Author's Note:
I would like to send my thanks out to Murmurer for helping me brainstorm for this chapter, and contributing greatly to the overall development of the story from here on out.
Chapter 4: Reverse Psychology
This was proving to be a much harder thing to accomplish than Luke would've thought. When he and Asch arrived in Belkend, they were met with a very distressing scene. A group of scientists were standing outside studying the wreckage and flaming debris that was, hours ago, the Fon Machine Lab.
"This is…" Luke approached the group of onlookers and recognized Spinoza in the crowd. He attempted to approach him, but before he could draw near, Spinoza had noticed him and found a quicker route.
"Luke! What are you doing here!? " Spinoza hurried through the rest of the crowd, stopping in front of Luke.
"Well, erm…we were here to get into Master Van's office, but…" Luke glanced at the burning remains of the laboratory, dread filling him.
"Well, as you can see, the Laboratory is no more. In fact, it is suspected that Van is the one that did this."
"Why do they suspect him? He's got just as much research to lose as anybody by all this."
"Yes, well, that's the point. Van had a lot of research in that building that would get him into a lot of trouble, so it's just too convenient that the building caught on fire and all of his documents are gone."
"Luke! What's taking so long?" Asch walked over to the two chatting men and glared at Luke. "I don't have all day to stand here. If you can't prove to me that all of the things that you said about the Seventh Fonon are true, then I'm leaving."
"Asch, you can't just walk out on me! After all, even if I can't prove what I said is true, there's no way you can prove it's wrong!"
"Well….er…hmph. That's what you think. I'll find a way to prove to you that this mindless babbling is all a bunch of nonsense. In fact, I'll just ask Spinoza."
"Ask me what? I don't want to get caught up in you two's quarrel. I've got enough problems to deal with now that the lab burned down."
Spinoza began to walk away, when Luke interrupted, "Wait! I bet you can verify what I'm talking about, Spinoza. Tell me this: Doesn't Auldrant need the Seventh Fonon to survive?"
Spinoza looked uncomfortable for a second, then mumbled, "Well…yes…but-"
"AND! Isn't the only way to facilitate the existence of the Seventh Fonon through the Planet Storm?"
"I suppose so….but…"
"So, the only way to save Auldrant is to reactivate the Planet Storm through the reactivation of the Absorption and Radiation Gates."
"All of the things you're saying are true…but…"
"See, Asch? Spinoza, one of Auldrant's greatest scientists confirmed the things I told you. Is that enough proof?"
Asch hesitated, then, "Well my supp-"
"Now, wait just a moment," the old scientist interrupted, "You wouldn't let me say all that I wanted to. First, yes, everything that you said is true. There is, however, more to it. Reactivating the Absorption and Radiation Gates would take an immense mass of Seventh Fonons that we just haven't got lying around. And on top of that, we would need some way to stabilize the gates so that they did not go out of control again. While your plan is a noble one, it just has too many flaws to be beneficial in the end."
"Well, we can solve one of those problems…" Luke looked at Asch. "An enormous mass of Seventh Fonons is actually pretty easy to come across. It resides inside Van, and we know it as Lorelei."
"Ha! So you think you can just use Lorelei to reactivate the Planet Storm? Well, good luck with that! How do you plan on freeing Lorelei to do it? And, what about when the Sephiroth go out of control again? What then?"
"Spinoza, with all due respect, why are you asking us? Shouldn't you be the one helping us with that part of our plan?" Asch folded his arms, and Luke looked at him incredulously.
"'Our' plan? Does that mean that you're on board?"
Asch turned to Luke with a sly smile on his face. "You said it yourself. How can I tell a world famous scientist that he is wrong about something that I know virtually nothing about?"
"Wait a minute, now. I didn't say I would help you!" Spinoza's face was starting to turn red with anger. "You can't just take my help for granted and expect me to help just because I have before!"
"Oh come on, Spinoza! How could you deny us help saving the world?"
"Easy, like this: I'm not going to get myself into any more of your schemes. Find another scientist."
"All right, we'll just go across the bridge to Meggiora and pay a visit to Sheridan. I'm sure that Aston will be happy to help us save the world and take all of the glory."
Spinoza looked up at Luke, disbelief plain on his face. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"
Luke laughed. "Do you wanna find out?"
Spinoza furrowed his brow, but a smile was evidently tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I suppose you've got yourself a deal."