Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Squresoft characters, ideas, ect, although if I did I'd be one happy lil onna!
Lost Hearts and Souls
Chapter 2: Celestial Device:
Mustadio and Ramza ride through the grassy plains by chocobo. They are on their way to Goug Machine City to test their newly acquired Cancer stone. Mustadio can't wait to reach his father's house and chats eagerly with Ramza. Ramza's mind is not exactly on the conversation though.
"Only two more Zodiac stones to go eh?" Mustadio grins in anticipation of tonight's experiment. It is the chance of a lifetime, that strange artifact they found could be the key to unlocking mysteries of the old technology.
"Yea" the lancer answers not really listening.
Thunder rumbles overhead and the sun becomes blotted out by the gathering clouds. The wind picks up as the first few droplets of rain begin to fall.
" We still have to get Leo and Virgo, but now we can test the Cancer stone on that strange machine ..blah, blah..." he continues.
"Do you think they are evil?" Ramza asks, signaling to his bird to speed up.
"The stones? Well.." The excited gleam in the engineer's eyes dim a little as he considers the question. Many of the victims who have grasped the zodiac stones did mutate in to hideous beasts. Of course those same "victims" lusted after the stone's power like hungry dogs and tried to destroy all opposition.
"They seemed to be more of a mirror to the soul, so I couldn't say for certain. Of course this is simply my speculation Ramza." The wind picks up ruffling the yellow feathers of the birds and sending waves across the grassy field.
"Humph, perhaps.." Ramza becomes angry with himself for allowing his sister to be kidnapped.
If anything happens to her I'll never forgive myself.
"Looks like a bad storm, we should hurry. "
Yes, I can definitely feel something brewing in the air.
The young lancer yanks hard on the reins of his bright yellow chocobo and Mustadio follows suit. The birds wark in unison as they speed towards the city splashing through the mud.
The sun has set and by the time they've reached Mustadio's home the storm has begun in earnest. Upon entering the young Beoulve notices the house is covered in scrolls and half finished experiments.
"Make yourself at home Ramza" As they strip off their sodden gear Mustadio's father, Besrodio greets them. His face is an older, more weathered version of his son on a tall healthy frame. Working on the heavy machinery found through out the city has given him a fairly solid physique.
"Ah so this is the fine young man, who saved your skin! A good one you are, not like most Nobles at all. " The older man gives him a hearty slap on the back, which through effort didn't knock him over.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Ramza nods, only slightly uncomfortable with the comment. Mustadio makes a beeline straight for a large bulky object hidden under a simple cloth in the center of the room.
"Finally, we have the power source for it." He whips the cloth off of the device, sending dust flying everywhere.
"So what IS this thing again?" Ramza stares at the strange contraption, the metallic sphere has beams branching out of the sides. The celestial object reminds him of a giant key attached to a globe. The sign of cancer has been etched its wooden base. Besrodio is more than happy to give a lecture on the known history of the artifact, however his son cuts him off.
"We're not entirely sure, we believe it to be some kind of forwarding device. The only way to know for sure is with the help of this zodiac stone. "
The pink stone gleams when he holds it up in the light.
"I just hope this isn't like that robot incident..." he mutters
Mustadio unconsciously cringes as his mind strays back to that painful day. At the command of Ramza the robot really let him have it.
Everyone laughs, except Mustadio
"Anyway, let's get on with this."
He places the stone in the metal slot, and it fits perfectly. Something inside the machine clicks, and it begins to hum softly. Electricity crackles and arcs around the device. A blue light expands from the center of the device, increasing in brightness. Everyone has to shield their eyes from the blinding light. As the machine stops, the lights flicker and go out.
"What the hell happened!" Ramza lowers his arm that was shielding his eyes.
The room is pitch black and no one can see a thing. The young lancer stands still not wanting to accidentally set off any of their other dangerous experiments.
"Did it work?" Mustadio is practically salivating in anticipation.
"I'll get some candles, I still haven't found away to keep electricity going for more than a few days. "
Mustadio's father is the first person to harness the power of lightening. His house is the only one that has it, but he still has a few bugs to work out in the generator.
"Aww man why now?" the engineer grumbled.
Ramza bumps into someone in the darkness.
"Sorry didn't mean to hit you Mustadio."
"Say what? I've over here with my dad."
Lightning flashes and illuminates the room briefly. Ramza sees a man about his age with spiky hair and piercing blue eyes frowning at him.
" Oh, Shit!"
Besrodio strikes a match and lights some candles. Everyone stares at the young man. He's dressed in a blue pants and sleeveless top with some of the craziest hair Ramza's ever seen.
"What happened? Last thing I remember was getting caught in the current." The stranger looks around seeming disoriented.
"Hmm mm we were right, I've read about this before, It must be some kind of forwarding device."
"You mean like a time machine!" Ramza's eyebrows rose in pure disbelief.
"Exactly."
"Well his clothes are quite odd." he says shaking his head.
"My...name is ...Cloud..yes, Cloud." Ramza overcomes his shock and walks over to him.
"My name's Ramza and these are my friends." Cloud looks around taking in his surroundings, and then focuses on Ramza.
"I don't care about names, what I need's a battlefield. Yea that's it...I'm a member of SOLDIER!"
"Geez, what a jerk!" Mustadio remarks, frowning at the newcomer.
Cloud begins to feel strange, and then begins to see flashes of his past life and friends. The man with the long white hair flies down. His long shinning blade aimed at the innocent woman praying below...
"What 's this? My eyes are burning my fingers are tingling...stop! Stop...phiroth!" They all stare as Cloud grabs his head as if in pain.
"What a weirdo." Mustadio mutters, as his hand inches nearer his gun at his side.
"I must go to that place." Cloud looks around, sees the door, and runs past the strange people.
"Who was he?"
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