Chapter 36: Tide begins to change.
Tension filled the Highwind as it gently set down outside the forest surrounding Mideel. As each member of AVALANCHE descended the ladder they took hopeful breaths. Fearing the worst yet praying for success, they trekked to Mideel.
The lazy town spread before them. The villagers hadn't cleared many of the trees leaving the town with a natural feel. "Where do we start?" Cid asked pointed looking at Tifa, trying to take her mind off Cloud by forcing her to lead.
Tifa used her fingers to brush away one of her bangs, more of nervous habit then need. "I guess we go in." Tifa answered, "We should probably split up in pairs." Still sounding uncomfortable as leader.
"Alright then," Cid answered, "What #$ moron am I with?" Cid received various glared and flinched when a pebble bounced off his head.
Tifa smiled appreciatively at Cid for trying to keep things somewhat normal. She looked over the diminished AVALANCHE, "Cid go with Nanaki. Barret please team up with Cait Sith."
"&$ IT!" Barret grumbled, "Always wit' ta' toy." Tifa just grinned.
"Yuffie and Vincent." Tifa finished obviously forgetting herself.
"Forgive me Tifa." Nanaki spoke, "But none of us should go alone. Please accompany Cid and I."
Tifa blushed slightly, "Sorry guess I'm used to having a few more people..." Tears began to form in her eyes as her mind drifted to those lost. Tifa quickly shook herself out of the trance, "Lets mos... go." She said before walking toward the far side of town. Cid and Nanaki exchanged worried looks with the group before following quickly.
"Wow. She's not the same person." Yuffie blurted.
Barret looked to blow but the anger fell quickly. "Losin' tha one yer in love wit' can mess wit' ya." He scratched the back of his head, "Especially when you've not told'em." At this Yuffie unconsciously glanced at Vincent, the act unnoticed by any.
The group split and began exploring the town, each pair going off in different directions. Speaking with different villagers the pairs progressed slowly. Yuffie and Vincent walked into the small market building. Yuffie's eyes came alight at the sight of all the different goods before them. "We need supplies don't we?" Yuffie turned to Vincent, "And besides the shop keeps probably know more about the goings on of the town then anyone else." Vincent nodded in agreement, learning the same thing years ago.
As they browsed the merchandise with feigned interest the shopkeeper approached them. "Is there anything I can help you with?" The middle-aged man asked.
"Nothing really just browsing." Yuffie answered, she was about to go on when her eyes fell upon a silver hairpin. The small trinket gleamed in the light, small specks of rare gems etched throughout its frame. The colors danced across her eyes.
"Ma'am?" The shopkeeper broke her out of her revere. He followed her eyes to the hairpin, "Ah yes, that is a very fine piece of jewelry."
"Vincent! Yuffie!" Nanaki burst into the room, "We've found Cloud! In the hospital at the back of the town! Come quickly!" He disappeared without awaiting an answer.
"Come on Vinnie! Lets go!" Yuffie quickly followed the fire-cat out the door. Vincent remained behind looking pointedly at the hairpin that had entranced Yuffie.
"Do you wish to purchase this as a gift for the young lady?" The shopkeeper offered, "I can even gift wrap it for you." Vincent stood for a moment, trying to figure out why he even remained behind. Random thoughts flitted through his mind, emotions he believed long since dead played through his mind, although his face and mannerism changed not.
"Yes." Vincent nodded, "May I please ask that you inform no one that I purchased it."
"Ah a surprise," The shopkeeper grinned as he wrapped the hairpin with practiced expertise. "No need to worry, your secret is safe with me." He smiled as he exchanged the hairpin for gil. "She'll be very happy when you give it to her." Vincent bowed slightly before turning towards the door inserting the small package into his garments.
"Hurry up Vinnie!" Yuffie called from across the town, "What're you doing?" Vincent increased his stride and quickly caught up to her. "Nanaki said Cloud is in here, lets go inside." The two entered to see a horrifying sight.
AVALANCHE stood in a circle around Tifa as she cried onto the arm of a wheel-chaired patient. When Yuffie's eyes followed the arm up to the owners face her jaw dropped and she fell to her knees. "Cl- -Cloud?" He sat before them all, seemingly the same. But when anyone looked into his face they were not met with the boyish grin but with pure emptiness. Tifa continued to cry.
"He's been like this since found on the shoreline." The doctor broke the silence, "Its an extremely advanced case of mako poisoning. He's very lucky to even be alive." Tifa continued to cry.
"Will he recover?" Nanaki quietly asked the question no one else would. Tifa continued to cry.
"I..." The doctor stuttered before running a tired hand through his hair, "I really don't know. Such an advanced case, he should be dead but he isn't, he should be screaming mad but his mind is departed from his body." The doctor sighed deeply as he straightened his glasses. "There is nothing to do... but wait. With such an abnormal case such as this only time will tell." Tifa continued to cry.
A cloud of despair seemed to fall over the group. None had held much hope for Cloud's life but to have found him then taken away again was almost more then any could bear. Tifa continued to cry.
Cid slowly caught the attention of the group and motioned for them to exit. When they had gathered outside he finally spoke, "That just ain't #$& fair. We find the boy but he's still lost."
Cait Sith suddenly spoke up, "And it gets worse." He flinched away from Cid's look of 'How could this get any #$& worse!' then explained. "Shinra is on the move again." Everyone looked at him in disbelief, "They're going to gather the "Huge Materia" from around the world in an attempt to stop Meteor."
"What the #$ is Huge Materia?" Cid fumed.
"They're hoping to create a new weapon with it, one powerful enough to overcome the current crisis." Cait Sith looked downward. "But it will fail. Our top researchers are certain it won't work but Rufus is going to try anyways."
"Great." Barret rolled his eyes.
"But that's not the worst of it." Cait Sith fell forward on top his moogle, "In order to collect the Huge Materia Shinra will have to..."
"Have to what!" Yuffie shook her fist at the toy, "Finish what you start! Don't leave us hanging."
"They'll have to destroy Corel and Fort Condor," Shock rippled through the group, "They've already started to move. We don't have time to stop both."
"I know this is a crisis but I can't go with you." Everyone turned to see Tifa standing at the hospital door. "I just can't leave Cloud."
A small smile played across Cid's face, "It's alright Tifa, you just get the boy awake, we'll take care of Shinra." Tifa's tears continued to flow freely as she nodded her head and went back inside. "Come on, get your butts in #$&( gear! Back to the Highwind!" Everyone snapped up and followed the order.
As the Highwind lifted off and headed toward the nearer area of Fort Condor Barret stood at the head of the bridge. "Ya know this is ma' chance to be leader agin..." he began. "But through tis' journey I've learned wat a real leader is." He sighed deeply, "An' I jus' ain't it." Barret's speech continued until he finally pointed to Cid, who sat near the helm. "But I do know that Cid can lead us!" Cid didn't make a move. "Uh.. Cid?"
Cid's head snapped up, "Huh? Sorry must have dozed off. What ya need?"
Barret let his head drop, "Yer an idiot but yer our new leader."
Cid's eyes bulged slightly, "Me? Ha!" He looked around the group, each of their eyes written plainly agreement with Barret. Even Vincent seemed to agree. "Well I'll be." Cid scratched the scruff of his beard. "Fine! I'll be the leader!" He jumped up, "But only till the boy wakes up!" The Highwind's crew cheered as most of AVALANCHE smiled.
"Captain!" The pilot spoke up, "We'll be at Fort Condor in the next five minutes, should I land?"
Cid took a slow drag of his cigarette with his eyes closed in thought. Cait Sith's words clearly echoing though his mind. Time ticked by slowly as everyone waited for the next order. "Yuffie, Vincent? How are you two with heights?" Within the next 3 minutes the pair stood on the deck of the Highwind, parachutes strapped to their backs.
"Remind me why I'm jumping out of this hunk of junk again!" Yuffie yelled, her motion sickness temporarily forgotten and replaced by fear.
"Like the toy said, we can't save both if we stop at one!" Cid grinned as he heard a crewmember say for the pair to jump. "We'll go save Corel, we'll need the four of us to be safe but Fort Condor already has a mercenary army. So the two of you should be fine."
"That doesn't help me jump any!" Yuffie yelled back as the railing was pulled back, signaling them to jump. "I ain't going!" Yuffie took a step backwards, Vincent however calmly walked to the edge and he leaned over slightly before jumping. Yuffie gritted her teeth, checked her straps before charging over the edge. "AAAAHHHHHH!" Cid laughed loudly.
"What is so amusing Cid?" Nanaki asked curiously.
His curiosity was heightened by Yuffie's shout. "I'LL GET YOU CID!" Nanaki shot Cid a questioning glance.
"Look... ha haa... at... he he he... at her parachute." Cid fell to the deck clutching his stomach. When Nanaki did so laughter escaped his muzzle as Fort Condor disappeared from view.
Slowly the pair descended from the sky until they landed on solid ground. "I'll get that old fart for this!" she growled as she sliced up the parachute with the words BRAT BOMB written in large letters. "Hey Vinnie wait up!" she called noticing the gunman already making his way up the small path into Fort Condor. As normal he waited for her after she shouted. Together they approached the small entrance into the mountain fort.
"Halt!" The guard ordered, "Identify yourselves!"
Yuffie stomped her foot, "Come one get out of the way, we're AVALANCHE!" The guard's eye's widened as he recognized the pair from the TV broadcasts and newspapers proclaiming them as anti-Shinra terrorists.
"Wel.. Welcome to Fort Conder, please go see our leader." The guard bowed and stood aside. The two quickly climbed the rope leading into the honeycomb of tunnels that made up the fort.
"So you've come to help us defend against Shinra have you?" An old man asked.
"Yep, yes sir that's us!" Yuffie grinned, "The Great Ninja Yuffie and Vincent!"
"I'm sorry that I can't offer you more hospitality but our scouts report Shinra is amassing for what could be a final attack, they'll begin at sundown." The old man sighed as he looked over his map, with pieces representing their forces and Shinra's. "I don't know if we can hold out this time, we've never had to fight so many."
"Wow," Yuffie grimaced as she looked over the map, "This looks really bad. What can we do?"
The old man sighed deeper, "I really don't know." Vincent continued to study the battle map as he had since entering. A plan began forming in his mind.
"If I may suggest a stratagem?" Vincent asked.
"Of course," The old man looked up to the dark gunman with hope written across his face. "Anything at all. I've got no idea how to win this fight."
Vincent leaned over the map, "We are outnumbered, so we must force the enemy into these narrow paths so that we can fight them one or two at a time." Vincent continued to explain his plan, his hands moving the battle pieces on the map in accordance with the new strategy. The old man's face continued to brighten as the plan was explained. Yuffie herself was mesmerized by the way Vincent had stepped into the limelight for once. "This plan should minimize the loss of your forces." Vincent finished. "The archers can take out many of the enemy soldiers before they can reach your melee."
The old man studied the map with happiness, "This can work!" then his eye's fell on the central path, "But we won't have enough troops to cover this central path. Our numbers are too low." Hope slowly began leaving the man's face.
"I will hold that path." Vincent said, "The formation of troops on other paths are too important to be changed."
"Do you really think you can hold that path yourself!" The old man nearly shouted as his eyes widened in surprise.
Before Vincent could answer Yuffie burst out, "No need to worry! Vinnie and I can handle it!" She grinned as she shadowboxed some unseen opponent. "Any Shinra that come up that path is really gonna regret it!" Yuffie gave her trademark grin and a wink to the old man.
"We shall hold the path." Vincent nodded quietly.
"Ah come on Vinnie!" Yuffie sighed loudly, "Show some spirit! You get to work with the Great Ninja Yuffie!" Vincent didn't move but the old man looked between the pair and laughed.
"Alright then!" The old man shouted so all the troops could hear, "We have made a new plan! Unit leaders assemble!" Quickly in the fading sun the troops of fort condor repositioned from their normal posts to the new ones, finishing with only fifteen minutes to spare.
"Everyone!" The old man shouted through a megaphone. "This will be the biggest battle ever! Remember that we are doing this for the new life that is waiting to be born!" The troops tightened their grips on their weapons. "We may die but remember that with the birth of that life we've defended all that we have sacrificed will be reborn! We once again have no way to retreat! Fight to life! Never throw away your life! As we stand together we shall prevail over this threat!" The old man finished his speech before returning to his post of controlling the many traps that had been laid throughout the mountainside.
Yuffie and Vincent took their positions within the path they were to guard. It only spanned ten feet across where they had decided that all enemies would be engaged. Everyone waited as the sun slowly began disappearing behind the mountain line.
"Vinnie?" Yuffie began, her normal energy replaced by something far different. Vincent turned his eyes quickly to glance at the change. He was surprised at what she had become. Instead of the arrogant, self-confident ninja that everyone had known crouched a sixteen-year-old girl behind a rock trying to summon the courage to fight in a life or death battle. "We'll be ok right?" Her eyes were pleading, pleading for the reassurance that she had not known from another since her mothers passing. Vincent could almost see in her eyes the past of the "Great Ninja Yuffie", a past he gathered full of a different kind of torment.
Vincent quickly crossed the short distance and knelt down in front of her. His sudden proximity made Yuffie look up in surprise. A single tear escaped her eyes. "Trust me." Vincent stated before returning to his side of the path. Yuffie looked after him in shock, but was awakened quickly by the sound of Shinra's own leader shouting "CHARGE!" as the sun finally disappeared under the horizon. She shook her head and readied herself, when Vincent glanced over again the Yuffie AVALANCHE knew had returned.
The Battle for Fort Condor raged into the night. Vincent's plan successfully and as the morning rays broke over the horizon it revealed Shinra's remaining forces in full retreat. As the Fort's defenders cried shouts of victory another cry rang out, the giant condor that they had fought so hard to defend fell from her perch. The cries of victory turned into shouts of despair, until the egg cracked. Slowly the new life fought to join the world, but as life always does, it persevered and under amazed eyes the young chick took flight, only minutes old.
Yuffie and Vincent also watched in amazement at the sight before them. "I thought baby birds couldn't fly?"
"Normal ones no." The old man appeared from around the bend. "But these condors aren't normal at all. In order for their new generation to live on one of the old must perish, as you saw."
"But that's not fair!" Yuffie shouted, "The baby doesn't even get to see its mother!" Her eyes filled with tears and outrage.
"Calm yourself," The old man said reassuringly, "As far as I know the new generation also gains all the knowledge of the previous, so the child knows exactly how much its parent cared for it. And I hope how much we fought for it." He smiled whimsically, "Now we better get the pair of you inside, neither of you look in peak condition." Truly neither was. Both had sustained numerous injuries though the night. Yuffie's left thigh was bound in a hastily made bandage after receiving a talon slice. As far as Vincent could tell she barely had the strength to stand any longer. Neither had risked much energy on healing spells, as they did not know how many enemies remained.
"Fine, lets go." Yuffie stuck her tongue out at the old man, "Although I feel perfectly fine!" With a limp in her stride and Vincent watching her carefully they walked towards the Fort. Vincent thought back over the night, he had seen a side of Yuffie that he was sure no one else had, possibly even Yuffie herself.
"There you should be fine with a little rest." An exhausted healer said before she moved on to the next patient.
"Thanks again!" Yuffie called after her as she tested her healed leg. She stood firm for a moment before wavering and falling back onto the cot.
"Easy there young one." The old man cautioned, "You know as well as I that healing spells cost a lot of energy from you as well as the user. Just relax for a bit."
Vincent entered the barracks. "Cid is on his way, he was successful in stopping Shinra and acquiring the Huge Materia from Corel."
"That's good to hear." Yuffie yawned and stretched, "Guess we need to go up and get that Materia from here don't we?" She pushed off the cot before any one could stop her. "Hurry up! Lets go!" The old man only rolled his eyes before handing Vincent a small key.
"That will open the door to where the condor was." He smiled widely, "Please come back to me after you search there." Vincent raised his eyebrow at the strangeness of the man's words but followed Yuffie up towards the highest reaches of the reactor turned fort.
"What do you think this Huge Materia looks like Vinnie?" Yuffie asked as she scrambled over the roof towards the condor's abandoned nest. As she searched the nest she suddenly called out, "Vinnie come quick!" Vincent rushed over to her with hand on weapon, looking for danger. Yuffie held up a small red orb, "It's a summon materia!" She squealed happily. Vincent lowered his hand. "But its weird, all the others that I held I could almost hear the summon speaking to me. This one is silent." Vincent opened his hand and Yuffie deposited the orb into it without hesitation.
Vincent examined the orb carefully, trying to see or sense anything coming from it. "Hold onto it Yuffie, it may not have fully awakened yet." He said as he returned it to her.
"Awakened?" Yuffie asked confused.
"I believe that summon was just born." Vincent answered as he turned back toward the door leading into the fort.
"Just born?" Yuffie stared into the orb for a few moments before following her comrade, carefully placing the orb into one of her hidden pockets. 'Wonder what he means just born? Could this materia have been created right here?'
"Were you able to find anything?" The old man asked when they returned to the main hall.
"No luck." Yuffie sighed, "Guess there wasn't a Huge Materia here after all."
The old man looked down sheepishly before walking over to a tapestry hung on the wall. "Actually..." He said as he pulled it back revealing a materia stone three feet in length and a foot round. "I'm sorry to have made you help us fight off Shinra, but I didn't think we'd have one otherwise."
Yuffie glared at the old man before walking over and soundly smacking the back of his head. "We would've fought anyways you old geezer! Why are so many old men so full of tricks?" The old man could only laugh as he rubbed the back of his head. "Can we take this now?" Yuffie motioned to the materia.
"Of course," The old man bowed deeply, "That and all of our gratitude." Yuffie and Vincent departed the Fort as the Highwind set down; soon they had loaded the second Huge materia and were airborne again.
"Course sir?" The pilot asked.
"Back to Mideel," Cid answered, "We should check on Tifa."
"Aye aye!" The pilot answered as he swung the airship into its new course.
"So give us the scoop!" Cait Sith cheered, "What did you have to do?"
"Nuh-uh." Yuffie grinned, "You have to go first!"
"Fine." Cait Sith pouted. Cait Sith related the actions of the Corel incident. They had arrived and the town had been in disarray because reports of Shinra forces at the reactor. The four members of AVALANCHE had rushed to the reactor but had been moments too late, they could only watch as the train carrying the huge materia sped back towards Corel. With Cid's confidence in his ability to drive anything they had begun pursuit in a train of their own.
Since their train was not burdened as the Shinra's it had been a simple matter to catch up and jump to the enemy train. It was a hard fight to gain control of the train from Shinra but a harder fight still in order to force the train to a stop before it crashed through Corel.
"And you'll never believe what we got for a reward!" Cait Sith motioned to Nanaki, "Show them! Show them!"
Nanaki chuckled before tilting his head revealing a green materia orb. "This materia calls forth Ultmia. I tried the spell out in practice before returning to the Highwind. It is truly an amazing spell. Although had I not been in the state of preparedness I was, I fear the magic might have been my undoing as well as the monster I used it upon."
"Can I try it?" Yuffie pleaded with a puppy face.
"I fear it would be beyond your control Yuffie." Nanaki answered sadly, "I doubt any of the others could control it either!" He explained as Yuffie, now with a demons face, tried to catch him.
"So what happened at Fort Condor Vincent?" Cait Sith asked as Yuffie chased Nanaki about the bridge.
"We arrived, defended the Fort, and acquired the Huge Materia." Vincent answered simply. Cait Sith's and his moogle's jaws both dropped. Vincent did not want to tell about what had occurred during the night and left it up to Yuffie to tell the story if she so chose.
"That's it?" Cait Sith asked, "That's all you'll say?" Vincent nodded in answer before walking out of the bridge.
"Vinnie sure is weird." Yuffie said as she stopped chasing Nanaki, "I'll tell you the REAL story!" She grinned but as the others waited the Highwind shook slightly in the air turbulence, causing Yuffie to turn a peculiar shade of green and disappear out the door.
Cait Sith sighed in exasperation, "Guess we'll just have to deal with Vincent's version for now." Everyone left on the bridge chuckled.
Yuffie ran to the railing and emptied her stomach, "I hate ships." She moaned unaware that another also was on the deck. When her stomach had emptied itself completely she leaned back against the railing and finally noticed Vincent standing on the opposite side staring into the clouds. She pushed herself up and slunk over to the railing next to him. "Uh.. Vinnie?" She started. When he didn't respond she continued, "Thanks... for... you know... not saying what happened that night." Vincent glanced down at her and nodded. "I really didn't want the others to know what happened." The pair remained there as the Highwind soared thorough the sky and arrived at Mideel. What had happened during that night would remain between the pair.
"Let's go to Tifa," Cid said as they crossed the wide town square. "She must be worried without being able to see us." Cid entered the Hospital and soon reappeared followed by a very tired looking Tifa. Yuffie rushed to the older woman's side and gripped her hand firmly.
"How's Cloud?" Yuffie asked gently.
Tifa just shook her head, "No change." She held back her tears, "He hasn't responded to anything." She related how the doctor, nurse, and herself had dressed Cloud in his usual attire and placed the Buster Sword upon his hands hoping to stir up some memory but to no avail. "He's right here in front of me and I still can't find him." She sobbed.
"It's alright Teef." Barret began but an enormous roar stopped him cold. "Wat was THAT!" he shouted as everyone looked around for the source of the horrible roar. Vincent pointed towards the sky and everyone was taken aback to see one of the Weapons from the northern crater descending into the town square. It stood twenty-five feet tall, the body of a lion and the torso of a man, topped with the head of a demon. All covered with black scales of armor. Its giant wings slowly beat the air sending a gale force of wind at the group, tossing them back.
Beams of energy shot from the crystal within the monsters chest, piercing the buildings and ground as a hot knife through warm butter. Its monstrous hands and tail flailed about striking at the group surrounding it. It roared again as it unleashed another barrage of beams.
"Fight back!" Cid ordered as he charged the beast, pole-vaulting himself over the beasts attacking hand and burying his spear in between the scales of the beasts side. "We won't let this #$&( win!" Barret began his barrage of bullets, Nanaki began to focus his energy through the materia orb he acquired in Corel, the others darted in and out of the beasts attacks and did damage as they could. To everyone's surprise Vincent pulled out a long barreled rifle from his cloak and carefully began taking precision shots. The battle continued to rage, somehow AVALANCHE was containing the beast inside the town square.
"EVERYONE BACK AWAY!" Nanaki ordered. With practiced response the melee disengaged and pulled back. The Weapon almost looked confused before Nanaki unleashed his spell. A green spark appeared in front of the Weapon's face, its sparkled for a moment before bursting into a deadly green mist that quickly enveloped the Weapon in a sphere of destruction. The Weapon wailed in agony as its scales began to melt, with several desperate beats of its wings it took to the air and fled.
"Whoa..." Yuffie said as she walked over to the panting Nanaki. "Still think I could handle that spell." She grinned Nanaki simply rolled his eye. "Oh by the way... Why hasn't the ground stopped shaking? The Weapon isn't pounding on it anymore..." Her question was answered by an eruption of Lifestream in the center of the town square. Tifa sprinted back towards the hospital.
Nanaki looked quickly about as cracks spread from that eruption. "We need to get everyone away from the town!" Luckily for them most of the villagers had already fled the town when the weapon attacked. "Quickly search the town for stragglers, Cid go get Tifa and Cloud!" AVALANCHE desperately searched the town as Cid darted to the Hospital.
"Tifa!" He shouted, "We have to go!" Tifa appeared with Cloud in wheelchair and began running for the edge of town. To her horror the path leading back out of the town suddenly disappeared, revealing the Lifestream itself. "We'll have to go for the main entrance! Follow me!" Cid shouted as he ran for the front of town, Tifa pushing Cloud only a few steps behind. Cid reached the edge of town and stopped because he didn't feel the ground becoming unstable under his feet, he turned around to see a terrible sight.
Tifa pushed Cloud with all her might, his face still completely blank. She heard a shrill crack from behind her as the ground twisted itself to sink into the Lifestream. She pushed all the harder when she saw Cid stop next to the others and shouted for her to not look back and hurry. She tried with all her might but fear claimed her body when the ground in front of her rose up and descended with the pair into the Lifestream.
"NNNNOOOOO!" Yuffie screamed as they watched the ground twist and disappear, revealing their two friends sinking deeper, well beyond any human's reach. "Not again!" Everyone shared in her despair as the mystifying colors of the Lifestream concealed their friends. She fell to her knees, "Not again..." she whispered as tears began to fall.
A/N: I thank all those you reviews, it is so rewarding to hear what people think. Under those reviews I went back and reedited my story, the changes are slight. Mainly grammar and regards of story flow. I do not remember changing anything that drastically affects the story. Again I am deeply grateful for all the reviews this story receives, I would have given up long ago and never reached the level of writing I have if not for them.
Thank you all so very much.
Btw in answer to question of "What happened to Vincent and Yuffie during the night?" is in reference to this chapter. I have intentionally left it out... don't look at me like that, its terrifying! I intend to reveal it in the next chapter, its something I want them to not accept for now but reflect on later. (avoids the random objects thrown at him save one that conks him directly in the forehead)
Eva: Ow bet that hurt, since SR is currently, well knocked out, we'll just have to end the chapter. Although what he has planned for the scene is intereting
Pixie: (pokes SR checking to see if he's still alive)
Felichel: Hope he'll be ok. Thanks again for the reviews!