist. Jenova would not have his mind this time.
Not to worry, though, you'll do exactly what I want in the end. You are mine worm. Remember it.
Gohan had grown used to the whirling chaotic emotions that flowed from the red stone and concentrated on them with all of his might. Letting them become one with his own thoughts for a moment, the spell was cast.
*~*~*~*
It was hopeless, that her mother try to negotiate. Mortals never listened to what they didn't understand, especially when it was the words of the Planet. Besides, this one, as Ruby realized now that it was too late, carried the Great Betrayer's cells. Didn't her mother recognize the festering mind that had to be controlled by the Great Betrayer? Why was he still trusted then?
Ruby knew she would never understand as the world around her turned dark in an attack she knew all too well. One of her mother's greatest gifts to the mortals, the holy knights...
*~*~*~*
Gohan ignored the vile laugh that cut through his mind. Jenova would not have what she wanted after all; her monstrous daughter would slaughter no more innocent people. Cloud had been right; one boosted Knights of the Round and Ruby WEAPON was no more.
Free of this threat, they should be able test Cloud's theory of merging materia and attack Jenova head on with no further setbacks.
See that coming? Hope you're hooked! I am!