Chapter Seven: Shadow of a Chocobo
WE ARE THE BORG
In his dreams Thunderchild heard them coming for him. He had eluded them once but they had returned. They were coming to turn him into a slave, to take his heart and soul away from him. He squirmed against mechanical restraints as the drill slowly lowered into his brain. Turning around he saw Domino standing beside him, overseeing the process, the side of her face covered in mechanical extensions. Not only had they taken him, they had taken his love too.
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
He awoke, sitting upright quickly his face covered in cold sweat. Looking around him he saw that it was all a dream, he was in a guest room in the palace of Lindblum, it was still dark outside but the moon brightened things up alot.
Someone stirred in the bed next to him, looking down he saw the sleeping form of Domino, he smiled running his hand over her face. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Is it morning yet?"
"No," assured Thunderchild "Go back to sleep, it's ok"
She smiled serenely at him and snuggled back down into her pillow, Thunderchild lay back down again and stared at the ceiling. The past five days had gone past so fast, he could barely understand the events taking place. So much had been revealed to him, his previous life had been a lie, a falsification created by amnesia, and he had forgotten so much, so many important things.
He wondered about his real parents, he knew that they were still alive at the time of the Borg attack, he wondered if they had made it off the planet or whether they too had suffered their fate at the hands of this merciless enemy.
Thunderchild lay there for a while, remembering those long since dead, from a past he had only just found. Then he turned to look at his future lying peacefully next to him, he knew that no matter what happened he could not leave her, would not leave her.
He pushed himself closer to her and fell asleep with his head on her shoulder.
He awoke lying alone in the bed, he felt the empty space next to him and slowly sat upright. He looked around, it was light outside, the daylight pushed its way through the curtains on the balcony into the room. Where the hell is she? He wondered and he began to worry that she had left him during the night. Then she walked out of a small room opposite, drying her hair with a towel.
"Oh, you're up" she said seeing him awake.
Thunderchild breathed a long sigh of relief, relaxing again. Domino crossed over to him
"Are you ok Thunderchild?"
He smiled looking into her eyes
"I am now"
They kissed, Thunderchild pulling Domino close to him.
Something worries you Yissan he heard her think to him
It was just a bad dream
She drew back from their kiss and looked at him
What was it about?
It was nothing
Tell me…please Domino sat on her side of the bed, looking at him.
I dreamt…that the Borg came back and they took me and you as slaves.
Domino put her hand on Thunderchilds shoulder
It's ok Yissan, I understand. The Borg were terrible things, but they're gone now
Are they? That's what I'm worried about, they attacked Terra and from what I've learned, Gaia isn't that far from Terra
That's true but what do you mean
They could come back Domino, they missed me once, they wouldn't do it again
Domino began to massage Thunderchilds knotted, worried back, all the time assuring him.
Gaia isn't advanced enough to constitute a target for the Borg, they won't worry us yet. When the time comes that they return, we'll be advanced enough to deal with them
Thunderchild smiled, the past weeks tension disappearing as Domino relaxed his back muscles.
I wish I was as confident about that as you Dom
Domino stopped massaging his back and kissed him on the cheek.
Come on, she thought Get dressed, there's a lot I want to show you today
Thunderchild grinned and returned the kiss.
An hour later they both stood at Dragons Gate, the northern exit from Lindblum.
We'll have to be careful, the country outside is dangerous she warned Thunderchild
With you at my side Dom, where could we go wrong? he thought back
She smiled and walked through the gate, wishing the guard on duty a good morning whilst she did.
They strode out through the misty countryside, at times the mist got so bad that Thunderchild could only see the outline of Domino walking beside him but he held her hand in his and so felt connected to her in that way.
I'm sorry if I forced last night on you she apologised
Hey, it's ok Dom. I have missed you a lot
She smiled at Thunderchild through the mist and gripped his hand tighter
And I've missed you too.
They carried on walking in near silence for another four hours before they came to a bridge over a fast flowing river.
It's not far now Domino assured
Suddenly the hairs on the back of Thunderchilds neck began to stand up on end.
Something's wrong! he warned
He turned around to see a large shape approaching in the mist behind them, he quickly drew his sword and prepared to face the creature.
Bursting through the mist, flapping its wings came an Ionite. A large light red coloured dragon, it flew over them and then settled on the other side of the bridge, blocking their way forward.
Damn, that's the way we have to go. We're gonna have to fight it, are you ready Thunderchild?
Thunderchild looked at the large beast rearing up in front of them
As I'll ever be he replied
Domino ran forward and drew her sword from it's scabbard on her back, she thrust it deep into the heart of the Ionite. It in turn reared up again and roared in pain and anger, taking a swipe at Domino with it's wing as she ran back to Thunderchild, the swipe caught her on the side of the head and she staggered slightly but carried on.
Thunderchild now held out his two-handed sword and muttered a few words to himself, he hadn't a clue what he was saying or doing, he was essentially letting his mind run on autopilot.
Suddenly his sword burst into flame, the fire whipping up the length of the sword and turning the metal white hot, Thunderchilds hands were unaffected though.
Thunderchild flinched at the sight of the fire but didn't miss his chance, running forward he swung the sword at the creatures head striking it a deep blow in the side of its face. The Ionite staggered and almost went down but screamed in agony and carried on fighting.
Nice move Thunderchild Domino praised him
She then jumped forward and waved her sword around chanting a mysterious song, the ground underneath the Ionite burst into a whirlwind of flame, the flames fanned out over the Ionites body and up into the afternoon sky.
The Ionite cried out in pain and then collapsed on the ground, dead.
Domino sighed and wiped her forehead, only then did she appear to notice she was bleeding.
Damn she thought Ionite must have gotten a hit in
Thunderchild ran over to her and tore a large strip off his shirt and made a bandage around her head.
There, that should help stop the bleeding he thought
Thank you Thunderchild…where did you learn that move, with the burning sword? she asked back
I don't know, it just happened, I had no control over it
Well, it was very impressive, thank you
Thunderchild bowed to Domino and kissed her hand.
Now Dom, shall we continue?
Of course
They continued walking through the mist, it swirled around them and covered their trail, it made it feel as though they had walked for miles without actually getting anywhere.
Domino felt uneasy, she hadn't remember the mist being this thick last time she had past through here, but it had been a long time and things can change very quickly as she was now well aware.
Thunderchild trudged along at a steady pace, relying on his training to fall into a step that was swift and yet undemanding. Domino began to find it hard to keep up with him.
Can we just stop a minute Thunderchild? I need a rest
Thunderchild turned and looked at Domino
Of course, I'm sorry I didn't realise I was going too fast.
Well, it's not so much speed, more distance
Thunderchild wiped his brow with the back of his hand and looked around, finding a large stone nearby he walked over and sat down on it, Domino joined him.
I do apologise, it's my army training. I used to be able to do about forty miles a day
Wow
Thunderchild nodded
I doubt I could do it now, I'm not as fit as I used to be, and there's the war wounds
Yes, I noticed the scars on your back last night but I didn't want to say anything
Aye, it was only a short war but it was pretty horrible. The Ankhs weren't known for their well treatment of prisoners either
You were tortured
Thunderchild sighed and bowed his head
Yes, for only two days but it seemed a life time he thought but refused to say or think anything else on the subject, it was clearly something he wanted to forget.
There was an awkward silence, the mist swirled around them. Thunderchild fancied he could see shapes in it.
Thunderchild turned and watched Domino, watched the way her tail twitched as though it was a separate entity, watched how her hair was played with by the gentle wind that pushed the mist into eddies and whirls. Domino was aware that he was watching her and returned his smile, she put her head on his shoulder.
I wonder what's happened back on the disc… thought Thunderchild
Pardon? replied Domino
Thunderchild laughed briefly
"I guess that's the problem with mind sharing, you hear my random thoughts as well as my directed ones" he said
Domino laughed and gave him a gentle hug
Come on, she thought It can't be far now
They both stood up and carried on walking.
Before long they came to a closely knitted forest, Domino bounded ahead and swung up into the trees, clearly in her element, while Thunderchild lumbered along behind her, stumbling over roots and crashing into branches.
Then he walked into a clearing where Domino was waiting for him.
So, what's it you wanted to show me?
"KUPO!" shouted something in the trees to the left
"What the-?!" cried Thunderchild drawing his sword
Domino grabbed his hand "No don't," she warned "You'll frighten him off"
She turned and called out into the forest
"I'm Domino, you remember me? I've come to see my Chocobo"
A strange small pink creature with a red ball at the end of a long tail walked out of the trees to the left.
"Domino kupo!" it cried running towards Domino, upon seeing Thunderchild it stopped and hesitated
Thunderchild kneeled down to the creatures height and said "My name is Thunderchild, I'm Dominos companion"
"Nice to meet you Kupo" the creature replied
Funny thing he thought to Domino
They're called Moogles, and they're really nice when you get to know them she replied, she then turned to the Moogle
"So where's Shadow?" she asked
The moogle ran off into the trees again and walked back leading a strange creature. It looked in all the world like a yellow ostrich to Thunderchild, but with a bigger beak.
"Shadow!" cried Domino, running to give the creature a hug.
"Kweeh!" called Shadow in return, nuzzling Domino with his beak
He's err…nice thought Thunderchild, still unsure about the creature. He had heard Ostriches came with a nasty kick and he eyed up the legs of the creature.
You ok Thu? thought Domino
Yeah, it's a lovely looking creature. Is it safe though?
Of course he is
As if to prove it to Thunderchild, Domino vaulted onto the back of Shadow and trotted around the clearing. The Chocobo seemed to love being ridden and pranced around as though it was made to be ridden.
Thunderchild had to admit he was impressed but was also still a bit sceptical.
That's all well and good, he knows you, but me?
Come try Domino climbed off the Chocobo and walked him over to Thunderchild
Thunderchild eyed the creature up and ran his hand through the silky feathers.
"Oh well, what have a got to lose, aside from my life?" he joked
He put his hand on the Chocobos back and pulled himself up. His first impression was Not so different to riding a horse, only a bit smaller.
"So, how do I get him to ride on then?" he asked.
Then Shadow bolted.
Suddenly screeching to life, Shadow ran at breakneck speed out of the clearing and off into the forest, Thunderchild clinging onto his back for dear life.
"Whoa boy, Whoooooooooooa!!" he tried, but to no avail
Trees flashed by him to the left and right, at the speed they were going Thunderchild thought that the Chocobo would run headlong into a tree but it didn't. Smaller branches whipped at his face and he had to duck to avoid some of the larger branches.
"Stop Shadow, where the hell are you going!?" he screamed at the Chocobo, jumping up and down on it's back in a futile attempt to slow it down.
Thunderchild suddenly became aware to his utmost concern that he was sliding off Shadow sideways. He tried grabbing a hand hold but only succeeded in pulling out a handful of feathers.
"Oh no…"
He fell off. Not fast and at once but in stages. First he slid sideways around the Chocobos neck, then he lost his handhold and flipped upside down, occasionally banging his head on some roots that were raised up above the ground.
"Ow…ow…ow" cried Thunderchild
Then he lost his foothold on the Chocobo and fell off, at the same time colliding with a passing tree. Falling to the ground the darkness closed in around him and he drifted into a blissful painless sleep.
He opened his eyes to see the Moogle from earlier standing in front of him. He blinked and then tried to sit upright fast, suddenly the Moogle blurred and multiplied into several moogles all of them moving sideways.
"Urgh" said Thunderchild, his head felt like it had been hit by a sledgehammer, when in fact it had been a tree.
"You're awake Thunderchild," said a familiar voice "Thank goodness for that, don't try to move, you've had a nasty fall"
A very blurry Domino moved into his vision.
"Wha' happen'?" he croaked
"I dunno, Shadow bolted, it's not something he normally does, even with strangers. Something in the forest must really have spooked him."
"Spo'ked me too"
Domino pushed something to his mouth
"Here drink this, it'll take some of the pain away"
Thunderchild forced himself to drink and then swallow what was offered, it didn't taste too bad and sure enough, within ten minutes the pain eased and the number of Dominos returned to one.
The genome walked over to Thunderchild and knelt beside him, cradling his head on her lap.
We'll stay here until tomorrow morning, I've brought camping equipment with me, it'd be safer here than camping out in the mist
Thunderchild nodded slightly, doing his best to stop the blurring of the environment around him.
Then he lost consciousness again.
When he awoke for the second time he was inside a tent, Domino was lying next to him. Her chest rose up and now in a gentle movement, Thunderchild checked her eyes and confirmed his suspicions that she was asleep. Lying there, trying to ignore the headache that he had, Thunderchild listened to her breathing and relaxed.
Then he heard something snuffling around the tent. He climbed out of his bedding and drew his sword, walking outside he confronted…Shadow.
"Oh, so it's you" he muttered at the Chocobo
Shadow trilled quietly and pushed his head into Thunderchilds chest
"Well, I hope you're happy with yourself, I've spent most of the day unconscious because of you"
The Chocobo seemed to be embarrassed and gave Thunderchild a gentle nuzzle with its beak as a way of saying sorry. Thunderchild grinned and rubbed the top of its head which it seemed to enjoy.
"You're not so bad after all" he whispered to the Chocobo.
Then he heard some more rustling behind him and saw Domino climb out of the tent.
"Shadow," she said "Where have you been?!"
Thunderchild patted Shadow on the head
"It's alright Dom, he's apologised, haven't you Shadow?"
"Kweh!"
The Chocobo turned around and wandered off into the forest, disappearing in the gloomy twilight. Thunderchild turned to Domino.
"He's nice, but I prefer my horse"
"Horse? What is this?" she asked, not familiar with the animal
"A very graceful four legged beast, born to roam the plains. There's something about the horse that stretches beyond time and space, it's as though while you're travelling, you're not actually travelling in normal time"
"They sound wonderful" she said in awe
"They are," he said "When we go to the Disc, I'll show you Rupert. He's a wonderful animal"
Domino smiled and gave Thunderchild a long hug.
"There's a lot of things we have to do" she said
"Yes," said Thunderchild "And not a lot of time to do them in"
With that they both returned to their beds and kissing each other goodnight, fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.