I'll Be There For You – Chapter 9

The Enemy

I awoke to silence… well, it sounded like the Celsius was going off in my head, but that's about it. I sat up slowly, and found myself in a cell of some sort… then all the memories hit me. I remember being dragged off down numerous corridors, drugged but still conscious. Before I blacked out, I saw Gippal pointing his gun at my captor, eyes ablaze. It scared my at first, but then hope grew in my heart. I stood a chance now. They were talking, but I couldn't hear what they said, my brain refused to focus on listening. But, my brain managed to focus long enough to hear one thing. A gun shot. My eyes widened in horror, and a cry escaped my lips when I saw Gippal crumple to the floor, his Mortar slipping out of his grasp. I wanted to scream; I could see the blood that he was trying to stop. I followed him into darkness.

Now I noticed that I wasn't alone in my cell. I crawled over to the figure, and let out a cry of joy. The man turned his head, and then scrambled up into a sitting position. I threw my arms around the man's neck.

"Vyhdran!" ((Father!)) I cried.

Cid hugged my back. "Ur Rikku, ruf tet oui kad rana?" ((Oh Rikku, how did you get here?))

"Fa fana dnoehk du kad oui uid, pid ed upjeuicmo teth'd fung. Huf E's cdilg eh rana fedr oui. Tu oui ghuf fro drao duug oui?" ((We were trying to get you out, but it obviously didn't work. Now I'm stuck in here with you. Do you know why they took you?))

He sighed and pulled away, and I sat down next to him. "Draca baubma yna lymmat dra Dnia Uhac. Drao'na y knuib uv Ym Prat dryd tuh'd ybbnuja dryd E's dra maytan uv dra Ym Prat. Drao lmyes draen maytan ec dra dnia niman... rahla dra Dnia Uhac. Drao fyhd sa du nacekh, un drao drnaydahat du ryns oui yht Pnudran, ajah ahtyhkan ouin mejac. E caa ghuf dryd drao fana caneuic." ((These people are called the True Ones. They're a group of Al Bhed that don't approve that I'm the leader of the Al Bhed. They claim their leader is the true ruler... hence the True Ones. They want me to resign, or they threatened to harm you and Brother, even endanger your lives. I see know that they were serious.))

I sat silently for a few minutes before I spoke up. "Bubc, fryd yna fa kuehk du tu?" ((Pops, what are we going to do?))

"Dra uhmo drehk fa lyh tu. Drao'na kuehk du pnehk sa dra bybanc uv nacekhydeuh, yht E's kuehk du cekh dras. E ryja hu lruela." ((The only thing we can do. They're going to bring me the papers of resignation, and I'm going to sign them. I have no choice.))

I looked at my father in shock. "Vydran! Oui lyh'd tu dryd! Oui'na dra pacd maytan dra Ym Prat ryja caah eh oaync! Oui pnuikrd ic ymm pylg dukadran! Ruf lyh oui zicd keja ib mega dryd?" ((Father! You can't do that! You're the best leader the Al Bhed have seen in years! You brought us all back together! How can you just give up like that?))

"Rikku... fryd tu oui bnubuca E tu? Ed'c dra uhmo fyo dryd fa'na kuehk du kad uid uv rana-" ((Rikku... what do you propose I do? It's the only way that we're going to get out of here-))

"Ev oui cekh dras, drao'na kuehk du ryja du kad net uv oui cusa ruf Bubc. Drao lyh'd mad oui ku pmyppehk du Spira fryd drao'ja tuha du oui." ((If you sign them, they're going to have to get rid of you some how Pops. They can't let you go blabbing to Spira what they've done to you.))

Cid groaned, and buried his head in his hands. "Dryd'c ed. E'ja tuha ajanodrehk eh so meva fnuhk, ajanodrehk. E lyh'd nyeca oui un Pnudran nekrd, yht E kad socamv eh drec cediydeuh... E's y runnepma vydran..." ((That's it. I've done everything in my life wrong, everything. I can't raise you or Brother right, and I get myself in this situation... I'm a horrible father...))

"Tuh'd cyo dryd!" I told him gently, "Oui'na dra pacd vydran dryd y kenm luimt ycg vun, E ghuf. Oui drehg oui fana hajan drana vun sa, pid oui fana eh ouin ufh fyo. Tuh'd cyo dryd oui'na y runnepma vydran, mad sa pa dra zitka uv dryd." ((Don't say that! You're the best father that a girl could ask for, I know. You think you were never there for me, but you were in your own way. Don't say that you're a horrible father, let me be the judge of that.))

He looked up at me, and gave me a small smile. "Dryhg oui Rikku. Huf, E's kuhhy kad ic uid uv rana ev ed'c dra mycd drehk E tu." ((Thank you Rikku. Now, I'm gonna get us out of here if it's the last thing I do.))

"E ghuf oui femm... Tytto." ((I know you will… Daddy.))

We didn't have to plan an escape, because a guard came for us a few minutes later. He unlocked the door, and handcuffed us. "Follow me."

We reached a door a few corridors over, and the guard led us inside. A woman was sitting behind a fasionable desk. When she looked up, I gasped.

She looked a lot like… Gippal.

Pale blonde hair framed her tan face, and green Al Bhed swirls eyed us coolly. She seemed Gippal's age, maybe a few years older. She might have been a few inches shorter than him too. She seemed to radiate confidence and determination, just like Gippal. But I was comfortable in his presence… in hers, I was down right petrified, but I didn't let it show.

"Who are you?" I spat.

The woman chuckled. "I was told you were fiery, and I see that I was told correctly. Miss Rikku, I am the leader of the True Ones. My name is Azar… you may recognize me, you may not."

"Does it really matter if I do or not?"

"No, but it's just a fun little fact. Did you know that your darling Gippal actually had a sister, a twin sister?"

"You're spouting lies. Gippal doesn't have a sister."

"Want to wager your life on that one?" she challenged, her eyes dancing mercilessly.

I didn't say anything, which made Azar smirk. "I thought so. Now, Cid, we have those papers for you to sign."

"No one… is signing… anything." A harsh voice came from the doorway.

A/N: AHAHAHA! I'm evil! It'sa cliffy! I tried hard this time, I really did! Hope you guys liked, and please review!

marajade963 - "Honey You're my kind of writer!" Yeah! I love that! I'm glad that you're liking this, I really am. Makes me feel all floaty inside. Yes, no shooting with one bullet and everything blowing up, but a sequel! To me, that's a pretty good deal... hehe! You work in a surgical ward? Really? Yeah... I'm not even out of school yet! I didn't put any details in... cuz... well, I didn't know WHAT to put in there... but now I know who I can ask if I need help! It might be needed in the sequel, but I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Well, while you're waiting for me to update this one, read You Don't Know The Real Me! Okay, it's not getting a lot of reviews, and it's sad... I'm having a whole bunch of fun writing it. ANYWAY! Thankies for reviewing! ((hands over Gippal and Rikku plushies))

Vemmie-Daezure - I love ur pen name! So unique... anyway! Thanks for theamusing character show in you're review. I had to read it a few times before I got it, but what can I say... I'm slow. I'll keep going, and I promise I'll take my time. Thank you for reviewing! ((hands over a Gippal plushie)) since you like to hug him... I thought it would be appropriate!

for always x -Yes, Gippal is hot! Ahahaha! Thanks fore reviewing You Don't Know The Real Me, I really appreciate it.

Read and Review everyone! Make me happy!

Gippal: Come on you guys, I want back in the story!
Angel: Just hold your chocobos...

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-

Disclaimer: ((singing)) Nothing is mine...