KINGDOM HEARTS: BEFORE CRISIS
Author's note: Welcome back to another chapter of this story! Not much to say, but at least we're finally getting somewhere. Anywho, let's continue on.
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Type-0, Sailor Moon or Pokemon. I do own Arien, though.
Chapter 7: The Return of Genesis.
One Year and Five Months later...One year after the events of "Kingdom Hearts: Final Fantasy"...
May 14th [12:35 PM]-Year-1994.
World-Disney Castle: Location-Hall of the CornerStone.
(~The Worlds-KH:BBS~)
Mickey Mouse, King of Disney Castle, a Keyblade Master but really the only available Keyblade Wielder in the Realm of Light, was standing before the giant galactic like Orb that rested on the stone platform in the white large room of his home. So much as happened in the past eleven years ever since his true destiny began. His magic becoming more visible he'd never thought he'd have until back in 1983, the truth of his long-forgotten and now remembered great uncle whom he bears the same first name, being chosen by the Keyblade, becoming King a year later...
Then four years after that, meeting and then losing new friends who suffered cruel fates, all in the hands of the treachous Keyblade Master Xehanort who vanished, but Mickey had quite forgotten the man's name, yet he could never forget the man's horrible face and evil powers. His friends whom he met that year...all gone.
Right now, Mickey was speaking through the great CornerStone which not only acted as a shield to keep darkness away from his homeworld, but also as a commuication device of some sorts, and right now he was speaking to his mentor who resided in his Tower like he always did.
"Master Yen Sid, I think the Heartless situation has calmed down a little, and didn't appear in the world you spoke about." Mickey said.
"Yes. Whomever has appeared in that world two years ago has not yet appeared again. Unfortunately, Aqua is not sighted there either." The voice of Yen Sid spoke.
The former Apprentice sighed, disappointed. "I see. Guess it's back to square one then." He muttered, before becoming determined quickly and added, "But I'm not gonna give up! I'll find everybody if it's the last thing I do."
(~End The Worlds~)
Yen Sid was silent for a moment, before speaking his latest worries, "The question is, what do the enemies within that world intend to do next; including the one who is soon to awaken."
(~Evil Lurking*Xehanort's Theme-KH:BBS*~)
"An enemy awakening?" Mickey asked, alarmed. He then pointed out, "But the ones that did wake up or came back from the Underworld are gone; There was Zorg, who tried to bring back the Shadow Blot in the Wasteland, and Chernabog who tried to take over the Realm of Light. Didn't we beat 'em both eleven and ten years ago?"
"That is correct. Zorg has met his permament end, and Chernabog has been sealed into the deepest abyss of darkness to one day be fully destroyed by one with a stronger power of light, as you foretold, Mickey. However, the world whom is the most unusual has problems beyond imagination." Yen Sid replied.
"Huh?"
"An Organization there, I sense they are connected to a world now long destroyed and forgotten in time of Silver Millieum's fall and will not hold back. Yet, another problem, one as ancient as the Silver Crystal itself is set to become free as part of the influence of the Heartless. He has been in a deep, deep sleep and his power just as dangerous, and his heart is now seeping into darkness. In short, this will mean, the one awakening, a warrior with strong power but a weak body has returned." The powerful Sorcerer explained.
Mickey felt cold in fear at the mention of this new dangerous enemy. Would this mean that the Realm of Light is in serious danger again? This time by someone who apparently is immortal and has been asleep even before the Silver Crystal was created? He still held the fear of the evil Keyblade Master even though that latter was gone, and Mickey hadn't been strong enough to stop him, even with the powerful light within his heart.
"And you think...you think he's gonna try something?" Mickey asked, trying to say calm but couldn't hold back the quivering in his voice.
"A man like him is unpredictable, but he has strong belief in the power of the gods." Yen Sid told him.
Feeling that something has to be done, Mickey knew that now was the time to see if there was anything he could do before the situation gets out of hand. He wasn't going to let it happened. Not again. He had yet to visit Olympus Coliseum to check up on Hercules and Zack.
"Welp, no matter what he cooks up, I'll head over to that world and see if there's any way to stop 'im!" Mickey declared.
"No." Yen Sid told him firmly.
"Huh?" Mickey blinked, confused.
"You are indeed strong, but you are not the one to handle this man. You cannot interfere just yet. Because he is the least of our problems, and the Organization of the world is facing another whom you and the Silver Crystal are connected to, but you are not yet ready to face them. Tell me; would you aid a group if one of them alone has the power to stop another man whom is biting his time to revive himself and bring forth a creature that would match that of Chernabog?"
(~End Evil Lurking*Xehanort's Theme*~)
Mickey gasped in horror, exclaming. "What!? Whaddya mean!?"
"Mickey...stand by for now. Should things in that world get far too much for everyone fighting the enemies, then you shall go and stop them before that world is destroyed. If not, allow them to handle it on their on." Yen Sid ordered, and while he was concerned himself, he felt that now wasn't the time for his former Apprentice to interfere.
"...Y-yes, Master." Mickey replied hesitately. He wanted to help, he really did, but for now, he would have to let whomever was fighting the villain in whatever world it was in trouble handle this problem on their own.
Even if he didn't like it.
May 14th [1:15 PM]-Year-1994.
World-Midgar: Location-Cosmo Canyon.
(~Mt. Gagazet-FFX2~)
When Freya discovered her newest assignment would be in Cosmo Canyon, a place where legend says once held the guardians of the planet, and where Militas Ultra soldiers were sighted, she'd been excited. It was one of the places she wanted to go ever since she was child. Sure it wasn't much, but it certainly seemed like a good place to explore. Being a Hunter of the Turks, the ash-blond-haired youung woman did not hesitate to go. She was one for following her dreams and taking her job seriously, not doing what her parents wanted her to do.
Having grown up in a rich household, Freya always got what she wanted without working for it, but when it came to how she wanted her future to be, she had no chance in having the freedom to do so. Instead, her parents wanted her to marry another rich man and work in an office despite her father taking her out on hunts when she was little. They outright forbid her from joining the Turks, so after that argument, she decided to follow her heart and ran away after signing her application form. She knew being a Turk wouldn't be as she thought it would, but she still made her decision none the less.
That, in her opinion, was the best choice she ever made. Now she was hopping out of the Helicopter with Rude, and another Turk whom only now she and her other fellow former rookies-St. Andrew, Rafe, Arien, Alana, Patrick and Jake-were allowed to meet and work with. A young woman about a year or two younger than herself, with chestnut brown-red hair with matching eyes, about an inch or two shorter than Freya, in a perfect Turk suit with added black fingerless gloves, and her choice of weapon was a crimson Shuriken the secret Turk named Rekka.
Word is she is a very skilled Turk, which was why the newer Turks never heard of her until now. Not only that, she is also the youngest person to have ever joined the Turks on record in Turk history. The three Turks stood before a flight of stairs, and surrounding it and the area around them, a village of sorts, and was built alongside one of the tall walls of the rising mountain. It spread across a fairly large area of flat space that must have been carved artificially, although there were no signs of machinery or anything mechanical.
The three Turks then climbed the long steps leading up further onto Cosmo Canyon where the mountain village is just as impressive. There was a man standing at the very top of the stairs, leaning against one of the two wooden poles that stood firm and guarded the entrance of the canyon. He was clearly a guard, although he certainly didn't dress like one. He also looked quite bored, staring at the floor with a single leaf stalk twirling in his hand until he noticed the three people approaching.
"The Turks, huh? What brings you three here?" The man asked, and he seemed wary. Understandable as Turks don't normally come to this place that much.
"Just looking for trouble markers who were known to have been spotted here. Men in white uniforms with dark helmets." The curl-haired female Turk explained briefly.
The man shook his head, "Not sure, but people in the village had been edgy lately for the last day or two. Some think they might've seen what you're describing, but other than that, I'm not sure. This place is a sacred ground and we don't like people causing trouble. People from all over the world used to gather here to seek the Study of Planet Life. But all that ended 5,000 years ago, or so they say."
"The Study of Planet Life?" Freya repeated curiously. She wasn't certain why, but for some reason, it sounded...quite familiar.
"We're under orders to locate these men if they are here or not, and if they are, we will take care of them." Rude explained firmly to the man.
"...I'll let you in, but I must ask you not to cause trouble. People are panicky enough as it is." The guard reluctantly replied, stepping aside to allow the taller man and the two young woman pass.
Thanking the man, the trio stepped inside as Freya used that time to gaze around the mountain village of Cosmo Canyon. Cosmo Canyon was one of the most spectacular places they had ever seen. There was even a small fire in the centre of the canyon, for where people would gather and talk about the things they had seen in the village.
"So, Cissnei. You ever been to Cosmo Canyon before?" Freya asked the other female Turk who is now identified as Cissnei.
"Quite a few times, but I think that guard is new on the job. Otherwise I would have recognized him." Cissnei replied with a smile. "As legend has it, this place used to be the home of the oldest man alive before he passed at the age of 130. He used to know everything that is to know about the Planet. I heard he was also the caretaker of one of the endangered species that was part of the tribe of the guardians of the Planet."
Freya let out an impressed whistle at that knowledge. "That sounds really cool. If that guy wasn't dead for centuries, I would've liked to meet him. It's too bad Militas Ultra had to be here to spoil the fun in learning about this place, huh?"
"Yeah." Cissnei nodded, before turning to Rude and said to both him and Freya, "I'll check the East side of the mountain. Rude, why don't you check the North, and Freya takes West."
"Got it." Rude nodded, turning to Freya and informed her, "If you get into further trouble, don't take them out at once. Call me or Cissnei if you need it. We're under orders to take out the enemy without causing a ruckus or endangering lives."
"Leave it to me! Those guys won't know what's coming to them." Freya grinned as she gave the taller guy a small salute, while shouldering her Shotgun on her shoulder.
With that, the Turks split up on their assignment, yet fully unaware that they were going to find more than what they bargained for. (~End Mt. Gagazet~)
May 14th [1:45 PM]-Year-1994.
(~Steel Arm-FINAL FANTASY TYPE 0~)
Meanwhile, at another part of Cosmo Canyon, Qator Bashar and fifteen of the Militas Ultra soldiers are gathered around a deserted area, including special ops of the group. After four years of plotting, the Organization were once again going to continue their goal of domination, but first something must be done and it would be right here in the Mountains of the Planet Knowledge.
"Here are your orders; find the descentends of the guardians and eliminate them." Qator informed the troops without question.
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers saluted.
"While you're at it, find the man in red with the single black wing, and should he attack...kill him." He continued.
"Sir?" One of them questioned, curiously.
"He is a threat to our goals. No further questions. Get to it!" Qator snapped, which made the lone soldier jump slightly in fright before recollecting himself to avoid getting into further trouble.
"Y-yes sir!" He stammered, before taking off along with his fellow soldiers, leaving Qator on his own with a few that would guard him. Not that he needed it, but Aulstyne wasn't taking any chances.
'He must have come here...that soldier in red...one who has been sleeping for a little under 8,000 years...' Qator thought to himself, as he thought back of the encounter of the man found underneath the ruins of Midgar...left undiscovered even by ShinRa. (~End Steel Arm~)
Flash back: Two days earlier...
This cavern, right underneath the old building that was once the majesty of Midgar, now left in ruins covered in years of greenary, held several Mako veins along with a few streams and underground lakes. Qator and a few handful of Militas Ultra soldiers treked this place until they spotted a larger cavern of another underground lake. Yet the ceiling above them was open which foresaw a full moon outside above that shone brightly into the cavern.
Which helped with the lighting problem as here in this cavern there was no need for the generated flashlights. A few rocks peeked out from the no so deep but very wide lake, and stalactites hanging in non-destroyed parts of the ceiling. But what really caught Qator's interest was what was in the distance of the cave. A glowing orb of water floating over the rock covered of more mako in the centre of the cavern. Signaling his men to proceed with caution, each Qator risked in getting closer before he saw what was, or rather, who was floating inside the orb of water.
A man with ginger-red hair, wearing a long red leather coat and gloves, shoulder leather guards black, black outfit of that of a SOLDIER, with a belt confirming it.
"It's him; Genesis, the forgotten SOLDIER." Qator mumured. He heard rumors of this man now casted inside this orb of floating water. Done by the power of 8,000 years ago, no doubt. However, until now, he never believed the man had even survived, and yet he has. One more reason to destroy ShinRa and ensure history does not continously repeat itself.
But as Qator was about to make a signal to fire, something very unusual happened, which forced him and his men to step back quickly when electricity began to form around in the cavern. Barking orders to get back, Qator and the Militas Ultra men quickly retreated to the safety of the caves as the stalactites begin to fall from above. The orb of water then began to glow in orange light which rocked the entire room, and the body of Genesis began to glow as well. Then the orb exploded in a huge shockwave which forced Qator's group to try and shield themselves with their arms as the soldiers let out alarmed cries.
(~Organization XIII-KH:BBS~)
When they looked again, the man had landed in a crouch on the water, as he opened his blue eyes which glowed like the mako in the room. He gazed around before his sight caught on that of Qator and his men who stared in what appeared to be horrified awe and disbelief.
"Well, what have we here?" The man, Genesis, spoke for the first time in centuries.
Qator did not answer, and instead, silently signaled his men to take aim and prepare to fire. The Militas Ultra did so, taking positions and held out their machines to finish what they came here to do.
"I see." Genesis remarked, not surprised by their reactions and already sensing that they intend on killing him. "You have come here to end me. I respect your decisions, gentlemen. However..."
The red haired man took a few steps on the water which amazed Militas Ultra that he made as though it was the ground thinly covered in water, before standing on the rock in the middle, frowning deepily at the men before him with a scowl.
"What purpose have you come to find me? After 8,000 years with no interruptions?" He questioned darkly.
"And how is it that you know how long you have been asleep?" Qator questioned in return. "You can't possibly know if you had been here all this time." (~End Organization XIII~)
Genesis didn't respond at first, but then he replied, "It did not take much for the Goddess nor the Lifestream to grant me the power of foresight within sleep. From the time of my slumber, to war which has drifted this world into many that exist today. Yet I chose not to awaken, as my presence would only have the chaos released take control, worse than the degradation of my body."
A moment of silence.
(~Shaded Truths-KH:BBS~)
"What do you know..." Genesis began, balling his fist which began to glow in fire as he summoned magic. Militas Ultra quickly took aim to fire, but had no chance as he thrusts a powerful Firaga at them, concluding, "...Gula Lapdogs!?"
The Firaga spell was so fast that Qator and his men didn't have time to even dodge it, as they were hit and thrown back further into the cave before hitting the wall behind them in a large crippled pile. Qator hissed as the burns covered his body, but not enough to burn him to death. Just sting for a while.
"~Infinite in mystery, Is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the Sky. Ripples form on the Water's surface, The wandering Soul knows no rest.~" Genesis quoted, thrusting his left arm to the side which a huge black wing spouted out from his back. With a grin at the foolish men before him, catching sight of Qator's stunned expression, the red haired man flew high into the sky with a mighty flap of his wing, leaving behind a small trail of black feathers that gently float and fell down below.
"A single black wing..." Qator muttered, frowning deeply. "I see...another one of ShinRa's dark secrets."
(~End Shaded Truths~)
End of Flash-back:
(~Drops of Poison-KH:BBS~)
Not long after Genesis' escape, Qator and some of the survivors of his men returned to Militas HQ to inform Aulstyne of their findings and that now the rouge SOLDIER was on the loose. After two days of searching, they caught wind of the sightings of the man within Cosmos Canyon, the place where the last remnants of the Guardians rested. It was decided that coming here would kill two birds in one stone.
'It still leaves the question of how Genesis knew about this before he was informed. 'The Goddess and the Lifestream, giving him the power of foresight'? And Gula Lapdogs...how familiar. Could this mean that our memories are returning faster than they had before? If so, then the Turks will no doubt be enduring the very same thing. Genesis must be taken out before he confronts and reminds ShinRa of it's past.' Qator thought deeply to himself, placing two fingers onto his chin.
"Sir!"
Being interrupted from his thoughts, Qator looked up to see one of the soldiers had returning, panting and out of breath and looking very troubled.
"T-The Turks! They're here! Three of them!" He panted.
"Tch. I should have known. ShinRa Lapdogs." Qator cursed, before ordering, "Find them and take them out. We can't allow them to make contact with the Guardians or Genesis."
"Yes, sir!" The Militas Lackey saluted.
Looks like things are becoming more and more complicated. (~End Drops of Poison~)
May 14th [2:03 PM]-Year-1994.
Freya had been searching through the west side of Cosmo Canyon for almost two hours now, and while she had taken care of lingering monsters that were also a bit of a problem to the locals, but other than that, it seemed that this mission was becoming a total bust. Or so she thought.
As she was about to make another round, her PHS rang, which alerted her to answer it. So she pulled it out of her pockets and answered, "Freya speaking."
"It's Cissnei. Rude and I encountered Militas Ultra sightings. I took out two, but one got away." Cissnei answered on the other line.
"If I'm gonna guess with that coward, he's gonna report in seeing us if there's a leader with them, right?" Freya guessed, frowning.
"Most likely." Cissnei agreed. "I'm heading further and find him without getting caught. Rude will meet you at your status point. You continue to locate and take out lingering members without getting caught."
"Got it." Freya affirmed, hanging up and continued on her track. It was only about a second later that she spotted what she was looking for; tracks. Of heavy boots that belonged to Militas Ultra no doubt. They were leading towards further up towards one of the caves of Cosmo Canyon. She grinned mischieviously. Bingo.
The Huntress felt triumpth as she began to follow the tracks with caution after getting a good look at them. These were no more than three hours old, and if she played her cards right, she would find at least some of Militas Ultra soldiers and take them out with ease.
It wasn't until she passed the canyon walls in her path when she began to hear voices from a short distance. Narrowing her brows, she slowed her pace, making sure she wasn't making much of a way of noise as she could before crouching down low. The ash-blonde-haired Turk took a careful peek from the corner. There stood her targets; Five Militas Ultra soldiers scanning the area with rifles higher quality than her own, but had no Materia Slots, and as she studied the expressions of their mouths as their helmets blocked out their eyes of anyone else, they looked rather nervous.
"I don't see any Guardians, or Turks." One of the men muttered.
"Keep looking. You know how secretive those Turks are. It's no wonder they're Legendary." Another grunted.
"Yeah, but they just don't really get it, do they? That they think they know who they are, but have no clue." The Third shrugged.
'What are they on about? Of course we know who we are.' Freya scoffed in her mind, finding this to be suspicious. When Reno and St. Andrew mentioned that none of these guys made any sense at all, they weren't kidding.
"But, what would that mean for our superiors? I can't help but think that none of us belong here." A fourth spoke with uncertainty.
"What do you mean?" The fifth asked.
"A lot of images keep happening in my head, and it's the same thing over and over, like a continuous cycle that never stops, and a bad dream that won't go away." The fourth explained.
The second one seemed to have rolled his eyes, because he groaned in exasperation, "That's probably your memories, you idiot. We respect Commander Aulstyne's words of resurrection and rebirth. The Turks and ShinRa aren't the only ones reborn."
'Huh? How does that make it any clearer? Are these guys really that delusional?' Freya thought to herself. Yet for some reason, somewhere in her heart, something was telling her that it was becoming more clear, but she didn't understand how or why. She quickly hid herself when the Militas Ultra soldiers slowly turned to gaze into her direction and kept silent to avoid in getting into trouble.
(~Combat-CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII~)
Just then, a roar caught everyone's attention as both the Militas Ultra soldiers and Freya turned to see what it was. Their eyes widened as a...red canine beast was spotted from above a ledge roaring and glaring down at the men. Quickly, the soldiers took aim and fired, but the beast leaped and jumped down to avoid the gunshots. Freya watched in awe and worry; awe because she'd never seen this creature before...even though there was something familiar about it. Worry about since it belonged here, and Militas Ultra were attacking such an amazing animal, maybe this was one of the Guardians of the Planet.
Shaking away the thoughts of how they were still alive, Freya decided to risk it and wasted no time in emerging from her cover. The lady Turk took aim and quickly fired a gunshot of her own, shooting dead one of men right through the helmet and into the skull where he gurgled a shocked gasp before collapsing to the ground. The other men heard this and turned to see that Freya was glaring at them, her weapon ready as she stood in a fighting position.
"You leave it alone! It's not very nice to attack an animal who is only protecting it's home! I'll show you not to mess with nature!" Freya yelled.
"A Turk!?" The Militas Ultra soldiers gasped in shock.
"Ugh, kills two birds in one stone at least." The fifth one, apparently the leader, grunted. "Kill her!"
They took aim and fired, but Freya was faster as she somersaulted out of the way and rolled to avoid the gunshots. The female Turk then aimed and fired another gunshot of her own, but they avoided it which increased her anger. Careful with her ammo as she didn't want to waste them on just the four remaining punks she was fighting against. Instead she focused on trying to approach her opponents without getting herself killed. She continued to dodge while the found a rock to hide behind while the men continued to figure back until the machine rifles became jammed, one by one. This was what she needed. She stood from her hiding place after replacing the clip in her Shotgun and carefully but quickly aimed before firing another shot at two more Militas Ultra men who went down like a couple of sacks of potatos.
Freya ducked when one managed to get his going and fired rapidly again, but his partner was distracted as he was still struggling with his in frustration that he failed to notice the Guardian leap and attacked him and began to maul him. The unfortunate Militas Ultra screamed as he tried to fight off the beast but the creature's body weight, claws and teeth made it extremely difficult, if not impossible to fight back. The other man turned to see his comrade being mauled to death, which allowed Freya, who'd been surprised that the guardian was somewhat helping her, to take this distraction to rush over from her hiding spot and thrust her arm and weapon at the man's skull, sending him to the ground where she finished him off by firing another shot right into his heart. By then the Guardian had finally killed it's own opponent, but it then tensed as it growled to it's right.
At first Freya thought it was about to attack her next, but then she caught wind of rapid footsteps and turned just in time to see three more Militas Ultra soldiers rushing over. Grunting, she quickly fired three more shots at them, only managing to kill one while the other two leaped out of the way to avoid more of her shots before firing back. Freya and the Guardian jumped to avoid their attacks before the Turk channeled with her Materia, and then blasted a Comet Spell which knocked the men back and sent them flying into the walls where they hit hard and slummped to the ground.
"Phew! Thanks for that." Freya turned to the creature, even though she knew it probably wouldn't understand her. Or so she thought.
"Don't get too cocky. There may be more of them." The creature spoke all of the sudden, in a deep male and clear human language voice. It certainly caught the Turk off-guard.
"Wha-You can talk!?" The female Turk exclaimed, shocked and dumbfounded. No one ever mentioned to her that the Guardians of the Planet are capable of speaking the same language as people, though it was another sense of deja vu to her.
"I'll explain later. Right now, we must stop these men!" The Guardian told her firmly as two of the men slowly recovered and looked even more pissed off than ever before.
Deciding that the guardian was right, Freya nodded and regained her focus to take out the enemy. She and the Guardian jumped to avoid the men's rapid fire of gunshots once more before she fired another of her own, successfully knocking away one of the men's machine rifles out of his hands which were bleeding. The Turk then, careful with her mana, casted Blizzard to knock down the man which fractured his skull to the point of no recovery. The guardian in the meantime continuously leaped and avoided the machine gun of the other soldier but it was becoming clear that he was struggling to try and attack the enemy. So Freya rushed over and kicked the man's weapon out of his hands before bushing his face with the butt of her weapon, knocking him down and for safety precautions, shot him dead in the chest.
Until two more decided to arrive at the exact moment, much to her and the Guardian's frustration and she wasn't going to waste her ammo or magic on these punks. They had to be taken down quickly before more decided to show up. Freya then noticed the discarded weapon that belonged to one of the chest men she killed and had an idea. Giving a nod to the Guardian who somehow sensed what she had in mind, the two split up while the two Militas Ultra men fired at them. The guardian roared as he leaped before successfully reaching one of them and took a large bite from his leg, causing the enemy soldier to scream in agony. His partner turned to see what was happening and was about to shot the Guardian dead when Freya, managing to scoop up the discarded machine rifle and took aim.
"Move it!" She shouted to the Guardian who nodded and leaped out of the way, and by the time the two men turned to see what the Turk was going, it was too late as she, with a bit of a struggle as these things were different compared to her more comfortable choice of weapon, fired multiple shots at the two men where they fell to their deaths. The Turk and the Guardian then gazed around their surroundings, carefully listening in for anymore surprises and even looked up the ledges just in case.
(~End Combat~)
When it was clear that they were safe for now, Freya sighed before tossing the discarded weapon for the time being and turned to the Guardian who approached, more calmly this time.
(~Peaceful Hearts-KH:BBS~)
"Hey, thanks for before. So, you can really talk, right? It wasn't my imagination." Freya spoke, a little awkwardly. Come to think of it, the canine looked more like a feline now he was up close. He had darker fur sticking up on his back like a Behemoth, and the tip of his tail was in flames that seemed part of his species.
"I know your language. As do the rest of my kind through thousands of years." The guardian responded.
"So...you're the Guardian of the Planet, right? I thought you guys were endangered...eh, no offence!" Freya thought and quickly said apologetically.
"None taken. And yes, we are endangered, but we mainly live here to avoid in becoming contact with those who wish to destroy us all. I know that not all humans are evil, but we have to be careful."
"Point taken." The Turk understood. "It's really cool to meet a Guardian, though. I'm Freya; what do they call you?"
"I am Tabuu. Descendant of the great Warrior Guardian Nanaki, son of stone warrior Seto, and one of the many who once saved the Planet from the Black Magic of Meteor." Tabuu the Guardian replied.
Freya looked thoughtful on what Tabuu just said. For some reason the name Nanaki sounded...somewhat familiar. "Okay...Heya. So um, how long have those Militas Ultra punks been around here?"
"You speak as though you know those intruders." Tabuu remarked.
"That's an understatement." The female Turk grumbled. "Problem is, those guys keep talking about random stuff about 'Legendary Turks' and 'Rebirth' thing and other mumbo jumbo. They've been causing all kinds of problems since four years ago, and they keep getting away before as Turks and even SOLDIER at ShinRa can stop them and we don't have a clue on where they are, who they really are or what they really want."
Tabuu made a sound that Freya could only guess was a thoughtful grunt, before the Guardian spoke again after a couple of moments, "Perhaps it is connected to what the Planet used to be like 8,000 years ago."
"Huh?" Freya blinked, confused.(~End Peaceful Hearts~)
(Uncertain Visions*Memory II-The 3rd Birthday*)
"8,000 years ago, this world was much, much bigger than it is now. However, it was much more vulnerable than it is today. More than once, even 2,000 years before, it was nearly destroyed. The Meteor 8,000 years ago was caused by the black magic, caused by the abomination who was tampered with cells of the Calamity of the Planet. A group of many people and others, including my ancestor, put a stop to all of it, but not without sacrifces of a few friends." Tabuu explained.
"The legend of what happened to Midgar." Freya realized, having heard of it before. But not once heard the full tale of it. All she heard was that a Meteor almost destroyed the Planet, but while it had been destroyed by the great light, some call the Lifestream and the Holy Magic, it had caused such damage to Midgar that it was beyond repair. Which was why another city was build in it's place while the ruins were left as it was today.
Tabuu nodded, reading the female Turk's expression. "Indeed. The next three years the Planet had also had other dangers, yet those are left forgotten. However, 3,000 years later, it was then a War broke out."
"I heard that there was some kind of battle that somehow wrecked the Planet, shattering it into pieces." Freya shrugged.
"Correct. That War was an ultimate war of Light and Darkness, or so they say. The battle for Kingdom Hearts; it was so catastropic that it rendered the world into darkness, but as legend would say, light within children had rebuild the world into what it is today, and some say that other worlds were created from the fragments of the original Planet." The Guardian continued.
"Kingdom Hearts...that sounds familiar." Freya muttered thoughtfully.
Just then, she cried out in pain as a jolt hit her mind which made her place a hand to her forehead. She was vaguely aware of Tabuu calling out her name, but everything was too fuzzy and her ears were ringing painfully.
"My...head...!" Freya grunted, her vision becoming blurry which was somehow replaced with something entirely different.
Freya saw in her mind, Veld was taken from his position as Leader of the Turks, which was placed into position of some fat guy that she didn't recognise but looked familiar at the same time. She and the other Turks were sent to Junon were a group of men in brown uniforms were attacking, and rather than knowing what to do, the Turks were in trouble because the new leader was also head of the ShinRa Army and he wanted to send in said army to attack which would destroy Junon and it's people, which he didn't seem to care and shrugged it off into rebuilding it.
It wasn't until Veld somehow regained control and then things were fine, because he'd been there to give out orders and plans of stragedy to combat the attack of the enemy Organization. They were aided by two new Turks, and soon Junon was saved and the only casualties were that of the enemy.
Then, the weird headache ended, as did the images that ran through her head. Feeling a bit disorientated, Freya moaned as her head began to clear, and then she became aware that she was bending forward and panted, as though she ran through a marathorn that went for two months. (~End Uncertain Visions*Memory II*~)
"Are you alright?" Tabuu asked, sounding concerned.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Don't know what happened there, though." Freya nodded, standing up straight, wobbling a bit but once she was certain she wasn't about to pass out, she shook her head to rid the dizzy spells that still lingered slightly.
"What in Odin's name was that about?" Freya asked herself, frowning. Those images...the felt strongly familiar. But didn't make any sense on how or why.
"Interesting. It would seem that even after 8,000 years, some things never change." An unfamiliar man's voice spoke, and from the sounds of it, he was grinning.
Alarmed, Freya and Tabuu spun around while looking for the source of the voice who continued, "Which means that I was right of what I saw. It's a pity that no one fully remembers their pasts, which will prove catastropic for their future."
"Who's there!?" Freya demanded, quickly holding a tight grip on her Shotgun.
"There!" Tabuu exclaimed, looking up. When Freya looked up, her eyes widened before narrowing as an unfamiliar man in red and black, with a crimson Sword in his hand, stood above them on another ledge.
(~Xigbar-KH:DDD~)
"My friend, Do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a somber morrow, no matter where the winds may blow..." The man, Genesis, quoted with a smirk.
"Who are you? And why are you quoting Loveless?" Freya demanded. There was something about this guy she didn't like, but at the same time, he didn't strike her as someone from Militas Ultra.
"Ah, so it still exists, just like you and the rest of the Turks?" Genesis queried, sounding quite pleased with that acknowledgement. "Tell me; what is the Company doing these days? Are they still doing experiments on SOLDIER? Hiding dark secrets from the world?"
Then as though realizing his words, the mysterious man chuckled, "My mistake, of course you're not hiding secrets, because you have long forgotten. Easy to forget even your own sins of darkness."
Freya looked at him, completely puzzled. She then remarked, "You're totally bizzure. More of a whacko than Militas Ultra."
"That's no way to speak to a Hero." Genesis scolded, before leaping down and landed gracefully on the ground which made Freya and Tabuu jump back slightly into a safe distance. "In fact, I am what Sephiroth was never meant to be, even if he is like you."
"What? Now you're getting the legendary hero involved?" Freya asked, getting really impatient with this man's babble. First Militas Ultra and now this guy. "And I haven't even met the guy."
(~End Xigbar~)
"Nor does he most likely not remember me." Genesis frowned. "You should know that you cannot hide the fact that you and all of hor comrades may have been reborn into this world and seem to looking for redemption, there is no hiding from your dark pasts of wrong doings. You and all of ShinRa are what caused the second Calamity to happen, and what had created Sephiroth and even myself into."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Freya snapped, not believing this man any minute, yet somehow there was a sudden feeling of reminder that it was true, and...guilt? Why was she feeling guilt for something she couldn't figure out?
(~Enter the Darkness-KH:BBS~)
"It may sound stupid to you, but you're denying the truth, because you want to run away from your crimes." Genesis told her darkly, holding out his sword as he held it out to Freya. "When the war of the beasts brings about the worlds end, the goddess descends from the sky... her gift everlasting."
Realizing that talking her way out wasn't going to solve anything, Freya gritted her teeth as she glared angrily at the man. She then told Tabuu firmly, "Tabuu, you get outta here! Leave this punk to me!"
"Are you sure you can take him on all your own?" Tabuu asked, worriedly.
"I'll be fine. Go!" Freya ordered, not taking her eyes off of Genesis.
Realizing that she wasn't going to let him join the fight because she didn't want him to get hurt, Tabuu hesitately nodded and told her to be careful, while the female Turk stood in a fighting position, taking aim at Genesis with her Shotgun as she prepared herself to fight this crazy guy.
Seeing that this Turk wished to fight him, Genesis chuckled as he stood into a fighting position himself, "It has been a while since I faced a worthy opponent. Let's see how you can stand against me, Turk."
He then then rushed towards Freya, attempting to stab her with his sword. Freya jumped out of the way and blocked the second attempt before dodge-rolling. She then fired a shot at him, but the man in red easily dodged so fast that she was shocked that he did that in such speed that was faster than Reno's. In fact the third time she tried to dodge, Genesis caught her off-guard and slashed her which knocked her back flying as she screamed. Landing on the ground hard, she hurriedly rolled out of the way before Genesis could slice her in half and then casted Curaga on herself before jumping back again after leaping to her feet.
She then tried to cast Comet, but Genesis blocked it with a Barrier spell and counter attacked with a Firaga which flared up towards her. She didn't have time to dodge so she was left in blocking it with a Firaga of her own, but the impact of the fiery blast allowed Genesis to launch himself towards her and attempted to slash at her. Freya tried to fire shots at him but he blocked them with his sword which forced her to leap out of the way to avoid in getting stabbed or slashed or whatever he intended on doing to her. If she risked in using her Shotgun to block Genesis's sword, no doubt it would be broken in half and then she'd be weaponless which she didn't need and she wasn't much of a sword fighter, not like Balto. She suddenly wished he was here. This sword of fight was more of his expertise.
Freya was was caught off-guard when Genesis thrusted a Lightning materia spell this time just as Freya tried to think of another spell to attack, and was blown back by the jolt of electricity and nearly landed hard onto the ground again. But she leaped back up and somersaulted to the side and out of the way before Genesis could attack her again. She tried using Blizzard, but Genesis sliced the large ice block into pieces with ease, so she tried Comet again which he dodged and she was becoming more and more frustrated that this wasn't going the way she wanted and if she didn't do something soon, she was good as dead. She tried to reclip her weapon, but Genesis was already heading towards her, so she was left in leaping out the way before the discarded machien rifles belonging to the dead Militas Ultra soldiers was suddenly right next to her where she landed.
Well, better than nothing if she wanted to save her weapon and that she didn't have time to refill. So the Turk snatched it up before dodge-rolling out of the way as Genesis flared up three Fire Balls from a special Fira Spell he summoned. Freya then rapid-fired using her temporarely weapon after aiming quickly. Genesis smirked while blocking each attacks and summoned another Barrier to block them until the weapon ran out of ammo and became jammed, much to her irritation. This was not her day. Tossing away, and with her Mana low, Freya was left to try and dodge Genesis attacks and resulted in trying to punch and kick him, but he was as good in hand-to-hand combat as he was with that red sword of his. Who was this creep, and why did he want to kill her?
Though for once Freya did manage to kick him in the shin which caused him to grunt before she punched him squarely in the face. The impact made him stumble to the side slightly. The Turk used this to her advantage to shoot him with her Shotgun, grazing him on the shoulder as he yelled in agony from the shot. Freya smirked, before gasping as Genesis glared at her angrily and in a such quick speed lunged at her and she had to stumble back quickly to avoid his sword, which came just inches too close for her taste and her heart began to beat rapidly. He was furious now, and she realized she was in even more trouble.
Genesis then performed a Black Flurry attack three times, which left Freya no room to block or dodge as she screamed out as he was hit. Once the attacks were done, Freya weakly but still strong enough rolled out of the way and took a potion to at least restore half of her health before dodge-rolling out of the way to avoid the crimson man's sword once again, but within with the potion she took, she was becoming increasingly exhausted, making her slowly realize that this was fight to the death, and from the looks of things, she was going to be the one to die here. He then thrust his sword in a strong gust spell which gave Freya no room to block as she was blown away, screaming before landed hard onto the ground and slid on the hard tiny rocks before coming to a stop, her energy wasted and took weak to even get up.
She also dropped her weapon which clattered onto the ground next to her.
Genesis smirked as he calmly approached her, quoting once more, "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, Nothing shall forestall my return. To become the dew that quenches the land, To spare the sands, the seas, the skies, I offer thee this silent sacrifice."
Freya struggled to even push herself up, even as she felt Genesis stand over her. She was only able to see that he was holding his sword up for a killer's blow and knew for an instant that this was it; he was going to kill her. Shutting her eyes tightly, the female Turk braced herself to endure the pain and slow agonizing death of being stabbed and hoped that it would be quick. It can't end like this...it just can't!
It never came. Because Genesis stopped when he sensed more movement from his left and quickly held up his sword to block the sudden Shuriken that flew right at him but he failed to notice Rude toss a knife at him which caused the crimson man to stumble back and then leap away from Freya and into a safe distance while the Shuriken flew back and was caught by Cissnei who along with the male Turk hurried over to their defeated comrade who thankfully was still alive.
"You alright?" Rude asked as he and Cissnei knelt beside Freya, using a Curaga Spell to restore the fallen Turk's health. When the Shotgun wielder looked up, she was instantly relieved to see her co-workers having come to her rescue.
"Rude! Cissnei! Thanks." Freya sighed in relief, standing up with Cissnei's help after the smaller Turk offered her hand to her friend which she took.
"Well, well. More Turks with no memory, and yet had come to save their comrade's life. How noble, as always known. Loyal to only that of ShinRa's interests." Genesis mocked an approval while the three Turks glared at the madman.
"Again with the whacky words, creep! I'm sick and tired of you already." Freya growled, picking up her Shotgun after Cissnei handed her back up ammo which she was grateful for.
Genesis didn't respond. Instead he flared up a Firaga spell again, which the Turks dodged as quickly as possible. Though Rude hissed as parts of it grazed him before he blocked Genesis's sword with his gloved hands when the crimson man lunged at him. The taller Turk headbutted him hard which forced him to stumble back but didn't let lose of his grip, even as Rude kicked him twice in the stomach. Genesis winced before smirking which made his new opponent confused and shocked before thrusting his sword in another wind spell which sent him flying as Turk yelled out in alarm.
Cissnei responded by throwing her Shuriken again which Genesis blocked with his sword and whacked away, but failed to notice Freya who chanted Comet at him after jugging down the last of her Elixir to regenerate her magic. He grunted when he was caught off-guard and hit by the spell but wouldn't allow it to distract him. He leaped out of the way when Freya fired a shot at him while Rude, while hitting the ground hard, recovered before punching the ground to channel his Limit Attack which was charging towards Genesis who was hit by the sudden attack in an explosion of dust and dirt which flew everywhere.
Both Freya and Cissnei quickly summoned a combined Lightning Spell to hit Genesis before he had the chance and aimed it into the cloud of dust, successfully hitting him as gave out a yell of pain which resulted another explosion, before things went silent and the screaming stopped as did the attack.
(~End Enter the Darkness~)
The Turks stood in silence after Rude rejoined the two young women. They waited with held breaths, wondering if they managed to kill Genesis or not. Freya wondered who the crazy crimson man was and why he wanted to kill her, and what he had been trying to say for the entire time.
(~The Key of Darkness-KH:BBS~)
Unfortunately, he was still alive, because a large flare of Fire shot out from the dust and Turks tried to move out of the way, but they were all hit and shot backwards screaming before they landed hard onto the ground, their strenghs quickly leaving them and they layed on the ground, quickly beaten and defeated. Genesis in the meantime stood up, injured but still alive as he slowly recovered but glared angrily at the fallen Turks who weakly gazed up at him, trying to push themselves up.
"You haven't changed even a slightest in the past 8,000 years. Can you really live on that side, continue to be loyal to the Company who has made you the killers that you are?" Genesis growled.
"W-we're not...killers..." Freya grunted weakly. "We don't go...randomly killing people. That's what Mi-That's what Militas Ultra has been...been doing...We fight to...protect people." She gasped in pain as she squeezed her eyes shut to try and dull it.
"You say that now, but you are only denying who you really are. Even if you work for redemption, your actions will never change. Not even if history changes." Genesis hissed. "I was once like you..."
Freya narrowed her eyes, before gasping as she finally caught sight of the large belt over Genesis's stomach; that symbol...could it be...? No, it couldn't.
"You're...a SOLDIER?" Freya asked, in disbelief and horror. But how? She didn't remember seeing or hearing about this guy before.
"Correct. But I left long ago, and unlike you Turks and the rest of ShinRa and the Realm of Light...I was not reborn, nor did I die. I am not even human." Genesis replied.
"W-what are you...talking about?" The female Turk asked weakly.
"We are...monsters." Genesis responded, thrusting his left arm to the side which a huge black wing spouted out from his back.
Freya gasped in shock and horrified awe. He can...sprout out a wing? What in Ramuh's name is he!?
"We have neither dreams nor honor." Genesis told her, before smirking and then took off into the sky, flying away into the distance while leaving behind a trail of black feathers, and leaving behind the stunned and shocked Turk, who, not long after both Rude and Cissnei...lost her battle to stay awake and her head went limp onto the ground and her world went black.
Above the unconscious Turks, was Qator and only two of his men who survived the attack of the enemies with a chopper coming to land behind them as they had just caught wind of the situation. The Second in Command of Militas Ultra was far from being pleased. He was furious.
"So the Turks know more of their pasts, because of that fool Genesis." He grunted to himself. He now knew what had to be done. "We can no longer hold back. ShinRa and the Turks must be destroyed."
Ordering his two men to retreat for now, Qator gave a final glance at the Turks before turning to board the Chopper which then took off to leave Cosmo Canyon behind, the mission ended in failure no thanks to the interference of the Turks, a single Guardian and an awakened SOLDIER who was now the newest problem of both sides.
(~End the Key of Darkness~)
May 19th [9:03 AM]-Year-1994.
Five days later...
Edge General Hospital.
As Freya's world began to return to her after what felt like an eternity, she felt stiff and sore, and exhausted, but thankfully still alive. As her head returned to focus, she could hear the beeping sounds of monitors, and felt that she was lying on something soft, but a bit stiff. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was...
Genesis.
As memories began to return to her, Freya struggled to open her eye lids as she moaned. Blinking them open, the Huntress's eyes caught sight of blinding light from a ceiling, and standing to her right, was a familiar figure of short blonde hair with honey-bee brown eyes, and Turk uniform. When her vision finally cleared up, she recognized her almost immediately, especially her worried and soon quickly wide-eyed and relieved expressions.
(~Friendship-Tekken: Blood Vengeance~)
"...Rosalind?" Freya whispered, her voice sounding her rasp and her throat feeling dry.
"Freya...! Oh, thank goodness!" Rosalind sighed in utter relief, feeling tears form in her eyes as her heart swelled up with emotion she couldn't hold back. "We were so worried you wouldn't wake up."
So she was in the Edge General Hospital. That explained things a bit, Freya thought. She now realized where she was, given her surroundings, it didn't take her long to figure it out. Then her thoughts returned to that of the fight in Cosmos Canyon and her eyes widened in worry, no longer feeling utterly exhausted.
"Where're Rude and Cissnei? Are they okay?" Freya asked, worriedly.
"They're fine, and already back to work. Don't worry." Rosalind ensured her friend, explaining, "The three of you were out for a while; Rude was in a coma for three days, Cissnei two, and you five."
'Five days!? No wonder I'm parched.' Freya thought to herself in shock, before her stomach gave a bit of a grumble, giving off a demand for food. 'And starving.'
"Do you need anything?" Rosalind asked gently, breaking Freya from her thoughts.
"...Water?" Freya asked pleadingly.
Her fellow Turk smiled a little, holding a glass of the requested liquid with a straw as Freya slowly pushed herself into a more comfortable position, taking generous sips to cool off her throat before stopping and sighed in relief, thanking Rosalind who placed the glass back onto the bedside table. At that moment, Arien peeked her head from the door outside of the room and, seeing the injured Turk awake, she grinned like mad.
"Freya! You're awake!" The white-haired female Turk cheered, and before Rosalind could protest to keep it down, Arien looked behind her and called out, "Reno! St. Andrew! Freya's awake!"
"She is!?" Reno was heard asking in relief in hope. It wasn't long before the rest of him, as well as Arien and St. Andrew barged into the room and gave out laughs of relief.
Reno certainly looked very relieved. "Man, you sure as hell scared us half to death, rookie." He said happily.
"We were worried that you're were a goner." St. Andrew added, uncharacteristcally relieved.
(~End Friendship~)
"Yeah, Rosalind mentioned that already." Freya replied, and grinned when her fellow Turk groaned, pouting at the said other Turk who gazed at him in confusion and then exasperation while Arien and Reno both snickered in amusement at St. Andrew's reaction of being last to reveal the news again.
"She also mentioned I was in a coma for five days and that Rude and Cissnei are alright too." Freya added.
"Oh, come on!" St. Andrew whined in dismay, which made Reno and Arien laugh even more. The redhead turned to glare at the other redhead and the white-head, "Shut up."
"Aw, we're only teasing, St. Andrew." Arien grinned.
"Yeah, kiddo. Don't take us seriously." Reno chuckled. He sombered up a bit before turning to Freya and asked, "Seriously, though. You okay?"
The ash-blonde haired woman sighed, grumbling in half-sarcasm, "Apart from the fact that I was almost killed by a crazy lunatic who's just as whacko about the 'Rebirth' thing as Militas Ultra? Yeah, I'm fine."
"Cissnei and Rude did tell us you were attacked by a man in red, and who isn't part of Militas Ultra." Rosalind remembered.
"Why did this guy attack you, Freya?" Arien asked, concerned.
"I don't know. But, there was something a bit familiar about him, but I can't figure out why." Freya replied, thinking back of the battle and what Genesis had told her before the fight.
"Whaddya mean?" Reno asked.
(~Axel and Saix-KH1.5 HD ReMix~)
"For one thing, he's a definite crazed fanatic over Loveless that he kept on quoting almost every single line, except one that I'm positive he made up. He mentioned something about us and ShinRa hiding 'dark secrets', redemption, and even Sephiroth being a part of us too." Freya explained. "He also said...that we haven't changed in the last 8,000 years."
"Uh...what?" St. Andrew blinked, dumbfounded while Arien and Rosalind shared a concerned and puzzled expressions.
Even Reno was confused about this, and shook his head. "No way. That's that craziest things I've ever heard. There's no way we've survived from 8,000 years ago. This guy sounds more like a nutcase than Militas Ultra."
"That's not all." Freya sighed, "I know this is gonna sound like I'm out of my mind, and maybe I was hallucinating but...I saw that...his belt was like that of SOLDIER, and on top of that...he had a huge black wing on his back that can bring in and out on his own!"
The other Turks gasped in shock when they heard this, and Freya didn't blame them for it. She was still horrified of what she'd witnessed before the crazed man escaped.
"Okay...you seriously were hallucinating, Freya. There's no way anybody could've spout a wing from their back or whatever." St. Andrew shook his head in disbelief.
"I'm not so sure." Rosalind pointed out in grave concern. When her fellow Turks turned to face her, she questioned, "Don't you think it may make some kind of sense, given how there were hundreds of feathers on the ground when we found Freya, Rude and Cissnei unconscious? There was too many even for crows to shed and there were hardly any because they were not native to Cosmo Canyon."
"I hate to say it," Reno began, looking more than a little freaked out and worried. "But she may be right. Plus, for some creepy reason, that kinda sounds really familiar that I can't friggin' figure out how or why, but it makes kinda sense."
"So...that guy who attacked really can fly?" Arien asked in shock.
"From what I saw, yeah." Freya nodded.
Reno sighed, "Worst part is, I can see somethin' similar in my head that has a bunch of guys that looks exactly like him...like...exact copies or something."
"A human copy!?" Arien exclaimed softly in shock, and both Rosalind and Freya gasped in horrified shock as well over this new revelation.
"...That's sick, man." St. Andrew muttered in wide-eyed disbelief and no small amount of disgust.
"Tell me 'bout it." Reno shuddered in agreement. "Though the question is...what the hell is he? Had Militas Ultra done somethin' to him or what?"
Freya fell silent at that. That might be a very likely scenario. If Militas Ultra had gotten hold of him, then perhaps someone extremely dangerous with a manipulative mind has brain-washed all of the members into making them believe in something that is clearly impossible. Her heart sank at the sudden realization that was what was happening to the Turks; filling their minds with false memories to turn them into mindless puppets to do their bidding.
"Do you think they have someone who is brain-washing everyone with something unusual that's even effecting us?" Freya spoke up worriedly, causing the other Turks to gaze her. "Who's to say that there isn't some mad scientist using some kind of chemical that's effecting people's brains or something like that?"
"...Maybe you're right. It is possible that it could be within the air, and we can't even see it." Rosalind thought in agreement.
(~End Axel and Saix~)
"So they might have some kind of sicko who figured out how to pollute the air to wreck people's brains with false memories, and we can't even see it." Reno realized angrily, his fists curling up into balls at the realization. "No wonder none of these images make any sense...!"
"Worse part is...it's being hanging in the air for the last four years that it's something getting worse even though we don't feel that much different, but it's making us lose concentration." Arien muttered scaredly.
"No wonder I've been getting such headaches. Those bastards!" St. Andrew grunted angrily.
Reno growled low before turning and kicked at the nearest chair in frustration, shoving it with a horrible screech on the floor as it went and cursed, "Damn it! We've been falling right into their death trap for the entire time!"
Panting as he attempted to control his anger without completely exploding, Reno turned to the younger Turks and informed them, "You three make sure Freya recovers and then see if you can make appointments for yourselves for blood tests to figure out what the hell is in our systems and see if there's a cure. I'm gonna brief with Tseng and the Director."
Without waiting for a reply, Reno stormed out of the recovery room and down the hallway while Freya, Rosalind, Arien and St. Andrew shared worried glances. They knew Reno was right, but at the same time, they felt that perhaps Freya's theory was incorrect even though it may already effecting their minds into the point of denying the truth.
Because Reno's tone sounded a bit similar to what they were feeling.
Reno was already dialing Tseng's number on his PHS and waited impatiently for his superior to pick up while pausing in the men's rest room after making sure that there was no one else inside.
"Tseng speaking." The Wutaiian's voice replied.
"Boss...I've got some good news and major bad news." Reno began, willing himself to calm down even though he could already feel tears of frustration forming in his eyes. All this time with the weird and strangely familiar images in his head, and it's all been part of Militas Ultra's sick mind-game for the last four years ever since the entire mess started.
"Freya's condition?" Tseng questioned, in a mixture of hope and fear.
"That's the good news, actually. She's awake and recoverin'." Reno answered.
"Good." Tseng replied and the redhead could hear the relief in the man's voice and he shared it. "And the bad news..."
Reno sighed, bracing himself for the conclusion and answer to the enemy's agenda. "We think we figured out Militas Ultra's agendas. They were manipulatin' not just us, but someone even manipulated and brain-washed it's own people."
"What in Leviathan's name are you talking about?"
"There might be a mad scientist using some kind of chemical or somethin' that's invisible and everyone's been breathin' it in into seein' fake memories that's effectin' not only the soldiers, but even other people and it's spreadin'. It got to the crazy guy who almost killed Freya, Rude and Cissnei, and it's slowly getting to us too." Reno explained.
He heard Tseng gasp in shock, before the latter replied, "...If that is true, then why hadn't there been any other cases in the population? On top of that, why did it start with me six years ago?"
"Sir?" Reno asked, feeling even more shocked.
(~Sorrow/Ventus's Theme-KH:BBS~)
"I should have told you and the rest of the team, even to the director, but at the time, I did not understand it myself. I had seen...images that seem familiar six years ago during my mission in Midgar Ruins. More than that...the familiarites began in my mid childhood." The Turks' Second in Command admitted.
The redhead gasped in shock and disbelief. Now that Tseng mentioned it, Reno himself had felt the same sense of deja vu ever since he was a kid, and only got stronger when he first met Tseng and soon the rest of the team when he was recuited. He had thought it was his imagination and a possible feeling of being accepted into the family ever since his parents died.
But...could that mean that the theory Freya came up with was wrong?
"...I...kinda had that weird feeling too, when I was a kid. Guess that rules out the chemical stuff, huh?" Reno muttered, slumping against the wall, feeling the sense of hopelessness seep into his heart. He felt the crushing feeling that they were right back to square one.
"Or perhaps Militas Ultra saw the potential in us and decided to attack six years ago. Otherwise there would have been other cases of people acting strangely." Tseng continued. "Until we know for certain, make sure Freya is cleared for duty and then we will discuss the enemy's next move."
"...Yes, sir." Reno replied, hanging up and just stood here, leaning against the wall. It was hopeless, and the redhead felt the familiar sense of crushing defeat, much like when he lost his parents.
In frustration, Reno punched the wall behind him, as tears of anger silently slid down his cheeks and dripping from his chin and onto the tile floor. He never felt so lost and confused and helpless like this before, and more than anything...
He was scared.
(~End Sorrow/Ventus's Theme~)
With Genesis having awakened after 8,000 years of sleep and somehow surviving the War that split the world into what is known today, the Turks are now more in the loss of what is happening than ever before.
So many questions, and not a single answer of what is happening...
Militas Ultra may have already won the War between them and ShinRa before it even had began.
It wouldn't be long before the Organization would make their move to eliminate ShinRa and the Turks to claim their ultimate victory.
A/N: Okay, so I managed to post two chapters before the end of the year. I was just on the urge to continue this. Unfortunately, the next chapter won't happen until after 2018 now...or maybe I might have the time and chance to post at least one more before New Year's Day, but I'm not keeping my hopes up.
So, until then, see you later next year in 2019!