Author's Note: I do not own Star Ocean Till The End Of Time
The True Nature Of All
Chapter 15: I'm Who?!
Fayt looked around, "Perhaps we best find somewhere safe to talk first before we catch you up on the main events…" Peppita smiled brightly, nodding indicating where they could talk… Inside the Southern Recreational Zone, everyone seemed tense to the Princess. She hung back near her friends from her world. Albel smirked down at her, seeing that she would rather remain near those she knew instead of straying far and wandering into trouble. When they went inside the far room to their north, Fayt recounted their travels to Peppita, including who everyone was and how the group had gathered.
When he was finished, Peppita let out a long whistle, "Wow, what an amazing story."
Fayt shook his head, "That's why we have to hurry on over to the research area. Peppita, why are you guys here?"
Peppita smiled brightly, then spoke as if he should know what was happening, "We came to put on a show-what else!? But while we were getting ready, that evacuation announcement came on, and we got shoved in here. I was so mad; I came here to give them a piece of my mind!"
Airlia spoke next, robbing Sophia of her words, "Don't say anything before I'm done please Peppita. I know what it's like to wait and feel walked over, believe you me; however, it's far too dangerous out there for you to be alone." When she signaled that she was done, Peppita looked so agitated that the Princess again felt a common bond with the young girl.
Fayt smiled in slight relief that the girl seemed to calm at his friend's words, "You need to wait here and leave the rest to us. Can you do that, Peppita?"
She grimaced as she said, "Okay..."
Fayt smiled, "Thank you Peppita. I promise that we'll make things right…" They left with the Rossetti Troupe smiling their thanks for taking care of their youngest member and friend. Airlia, however, couldn't shake the feeling that they would meet her again… and soon. With a lighter heart, the group went to their right and followed the path to the south that led into the North Research Zone. However, they had only taken a few steps when an alarm could be heard.
Suddenly a loud computer voice began to speak, "Intruder alert, intruder alert. Intruders detected within facility."
Cliff looked around as he said, "You don't think they're talking about us, do you?"
Fayt shook his head as Sophia gasped, "I don't think so."
Airlia looked in awe and horror at the tall celestial looking being. The creature had several wings and was hanging in midair as Nel asked, "What is that?"
The strange looking creature spoke, her voice soothing and yet condemning as she spoke, "I proclaim the will of the Enforcers. You are a plague...to be destroyed."
Maria asked in almost a fearful voice, "Is... that one of the Executioners?"
Nel glared as she spoke clearly, "That's no god."
Albel smirked as he spat, "Hmph, pompous worm." Airlia had to hand it to her knight, he was sure calm with the situation as Fayt tried to find out why they were doing it, however, the
Proclaimer kept repeating the same phrases, "The Enforcers shall purify this defiled galaxy. The Proclaimers shall purge the defilement. Prepare to die, irregularities."
She shot out beams of light that the group struggled to dodge. Airlia saw one light coming towards Albel and prayed for his safety. She began to glow as the light was deflected away from him and hit the Proclaimer squarely. She hung limp for a moment before hitting the ground. Albel was the first one at her side, moving her away to the corner. "Rest…" He said as he began to glow red with unrivalled anger. "Dragon Roar!" Dragons began to emerge from the circle of lava red that appeared under Albel's body for about a two yard radius. Dragons began to surge towards the Proclaimer, hitting her numerous times.
Fayt felt his anger surge as he exclaimed, "Deep Freeze!"
Nel, whom was also beyond the point of white hot anger, called out, "Thunder Flare!" The trio of assaults was enough to extinguish the pathetic life of the Proclaimer, or so they thought as they regrouped…
Albel gently lifted his Princess up in his arms as he looked around, his eyes coming to rest upon Dr. Leingod's face. Noticeably pale, Albel resisted the urge to growl and threaten the man's pathetic life. "If you have anything to do with what is happening to her…" He left the threat hanging in the air as the man suppressed a gulp of fear. Airlia shifted slightly in his arms as Albel moved to have her sitting more upwards, against his shoulder.
Just then, the Proclaimer got back up as her voice called out, "I proclaim...the will...of the Enforcers. Death and annihilation...to the irregularities..."
Suddenly the creature was hit from behind by none other than the energetic Peppita. She smiled as the creature faded from view, "Ha! What a wimp. Should have known better than to mess with me!"
Sophia cried out, "Huh!? Peppita?!"
Fayt on the other hand was more demanding, "What are you doing here!?"
Nel resisted the urge to chuckle, "I don't believe it." Albel merely shook his head, not wanting to wake his love. He admitted to himself that it had been inopportune to tell his love what he felt, however, his heart did feel lighter for it. He also admitted that his Princess felt light as a feather in his arms.
Peppita approached the group as she began to speak, "You told me to wait, but I just couldn't take it. I didn't listen to anyone, not even the Circus Master. I had to come. He-he."
Maria shook her head as Nel began to speak the truth of the matter, "It's no laughing matter. Attacking so suddenly like that... You're reckless beyond all reason."
Albel spoke softly; however, his words were no less barbed, "What's to laugh about? What a reckless brat... Why am I not surprised she's your friend?"
Cliff was speaking to Nel more so than to Albel as he said, "Funny to hear him say that. So, what do we do?" Fayt shook his head, his eyes broadcasting his uncertainty. Albel walked away to the corner as everyone began to argue what to do with Peppita.
Albel spoke softly, "I'm sure you would say to bring her along, as long as she stays with Leingod's father. I'm also sure that you wouldn't want her around to begin with… Ha… I find this utterly fascinating how people are drawn to him like fish are drawn to worms…"
His attention was drawn to the woman who was stirring in his arms. "Airlia, how're you feeling?" She shook her head, as if to clear her mind. Albel waited until he was sure she'd stay on her feet as everyone approached.
"How's she doing Albel?" Fayt asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, thanks. Albel wanted to ensure my rest wasn't cut short by noise. That really took it out of me, just like the last time, I think."
Cliff nodded, "Correct, except for the fact that the one before was a much larger scale! That's probably why you were only out for a few minutes rather than hours or days."
Looking around, the pair could see Peppita was staying, even if temporarily. Moving on, they stayed as far away from the attackers as possible. Not too far in the near future, they finally arrive at Professor Leingod's Research Lab. Heading to the transporter; they were brought to a large room whose back doors were locked from the inside. Fayt sighed angrily as they began to try and examine the computers for information. However, before they could get too far, Dr. Leingod called out, "Computer, scan Airlia's genetic profile and search the database for any matching data."
A computer voice called out, "Scanning..." Her profile appeared on the computer as it seemed to try and reference it to something.
When it suddenly called out, "One result found."
Jumping back, as if fearing the bite of a dangerous snake Dr. Leingod called out for the computer to continue with playing the file. Fayt read it aloud, almost frightened and definitely pained of what it said, "The missing sister and the coming crisis for humanity?"
When it began to play, there were 3D images of four people, all of them wearing lab coats. Maria called out softly, "Mom..."
Fayt looked at the woman that Maria was staring at, "That woman on the end?"
Maria nodded sadly, her memories obviously flooding her mind, "Yes... That's her."
The image turned from the scientists to a red desert planet, when a monologue began to play, "If this message has been found, then my first child, my daughter, has turned up. I apologize and will give full accounting of everything that brought this into reality. This project was initiated as a result of the exploration of the planet Styx in Galactic Year 747. Styx is an unusual planet on which explorers found the Time Gate-a portal that seems to be a sort of time machine. A mini study of Styx and the Time Gate was undertaken in 747. This was to see if it would be a waste of time to bring up to the Galactic Federation. The Time Gate is sentient. That was about all we knew about it based on our research up to that point. No one yet knew who had created the Time Gate, or for what purpose. However, all became clear after the mini study conducted in Galactic Year 747."
Everyone kept quiet as it progressed, "After an investigation extending over several weeks, we have discovered that the Time Gate responds to symbological data. And it was recently discovered that when certain special symbological data are sent into the Time Gate, it is possible to obtain recorded data from the Time Gate itself. However, included in these data was information more horrifying than we could have imagined. We learned of the existence of 4D beings. Four-dimensional entities... Possessing technology far more advanced than our own-including the ability to travel through time. Furthermore, as we continued our research, we found out that these beings may actually have created our universe. The symbological technology that we use today originated with these beings."
The man seemed to take a breath before continuing, as if what was to come would be hard to swallow, "The Time Gate on the planet Styx was also created by using their advanced symbological technology. We had thought that the Time Gate was a portal for traveling through time, but it appears we were wrong. The Time Gate is in fact a door to 4D space. Time travel was a phenomenon that occurred as a result of the protective measures taken to prevent us from detecting the existence of 4D space. The 4D universe allows free movement through time... And the Time Gate tapped into that potential. This was a most exciting discovery. Not only were we able to unravel the mystery of the Time Gate, we were also able to confirm the existence of a new species. But then something completely unexpected happened. The Time Gate spoke a warning..."
The camera turns to view Robert and his people near the Time Gate. Time Gate's voice reverberated, deeply to intensify the effect, "Resign thyselves."
One of the men spoke aloud, in shock of what it has said, "Doctor, the Time Gate..."
Robert was obviously as stunned when it spoke again, "Science in the Eternal Sphere is advancing too far. This cannot be left unchecked."
Robert spoke a question, "The Eternal Sphere?"
It explained amazingly to everyone, "The Eternal Sphere is the universe as known to your kind."
Robert cringed as he asked, "Time Gate, tell us what you mean... Our science has advanced too far?"
The voice did explain, condemning everyone, "Symbological genetics is the science of the Creator, as is the symbology on which it is based. It is a forbidden art. Your kind is foolishly trespassing into a forbidden domain. There is a danger that this forbidden technology will be turned against the Creator. Thus, the time will be near when he shall unleash the wrath of his Enforcers upon you all."
Robert began to pick up the monologue again, "We were terrified by the Time Gate's warning. The Creator was going to destroy his creations. It appeared that the Armageddon prophesied by numerous religions was going to come true. We asked whether we could escape annihilation by abandoning symbological genetics. But the Time gate's reply completely crushed all our hopes."
It responded, "You must cease all study of what you call symbology. If you do not, then action will be taken against you. Return to me in five years for your judgment to be decided. Now, be gone from my sight. Hurry on back to your world and pass along my message."
The monologue picked up, "When we returned, we tried to ask a couple of select people, none of whom believed us. Fearful, we tried to think of a solution knowing what would happen in five years. However, it turned out that my wife Ryoko was pregnant. The answer came to us at once. To save mankind, we had to create special weapons to fight. However, it was my first child, so I wanted him or her to have a special symbol first. When she was born, we gave her the name of Mirabel Evadne Leingod. The special symbol that she got was Life, to bring back whomever she wants to, or if she wanted to, a world. Monitoring her, they found no side effects from the special symbol we gave her."
Robert continued speaking - his face showing the pain he felt inside his heart, "Though when we returned on an official exploration in Galactic Year 752, the Time Gate spoke again, condemning everyone and everything."
The robotic voice came out again, "It is too late. Even should you abandon your work, another will come to take it up again. Such is the way of your kind. You are contaminated beyond salvation. Your annihilation is inevitable. This is not a warning. This is a sentence. Resign thyselves. Resign thyselves. Resign thyselves."
The screen faded and reopened to being back on Moonbase, "We returned to Moonbase, stunned. This entity, beyond our understanding, had proclaimed our doom."
Robert continued, "At first, we considered reporting this to the top levels of the Federation government, but it was too outrageous-we knew that no one would believe us. Our choice was either to reconcile ourselves to the Creator's wish for our destruction, or to fight to the bitter end. We chose the path of resistance. We would not accept our death sentence. If we are to die, we'll die fighting. Be that as it may, our enemy was the Creator of our universe. How could we face an enemy who possessed absolute power? To fight, we needed a tremendous power of our own. We decided to use symbological genetics in an attempt to create a weapon-a human with powers that could defeat the Creator. This was our project. Three children were selected to be the subjects of our experiments... I am sure there is no way we could ever apologize enough to these children, no way we could ever earn their forgiveness."
He continued to speak, as everyone watched with disgust - however, none had more disgust than three people, Airlia, Fayt and Albel. Albel had no disgust for his Princess, but for that of the man that she had risked her life to save. "People may label us as monsters. Nevertheless, we feel that this research-and this research alone-has a chance of saving us all. These children are our hope. However, the first one had to be abandoned as her special symbol split into three symbols. Life, Shield, Destruction. We had wanted her to have a normal life, so we erased all traces, except for this file. If it was used to verify anyone else, it would not have given knowledge of the missing child. Mirabel, I'm sorry…" Robert bowed to show his sincerity. However, Airlia was disgusted - now knowing why she had feelings for Fayt and now knew what they were, but it was tainted with disgust.
She walked to the back, ignoring the rest of the transmission. She examined her hands and found them to appear normal, though she felt herself to be on par with a freak. A tender hand twirled her softly into the person behind her. Looking up, she nearly cried, "What's the matter Airlia?" Albel asked softly.
"I'm trash… thrown away because I reacted to the symbol put in my body. No one will want me…" Tears of bitter pain fell down unrestrained from her eyes.
He bent forward to kiss them away, "Your father loves you, and I love you. That will never change. However, I think that'll help get Cavan and Cassius to stay away permanently…"
Airlia chuckled; he knew how to make her smile, regardless of the inner pain she was in. He kissed her lips gently, letting it show her his feelings. Airlia looked at the group as they approached, her ill feelings towards the doctor hadn't faded, and she suspected that they might never fade. However, Airlia only looked at Fayt as she asked, "What now?"
He was about to speak when a door in the back opened and three people walked out. Fayt looked happy as did Sophia, "Mom, Dad, and Aunt Ryoko!" Sophia cried out as the pair went to their families for a reunion hug. Dr. Leingod seemed relieved that his wife was alive. Once they caught up on the happenings, she finally noticed Airlia.
"Is it her?" She whispered nervously. Robert simply nodded, his hair covering his eyes. She walked up to the Princess who held out a hand to halt her from coming too near. "But I'm your mother. Shouldn't you be happy to see me?" Airlia's expression turned to disgust as she left the room without a word. Albel, Nel and Roger followed her knowing that enemies were all around.
They got to the top and Airlia murmured, "Do they actually like the fact that they threw me away? I didn't go where they intended for me to land. There's so many things wrong with this situation it's hard to know where to even begin. I've already got a father, and Lady Elena is like my mother. I don't want anyone else to be my parents; especially people who would just throw me away at first chance when something went wrong!"
Albel simply held her and stroked her hair murmuring that she was never unwanted in Airyglyph and that if her father knew the situation he would probably beat them himself. It made her laugh for the first time that day knowing he was absolutely right. Nel and Roger simply smiled and knew that their support would have to be the silent type for now. Moments later everyone else came up. Airlia pointedly ignored Fayt's parents as she asked her question again, "What now Fayt?" Clive and Kyoko knew the best thing to do at this point would be to blend in until the time was right.
Fayt looked grim, "The choice is in our hands now." Everyone looked around in awkward silence. When the pair of adults tried to come near Airlia, she merely glared darkly at them and turned away without another thought. Albel stood in their path, his hand on the hilt of his sword, a dark gleam promising pain was in his eyes.
Nel turned away without a second thought and Roger spat out, "Why should she trust ya when you simply threw her away?" Robert Leingod actually looked worried as Cliff merely scoffed and Maria turned away to keep an eye on the Princess who had been so deeply affected by the turn of events. Sophia felt stung by the events too as they looked accusingly at the three scientists.
However, Airlia came back, her eyes cold, distant as she spoke, "We need to fight for our worlds. I made a promise to protect my kingdom at any cost. If this is one way, then so be it."
Fayt nodded, "You're right. Let's go together to the planet Styx." Peppita smiled brightly as she said, "All right!"
They left the area, making their way slowly to the Recreational Zone where Peppita's band was staying. They encountered a couple of huge metal tank like creatures. Fayt used his favorite "Deep Freeze" runology along with Airlia's "Explosion" and Nel's "Thunder Flare" to send them packing. Before long, they were back among friends with the rest of the Rossetti Troupe. They had come out and greeted everyone with true enthusiasm for bringing their friend back.
However, seeing it cemented Fayt's decision as he spoke to her, "Peppita. We have to say good-bye here."
Peppita's eyes watered up as she cried, "Whaaaat!? NO! I don't wanna!"
Sophia smiled gently as she knelt down to be more at eye level with the child as she spoke, "Don't throw a tantrum... Okay?"
Peppita shook her head fiercely, "But everyone else is going! I wanna go, too!"
This time, Fayt, spoke softly and clearly, "Yes, but from there we're going on into 4D space." Peppita filled in the blanks, "To fight the Creator, right?"
Maria nodded in agreement as she began to speak this time, "Yeah, because if we don't, everything will end."
Peppita began to demand this time, she didn't want to take 'no' for an answer, "Then I wanna fight, too! I don't want everything to end! Everyone's fighting but me! Don't leave me all alone here!"
Sophia tried again, "But it's dangerous. We don't even know what kinda place it is!"
Peppita tried another attempt to get them to say what she wanted to hear so badly, "Yeah, well, but everyone's still going anyway."
Airlia nodded in agreement this time, "That's right. My father didn't want me to go."
At this point, she sent Robert a glare, "That is the man who I consider to be my real father, not this man over here. My guardian doesn't want me to go. However, it's my duty as a Princess to my kingdom that I do what I can to help fight for their freedom from this, for their livelihood. I won't back down. So I'll tell you what. I'll fight for you. How's that? This way you can stay here and won't be in any danger."
Maria nodded in agreement as she said softly, almost coldly, "Go back to your parents. This is serious. Where we're going is no place for children."
Sophia spoke while Nel nodded in agreement, "That's a little harsh..."
Maria nodded, however, refused to back down, "But it's true. A child that doesn't know what she's getting into will only slow us down."
Peppita looked at the ground, her voice tinged with sadness as she spoke, "You know, the Circus Master...isn't really my dad. My real dad's a soldier in the Pangalactic Federation. That's what my mom told me, before she died. He's a brave, brave soldier, and he's worked his whole life to protect people. My mom always said I take after him."
Airlia felt the kinship with the child grow two fold when she heard the tale. However, Peppita looked up as she spoke to Maria again, "Miss Maria, if we don't defeat the Creator, everything's gonna end, right?"
Maria nodded with the confirmation as Peppita began to speak again, "I don't really understand the hard stuff, but... I think I understand what we gotta do. I wanna go. I have to save the Circus Master, and Ursus, and all the rest... I know what I'm getting into, I don't care if I die trying! Please...take me with you!"
Fayt had a thoughtful expression as his blue-green eyes clouded with worry as he said, "Peppita, I care if you die."
Sophia took her best friend's side as she said, "Listen to Fayt, Peppita."
Peppita looked at Fayt with hope in her eyes as he said, "If you're going to come with us, you have to want to live. Do you understand? Never say anything like that again."
Her shock began to register as she cried out, "What?"
Maria spoke, her voice clearly speaking her disbelief, "You can't mean..."
Fayt nodded as he spoke again, "We're not going there to die. We're going there to live... Understand?"
Peppita smiled with shouting, "Yes!"
Nel was thoughtful of what was going on as Albel spoke, "Another child to look after? Why do you bring the hardship on yourself Leingod?"
Airlia smiled; relieved he had accepted the boy as her brother and at least upgraded him from the status of 'worm' or 'maggot.' Cliff shrugged, his blond hair falling over his eyes as he said, "What can yah do?" Roger cheered knowing she had won the conflict.
Fayt nodded, "I have but one request. You have to get the Circus Master's permission first. Otherwise, forget about it." Peppita looked at him with a confused expression, however, smiled as she left. She went over to the older man as she spoke with him.
The tall woman that was apparently the Circus Master's wife cried at the thought of her baby being in danger. The older man tried to comfort his wife as his own eyes shone with tears. "I promise. I'll be safe." Peppita spoke loudly, declaring her promise to return alive and well to them. Airlia smiled brightly as they started heading to the transport to bring them back to the Aquaelie.