Author's Note: Time for a new character!
Disclaimer: I don't own FF7, just anything outside of the game I own…so…sleepy…
Part 10
"You helped me escape from my lone confines of the place I once called home. For 3 lonely years, you brought light into my dark world and finally released me from my prison. A year later, I find that you've finally fled and the quarry that I seek, is hunting you. Selena…It's my turn to help you now…"
-Yumiko Takani
Selena watched him climb the flights of stairs and soon disappear into the building. She frowned slightly.
*…I know he said it would take him a few minutes, but still…Something was bothering him…*
A war-hoop resounded and instead of seeing the spiky haired blond come out, red was all Selena could see as well as the door snapping shut.
"God damn it!!!! Every single time, yo!!!!" fumed the red head as he stomped the floor repeatedly before turning to the door.
"Okay, so you're still good!" he yelled, but no answer came. Selena was very confused now, so she decided to check it out. She got up and made her way toward the fuming red head.
"Excuse me…Is everything alright?"
The red head turned to face her, ready to start ranting, but his words never made it past his lips. His hazel eyes widened and a small noise escaped his throat as he continued to stare. Selena cocked and eyebrow.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
She waved her hand in front of his face and he snapped out of it.
"Errr…Sorry, did you want something sweetheart?" he grinned and she wanted to laugh, but bit her tongue. After all, it wasn't nice to laugh at someone who was clearly having a rough day.
She pointed to the door and asked "I was just wondering what was going on in there. Did Cloud lock you out?"
The red head glared at the door and growled "yeah, but we're just playin' yo! Right Cloud?"
The door was thumped violently and the red head laughed.
"Smartass punk…Oh, where are my manners! I'm Reno and…" He glanced her up and down "uh, who might you be? And what're you doin' with Chocobo head?"
Selena snorted at last and tried to regain control, but Reno didn't seem to mind. In actuality, he was enjoying the sound of her laughter. Selena introduced herself after she got over her fit and explained "Cloud's helping me out with an important matter, but first he has to take care of business here."
Reno put an arm around her shoulder and yelled to the door "boy, Strife you're a selfish bastard! Taking care of your business before helping this pretty girl! That's low, yo!"
The door was wrenched open and a sword was waving dangerously under Reno's nose.
"Take your hands off from her and mind your own damn business." Cloud growled out, but suddenly, two rods came out of nowhere to strike, but Cloud managed to block them with ease.
"Reno! Take the girl and run!" yelled a monotone voice from inside. Reno turned to Selena and gave her an apologetic look.
"Uh-oh, looks like a fight's gonna break out sweet heart! C'mon, before it gets to rough yo!"
He grabbed her wrist and started running away with her, but Selena glanced back at Cloud. He was out numbered four to one. She had to help him!
"Reno, let go!" she yelled and yanked out of his grasp, but he whipped around and threw her on to his shoulder. Reno staggered slightly after adjusting, but Selena struggled in his grasp.
"Stop squirmin' yo!" he yelped as he came close to taking a tumble down the stairs. Selena watched with horror as Cloud was finally overwhelmed after being struck down with one of the Electromagnetic rods.
"RENO, STOP!!!!! THEY'RE GONNA KILL HIM!!!!" She screamed and started clawing his back.
"OW, OW, OW!!!! CUT IT OUT, WILL YA!!!! OW!!!!!" he howled and finally dropped her, hissing with pain as he rubbed his back. Selena took off and dashed up the stairs. She had to protect Cloud, she had to protect her friend! Just as she reached the door, a figure cloaked in black grabbed her and dashed away with her.
"CLOUD!!!!!"
7th Heaven Bar…
"…He failed…It figures."
Artemia sat at one of the tables, eyes closed as she watched the scene unfold in her mind. Her face scrunched up at the sight of the cloaked figure.
"Damn her…Damn her to the confines of the hottest part of hell!" she hissed venomously as Tifa sauntered forth and handed her a glass of the best wine she had. Artemia opened her eyes and took the cup, debating whether to take a drink or just throw it across the room. So she took a grudging sip.
"So, what is it that you wish of me? Shinra failed, apparently."
Artemia set the glass down and pursed her red lips. Then a wicked grin crept on to her face.
"Tell me, my darling Tifa…Are Shibuki and the children still here?"
Tifa froze.
*…no…no, don't tell her anything! I have to fight back! C'mon Lockhart!...* she fought internally for the umpteenth time as the potent potion's effect started wearing off. Artemia glanced at Tifa, her grin escalating into a predatory smile.
"Uh-oh…It seems you've gained control of your mind. Not for long…"
Artemia pulled out another potion and held it out to Tifa.
"Take it." She commanded softly and with shaky hands, Tifa took the bottle.
"Y-you won't get away with this, Artemia!" she hissed and spat in the other woman's face. Artemia pulled out a handkerchief, wiped away the saliva and rose to her feet. Her hand shot forth and brutally took hold of the trembling brunette's hair, yanking back viciously.
"You should be grateful I kept you alive this long. Most people who cross my path wind up dead in that same instant we meet." She whispered in the bartender's ear, before pulling the cork from the vial with her white teeth and practically shoving the contents down Tifa's throat. Tifa didn't stand a chance and again, she was under Artemia's control.
Breathing hard, Artemia straightened herself up and took a seat.
"Now then, are the children and Shibuki here?"
Tifa nodded and the moon goddess grinned once again. She looked to the ceiling and cried "Shibuki, Summon of the Earth, come forth and do my bidding!"
The ceiling was smashed through by a big golden blur and in the bar room stood Shibuki in his lion form, his eyes ablaze with a tremendous wrath.
"Artemia! You go too far!!!" he thundered and the bar shook. Artemia just sat before him smiling.
"Who are you to preach to a goddess, such as myself? Hmmm, Shibuki?"
Guttural growls rolled out from Shibuki's throat. He was now under her control and there was nothing he could do, unless there was another god or goddess in the area.
"Anyways, I've got a job for you Shibuki…" she rose from the table again and approached him. She ran a pale, cold hand from his cheek to his jaw line.
"Gather the two brats and bring them to me, then go find your precious Selena. When you find her give her this message."
Shibuki transformed back into his normal form, but his fury remained intact as he took the message and stuffed it between the chainmail of his armor and the wool beneath the chainmail.
"Will that be all?!" he growled as he bared his teeth. Yumiko shook her head and patted him on the top of his head.
"If you should see that poor excuse of a child of mine, tell her that even if she tries to help, it will all be for nothing. If she couldn't defeat me before, what makes her think she can now? Now get a move on."
She shooed him away and grudgingly, Shibuki began his irksome task.
The moon goddess turned to Tifa next. Taking the bartender's face in her hands, she planted a cold kiss on Tifa's forehead.
"I also have an important job for you, my dear."
So the scheming begins anew…
"I SAID PUT ME DOWN!!!!!!!"
Through the trees, both goddess and kidnapper soared and bounded. Selena tried clawing at the captor's back like she had with Reno, but her sharp nails only grazed against the silk of the cloak and hidden armor. This was not good.
"Just sit tight for a bit. We're almost there." The captor said in a husky voice. Selena went rigid. Almost where?! Who was this woman? She recognized that voice, but where?
A mist began to settle across the forest and the roar of a water fall began to increase. Soon the mysterious woman came to a halt and Selena could feel her head swivel as the woman searched.
"What are you doing?" Selena asked warily, but all she received was a small soothing "shhhhh…"
It was silent now. Before Selena could register the woman's next move, her captor leapt from the branch and they plummeted. The wind whistled in her ears and her golden hair trailed as Selena was forced to shut her eyes after the silky black cape flew up and covered her face. The smell of pine and flora (perhaps roses?) filtered through her olfactory sense and a face came to mind. Surely, it couldn't be…! The goddess was jolted from thought as freezing cold water broke their fall. Selena accidently inhaled some as they hit, but as they sank, a bubble formed around them. She coughed momentarily as the bubble sunk lower and started moving forward.
"Selena…I'm sorry about all this, but I cannot afford to lose you before I get a chance to repay your kindness."
"Who…Who are you?"
"You shall see soon enough when we reach our destination."
The bubble they were traveling in squeezed its way into an underwater cavern and slowly, they began to surface. The enchantment broke as soon as the captor stepped foot on the dry shore and she carefully set Selena on her feet. The goddess straightened herself out and looked at the hooded figure.
Pale hands crept out and slowly pulled back the hood. Long black hair spilled out as crimson eyes collided with Selena's emerald green. Her red lips pulled into a small gentle smile as she extended her arms out at the overjoyed Selena. Selena rushed forward and embraced the woman heartily, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Yumiko…Yumiko, it's been so long…How did you find me?" the fair goddess wept into the woman's cloaked shoulder. Yumiko's pale hand petted the back of Selena's head as she made soothing sounds.
"I know sister, I know. It's been nearly a year since we've last seen each other."
Yumiko pulled away and looked Selena over.
"Well, you're still alive and as well as can be expected. Now come on. Someone's waiting for you."
Yumiko took her half sister's hand and lead her into another room. Yumiko ushered Selena into the room first and the younger goddess gasped. In the dim light, Selena could just make out fiery red feathers as the creature in question slept on. Selena turned to Yumiko.
"You…you got Faera back? How? When? Did you encounter Artemia?"
Yumiko raised her hand to quiet Selena.
"Take it easy, Selena. Just sit down and I will tell you everything you want to know."
Selena obey as she sat next to the slumbering phoenix. Yumiko pulled out a basket of Banora White apples and set them in front of her sister.
"Here. You must be famished." Yumiko offered and Selena happily took one. The darker goddess closed her eyes and sighed.
"…I was afraid I was going to be too late…" she began and Selena tilted her head out of confusion.
"Late? Late for what?" she asked after clearing her mouth. Yumiko chuckled and motioned for her to keep eating.
"Well, let me start back a ways Selena…I will try to keep this short and sweet, but there's so much to cover. I'm sure you remember when you helped me escape from the castle dungeon a year ago, right?"
Selena gave a small nod and was about to say something, but Yumiko held up her hand.
"Shhh…Don't interrupt…Now then…after you helped me escape, I really had no wish to go back, but it wasn't until I bumped into Skyler-"
"You ran into big brother? How is he? Is he okay? I know he left home in search of you because Artemia willed it."
Yumiko made a noise of disgust.
"Ah yes…Because mother willed it…Don't worry, Skyler's eyes are finally opened. He now sees our mother for what she truly is…But as I was saying, I had bumped into him on my little journey for freedom and lo and behold, he tells me you have fled the castle. So naturally I tracked back to see what had become of you and the place I once called home. I arrive and let me tell you Selena, as soon as you left, the Detalia was turned upside down in a topsy turvey mess!" She explained and Selena stared at her in awe.
"…It has? How can that be? Why hasn't father or Sol put their foot down on her yet? I mean, sure she has every right to punish him or myself, but what right does she have to lash out at the other gods?"
Yumiko's crimson eyes darkened.
"Selena, father was put under a sleeping spell, but lucky enough, I, along with Skyler, managed to drive Artemia out of the Celestial realm and awaken him. So instead of coming here to punish her, he must stay and assist the others into righting the wrongs she's committed in the realm. I'm only here to act on father's behalf. He wanted me to find you first and protect you. As for Artemia…Well…that's where we have a problem Selena. Tried as I might, I could not defeat her alone, even though she did run from battle. As I said before, it took both my strength and Skyler's to drive her out, but I have a feeling…a feeling deep within that is telling me that you may be able to stop her once and for all."
Selena cocked an eyebrow and frowned.
"Believe it or not, Shibuki had said something very similar to what you're telling me. But the truth of the matter is…I'm not fit to help anyone. Not my family, not my friends…Nobody… I mean…I couldn't even protect Faera, Tifa or…"
*…Cloud…*
Yumiko frowned as she watched the very Goddess of the Lifestream look away in shame.
"Well then…We'll just have to fix that won't we?"
Author Note #2: Well, what'd think? Hate? Love? Indifferent? Tell me what'cha think? (I know it's not the best in the world, but I'm tryin' here. So cut me a little bit of slack, 'kay?)