DISCLAIMER
Um... ya de yada... Don't own FF7, YGO, Harry Potter, ect...
Chapter XXI: To the Ancient City
Rose's P.O.V.
9:27 pm, the clock says on the wall. Everyone was asleep somewhere in their rooms, while I was wondering around in mine. There was no intention of sleeping, 1) Because of the nightmare, and 2) I am leaving for the Ancient City once I'm sure that everyone was asleep. Everywhere, there was snores and deep breathing. I went over to the door and opened it. With no one in the halls, I grab my bag and Holy Life rod, creeping into the hallway.
' This sucks... I'm leaving to go to the Ancient City and not somewhere else. Like, maybe, the Golden Saurcer,' I thought as I quickly left the bar. With hopes that no one was looking, I started to run towards the exit of the entire city, going at nearly the top of my speed.
You think that it is wise to not tell them where you are going? Rine asked.
" I'm sure they can get along fine without me for about a day or so," I replied as I jumped over a fallen pilliar.
If you say so, though I have a feeling that they know something about this.
" How can they know this plan? It's only if you or me said something about it."
It is only a feeling, Rose.
" Well, then we just have to ignore it, since I don't care one way or another if they do know."
As you say...
I soon reached the gates after about thirty minutes of running. Jumping over it, I continued on. I thought I heard the sounds of two engines starting, but it died before I could even listen to them closely. I shrugged it off as I sped up.
One question Rose: How are we crossing the ocean, if I'm reading your thoughts correctly? You going to fly?
" Uh... Haven't thought of that much. I guess we are flying."
Then I hope that there isn't any people nearby once you do spread your wings.
" Same here Rine, same here."
" KWEH! (WAIT!)"
I stopped to look at the chocobo - MY partner chocobo, Kasiya - that ran after me. She stopped and shakes her head.
" Kasiya?"
" Kweh k-kweh kweh kweh? (Where are you going?)" she demanded.
" I'm going somewhere," I said, though I know Kasiya was growing slightly impatiant by that answer.
" Kweh? Kweh kweh k-k-kweh kweh kweh! (Where? You're not going without me!)" she said firmly.
" Alright, alright. I'm going to the Ancient City."
I thought you wouldn't tell anyone, Rose.
" Shut-it, Rine," I said, causing her to laugh some more. " I take it that I have no say in this matter, Kasiya, that you're coming with me?"
" K-kweh kweh! (That's right!)"
" Can you cross the ocean, though?"
" Kweh! Kweh kweh k-kweh kweh k-k-kweh kweh! (Yeah! Cloud caught me only because I can fly!)"
" Fly?" ' And I thought there were only flying chocobo's in FF9!' " Then will you able to take me over there?"
" Kweh! Kweh k-kweh, (Yes! Climb on,)" Kasiya said as she kneeled down on one knee. After I climbed on and put my feet in the footholds that the travelling pack had, she stood back up quickly, nealy throwing me off.
" Careful! This is my first time riding a chocobo!" I said, wrapping my arms around her neck. She gave me a apoligetic look as she started to trot, to a run, then to a gallop. After a few minutes of hanging on for dear life, I got used to her strides and untightened my grip on her neck. Keeping my head down so that I wasn't a wind resistant, I grabbed the flying reins and kept my grip on that. This is definitly different from riding a horse or a motorcycle! As the ocean got larger as we got closer, Kasiya opened her wings and started to gain altitude! Soaring over the ocean, I looked down at the water to see our shadows reflecting off the surface from the moon's light.
" This is so AWSOME!" I said over the wind as Kasiya gained more speed.
Cloud's P.O.V.
" Got her in sight!" Cid said as he piloted his Sierra airship along-side the Highwind in the clouds. The pilot of the Highwind was the very crew that we counted on when we fought Sephiroth at the Crater.
" Good. Just stay out of sight of her's!"
" Got it!" Cid said as he turned the comm off. Tifa, Barret, Nananaki, Ebony, Rose's animals, and the children were all on the Highwind, while Reeve, Cait Sith (on his own, believe it or not), Yuffie, Vincent, Rude, Reno, Rufus (Reeve couldn't leave without telling them why, so they tagged along...), and Rose and Ebony's other friends were on Sierra. Denzel and Marlene were excited as they stared down to the water from the glass. All the other children were talking about how cool this was and many were playing together. And there are those who were sound asleep, being tired and/or bored.
" She's heading towards Bone Village," Nananaki said as he follows the direction she and Kasiya were heading. " Is she, perhaps, heading for the Forgotten Capital?"
" Why would she be going there?" Tifa asked.
" Don't know. It only seems that the Planet knows, since she's confused about the trip going there like us," I said. " We can only follow."
" Tell me again why we are followin' that girl?" Barret grumbled.
" Because of the people who think that they're doing what's right under the name of Shin-Ra," I answered him. " You said yourself that she has became a target for the disbanded Shin-Ra soldiers."
" Stop bein' right, bitch!"
" He really should work on his anger," Ebony laughed as she joins Marlene and Denzel at the windows.
" His cool is more like it," I said. " You haven't seen him angry yet."
" Oh, well, I better not be around when that happens, eh?"
" Stop talkin' about me as though I'm gawddamn deaf! I can her every fucking word you're sayin', bastards!"
" Yes, the mouth of Barret does live, ladies and gentlemen," Melody laughed as she plays with some of the children. Rose's companions does their job of keeping the kids' attention well. Trila kept many kids who were scared or upset quiet with Nananaki's help, Kate, Melody, and Phoenix were playing with kids that had too much energy, and Dranzer were telling jokes to those who felt left out. They probably could open up a business that has to do with kids.
" I heard that, cat!"
" Whoopie for you. What're you gonna do, cuse me out?"
" Shut the fuck up, you damn cat!"
" Calm down, Barret," Tifa said as she rolls her eyes. " We're here to keep the kids happy and make sure Rose is okay, not yell at Melody."
" The cat's worse than Cait Sith..." Barret grumbled some more.
" Okay guys, Bone Village is now in sight!" Cid yelled over the intercom. Kids were looking out the windows to look at the forest and the village surrounded by it.
" I remember this place!" Denzel said. " This is where Kadaj and his gang took us!"
" Yes, it is. But don't worry, it's just to find out what Rose is doing," Tifa said to Denzel. He was probably remembering Kadaj's gang, who took him and many others that had the Geostigma Syndrome, to the lake at the Ancient City and did something to gain control over them.
" Good."
" Yuuuup, she's bypassing Bone Village," Cid said. " So she's headin' for the Forgotten Capital!"
" We can see that, Cid!" Barret roared. " We're not blind!"
" Don't mind him, Cid. Thanks for the update," I said as I turned the comm off before the two could go at each other. " Alright, let's see what the planet had in mind for this entire trip."
Rose's P.O.V.
Landing onto the road that leads to where that spiral shell building, and left and right to other houses, I motioned Kasiya to continue going forward, at a walking pace. I felt that if anyone spoke, the city would fall apart or something. It is more beautiful than it did in the game. Aqua blue light shimmers off the buildings, the red plant-like coral everywhere like flowers and gardens, and... well, you get the picture. Next thing I'd expect, the place would be singing that song from FF9, when Alexander calls for Garnet. It would've been perfect, really.
" You arrived at last," the weird voice from much earlier said, echoing in my head.
" Yeah, hi," I said irratibly. When you're snapped out of awe, you'd be the same way. " Can you tell me why I'm here?"
" I will, I promise. Continue going straight until you reach the lake."
" Alright," I said as I told Kasiya to keep walking forward. " Hey, whoever it is, sorry for snapping."
" That's alright. I expected it, actually."
' For one who is one of the many voices of the planet, she has a happy attitude,' I thought. It really reminded me of Aeris's reaction to everything.
As soon as Kasiya stopped near the water's edge, I slide off of her back and looked up at the large building. It just made me want to love and hate it at the same time. It's beautiful, but it's also the same place where Sephiroth killed my favorite character of the entire game. Jeez, mixed conflict, isn't it?
" You best get the fallen Materia, Holy, from the waters inside."
' Oh, jeez, thank you so much for having me go to the plateform!' " Why? What's it for? What AM I going to be doing?" No answer. " Thanks alot... Kasiya, guard the enterance and alert me of anyone coming," I said as I took my bag off my back and onto Kasiya's back, then entered the spiral shell. Bright blue light attacks my eyes as I started to go inside. I had to blink several times before continuing. I reached the hologrammed part of seaweed and a fish on a stick - but it had a spiral staircase instead of the fish and seaweed.
" Gee, no railing... Very safe," I said as I stepped onto the first step, afraid that it would break since it looks like glass. Nothing happened. I started going down at a slow pace. Yeah, did you REALLY expect me to start running down them like you would do to the GAME CHARACTER, Cloud, where you KNOW that he wouldn't fall off, dispite the whole no railing situation? Uh-huh, riiiiight.
I finally reached the bottom, the sound of water reaching my ears.
" Well, at least there's no monsters here," I said as I started going down the trail to the water, plateform, and step pillars. Trying to remember where the Materia fell, I dived into the water to the third pillar from the plateform. ' Damn, where is it? I can't hold my breath forever, looking!' I thought as I let some air out of my mouth. After awhile though, I found it beneath some sand, the light reflecting off of it. I reached it, pulled it out, and got back to the surface, gulping air as I swam to the edge. " Okay Voice, what's next on the list?" I said as I shook water off.
" Go back to the surface and to the water's edge."
" Got it," I sighed as I looked up. " Do I honestly want to climb them? ... NO, I don't. Take off!" I said as I bought out my wings and started flying along the stairs. Dead air inside, but I managed to get to the exit before getting tired, then hid my wings again. Quickly getting out of the bright room, I stood by the water's edge. Kasiya was waiting over at the enterance, looking out. " Before the next instructions, will you NOW tell me what I'm doing?"
" Doing a miracle. You have the ability to bring people back from the afterlife."
" ... can you repeat that? I don't think my ears were working," I said as I blinked several times. " I could have sworn you just said I was bringing someone back from the dead."
" Very close of what I just said, though it's more than one person. You're bringing me, Zack, and Kadaj back."
" WHAT! But Kadaj was a bad guy! Zack and Kadaj's bodies aren't here! And who's this 'me'!"
" Aeris." If my jaw wasn't attached, it would've hit the ground. " And why it has to be here is that it's currently the only place closest to the Lifestream. It will be much easier here than somewhere else to bring ones back to life."
Silence was the only thing heard for a amount of time.
" ...Okay, Aeris, one final question: Why do you need to be brought back, along with Kadaj and Zack?"
" We want to be of help. And I highly doubt we could help as spirits if you and the others were on some other world," Aeris laughed. " I will not remember much on any of this once I'm alive again, so any questions after this will be met with a 'What?' And Zack and Kadaj will arise out of the waters once the Lifestream opens for them to pass, along with me."
" Um... okay, I understand." ' NOT...' " So, how am I to bring you all back? I'm still new with my powers and abilities..."
" Your horn is what does the trick. You just have to chant the ancient language that will only work for you. And the Materia can help ease the situation, since this will greatly wear you out."
" What language? I only know English!"
" Ah, but you are talking an entire language. Here on this planet, it isn't English, but an entire different one. You and Ebony just didn't realize that. And talking to the animals? You understand them and talk their language."
" This is hurting my already confused and small mind..." I complained. " Okay already, I'll try to say this ancient language you spoke of..."
" Just concentrate on what you're doing, and it'll come to you."
After several minutes of trying to think of what to do, I did what instructed and just thought of bringing the three back, while allowing my horn to show. I didn't even realize that I was kneeling onto my knees, with my horn and the Materia glowing.
" Kinzel, binstith fyst nem gionest lei kinze phivl, lei vculiok jiiok gyst hustoi lei fri. Dtre fyst si hustoi milv bexinu zunvel, erkiw gysb drest vy gyst qou yikult gysbkilbs gyst gionest lei kinze. Aeris, Zack, dtre Kadaj, Cy jwesrtal auy phivl xuiy oikjakad!"
" Life, bring those who deserve to live back, to continue what they need to do. And those in need of another chance, allow them that so they can prove themselves they deserve to live. Aeris, Zack, and Kadaj, I summon you back from the afterlife!"
The Materia Holy was clutched in both my hands, as though it was a lifeline. My eyes were closed as an overwhelming feeling of tiredness swept over me. I managed to open them to see the silver stubstance come out of my horn like a waterfall and into the water, which began to glow bright green. The stuff went back into my horn, which I made disappear as well. The Lifestream... I could see the stream at the bottom of the lake. But it only lasted for a minute, before disappearing and the water back to crystal blue. The only thing different was that three heads bobbed out of the water's surface, all of them thrashing slightly to stay afloat.
" Whoa, hold on guys!" I said as I wobbled back to my feet and dived into the water, swimming over to them. Man, I was tired, but I wasn't going to watch them drown themselves. Kadaj nearly drowned ME in the process of getting air, though... " Okay, let's try NOT drowning the rescuer here!" I yelled after coughing out water. " You, stop frailing like a fish out of water and try floating!" I said to Kadaj. " Deep breath and float on your back! Same with you two!" to Zack and Aeris. " Alright, I'll tow you all back to the edge, just float, all of you, and you'll be dandy."
" Where-cough-where are we?" Aeris asked as I grabbed her arm along with Kadaj and Zack's, trying to swim with only my feet now.
" Currently trying to get out of a lake you're drowning in," I answered as I made SLOW progess to the shore. " Kasiya! Help me pull these people out when we get to shore!" ' IF I don't drown first...'
" K-kweh! (Coming!)"
After me and Kasiya pulled the three out of the water (Kasiya had to drag ME out first though...), I was laying on my back, gasping at air. I fought off the need to just fall asleep...
" What are we doing here at the Forgotten Capital?" Kadaj said through shivering teeth. He still had short white/silver hair, his outfit the same as well. Only thing different was that his eyes weren't slitted like a cat. " I thought I died at the top of a building in Midgar..."
" And I was shot by Shin-Ra soldiers heading there," Zack said. " And who are you two?" he asked me and Kadaj.
" Kadaj... who the hell are you?"
" Zack, punk."
" And I'm the person who brought your asses back from the dead," I said, trying hard to not pass out. " It's Rose..."
" Oh dear, everyone's in a bad mood," Aeris sighed. " Rose? You brought us back? How?"
" Currently trying to figure that out myself, lady," I said. ' Jeez, and she was the one to tell me the directions...'
She did tell you that she won't remember, Rine said. She was unusually quiet until now.
" Gee, no duh Rine," I mumbled as I forced myself to sit up.
" Why did you bring us back to the living?" Kadaj demanded, though out of curiousity, not anger.
" Because the little blue Smurfs told me to!" I snapped. I got a total of three blank faces. " Forget what I just said. The Planet told me to bring you three back here to help Cloud, his group, and me and my friends from utter destruction..." Kasiya layed down behind me, making me lean against her. " Thanks Kasiya."
" Destruction from what?" Aeris asked. " Is the Planet in danger again?"
" Not just that, but the entire universe..." I said as I suddenly heard a sound of roaring engines. " And they did follow... Hell Rine, you were right about them knowing where I was going."
Told you.
" Aeris!" Cloud's voice was heard minutes later.
Well guys? How was it? I hope it's good! Sorry for the slow progress on this story! I'll start the next chapter soon!