Chapter 2 - A Spark Of Individuality
"NOOOOO! DON'T LEAVE ME! DON'T DIE ON ME LIKE THIS!"
Destiny awoke with a start, the scream still echoing through her brain as she threw herself into a sitting position, her black hair whipping around in the sudden movement. "What the fuck..." Slowly, the dream and the noise drifted from her mind to be replaced by something else. As the body lying next to here shifted in its position, Destiny's ears picked up on a noise droning on in the background. What the hell is it? Bleary-eyed, she glared around the white-panelled room as the sound gradually filtered through her muddled brain:
"Could Agent Morad make her way to the briefing room? Repeat. Could Agent Morad make her way to the briefing room? End message"
"Holy shit..." she whispered, slinging aside the bed covers and snatching at a pile of nearby clothes and deftly slipping them on, all sense of tiredness wiped away in a rush of adrenalin. She ignored the slurred mumblings from the lump in her bed, knowing this time she had a good excuse to get right out of there, instead, sprinting down the corridors. Noticing a distinct lack of anyone else, a mix of confusion and bewilderment rushed through her head as to why no-one else was headed that way. What if everyone else was already there, waiting for her? That would make sense as to why only I was called... The only sound that could be heard was the thump thump thump of her feet and her heart, and the almost non-existent rustling of her clothing. Skidding around the corner, she burst into the briefing room, the doors smashing into the opposing walls before swinging back into place with a satisfying click. Quickly, Destiny pulled herself to attention and snapped a salute, meeting the grim eyes of the Supreme Council. Fear trickled down her spine... What could they want with me? She quickly snapped to attention and saluted them, until she was told to stand down.
"You're probably wondering why you've been called here," said Senior Director Ashtear, an austere figure, his grey hair only slightly lighter than the grey jacket and trousers he wore. "You have been specially selected to fulfil a very special mission."
Destiny's back stiffened. She'd heard rumours about the Supreme Councils 'special missions'...
"There has been a rather disturbing divergence in the time-lines... one that directly affects each and every one of us."
Destiny froze completely, her mind going completely numb. She already knew what it was. The Lavos thread. It was an absolute nightmare as it was with all the time travel, but if that had diverged... the consequences for, not only that planet, but also the whole universe were devastating. What scared Destiny more, was the fact that if Lavos' ascension to the surface wasn't stopped, she could simply just cease to be... No, don't be silly... as long as I stay in the time-bubble, everything will be fine...
She snapped back to reality as Ashtear continued. "As you may have already guessed, there has been a time-line diversion... one key to our planets survival... as of now, Lavos will not be defeated and shall be the dominant force for the rest of out planets short life span, which means that his offspring will spread to further planets, causing even more destruction... This could become a universe wide genocide of the human race!
"Now to go more in depth as to what has happened. As you have already been taught, Lavos was originally defeated due mainly to the work of two individuals, Crono and Marle. Their union began in 1000AD, where they met up at the Truce Millennial Fair and began to fall in love. This is where the divergence has occurred...they did not meet as originally occurred... and the bonding process has not happened. Quite simply, what we want you to do is go back and make sure they fall in love."
"You what?" she sputtered. "Love? What do I know of love? You killed all of that years ago when you took me away from my family!"
"DO YOU FORGET WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO LITTLE LADY?" Ashtear shouted as he rose up from behind his desk. Even at the age of 67, he cut an imposing figure and dwarfed the 5"9' Destiny. "DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE A WHINING TEENAGER!" The veins over his temples were throbbing so hard they almost burst. Eventually, he managed to restrain himself and sat down, slumping into his chair, his bushy eyebrows covering his eyes.
"As Senior Director Ashtear was trying to say, we need you to go back and rectify the situation," finished Councillor Logan.
"Permission to ask a question Sir."
"Permission granted Agent Morad."
"Why have I been chosen for this mission Sir?"
"You have shown great promise in your career so far Agent Morad, and we feel that you are the most ably equipped member of our agency. Also, with this directly affecting you, we feel it will help give you some... added stimulus to succeeding at the task. That will be all. We expect you to leave tomorrow"
Destiny left the briefing room with her mind whirling... she was going back home... if it still existed... she could... no, she had a mission to do... maybe they'd let her have some time off after the mission... if she lived that long...
Destiny hardly slept that night, her mind was awhirl with thoughts of home... but then she realised it wouldn't be the same... Lavos was in control and the world wasn't safe anymore...
"NOOOOO! DON'T LEAVE ME! DON'T DIE ON ME LIKE THIS! DEAR GOD, DON'T TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME, NOT LIKE THIS!"
She woke up early the next day, sweating profusely as she had every single night of her life. What the hell was that damn dream about? She'd already forgotten...
Lock and load, it's time to go...
