Chapter 27: Max and Pandora's Escape
Max slowly looked around the room to make sure that no one was around, he then pulled his fist back and after five seconds he launched his fist at the side of the stasis tube completely shattering the glass where he had struck. The liquid within the tube drained out of it and as soon as the tube was completely emptied Max slowly stepped out of it grinning evilly and cracking his knuckles.
"At times like this, I'm thankful for the experiments the Dark Kitsunes conducted," Dark Max spoke quietly, (A/N, even though Max is currently wearing a rune bracelet which blocks all of his powers and transformations, it doesn't stop Dark Max from taking over his mind.) he took another look at the now broken tube behind him, "someone's bound to have heard that, I better get out of here." Dark Max bolted out of the room and he was in a long corridor. "Ok, first things first," Dark Max said as he crept down the corridor and entered a room filled with large crates, "this must be the cargo room," he stated as he looked around the room, "I need to think of plan," Dark Max said to himself. "Max is usually the planner," Dark Max thought to himself, "I'm just the kill first ask questions later guy…Oh Shit!" Dark Max panicked for a second before he quickly lifted the lid of the nearest crate and climbed into, he was surprised to see that the crate was filled with apples and there was a hand sized hole in the side of it. Dark Max looked through the hole and he could see two of Illusion's guards, one male and one female enter the room and walk towards the crate Dark Max was in.
"Tell me again why we're doing this job?" The female asked her slightly older partner.
"Because," the male guard answered her, "this job actually pays well and I'm sure it beats being in the front line for the Dark Kitsune army."
"I guess you're right," the female guard replied, "I used to be in the front line, as punishment for speaking my mind, then I got transferred to this world because Illusion said that I'd come in useful to her."
"Looks like you got a lucky break then," the male guard spoke up, "which is more than what can be said for the prisoner."
"How much more blood does Illusion need to extract from him?" The female guard asked.
"Let's see now," the male thought out loud, "she's collected enough blood from him to put into 200 soldiers, so ten to twenty more jabs with Hojo's needle and she'll have all the blood she needs and it'll be good by to the Kitsune Prince."
"Do tell," the female guard pleaded as curiosity got the better of her.
"Well," the male guard explained not knowing that Dark Max was listening to them. "Illusion is only keeping him alive while he's useful to her, once he's served his purpose, Max has a date with the guillotine." Dark Max almost cried out when he heard that, but he managed to control himself. "Of course, she'll torture him for five days straight, cut off all five of his tails and then she'll cut off his head!" The male guard continued to tell his partner in graphic detail as he ran a finger across his neck to symbolise someone being beheaded. Dark Max instinctively ran his hand across his neck as he was hearing this.
"I heard that his wife is being held captive," the female guard stated as though it was just normal everyday gossip.
"You heard right," the male guard responded, "she'll have a front row seat to Max's torture and execution."
"Pandora's been captured…" Dark Max thought fearfully to himself, "damn! This just complicates things, I have to get out of here, rescue Pandora and wake Max up."
"I'm feeling hungry," the female guard stated as she put her hand through the hole, Dark Max crawled back as he saw the hand come through and feel round the box for an apple. Dark Max picked one up and he held it towards the hole, the hand grabbed it and pulled out the apple, the woman then bit into it. "Mmmmm…" She mumbled in a satisfied tone as she ate the apple, "this tastes good."
"We better get back to work," the male guard stated as he looked at his watch, the woman had finished the apple and she threw the apple core in the bin as the two guards walked out of the room. Dark Max grinned as he picked up an apple and ate it, once he was sure the coast was clear he opened the lid of the box threw the apple core in the bin and crept out of the room.
Meanwhile in the brig Pandora was pacing round in her cell, "I can't believe it!" Pandora thought sadly to herself, "I was this close to rescuing Max and this happens!" She stopped pacing and she walked over to the only bed in the cell and she sat on the edge of it sighing to herself. Maybe I should just give up…" She whispered quietly to herself.
"And miss out on all the fun!" A dark sounding voice joked.
"Huh?" Pandora's ears pricked up as she heard the voice, "Wait a minute," she stated as she stood up and walked over to the bars of her cell, "I know that voice." Dark Max dropped down from the ceiling and he grinned at Pandora. "Dark!" She exclaimed, "how did you get out?"
"I'm Max's primitive side, remember?" Dark Max began to explain, "even when Max is sleeping I'm still awake, which in this case is actually a good thing."
"So, how come you're not fully transformed?" Pandora questioned as she stared intently at Dark Max.
"Because those bastards put a rune bracelet on me while I was unconscious," Dark Max answered bitterly as he lifted his arm up to reveal the rune bracelet on his wrist. "Can you get this thing off me so I can transform fully?" Dark Max pleaded as he moved his arm closer to the bars of the cell.
"Oh sure," Pandora replied as she brought her foot up and slammed it down heel first on the rune bracelet causing it to snap in half and fall off Dark Max's wrist. As soon as the rune bracelet fell to the ground a dark aura surrounded Dark Max, his fur changed from sea-green to purple, his hair became jet black with blue streaks and claws sprang out from the tips of his fingers. Dark Max looked at himself and he grinned.
"That's better," he stated pleased that he was able to fully transform again, he looked at the bars of the cell and back at Pandora, "I'd stand back if I were you," Pandora obeyed and she stepped back from the bars of the cell, Dark Max grabbed hold of the bars on the door of the cell and with all his might he pulled the door off its hinges.
An alarm sounded and soldiers and Dark Kitsunes ran into the brig pointing their weapons at Dark Max and Pandora. "Hold it right there!" One of the soldiers yelled, "drop whatever it is you're holding and put your hands on your head!"
Dark Max looked at the cell door he was holding in his hands, he then looked at the soldiers and grinned at them. "Ok," he said slyly and he threw the cell door at them, pinning them against the wall. Pandora ran out of the cell and she stood next to Dark Max, "come on," Dark Max said quickly as he grabbed hold of Pandora's hand, "let's get out of here," he and Pandora ran out of the room leaving the soldiers to struggle.
"Can't this thing go any faster?!" Drogo yelled at Cid as the Sierra was struggling to catch up with the airship in front of them.
"Just shut up!" Cid snapped not taking his eyes off the Sierra's controls, "the Sierra's going as fast as she can go so quit your whining!"
While Cid and Drogo were arguing Cloud was stood at the window looking out sadly, he didn't notice Tifa walking up behind him. "Something on your mind?" She asked, Cloud turned round to face her.
"Tifa…" He said surprised that she was standing behind him, "I didn't see you there."
"Is there something wrong?" Tifa asked again and Cloud sighed.
"What was Pandora thinking?" He asked Tifa, "how could she do something so reckless?"
"Because she loves Max," Tifa answered as she put her hand on Cloud's shoulder, "love makes you do crazy things sometimes."
Cloud smiled ruefully, "yeah," he agreed, "we know that to be true, Tifa…"
"Yes?" Tifa asked as she stared into Cloud's bright blue eyes.
"You know that day, before we were going to fight Sephiroth in the Northern Cave," Cloud started to answer, "how close we were."
Tifa nodded, "I never forgot it," she replied with a smile, "it was the first time you were able to truly open up to me."
"Remember when we said that we'd stay together no matter…" Cloud started to ask put Tifa placed a finger on Cloud's lips.
"And I still stand by that Cloud," Tifa replied reassuringly, Cloud reached his hands up and he stroked the sides of Tifa's face. "There's not a second that goes by when I'm not thinking about you."
"You're so beautiful Tifa Lockhart," Cloud complimented her, "and you speak your mind, but you're also kind and caring and that's what I've always liked about you." Tifa smiled, "when all this is over, we can be a real family, you, me, Marlene and Denzel." Tifa and Cloud stared at each other for a few seconds before they kissed. "I'm never gonna let you go Tifa," Cloud promised between kisses.
"I'm never gonna let you go Cloud," Tifa also promised in between kisses, for what seemed like forever Cloud and Tifa were locked in an embrace.
"Hey lovebirds!" Zack yelled causing Cloud and Tifa to quickly break apart, "as much as I love to see you two kissing each other's brains out, we've got a serious problem." Zack pointed out of the window and everyone looked in the direction he was pointing in to see several missiles flying towards them.
"Shit!" Cloud exclaimed as he saw the missiles, "Cid, evasive manoeuvres!"
"Alright, alright!" Cid yelled at Cloud, "don't get your panties in a twist!" He pushed a button and the propellers were replaced by thrusters engines and the Sierra became more streamlined. "Hang on!" Cid warned the group as he took control of the ship again, "This is gonna be a bumpy ride, so don't piss yourselves!"
Everyone aboard the Sierra screamed as Cid made the ship perform several evasive manoeuvres. The missiles flew passed as Cid made the Sierra do a barrel roll. "They're heading back this way!" Zack yelled in a panic as the missiles did a u turn and sped back towards them. "Move faster Cid!"
"I'm moving as fast as I bloody can!" Cid snapped at the ex SOLDIER, as he pulled back on the levers causing the Sierra to fly upwards.
"Not fast enough!" Zack screamed at the pilot as the missiles started gaining on the Sierra. Cid pushed forwards on the levers causing the Sierra to dive, however the missiles were still on the Sierra's tail.
"They look like homing missiles," Nightshade stated calmly while everyone else was panicking and holding on for dear life.
"Yeah, nice Nightshade!" Drogo yelled sarcastically as he glared at the Kitsune, "We've got homing missiles on our ass and all you can say is…" he mimics Nightshades voice, "they look like homing missiles," he talks normally again, "how can you be so bloody calm!?"
"WILL YOU BOTH JUST SHUT UP!" Cid yelled at the top of his lungs causing everyone to stare at him, "I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE HERE!" Cid pulled back on the levers slightly and the Sierra levelled off. They could hear the sound of a missile speeding passed them but they could hear an explosion followed by an alarm going off in the Sierra. "SHIT!" Cid yelled at the top of his lungs as the Sierra began to lose altitude. "WE'RE LOSING ALTITUDE! I'M MOVING IN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING SO HANG ON TIGHT!" Cid fought for control so that he could land the Sierra safely, Cloud was holding on tightly to Tifa when Zack came up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Cloud…" Zack said sincerely, "in case we don't get out of this alive I just wanted you to know that…I'm sorry I planted a stink bomb in your locker at the training academy…"
Cloud turned round to glare at Zack, "that was you?!" He demanded as Zack took several paces away from him.
"It was April fools day," Zack defended himself, "it was just a bit of harmless fun…"
Cloud smiled ruefully, "I know, and I'm sorry for leaving you to die and thinking that I was you."
"Nah don't worry about it," Zack brushed Cloud's apology to the side, "like I said, I thought it was hilarious."
"And Tifa, I'm sorry I was always so cold and distant towards you," Cloud apologised to Tifa, Tifa smiled and kissed him.
"It's ok Cloud," Tifa accepted his apology, "I'm sorry I yelled at you when the kids went missing."
"It's ok Tifa," Cloud and Tifa held on even tighter to each other.
"Hey Nightshade," Drogo said to Nightshade as he placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, "while we're on the subject of confessions…"
"What is it Drogo?" Nightshade asked, an air of impatience in his voice.
"I'm sorry I spiked your drink with alcohol…" Drogo said quickly hoping that Nightshade wouldn't catch it.
"You did WHAT?!" Nightshade yelled at Drogo as he grabbed Drogo by the neck.
"I thought you could do with livening up…" Drogo admitted, "how was I supposed to know it would knock you out for three whole days..." Nightshade tightened his grip on Drogo's throat, "Nightshade…can't breathe…"
Nightshade released his hold on Drogo, "I guess my biggest regret is that I was never around to see Max growing up," Nightshade stated sadly.
"But Max already forgave you for that though," Tifa reminded him.
"I know," Nightshade replied, "but it's a regret that I'll always have."
"What do you think this is a confession box?" Cid asked sarcastically as the Sierra continued to lose altitude.
"Hey Cid?" Zack asked the pilot, "Don't you have any regrets?"
"None what so ever," Cid answered as he took out a cigarette, lit it and put it in his mouth.
"Cid, stop smoking!" Tifa admonished him.
"I'M TENSE!" Cid yelled at Tifa, "I HAVEN'T HAD A SMOKE FOR A WHILE!"
"I thought you were supposed to be giving up!" Tifa continued to lecture Cid.
"DON'T LECTURE ME WOMAN!" Cid yelled again growing increasingly irritated. "IF I WANTED A LECTURE I'D HAVE STAYED AT HOME WITH SHERRA!"
"Looks like we're getting closer to the ground," Drogo cut in causing Cid and Tifa to stop arguing.
"Hang on!" Cid yelled as he pulled on the levers causing the Sierra to finally level off again and scrape along the ground as it landed with a thud. After covering miles of Astroturf the Sierra finally screeched to a halt. "Anyone who's not dead say I!" Cid shouted as he saw everyone piled on top of each other in one corner of the room.
"We're all here Cid," Cloud spoke up as everyone disentangled themselves and they got off the Sierra to evaluate the damage.
"Ok, one of the thrusters is gone," Cid stated as he continued to look at the damage, "the Sierra will be out of commission for a while."
"Of course this never would've happened if you let Max upgrade the ship," Drogo muttered under his breath.
"Well we're still alive aren't we?!" Tifa asked as she gave Drogo an evil stare, "that's the main thing."
"But we didn't even rescue Max and Pandora," Nightshade stated sadly.
"Look," Cloud suggested, "we've landed on the runway outside WRO, we should head back to base, get the Sierra repaired and think of another plan."
Cid took his phone out of his pocket and dialled a number, "It's me captain Highwind," he spoke into the phone, "the Sierra took some damage, homing missile…no, no, everyone's ok, I need you to send some people to get the Sierra back to the hangar and get it fixed, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S SHORT NOTICE JUST GET YOUR ASSES IN GEAR!" Cid hung up on the phone, "they're sending some people to pick up the Sierra," he told the group.
"Let's head back to base," Cloud said and the group made their way back to WRO Headquarters.
"I think the coast is clear," Pandora stated as she looked round the corner but she didn't see anyone coming.
"Good," Dark Max replied and he started to run down the corridor.
"Where are you going?" Pandora called out to him as quietly as she could, "the exit is that way," she stated as she pointed down another corridor.
"I need to find something to wake Max," Dark Max replied, "and last I checked the med bay was in this direction."
"You've done this before haven't you?" Pandora asked him, Dark Max grinned and nodded.
"When I was captured by Scarlet," he answered, "of course that time I was on my own, I didn't have Max's charming wife with me."
"Am I really that charming?" Pandora asked him.
"Yeah," Dark Max stated as though it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Max never stops talking about you and might I add the other night was just divine."
"Can we talk about this another time?" Pandora asked as she looked down the corridor to see if anyone was coming.
"Let's go," Dark Max said as he grabbed Pandora's hand and they ran down the corridor. Dark Max and Pandora had to hide behind several corners as guards walked passed them, fortunately the guards didn't notice them. But Dark Max and Pandora knew that Balthazar, Scarlet, Sephiroth and the others were also on the ship and Dark Max didn't really want to fight them at the minute. Eventually they reached the med bay. Pandora watched as Dark Max began searching the cupboards and he threw things all over the place. "No, no…nu ah…aaahh…here were go!" He stated as he pulled out a bottle of colourless liquid, "this is the stuff," Dark Max grabbed a clean syringe and he drained some of the liquid into it. He then sat down on the floor rolled up his trouser leg and pointed the syringe at it. "Ok, this is it buddy, you better thank me for this," Dark Max said in a serious tone as he stabbed the needle into his leg.
"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Dark Max cried out in pain, Pandora ran up to him and knelt down beside him.
"Dark…or Max…which ever one I'm talking to now," Pandora said in a panicked tone, "are you ok?" For a while Dark Max didn't answer, his eyes rolled in his head before they closed. Pandora grabbed hold of his shoulders to support him. He slumped further down as his body slowly changed back to normal.
"Uhhhhh…" Max moaned as he began to stir.
"Max…" Pandora whispered in his ear as she gently shook him to bring him to his senses.
Max's eyes fluttered open and this time they were blue, he looked up and he saw Pandora, "Pandora…" Max whispered softly, he sound disorientated and he looked around him, his eyes were unfocused. "Where are we?"
"We're on Illusion's airship," Pandora answered him, "they brought you on here, I followed and I was captured, I'm not sure what happened to the others though."
"The others…" Max asked, Pandora explained to him what had happened, "so you guys came to rescue me, but they didn't follow you on the ship?" Pandora shook her head, "so I was in stasis and my Dark side helped me out," Max continued to quiz Pandora, "thanks Dark," Max replied gratefully to his dark side.
"You're welcome," Dark Max replied, "but we should really think about getting out of here."
"Right," Max agreed, he staggered slowly to his feet, he stumbled and would've fallen if Pandora hadn't have caught him.
"Take it easy," Pandora advised him, "don't take it too fast ok."
Max nodded, "ok," he agreed, "I think I can stand on my own now." Pandora released her hold on him slightly but she still had hold of his hand.
"Come on, let's get you out of here," Pandora said as she led Max out of the med bay and down the corridor. Eventually they reached the airlock, "this is it," Pandora stated, "our way out." Pandora struggled to get the airlock open, neither she nor Max noticed anyone sneak up behind them.
"Leaving so soon," a soft yet dark female voice spoke behind them, Max and Pandora spun round to see Illusion and her goons standing behind them.
"Illusion…" Max whispered as he stared at the woman.
"I must admit that I greatly underestimated your abilities young prince," Illusion stated as she continued to stare Max down, "a mistake I won't be making again, seize them!" Rosso and Azul stepped forwards and they grabbed hold of Max and Pandora, their prisoners struggled wildly to try and escape. "Take Max to the high security cell, I'll deal with him later!" Illusion ordered, "and as for you," Illusion said threateningly as she glared at Pandora, "you're not needed, throw her off the ship!"
"No!" Max shouted at the top of his lungs and he struggled even more frantically, Max could do nothing but watch as Illusion pushed the airlock open button and Rosso pushed Pandora out of it, she banged her wing hard on the side of the airlock as she fell out of it.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Pandora screamed as she fell out of the ship.
"PANDORA!" Max yelled at the top of his lungs as he saw Pandora fall out of the ship and with a sudden burst of strength he threw Azul off him. Before Illusion or anyone else could react Max ran for the airlock and dived out of it. Max closed his eyes as he fell and he concentrated all his energy and time seemed to slow down around him. He opened his eyes which were now irisless and pupiless, the whites glowed brightly. Max's fur became white and tinged with blue, his hair became blue with silver streaks and became even more unruly than usual. Two large angel wings arched out of his back and his body seemed to be radiating a bright light. He straightened his body out so that he fell faster, when he was a few feet below Pandora he stretched his wings out and flapped them slowing his descent. He then stretched his arms out and caught Pandora as she fell. "You have a real habit of getting into trouble," he whispered to Pandora as he slowly flew down to the ground.
"So do you," Pandora said back causing Max to laugh.
"I guess that's what drew us to each other," Max responded as Pandora wrapped her arms round Max's neck.
"Why is it that whenever I was in trouble and I needed a knight in shinning armour, I always got you?" Pandora asked a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Maybe I am a knight in shinning armour," Max answered as they got nearer to the ground they saw that they were completely surrounded by canyons, they saw an observatory on top of the tallest canyon. "Hey, isn't that Cosmo Canyon?" Max asked as he and Pandora looked down.
"Yeah," Pandora answered, "I didn't realise how far we'd come, try to land there."
"Ok," Max replied and he changed his direction towards Cosmo Canyon, five minutes later Max landed gracefully at the entrance of Cosmo Canyon and Pandora slid out of his arms and stood on the ground.
"It feels good to be on solid ground again," Pandora stated as she looked around her, "we didn't get much chance to explore the last time we were here, not to mention we need to get in contact with the others, right Max…Max?" Pandora turned round to see Max lying on the ground unconscious, he had returned to normal and he was breathing deeply. Pandora knelt down beside him, "I guess being captured and breaking out must've taken it's toll on you," she observed as she picked him up and swung him over his shoulder, he felt surprisingly light, "what did they do to you?" Pandora asked half to herself as she carried Max to the inn, when she entered the lobby she walked over to the front desk where a man was stood.
"May I help you?" He asked politely as he saw Pandora approach the desk.
"Yeah," Pandora answered, "my husband passed out not too long ago and we need a place to stay for a while."
"And how long do you plan to be staying for?" The man asked as he looked through a book.
"I'm not too sure," Pandora replied truthfully, "just until he recovers and we'll be on our way."
"Well it's 20gil per night," the man informed her.
"Sounds fair," Pandora replied as she paid the man 20gil.
"Thank you," the man stated gratefully, "your room is up the stairs and the third one on the left," the man said as he handed Pandora the room key.
"Thanks," Pandora responded and she walked up the stairs, as soon as she entered the room, she pulled back the bed covers, eased Max on to the bed and took his boots off before pulling the covers back over him. Pandora watched for a moment before she moved away from the bed.
"Ok," she said to herself as she formulated a plan, "I need to call the others and tell them where we are." She reached into her pocket to get her phone but she couldn't find it," hmmm… odd, I could've sworn I put it in my pocket, maybe I should check the other pocket," Pandora checked her other pocket but it wasn't there. "Damn it!" Pandora yelled but she immediately regretted it when she thought she had woken Max up. She turned round but fortunately Max was still asleep, "wait, now I remember, I was in such a hurry to rescue Max that I forgot to pick it up, I'll have to use another phone." Pandora walked back over to Max, she sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked his hair. "I just need to leave the room for a little while," she whispered softly in his ear, "don't worry, I'll be back soon," she quickly kissed him on the lips and she walked out of the room.
She entered the lobby and she walked to the front desk, the same man who had served her before came to the desk. "Have you found the room alright?" He asked.
Pandora nodded, "yeah," she answered, "do you have any phone books for the Eastern Continent?" She asked.
"I'll just have a look," the man answered and he walked to the shelf at the back and started looking through all the books, "what region do you want?" He asked.
"Region?" Pandora questioned giving the man a confused look.
"Do you want a book for Edge, Kalm, Fort Condor, Junon…" The man asked as he gave Pandora an understanding smile.
"Oh," Pandora stated now that she understood what he meant, "hmmm…WRO is near Kalm right?" She thought to herself, "I'll have a book for Kalm please," Pandora said to the man.
The man found the book and he returned to the desk, "there you are," he said as he gave her the book, "a phone book for the Kalm area."
"Thanks," Pandora replied gratefully as she began to search through the book until she found the number for WRO, "aaahhhh, there's the number," she saw the phone on the desk, "can I use your phone please?" She asked.
"Is it a local call?" The man questioned as he gave Pandora a sceptical stare.
"Yes…" Pandora replied, the man nodded and walked into the room at the back. Pandora picked up the phone and she dialled a number while looking
at the phone book for a reference, eventually the phone started ringing.
"You have reached the WRO helpdesk service," an electronic voice spoke down the phone, "If you would like to report a strange incident press 1, if you have seen sightings of Sephiroth press 2, if you're a hero in need press 3…" Pandora quickly pressed number 3, "please hold," the electronic voice said and an annoying tune started playing, Pandora patiently waited and an hour later the electronic voice spoke again.
"You have selected a hero in need, if monsters are attacking you, press 1, if you're trapped and need assistance, press 2, if you're stuck in the Northern Cave, press 3, if you're calling on behalf of another hero, press 4." Pandora quickly pressed 4, "please hold," a different annoying tune started playing.
"Grrrrrr…" Pandora growled irritably but still she waited and after another hour the tune stopped.
"If you need reinforcements, press 1, if you need the special ops, press 2, if you're currently stranded and need a pick up, press 3." Pandora quickly pressed 3, "please hold," the Chocobo theme tune started playing.
"Oh for the love of…" Pandora started cursing but she was aware that everyone in the lobby was staring at her so she decided to keep her cool. Another hour went by before the electronic voice started speaking again.
"If you're in Midgar, press 1, if you're in Edge, press 2, if you're in Kalm press 3…" The electronic voice continued to list off all the locations until it said Cosmo Canyon and Pandora pressed the corresponding button, "please hold," a remix of the Chocobo theme tune started playing.
"I'm so gonna kill Rufus when I get back…" Pandora muttered under her breath as she listened to the annoying tune. By the time an hour had gone by Pandora was fast asleep, her head was resting on the desk and the phone was pressed up against her ear, eventually a human voice spoke which caused Pandora to wake up with a start.
"Hello?" A voice that Pandora recognised spoke into the phone, "Rufus Shinra speaking."
"RUFUS YOU BASTARD!" Pandora found herself yelling down the phone, unfortunately for Pandora she didn't know that everyone else in the WRO meeting room could hear her as well but at that moment in time she was too pissed off to care. "FOUR BLOODY HOURS I'VE BEEN WAITING! IT'S A GOOD THING WE WEREN'T BEING ATTACKED OTHERWISE WE WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD BY NOW!"
"Pandora," Rufus spoke calmly into the phone, "try to calm down…
"CALM DOWN!" Pandora yelled down the phone, "DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN YOU SMARMY GIT!" Pandora launched into every swear word in the book causing everyone in the meeting room to stare at the phone in shock.
"And I thought I was bad," Cid commented half shocked and half impressed at Pandora's swearing frenzy.
"Last time I saw Pandora pissed off she shoved a fireball up my ass," Drogo remarked.
"WAS THAT CID AND DROGO I COULD HEAR ON THE OTHER END?!" Pandora continued to yell.
"Yes," Rufus answered, "you are on loud speaker so I'd calm down if I were you."
"Oh…" Pandora suddenly calmed down, "Look, me and Max are in Cosmo Canyon and we need a lift."
"I see," Rufus responded, "why didn't you call my private line?" Rufus asked her.
"Private line…" Pandora repeated the last two words that Rufus had said.
"Yes," Rufus answered, "it would've sent you directly to my phone, it was on the list of options in the helpdesk message."
"I didn't hear it," Pandora responded defensively.
"It was in the first list of options," Rufus informed her, "what did you press exactly?"
"Number 3," Pandora answered him, "you mean to tell me that I went through all that for nothing!"
"Yes," Rufus said again, "and please stop shouting you're giving me a headache, as for the lift you need it'll take a while."
"Why?" Pandora demanded.
"The Sierra took on some damage when the rest of your group tried to follow the ship you and Max were on."
"What kind of damage?" Pandora continued to demand.
"One of the thrusters was blown off," Rufus answered, "and the other sustained some damage, the Sierra will be out of commission for a while."
"Of course none of this would've happened if someone had have accepted Max's offer to upgrade the Sierra, Cid!" Tifa stated glaring at Cid as she did so.
"Hey! I don't like people touching my ship alright!" Cid yelled in defence.
"Will you two just shut up," Vincent suddenly spoke up causing them both to fall silent. "How's Max?" Vincent asked Pandora down the phone.
"He's currently sleeping," Pandora answered, "I dread to think what they were doing to him…"
"Just hang in there Pandora," Nightshade reassured Pandora down the phone, "we'll get there as soon as we can."
"Ok," Pandora stated she had calmed down now that she knew her and Max were going to be rescued. "I'll see you guys soon," she hung up on the phone and feeling tired and frustrated she walked slowly up the stairs and back to her room. She locked the door and walked over to the bed where she kicked her boots off and crawled into the covers. She snuggled up to Max until her head was resting on his chest, she took one more look at him.
"Hang on Max," she whispered reassuringly in his ear, "our friends will be on their way and you'll be feeling better again, until then, get some rest." She kissed Max three times, one on each cheek and the other on his mouth before she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter 27 is complete, sorry it took so long but you know I was busy with other things. Chapter 28 will be coming soon, when I can find a spare moment to write it. Just a reminder that I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters, they belong to Square Enix, I do however own characters that I've created myself.