Disclaimer : Screw it. Read any past chapters and you'll know what I have to say.
Note : Listen to Eyes on Me during the Ragnarok Pilot Seat scene to set the mood. LOL. Boy, did that sound wrong. Fluff alert! Fluff alert! Sappyness abound!
JuseaPeterson - You mentioned wanting to know what happens next, right? Well, here you go. I hope it was worth the wait and answers some of your questions.
Lunatic Pandora Tidbit - The Crystal Pillar within Pandora, which causes the Lunar Cry, orinated from the moon, in some people's opinion. The Lunatic Pandora was an enclosure created around the Crystal Pillar, by Esthar, and is 3 miles tall and 1.5 miles wide in a rectangular shape. Very Hi-Tech facility.
Though none of this will likely be mentioned in the fic, I thought I should include it to give readers a better understanding of just how big Pandora is, as well as possibly how the Crystal Pillar causes the Lunar Cry...
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Flashback (In Space, Normal POV)
Looking around frantically, Kapri tried to figure out what was going on. Directly in front of her, though quite a ways away, was a glowing, blood red pillar of creatures flying down to Gaia, and she frowned deeply as a metal contraption seemed to flash within it, also making it's way down to the planet.
Turning her head this way and that, she saw numerous escape pods heading to the planet, and on her other side laid the moon.
The moon... I remember hearing that...the lunar world is a world full of monsters. She thought fuzzily as she gazed at it. Billy told me it was pretty to look at, but if anyone ever combined a massive ruin known as Lunatic Pandora with another ruin called Tears' point, it would cause total havoc. Is that... Is that what's going on?
Trying to move her arms, she felt tears come to her eyes when she realized she was helpless. Kapri checked her rockets and found no fuel to propel her any where, and her oxygen was running low.
"Remaining Life Support System, 15 seconds." a tiny, automated voice called from inside her helmet.
A single tear ran down her cheek as she closed her eyes, feeling the fear and helplessness washing over her as the timer counted down. The oxygen was getting thinner and it was becoming more difficult to breathe. She tried to take shallower breaths, but it only made her heart pound faster, her lungs demanding air, now.
Opening her mouth, she felt her lips trembling as she closed them again, knowing speaking was useless. But, it didn't stop the terrifying thoughts from passing through her mind.
Am I...gonna make it? What even happened in the first place? All she could recalled was defeating Sorceress Miko with Shane and the others, and then a numbing, freezing sensation running over her body as she was enveloped in a light pink light. There was a sinister presence then, and she could hear her voice speaking...but it wasn't her! Her body moved of it's own accord, and she could hear a haunting laughter in her ears that never seemed to quit.
How? She tried once again to move and let out a choked sob, gasping for oxygen as she realized how futile it was. I can't do anything... And even if she could, there was no where to go and no one to help her. Drifting...endlessly... I'm helpless. she thought in frustration as more tears leaked down her face.
Her lungs began to burn and she could make out an escape pod not too far from her location, but she knew she couldn't get to it in time. Her vision began to blur and she closed her eyes, struggling to open them again as the air got thinner.
"Remaining Life Support, 0."
No... I'm... That's it...I'm gonna... I'm gonna die... Her heart pounded violently as she opened her mouth, gasping for air that had stopped flowing. Her tears kept falling as she struggled to breathe and she coughed silently as she fought to remain conscious.
"Life Support has terminated."
Biting her lip hard to keep from sobbing, Kapri blinked her blurry eyes, imagining the stoic face of Shane one last time. Good bye. Shane...
Kapri!! No!!! Don't give up!!
Blinking in confusion, she felt her eyes narrow in confusion. She must've been really oxygen deprived already, if she was imagining his voice, but then... What was that feeling...? That sudden urge to fight some more and survive?
I... I want to see... I want to see him. she thought weakly.
Shaking her head a little, she blinked again, noting how hard it was to open her eyes. She was gasping for air, her lungs almost on fire by now and demanding oxygen. A pressure built up in her chest and head, giving her a massive migrane and feeling like her heart was going to explode.
Can you hear me?! It's Shane...Kapri!!! Kapri!!! Please, fight it!
Her chest was heaving and her mouth open a crack as she struggled to breathe, but the oxygen was gone and she felt dizzy and nauseous. Her helmet began to steam up as her eyes closed a little, becoming next to impossible to keep open.
Kapri, come on!! Try to remember!!
Frowning as her eyes narrowed a little more, she glanced at her communicator briefly, wondering if someone really was trying to contact her, but it was off. She shook her head a little as her eyes closed to slits, being unable to keep them open. She could feel a coldness moving over her body and everything was going numb, but this time, she knew it was from the lack of oxygen.
Letting her eyes close, she felt the darkness creeping up on her, but also felt another presence. A familiar one.
Kapri, I'm right here, with you! Listen to me!!
She lost herself to the darkness, feeling the welcome relief from the burning in her chest. Allowing herself to float lifelessly through space, she almost smiled at the thought that she found someplace she finally belonged. One where she was good and made real friends.
A world where she fell in love, and was loved in return.
...I want to see you, too...
As her eyes lay closed, she was surprised when she noticed a shadow pass over them. What...? Struggling, she managed to open her eyes a crack and saw Shane's Griever ring floating beside the ring Blake had given her, on her chain.
Shane... Forcing her eyes open further, she reached up and weakly touched the glass of her helmet with a gloved hand as hope and sorrow ran through her. I can't... Blinking with difficulty, she allowed her hand to slide down to the small console on her chest and hit a button, activating her reserves of air. I won't give up so easily! she thought with a gasp as the air flooded her helmet, blowing her hair out of her face.
I'm still...alive. Shane...? Was he really there, with her, the whole time? Touching her thickly suited neck absently, she allowed herself a smile. Yeah, I can feel him. I know he's here...
End Flashback (Shane's POV)
Opening my eyes, I smiled a little behind my helmet. She was scared, but she was fighting. Standing up slowly, I staggered a little and shook my head. I'd opened a vent in my helmet, allowing me to save my oxygen, and turning to face Kelly, I closed it. "I'm gonna go find Kapri." I stated in a deadly calm, turning on the suit's oxygen and checking to make sure my gunblade was still secure.
Kelly nodded and smiled as she stood up and hugged me lightly. "You didn't need my help at all."
I wouldn't say that. I thought with a raised eyebrow and grin. "Thank you Sis." I said, hugging her back before I pulled away and watched as she carefully stepped back into her holding unit.
Turning away, I set myself up and grabbed a lever that took me to the outside of the ship.
"Shane, wait! Come back!" Tori called furiously.
"He's an idiot!" Andros called in shock. "There's no way for him to get back! They're both gonna run out of fuel and oxygen in no time! They'll die."
Kapri... Where are you? I'm gonna find you, no matter what!
Heading out of the ship, I scanned the area, looking for Kapri. Not too far behind us, I watched as a seemingly lifeless body floated by and instinctively knew it was her. Pushing off from the ship, I used my rockets to get me closer to her and stretched my arms out.
I've gotta get in front of her and catch her.
Managing to grab hold of her from behind, I allowed her momentum to carry us away as I wrapped my arms securely around her waist, molding my body against hers. Got you! And I'm never letting you go, again!
"Shane!"
I felt her hands come over mine and linked my hands with hers.
"Thank you. I felt you... I heard your voice." she stated with a small sob.
She...heard me? "...I can't believe it." Shaking my head, I tightened my hold on her.
"Are we...gonna make it?" she asked hesitantly as we spun aimlessly through space.
"Don't worry." I insisted as surely as I could, considering our situation. Carefully, I checked my reserves and frowned deeply as I noticed how low I was on everything. Damn! Out of fuel... Low on oxygen... What now? Die in space? Masking my face, I loosened my hold on Kapri and spun her a little so she was facing me before pulling her close again, resting my helmeted face against hers. I'm so helpless.
Biting back my tears, I gave her a small smile, watching as she returned it with one of her own. Her suit beeped loudly and her face paled a little as she wrapped her arms around my neck and looked away from me.
I allowed a single tear to fall then, knowing what that noise meant.
"Remaining Life Support Reserves, 10 seconds." I heard an automated voice state inside her helmet and I bit my lip.
I can't even save Kapri?! Come on! Think! I thought angrily.
Kapri's eyes had travelled past mine and after a moment, they widened considerably. Seeing a reflection in her helmet, I turned my head and watched as a large, red space ship floated aimlessly through space, not far at all from where we were.
"Kapri, hold on!" I instructed as I kicked off, pushing us towards the ship.
As it spun, I noticed the elegantly carved dragon's features in it, and saw a handle approaching. Grabbing a single grappling gun my suit held, I shot it at the handle and nodded triumphantly as it hooked, before I hit the trigger, pulling us in.
Once we got a hold on the ship, we carefully climbed along the side until we found a hatch to enter through. Pulling it open, I frowned a little at a strange scraping noise, but gestured for Kapri to go in first before immediately following her in.
(Ragnarok)
I quickly found a computer console and typed in a few commands, re-instating the gravity and oxygen, and sending a mental prayor for the large amount of oxygen left.
"Life Support Reserves, terminated."
Not a moment too soon. I thought as Kapri swiftly removed her helmet and took a deep breath. Turning my back to her, I began to strip out of the suit and after a few moments, tossed the last piece aside with a sigh of relief, wiping my hand across my sweaty face.
As Kapri stripped out of the last piece of her suit, she adjusted her top a little and checked her crossbow before brushing herself off and looking at me with a big smile.
Wh-What? I thought nervously, seeing the teasing glint in her eyes.
"Thank you, Shane. You always seem to keep saving me." she stated with a grin. "I guess I have my own personal knight in shining armor." Hesitating a moment, she looked at my outfit and giggled a little. "Well, my own personal knight, anyways." Shaking her head, she sighed. "I can't thank you enough."
"Don't worry about it." I stated quietly, feeling like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, to see Kapri alive and herself again, standing right in front of me. "I just did what I wanted to do."
Holding out her arms, she giggled a little and seemed to wait for something.
Now what? I thought with a little irritation as I gazed at her cluelessly.
"The space suit was in our way, before." she stated calmly, an obvious hint at something.
...Huh?
"Give me a hug!" she called a little, bringing her arms in to her chest as she hugged herself tightly. "A real tight one." Looking at the ground, she seemed to sober up. "I need to know that I'm alive."
...Alive? We still need to get out of here. I thought, feeling my cheeks heat up. "We may be alive right now...but look at our situation. You want to live, right? You want to go back and see everyone?"
"And not become another person's memory?" she asked softly, knowingly.
Hesitating a little, I nodded. "That's right."
As we walked out onto the ship, there was a thunderous roar from below us and Kapri let out a terrified squeak, barely able to keep from screaming, and dropped to her knees on the catwalk.
Dropping beside her, I looked out over the edge and noticed a large, red scaled alien-like creature stalking the floor below. It was easily a lot bigger than us, and in the corner of the room looked to be at least three bodies with the remains of space suits.
My guess was that this monster overtook the ship some time ago and killed the crew...?
"What is it?" Kapri whispered quietly.
I shook my head and shrugged. How the hell should I know? "Do I look like an expert on alien monster types?" I asked sarcastically. Sighing heavily, I brushed a hand against my face and closed my eyes. "Sorry. Listen..." Looking at her, I quickly glanced down at the monster. "We don't know what it is, or what it's capable of, so we should try to avoid it for now."
Standing up quietly, I made for a door at the end of the catwalk and tried to open it, but there was a series of beeps before a computerized voice sounded over the intercom, making the monster roar and dash around with clearly inhuman speeds.
"Emergency Security System activated. Cockpit Access denied until all threats are eliminated."
Threats?? As in...more than one? Looking back at the monster, I frowned. One looked tough enough. Just how many of these things were there?
We found out the hard way. Though these things were fast, as long as we walked in the shadows and hid around the corners, we could sneak past them into the other rooms, but that only served to make us visible and vulnerable to the monster on the other side.
There were at least eight of the monsters, two red, two yellow, two purple, and two blue. Kapri and I managed to kill a red on and made it into the next room to kill a blue one. They attacked hard, and had a bad habit of casting Sleep, Silence and Blind on us. Luckily, we had Esuna junctioned to our armor, protecting us from those spells.
And Unfortunately, we didn't realize the pattern earlier.
After going to each room and killing seven of them, when I went to return to the previous room, I was blindsided by one that ressurected while we were gone. Luckily, Kapri managed to stall him and heal me, and we killed it.
"What the hell?!" I demanded, holding my blade at it's...well, it's throat, I think, and glaring at the corpse. "Didn't we kill this one already?!"
Pursing her lips, Kapri knelt at it's side and frowned. "Hey, look. It's wounds are healing."
Immediately, I pulled Kapri back and thought about what was going on.
Eight monsters...two of each color...we can kill them randomly, but they come back to life, so... "Do you think we need to kill them by color code?"
Giving me a confused look, Kapri shrugged. "...Huh?"
"Think of it." I urged, absently casting a Holy to keep the monster down. "We kill them randomly and they just keep coming back. But there's two of every color. This ones a purple one, and I remember where the other one is. I bet, if we kill it, they'll stay dead." I mused out loud.
An enlightened look came over her face and she nodded. Heading around the ship, we carefully took out the monsters in color code. First the purples, since one was already down, then the yellows, followed by the blues and then the reds.
"Security Lock released" the computerized voice replied as it seemed to sense the monsters were gone. I heard doors opening and grinned to Kapri as we made our way to the cock pit.
Seeing the seven seats, I blinked in shock, realizing the cockpit was huge.
"Wow!" Kapri muttered in awe, looking around with wide eyes.
Making my way to each of the seats, I frowned. Don't tell me... I have to...fly this thing?!?
A panel to my left began to beep and I looked over, noticing the dust covering it. Walking over to it, I stood behind the seat and looked at it absently.
"Shane, it's trying to talk." Kapri muttered in shock.
No, it's a signal. Consoles don't 'talk', Kapri. I thought with a roll of my eyes. Looking at the buttons, I frowned and reached forward. ...Volume? Pressing it, I jumped a little as a concerned voice came through.
"This is Esthar Airstation."
It's...
"Ragnarok, do you read? Ragnarok, do you read?!"
...a radio signal.
"This is the Airstation. Do you copy?!"
Feeling a weight bolt into my side and arms wrap around my waist, I looked down in surprise to see Kapri clinging to me tightly. My face got warm again, but I ignored it as I lightly wrapped my arms around her shoulders a moment, before pulling away.
"This is the Ragnarok?" I questioned absently.
There was a moment of silence before an excited voice carried through in response. "Whoa! Is this really the Ragnarok?! You're in space, right?"
Last time I checked... I nodded a little and leaned on the back of the chair. "Yeah, but I have no idea where we are."
"Roger that! We can track you from here!"
My eyes widened and I heard a slight gasp, turning my head to see Kapri looked shocked and...scared? Frowning a little, I wondered why she was scared. I was about to turn and ask when I heard the voice again and what it said caused me to turn back to the console.
"Ragnarok, it's been 17 years!" the person cried excitedly.
!7 years... "Can we make it back?" After all, if this ship's been floating in space for 17 years, it might not have the needed oxygen or fuel, the body might be rusted in crucial areas...
"Leave it to us! You should have enough fuel!" He went on to explain what I needed to do, and basically, I understood about half of what he was saying. When I asked for specific details, the guy was all too happy to assist us.
"Are you in the pilot seat?"
Looking around, I frowned at the numerous seats. If you went by the way things normally went, tradition if you would, the pilot seat would be one of the two front ones. But there were two front ones, each with totally different panels, and there was no guarantee that it was either of them. "There's too many seats here." I groaned, shaking my head.
"It's the one in the front, on the right."
Heading to it, I hopped over and sat in it, checking out the panel and dusting it off so I could see better. "All right."
He told me what to enter and I did, double checking it to make sure nothing was wrong before hitting a button to send it into the computer. Then, he advised me to turn off the gravity generator to save some fuel, and I did so.
"Congratulations, Ragnarok. You're home free. And one more thing from all of us down at Ground Control. We wish you God speed." the man said warmly.
Nodding a little, I allowed myself a smile as I hung onto the seat to keep from being lifted into the air. We're really going home. Matron, Dustin, Marah, Tori, Hunter... We're coming back... "Thanks." Turning my head to Kapri, I gestured for her to come sit down, and bit my lip to keep from laughing at what happened next.
Taking an unsure step forward, Kapri was lifted off the ground and floated by unevenly as she swung her arms wildly. "Hey?!" she cried in shock, curling up into a ball as she floated helplessly.
Looking at her, and how she buried her face in her knees, I let myself smile and pushed off from my seat, floating over to her and gently taking her arms. Pushing off again, I brought her back to the pilot seat and left her floating as I sat down, putting my seatbelt on.
"Go sit over there." I instructed, pointing to the seat beside me. "Put your seatbelt on."
Turning to the concole, I felt my eyes widen in surprise when her body, instead, chose to land in my lap, and she wrapped her arms around my neck, curling against me and shivering a little. I opened my mouth to say something but closed my eyes and closed it again, wrapping my hands around her waist to hold her in place.
We stayed like that for a little while, silently enjoying the warm, safe embrace. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I should be uncomfortable or not, because I really wasn't used to this kind of affection, and it made me nervous.
Shifting a little, Kapri buried her face in my neck and I could still feel her shivering. But, it was warm, so... Why was she shivering?
With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and gave a half-hearted nudge to her, pointing to the seat again. "Now, go sit down." I stated softly, looking at the top of her head.
She shook her head quickly and tightened her hold a little, cuddling deeper into my arms and making me blush. "Just a little longer..." she pleaded shakily.
"Why're you holding me like this?" I found myself asking without realizing it.
Looking into my eyes, I saw the uncertainty. "You don't like this, Shane?"
Frowning a little, I shrugged and looked away. "Just...not used to it."
"How about when you were little? Didn't you feel safe and secure when your parents would hold you?" she pressed lightly.
I shrugged again and looked back at her big blue eyes. "I can't remember anything about my parents." I admitted quietly. "But...Kelly was there. She was there to hold my hand."
Nodding a little, Kapri buried her face into my neck and took a deep breath, blowing it out again and making me shudder from the ticklish sensation. "I bet it made you feel secure." she stated whistfully.
Is that what she wants? To be held and made to feel secure? But...why would she suddenly need to feel safe and secure? Is it because of what Ultimecia did, using her body? "Sure. But she just left. Just disappeared." I answered a little bitterly, feeling the old pang come back as I remembered how I'd spent that time on the back porch, vowing to take care of myself. "I'm afraid..." I whispered as I felt tears come to my eyes and closed them. "Afraid of having that feeling of comfort taken away."
"You're afraid of losing us." she stated knowingly with a slight nod. "That's why you kept everyone away, kept your distance."
"I was always alone..."
"Shane..." She tightened her hold and curled up even more in my embrace, moving to rub her cheek against mine lightly before kissing it and burying her face into my neck again. "You missed out on all the good things in life. You've missed out on so much!"
Blushing, I looked at the console and nodded carefully. "...Maybe."
"Definitely." she stated sternly. "I like being like this. I miss having my mom..." She trailed off.
I knew she was remembering that her mom on this planet wasn't really her mom, or maybe she was remembering her real mom on a different world, or in a different reality... Frowning, I looked at the top of her head and let my hand drift up to stroke the blonde locks slightly. After all her time here, the fact that she's from another world or dimension... It still bothers her. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself a smirk. "I'm not your mom." Classic comment and I knew it would get her mind off that situation for a moment at least.
She giggled a little. "No. Of course not. But now..." Her voice hitched a little before she giggled again. "Shane, you're the one who gives me the most comfort." Then she out right laughed. "And annoyance and disappointment, too!"
"Whatever." I muttered with a roll of my eyes, blushing when she repeated me in sync, breaking out into giggles again.
"You should get back to your seat now." I stated with a sigh.
She shook her head and buried herself as deeply as she could into my arms. "Just a little longer."
You'll be safer in your seat. I thought in resignation as I brushed my hands through her locks again and looked out over the approaching planet. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I did enjoy this. Not just the feeling of being whole, with her arms wrapped around my neck, but the knowledge that she was alive and safe, safe within my arms. The feeling of happiness that I was able to save her.
"We're gonna make it home, right?" Her voice sounded shaky and uncertain, almost scared.
I nodded a little, wanting to scream 'yes' but not wanting to get ahead of myself. "We can only hope." I answered instead.
"When we get back...we won't be able to stay together, huh?"
I frowned a little and shook my head, feeling my confusion peak at her words. "...Maybe." I hope we can. "No one can predict the future. There are no guarantees." But if there was a way, I silently vowed to find it. "Those are your words, Kapri." I reminded her grimly.
She sighed and shook her head, pulling away a little but refusing to look me in the eyes. "That's not what I meant."
"We'll figure out what to do once we get back." I stated with a frown, wondering where her attitude was coming from and why she seemed so sad and resigned.
Her eyes closed tightly and she leaned up, gently pressing her lips to mine. I blinked in surprise, feeling my whole body stiffen up at the warm, tingling sensation and felt my face heat up, but it seemed to last only a second before I closed my eyes and gave in, kissing her back.
All too soon, she pulled away and gazed at me with such pain and sadness in her blue eyes as she carefully pushed off and sat in her seat, doing up her seatbelt and looking at the floor. "They're all gonna be mad at me." she stated softly.
"Mad...?" I echoed in confusion. Trying to think about it, I put a lot of what happened into context and ended up with a theory. One I didn't like!
"Ragnarok, this is Airstation. Do you read me?"
"This is the Ragnarok." I replied calmly, staring at Kapri as she stared lifelessly at the ground, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"We have some questions for you. We've been gathering escape pods and have a fairly good idea of what's going on. I hear there's no one from Lunar Base on board. How many of you are there?"
"...Just two." I repied after a moment, still watching as Kapri wiped away her tears and she hunched a little farther, letting her head hang limply.
"...And your names?"
"Shane Clarke. I'm a SeeD from Balamb Garden."
"...:And the other?"
"Kapri-"
"Kapri?! Sorceress Kapri?! She's on board with you?!?" the voice demanded harshly.
Frowning, I watched as her eyes met mine slowly and she offered me a weak smile before she covered her face and began to cry. So...It's true? My theory was right. Kapri's become a Sorceress..?
"I'm a sorceress now, Shane. That's why I can't travel with you anymore." she stated reluctantly, her eyes filled with hesitant acceptance.
"Respond, Ragnarok!" the voice seemed to become concerned.
"Nobody would want to be around me anymore. On earth, I kinda got used to it, but now... After making such amazing friends..." She hesitated a little and winced.
"The sorceress will be seized upon arrival. Make sure to follow the crew's directions!" the person ordered sternly.
"I'm...scared." she whispered, bringing her knees up to her chest and burying her face in them.
"Shane, do you read me?! ...Is the sorceress listening, too?"
Growling angrily, I glared at the intercom and harshly slapped the button to silence it before unbuckling my seatbelt and moving to kneel at Kapri's side. Undoing her seatbelt, I gathered her into my arms, holding her tightly and finally realizing why she didn't want to leave my arms before.
It all became too clear, and my mind was filled with questions and thoughts, all of which swirled around too fast to make sense of. I held her tightly and lightly kissed the top of her head, wondering what to do.
"I'm scared, Shane." she admitted, looking at me briefly.
I nodded a little and leaned in to kiss her lightly. Me too. I thought as tears gathered in my eyes and I held her once again. Me too.
"I don't wanna go back." she whimpered, holding my jacket tightly and shaking in my arms.
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...(Shakes head) Sappy. LOL So, now you know what happened to Kapri. ...I like this chapter. Then again, I've liked like the last three chapters, so...
Ok, I'm back with updates for everyone. Sorry it took so long.
Hope YOU liked it! LOL
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Now...Am I just supposed to let you go?
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R+R please!
Thank you.
Tenshi