Disclaimer : Trust me, if I owned them, I'd have much better things to do than sit at home for hours and write fanfics. Since I'm obviously sitting at home, writing fanfics, I obviously don't own them, huh?
(Hands out Blake plushie to JuseaPeterson) Glad you like the fic so far. LOL.
Note : Yep, like the title says, they're splitting up...again. But this time, you'll see their reasons. This is going to be good. I just hope I can capture the script ok.
Also, if you'd like to remember when I described Lunatic Pandora before, go back to the chapter (I forgot which one) Where Tommy, Jason and Zack were chased out of a large green ruin by Esthar soldiers.
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(With Shane and The Others, Shane's POV)
As I groaned and opened my eyes, I heard a sigh. "Back from your adventure, Shane?"
It was Hunter. He sounded bored and I wondered how long I'd been out. Were we still moving? Had the others been waiting for me?
"There's something coming!" Dustin called warily.
Sitting up slowly and rubbing my head, I opened my eyes and blinked a few times to clear them. It seemed we had stopped and were standing idly on a platform right outside the limits of all the buildings. As Dustin called, there was a car, well, more of a limo, approaching.
As it pulled up, two ment in white robes exited and walked over to us. As soon as they laid eyes on Miko, they paused and looked worried.
"Sorceress Miko?" one man asked warily.
"Yes. We have come to see Dr. Odine." she said kindly.
They seemed to relax somewhat, but exchanged puzzled looks at her words. "...Please explain what this is regarding." the second man politely requested.
"Yes, of course." she replied with a nod and smile.
I'd picked Kapri back up and walked forward then, feeling my heart swell with hope. "I need to see Kelly! Where is she?!" I demanded hurridly, not even thinking that I might come across as a threat, or that I was being rude to Matron.
"...Kelly?" Now they both looked worried.
"Shane, calm down." Matron ordered sternly, acting like the Matron I remembered. "Trust me. Let me handle this." she insisted softly.
"Please come with us." the first man inclined his head to the limo.
Getting into the limo, we were driven along the long path that led to the city, and I was amazed at just how long it was taking us, by car, to get into the city.
"Geez." Hunter whistled quietly. "Just how long is this thing?"
"We'll be arriving at the Presidential Palace shortly." one man informed us politely.
We drove up to a massive building and I felt my jaw drop at the sheer size. We were led inside and taken to a private room, where we met with the Presidential Aide and Miko told him her story.
After what felt like an hour of sitting next to Kapri, whom I'd laid out on a couch, I sighed. I'd taken back my coat, seeing as it was too hot for her to wear it.
"...That is the reason I am here. I wish to be free of Sorceress Ultimecia's control." Miko finished after a long while.
"Zat will be easy." came an all too familiar, irritating and whiny voice as a rather short, old man hobbled into the room, dressed in a long white lab coat and glasses. "We just exorcise the sorceress. There iz nothing Odine cannot do!"
"I leave everything in your hands." Miko said with a grateful smile.
The Presidential Aide turned to me and I stood up wearily. "So, you wish to see Kelly."
Frowning, I lost it and ran to the Dr, grabbing his collar tightly and glaring into his beady black eyes. "Where is she?! I have to bring Kapri to her! We need to see Kelly, now!" I demanded in a frenzy, shaking him as I felt tears come to my eyes.
He raised an eyebrow at my actions. "Do as he says. I give ze permission." he said to the Aide.
"...Very well."
"But under one condition." Dr. Odine turned to me and stared at me calmly as I released him. "You must allow me to study the girl."
Study? I didn't like the sound of that. How dare he make her sound like a lab experiment! I wanted to argue, but he didn't seem to want ot hurt her, just observe her, and if it got me closer to Kelly, sooner...
"You'll need time to prepare before you can meet Kelly." the Aide put in.
Miko sighed and turned to me with a reassuring nod. "Take the offer, Shane."
"You better not do anything to hurt Kapri!" I warned.
He walked over to her and began observing her. "Hmm...very interesting... This iz quite interesing indeed... So this iz vat happens..." he mumbled to himself.
This is...what happens...? Did Dr. Odine know what was wrong with Kapri?
Hesitantly, I headed out into the city to make my way to the Lunar Gate, or whatever it was called. Something about meeting us there...to get to Kelly? Some people mentioned that if you followed the different colored paths on the roads, you could find your way around, easier. Or if you took certain tubes, Lifters as they were called. Then others mentioned how the Lunar Gate was far away and it would be best to rent a car for it.
Most people were wary or excited to see us, foreigners, walking their streets, and I felt like I really stuck out. It wasn't a feeling I enjoyed. We got stares everywhere we went, and I was almost tempted to buy one of those robes to blend in more.
Some even went on about how the President was rarely ever in. He was apparently a little absent-minded but an all around nice guy.
"Dr. Odine doesn't care much about people. Especially if they're test subjects." a sentry put in, apparently hearing about Kapri. "You'd better make sure nothing happens to your girl." he finished before walking off.
Feeling my eyes narrow dangerously, I glared at the ground and clenched my fists. I'll kill him if anything happens to Kapri. I thought darkly before I took a deep breath and continued on.
Heading to the Lunar Gate, I mentall prepared myself for whatever was going to happen next. Whatever it was, I had a feeling something really bad was going to happen.
(Lunar Gate)
It took us about an hour by car, and when we got there, we learned we'd been expected. As we walked with one of the staff, there was a loud, familiar bark, and I turned to find Angelo running in. He stopped at my feet and looked up at me with the biggest, saddest blue eyes I'd ever seen, his long deep brown coat shining as he whimpered and bowed his head.
Kneeling down, I felt guilty for taking Kapri away. I reached out and pet his head a little, feeling a smile tug at my lips. Don't worry. I'll bring Kapri back. I thought as I got up and nodded to the staff member. "...Lead the way."
We made our way into a large room with a rocket inside, and I noticed a man-sized doorway that led into the rocket. An older man came rushing forward and bowed. "Are you the ones taking off?"
Taking off? I guess so. "Yes." I answered unsurely.
The leader underwent some longwinded explanation about 'cold sleep'. Basically, it was that we'd be put in cryogenic statis for the trip that would normally last about a day and a half. By the time we woke up, we would be there. The rocket was just for launch measures and when it made it into space, it would open up to reveal the three pods we'd be in.
We were going to a space station.
Apparently, Kelly had been taken into space to keep her safe from Ultimecia. That's where we were going. Kapri had already undergone 'cold sleep' and was in her capsule. That just left two others.
Well, ok, one. There was no way in hell I was letting her go into space alone. I was going for sure. Question was, who would I take with me?
"Shane, man, let me protect Matron!" Dustin cried with big eyes. Despite being adopted, he'd always been extremely close to her. "Please!"
I briefly flashed back to previous times we'd split up and how I'd put Tori or Marah in charge because I didn't trust in Dustin. As much as he spoke big, he's grown since then.
...and so have I.
"Alright. I trust you, Dustin." I said surely with a nod. "Tori, you'll come with me."
She nodded and stepped into the chamber. She disappeared as a mist enveloped it, and when it was done, the door opened to show the chambe empty. I was a little nervous, but guessed that she'd already been taking into her capsule. With a sigh, I headed into the chamber and closed my eyes, gritting my teeth at the sickly sweet smell that flooded my senses before everything went dark.
(Dustin's POV)
Heading out of the room as their capsules were shot into space from a large canon, I sighed. I kind of felt happy that Shane chose me to pretty much lead this mission, but at the same time, I was worried. What even happened to Kapri, in the first place?
So many questions. I was so confused.
"Man." I groaned with a shake of my head. "I hope everything goes all right."
"They'll be fine!" Marah exclaimed with a grin, patting me on the shoulder.
Hunter nodded. "I'm sure they're in good hands."
"Let us pray for their safe return." Miko said quietly with a reassuring smile on her face. After a moment, she turned and looked at the rest of us. "Ok, are we ready to do?"
Not really. I thought nervously. But then I reminded myself that Shane trusted me and I needed to do this for him.
Angelo, who'd been walking with us, let out a low howl and took off outside.
"Heeey, come back!" Marah called, chasing after him.
"...What's up with her...?" Hunter asked in confusion, scratching his head.
Heading outside after Angelo, I sighed as I realized I was chasing after a dog when we had more important things to do. But I allowed myself to relax when I then realized...so were the others.
As we stood outside, I noticed a vaguely familiar, giant, green structure floating over head, heading in the direction of Esthar. I tried to figure out how I knew it, but I couldn't.
"Say, isn't the city in that direction?" Hunter called over the roar od the propellors that held the massive structure in the air.
"Dr. Odine might be in trouble!" Marah cried in worry.
"Let's go then!" I called urgently.
(Esthar)
Luckily we had a rented car nearby and we sped off back to Esthar. By the time we made it back, I watched as many people either stared in shock and awe, or ran around in a terrified frenzy as the structure approached the city slowly.
Some people went on about how excited they were to se something so unusual. Others mentioned how frightened they are, and still others pointed out the Esthar symbol on the bottom, where the green rock was outlined with black metal.
Then, we learned that it seemed to be messing with electronics. The Lifters were all on the fritz. Some wouldn't work at all, while others hovered in the air, and even others whizzed by in the tunnels. The ones for walking sucked up anyone that got too close, or shot them out of them with powerful blasts of air.
It seemed that walking along the streets was the safest way to get around.
We found a man sitting on the ground with a dazed look on his face, and when I knelt at his side, I heard him muttering to himself. "Lunatic...Pandora. It reminds me of...Esthar's old days...under Sorceress Adel's rule." he muttered shakily.
We made our way to the Lab where Dr. Odine was rumored to have gone. As we made our way through it, I found them in the same room Tommy had used to free Kelly...at least, from what Shane said. There was large computer panels lining either side of the wall, and a projector built into the center of the floor. Then there was a large window that overlooked the room she'd been held in so many years ago.
"Why iz Lunatic Pandora here now? Who iz moving zat thing?" Odine questioned quietly.
His assistant sighed. "The Galbadians, sir. They salvaged it from the ocean floor. We must sound the alert in the cty, now!"
Odine shook his head. "It will not attack us. The city iz not ze target."
"I hope so...I hope you're right." his assistant mumbled in worry.
"But 'Tears' Point'...hmm...?" Odine seemed lost in thought. He looked at us, startled, and gave a huge smile. "So we meet again. This iz exciting!"
I frowned deeply and shook my head. "What's so exciting about this?!" I demaned angrily, stuck on what he'd said about Galbadia. "This...and that-that... What's Galbadia got to do with all this?!"
"It's been a long time since I last saw Lunatic Pandora." he continued with an awed sigh.
Growling a little, I stared out a indow at the distant ruin that floated closer and closer to us. Lunatic... That's what Zack and Jason saw. That...That thing they were chased out of. I thought with a frown. "That Lunatic...whatever, that big thing... What the hell is that?!" I shouted, glaring at the Dr. "What the hell is going on?!"
"Oh!" He seemed startled and grinned. "You vant to hear my story? Zat iz nice." He seemed quite pleased. "I would be happy to tell you."
Unfortunately, for us. He launched into a long-winded explanation about how he'd been experimenting with it and researching it since it was first excavated many year ago. Apparently, that thing was his 'baby' and all his spare time was spent on it.
He droned on and on about information that was probably useful and important, but I could really care less and growled impatiently.
"I don't care about that!" I finally yelled, snapping as my nerves finally broke. Glaring angrily at him, I stomped up to the shorter man and stared down into his beady black eyes. "What's gonna happen? What do we do?!"
He opened his mouth to say something but I gave him a glare and continued. "The enemy's comin', right? And there's no time! We'll so something about it! Just tell us what to do!" I ordered as I panted for breath and clenched my fists. "Make it short." I added pointedly as he seemed about to go off on another long-winded explanation. Man, this guy's full of hot air!
He began to mutter about how 'short was bad' and 'this was very bad' before he hit a button on a computer console, bringing up a 3-D holographic map of Esthar, with Lunatic Pandora floating over it.
Dr. Odine described where it would enter the city, the amount of time it would take it to reach certain points where we could board it, and how long the entire trip over Esthar would take. He also made a note of pointing out that monsters would run rampant, as they were drawn to the ruin, powerful monsters at that, and that Galbadian soldiers would likely be guarding the entrance.
He then explained exactly where these 'contact' points were and when the ruin would pass by, meaning, where and when our chances of getting on baord were good.
"Ze problem iz-"
"Alright, alright!" I cut him off with another glare, setting the timer on my watch and taking a small map of Esthar to help us along the way. "We gotta get goin'!" I added, seeing as he was about to protest. Doesn't this guy ever run out of air?!
"I vant to talk some more..." He pouted sadly as he looked at the ground. "Ze culprit iz not Galbadia.." he almost whispered with a worried frown.
Not Galbadia...? Staring at him pointedly, I folded my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow, letting him know he had my attention, if even for a moment.
"You know zat monsters come falling from ze moon, not very often it happens." I must've looked pretty clueless, because his eyes shot open wide. "You don't know?! Pandora has an effect on ze moon. Zat may be ze immediate problem, not Galbadia."
Effect on the moon? Immediate problem...?
"Tears' Point and Lunatic Pandora, together, will maximize this effect." he finished with a frown to the approaching ruin.
Running out of that lab, we stopped as we noticed the blue sky had turned a threatening orange. Monsters we'd seen and faced before, as well as ones we hadn't, were running loose. And one of the tubes shot a small group of Esthar soldiers across our view at literally break-neck speed.
I winced, knowing what their fate would be when they reached the other side.
Some people lay injured on the street, others were being attacked by monster,s and still others were running for their lives. Some Esthar soldiers were muttering about how the Galbadians repelled them from the ruin, and I groaned as I watched it pass over the city.
I could see monsters hanging from it, falling off in places around the town to go after the villagers, and I sighed as I led our group forward after the ruin.
Managing to catch it at the first contact point, it was where two sky paths crossed, and I watched in horrified awe as the massive ruin came floating slowly in our direction, along side the road we stood on. It was clearly naturally made, glowing green stone that was impossible to see through. There was a black metal base with the insignia of Esthar on the side, and I frowned at a small door that approached.
So far, we'd run into Elvorets, and many other monsters we'd faced before, including Marah and Hunter's 'Lefty's and Righty's. But...where were the Galbadians?
"Oh...man..." I groaned, seeing the sheer size of this thing. It was easily five times taller than any of the skyscrapers in Esthar, and could probably house a small city inside.
Miko stayed quiet as her eyes narrowed in worry and she stared at Lunatic Pandora.
Hunter's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as the thing came closer and closer. "We're supposed to board that thing?!" he demanded incredulously.
Suddenly, the door on the side opened up, and two Galbadian soldiers jumped down, rushing towards us.
Hunter shot one with his rifle and Marah blasted the other with a Thundaga spell, taking them out immediately. Once they were out of the way, we rushed forward and boarded Lunatic Pandora.
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(Scratches head idlly, then looks around blankly) God, but I'm bored! LOL I wonder if I can go find... (Looks around again and grins as I spot a familiar figure) Found you!! (Runs and glomps Hunter) Didn't think you'd get away so easily, did you? (Pulls out lasoo rope and ropes blake around the waist, tossing him to Jusea.) Much better than a plushie, isn't he? (Clings to Hunter's back) Giddy-up! Whoo-hoo! Yeehaw cowboy! I could ride him all...never mind. My mind went into the gutter just now, forget I said anything... (Blushes and buries my face into Hunter's neck, swatting him in the shoulder when he begins to laugh)
ANYWHO! Uhhhh... Oh, don't worry, you'll find out what happens to Shane and Kapri really soon, as well as what happened to Kapri in particular. (evil grin)
Hope you like it, and please excuse my bored ramblings. LOL.
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"The Lunar Cry..."
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R+R please. There's NS plushies in it for ya! LOL.
Thank you.
Tenshi