AN: I'm coming back from the dead at the request of a fan. Anyways, you know the drill, I don't own any, if I did there would be no Rinoa and the story would be yaoi. Amazingly no new characters, nothing out of the ordinary, and a bit of A.U..
The lights to the cell had started flickering almost a half an hour ago, leaving the three SeeD in a semi-lit room with the sounds of a light trying to live. A steady drip came deep within the cell, but no onecould find the source.
Quistis managed to calm Zell down into a light sleep, the first real bit of rest the shadow boxer had received since arriving at the prison. Leaning back against the cold, steel wall the ex-instructor gently ran her fingers through the sweat-dried hair.
Turning aqua eyes over to Selphie, who was curled up in a ball near the door, she let out an exasperated sigh. The magnitude of their situation was starting to drown out any feelings of hope the two girls had left.
How were they going to get out? When would they get out? And even if they did manage an escape, how far would Zell make it? Would they find Squall?
Question upon question swarmed inQuistis' mind. There were too many questions and no answers. "..It seems so hopeless now.." she murmured, turning miserable eyes down to the sleeping figure. She felt a small twitch in his back, at least Zell was resting to the point of dreaming.
The brunette looked over and licked her dry lips, a slight nervousness in her movements, "You think we're done for?" Her voice barely reverberating off their caged walls.
"I don't know.." The instructors voice was full of sadness.
The tattooed boxer shifted again, and let out a small moan as he blinked hazy, cerulean eyes open. "..I have an idea." His voice was rough from yells, coughs, and no water. Zell sounded weak and tired, but he continued to force himself awake and relay his idea before he lost it. He forced himself to sit up.
"Zell, we can't do anything trapped in here." Quistis said resting a hand against his shoulder, trying to get him to lay back down.
"You two lay down." He said using the wall as a counter weight as he struggled to stand, "I can do this, don't worry." He was panting already, exhausted by standing. Giving the two women a reassuring grin he winked, "Trust me."
Selphie nodded encouragingly, "Go get 'em Zelly!" She said quietly.
Quitis watched with worried, mother eyes. She couldn't stop him, "Be careful." She laid down next to Selphie and closed her eyes.
Zell swallowed what little saliva he had and turned towards the door, he was making this up as he went, he didn't have a full plan, but something was better than nothing. Keeping a hand against the wall, he limped towards the door, and leaned against the wall. Weakly he beat against the steel, "Hey!" he called out.
Bang!
"Shut up in there!"
Zell narrowed his eyes, "Something's wrong with the girls! They passed out!" He watched the door carefully, and prayed that this ambiguous plan of his would work.
Pause.
"Move away from the door!"
Zell stayed where he was, hidden in the shadows. He moved off against the wall, his muscles forgetting their pain and weariness, and tightening like a cobra. Staying still, Zell moved to the balls of his feet, and silently moved back and forth, getting his blood moving, a burst of adrenaline running through him.
His vision cleared, and he focused on the guard that seemed to move in slow motion in front of him. Zell's body was at the point where his muscles were loose, but tense enough to react to any movement, it was perfect.
The guard stopped just outside the doors edge and looked around, "What the?"
Zell lashed out, he wound his forearm around the guards neck and pulled him against his chest tightly, his opposite hand moving to cover the mouth and hold the chin. Adding pressure, Zell started to cut off the man's air and then snapped the head up and to the side, effectively killing him.
Slowly lowering the deceased man to the floor, he turned towards the girls, "Stay like that until the door is closed." He murmured from the shadows. Reaching out he grabbed the key card and moved the body against the wall out of sight. Stepping out into the circular prison, he took a deep breath and slowly closed the door.
As the door slid closed, Zell stayed as close to the wall as possible, his eyes searching for any more guards that might be lurking around. Finding none he walked on cats feet towards the stairs. Peeking around the corner he took a deep breath and slowly walked up, making sure to walk where the stair was supported so not to make a sound.
"So this is a gunblade, huh?" a nasally voice said from up and around the stairs, Zell froze and listened intently.
"Don't seem like its somethin' special." A second guard said, his voice accented slightly.
Moving around the corner, Zell eased himself onto the landing, and crept towards the guard, like before, he loosened his body so he was relaxed, but also tense, his perfection. The guards didn't have time to react as Zell attacked, neither getting the chance to even call out for help. Like before, the blond eased the guards to the floor and quickly gathered the weapons.
Racing back towards the stairs he froze when he heard multiple steps coming up, taking a step back he watched in horror as the figure came closer. His heartbeat picked up and raced in his ears, sheen of sweat broke out, and his breathing hitched. He had been caught. Swallowing hard, Zell moved to try and get into a defensive position…two more steps..
One more step…
Bright orange, red hair popped out from around the corner, and stared at Zell. Black eyes looking curiously up at the blond fighter, it was a moomba. Letting out a breath that relaxed his whole body, Zell shook his head, "You scared me."
The Moomba moved closer to Zell, its head tilted curiously and a small inquisitive squeak leaving its tiny body. It moved tentatively towards the fighter and brushed its wet nose against Zell's leg. When Zell didn't move, or try and strike the creature, it seemed releaved and started to make more squeaks.
"No! Quiet! Shh!" Zell crouched down by the moomba and set a gentle hand on its muzzle, making soft hushing sounds, Zell managed to calm the moomba down, "Its alright, little guy, I'm not going to hurt you."
Staying low, Zell moved like a cat towards the stairs, and started back down them, the moomba following. Resting at the bottom, the blond leaned back. A sharp wince ran through him as it pulled on his damaged ribs. He hadn't realized that his body had started throbbing, he mentally blamed it on the adrenaline. Shaking his head, he pulled himself up and stumbled the last few feet towards the cell door.
Quistis jumped when she heard the door slide open.
Had the other guards found out that the one that was suppose to be protecting them had been attacked?
As soon as the door was open, she let out a sigh of relief and raced over to help Zell. "You are the most reckless person I have ever taught!" She scolded, her eyes caught that of the moomba and gave Zell a questioned look.
Selphie let a big smile grace her face, "Oh my god! It's so kawaii!" She snaked her arms around the small creature and hugged it. Immediately it started squeaking and trying to break free.
"Here.." Zell said breathlessly as he handed Quistis the whip, "I found these a floor above." He slid down the all, an arm around his chest. "Now.. we at least have some protection."
"Zell rest." Quistis said gently, and brushed his falling bangs out of his eyes. "Please. You'll die if you keep push-"
"I have to keep going." Zell said sternly, his eyes locking with the ex-instructors.
"But, Zell-"
The door slide open, "Alright, blondie!" The Major was back, "Its time for you to visit the torture chamber again."
A guard walked in and watched as Zell stood up slowly, instead of there being a weak, broken figure in front of them, a determined and willful body blocked their way. "Hey! Did you hear what the Major said!" He drew out his nightstick and started to swing at Zell's face.
A gloved have caught the wooden stick and held it tightly. Cerulean eyes narrowed, "You're not hitting me again." The blond growled, his canines flashing dangerously in the dim light, giving him the demeanor of a wild animal.
An: Ha! Cliff hanger. My grammar sucks royally, so please don't comment about that, I know it needs work, but my theory is, if I don't find it the first, second, or third time through, then I'm not finding it.
R&R, and there will be more. I promise.
Rylen