Sorry I took so long to update- I just didn't have much time these past few weeks/months… My computer died…multiple times…and I've had a bit of family crisis. My dad's small cell lung cancer has returned for the third time and it has matastisiced to his brain. But enough with me! On to the story! I still don't own any Final Fantasy characters. Review!
Paine opened her scarlet eyes, wincing as a torrent of harsh and forgiving light shone brightly. She blinked and shook her head, trying to clear her vision. She made a move to stand, but was pulled sharply back to her position on the floor. Looking down for the first time, Paine realized that she has been chained to a wall by her wrists and ankles. Scowling she turned as best she could trying to take in her surroundings. A sharp flash of pain seared through her wrist as a large syringe was jammed into her veins. She cried out turning to see her tormentor. As darkness began to cloud her vision, she saw they smirking face of Sephiroth. She surged forward trying to get her hands around his throat, but her knees buckled sending her crashing down. Her vision swam and she gave into the darkness.
The darkness cleared quickly, recreating the past in her mind. Paine saw herself walking with Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal. She also saw Sephiroth off to the side, hidden from the vision of the four friends. She made a move to yell, to warn the four of the impending danger but could not. Her body felt like lead and her voice made no sound. Horrified she watched as her past began to unfold right before her eyes. The four had reached one of Shinra's commspheres and paused, gathering around it. Paine could just barely make out the messages. "Praetor Baralai?" The voice of a New Yevon high priest sounded out from the machina. "Your presence has been requested at the Ronso/Guado peace talks…" The voice faded and was replaced by Lucil. "Lord Nooj, your presence has also been asked for." Nooj snorted. "I don't see why Lucil. I lack any of the ambassador-type skills that Baralai has.." Lucil's voice growled out over the commsphere. "Leader or not Nooj, I will send an airship to get you and take you to the Calmlands!" Gippal laughed, but his laughter stopped as he heard Cid's voice over the machina. "Your going to Gippal. We need the leader of the Machina Faction to be present." Gippal sighed. "I guess I don't have a choice either huh?" Cid responded quickly, "Hu. Ouin uhmo lruela ec du ku. E tuh'd fyhd du rayn oui lusbmyehehk-ouin uin maytan, cu cdynd yldehk mega uha. Cdub paehk cilr y vilgehk pypo. Ruf dra ramm tet oui palusa uin maytan ehd ra vencd bmyla?" Gippal colored slightly. Paine grinned, able to understand every word of Cid's lecture. In a matter of seconds, an airship landed baring the symbols of all three groups. "Come with us Dr.P!" Gippal begged. "Don't make me go with Nooj and Baralai alone!" Nooj swung at him with his cane and limped on board calling over his shoulder to Paine. "I see you when I get back. We still have much to discuss." Baralai nodded. "As will I. Hopefully Spira will leave us alone after this." Gippal frowned. "We do need to catch up Dr. P. It has been too long." Paine shrugged. "E ghuf. Rinno ib yht kad uh puynt pavuna Let cahtc Huuz uid yvdan oui. Yht kebbym-tuh'd cyo yhodrehk...nycr." Gippal glared at her from his one eye. "Nycr? Fryd oui sayh du cyo ec tuh'd cyo un tu yhodrehk cdibet. Tuh'd funno Tn. B. E'mm ryja Pynymye yht Huuz fydlrehk ujan sa. E'mm tnub po frah E's tuha." With that, Gippal and Baralai turned and boarded the ship. Paine moved away, watching as the ship rose to the skies. She turned away, and began to walk. She was deep in thought, and unaware of the eyes that watched her. As she neared the Thunder Plains she paused. Whirling quickly, she caught sight of a tall man with long white hair. She tensed and rested her hands on her sword hilt. The man laughed and moved towards her. She backed up, every muscle in her body tense and ready to spring. The past Paine fell right into a trap, walking into the man who had appeared behind her. The future Paine began to sob as she saw her past self being abducted. She closed her eyes, remembering that the day she had been lost was the day that the Crimson Squad was to be reunited for good.
She opened her eyes again, and started as she realized the vision had left her. Once again she was staring at the bleak cell walls of her cage. "Damn you Sephiroth!" She yelled. Paine tried to slam her body into her cell bars, but was once again sharply pulled back by her chains. Thick cuts began to bleed from her wrists where the chains dug deep into her pale flesh. Tears streamed from her eyes, but she refused to cry out in pain. She knelt to the floor, as best she could. She could hardly even sit, for her chains prevented her from doing so. The way her cell was structured was to not allow her to sit or stand comfortably. As she huddled in her cell, Paine began to put up her own mental defenses, swearing that she would not be broken again as easily as before. If she could help it he wouldn't get the chance to break her. "You can't break the dead," she reasoned, muttering to herself.