Realm Sagas: Story 25: The Eclipse Begins By Chandra Rooney ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legal stuff: Sonic & Knuckles, and all related characters are copy-right of Sega and Archie comics. K.T.E/Jack, and the Masked Echidna are copy-right of KTE. Vampire Sephiroth is copy-right of Vampire Sephiroth. The Green Gibbon! is copy-right of GG! as is Jared Matte. Delphine Kimunsu, Dimitria, Comet, and related other original characters are copyright of Delphine Kiminsu. Moon Echidna, Ashrire Guardian, Lirsage Mamoru, Tonia Hedgehog, Leslie Prower, Sailor Eclipse, and all other original Realm Sagas characters are copy-right of Chandra Rooney. All the characters and ideas presented are my own, unless otherwise noted. All of Delphine's characters are used with permission. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: Local: Knothole Village Delphine Kiminsu followed Devon Comber to the infirmary. "Why can't you just tell me what's happened?" She asked him. "Because I'm not sure myself," he replied. "Are you ready for this?" Del gave him a skeptical look as they stood before the door. "Let me have." Devon pushed open the door, and let her walk inside. He stayed out. The 17 year old boy with the dark brown hair looked up at Del briefly. Up and down once, then he went back to staring at the floor. "No hello, Cowboy?" Del asked, in mock anger. "Gomen...do I know you?" he asked without looking up. "Very funny, Jared." He did look up then. "Nani?" "Now isn't the time, okay?" She paused. "Since when do you know Japanese?" "Is that what it is? I don't know," he stood up. "I don't remember anything. Are you...a friend of mine? Can you tell me who I am?" "You're serious?" she blinked. "You have amnesia?" He nodded. "How did I get here, anyway? The last thing I can remember I was with Jack and that Cloud Strife clone. Are they okay?" "Jack?" Del repeated. That was two people who mentioned him. Could it be possible he was here already? "Yeah. He, uh, helped me out of some trouble with a lady in a sailor outfit. She had this really short black pleated skirt." She gave him a funny look. Jared ignored it. "I think the other guy's name was Ash." He stared off into space for a minute. "Yeah, Ash. That's it. Do you know them?" Del nodded. "Yeah, I know them, Jared. I don't know what they'd be doing *here* though." "So. I'm Jared then?" he asked. "Yeah. Jared Matte. What is it?" She asked after he gave her a funny look. "Jeez...who'd name their kid-" he stopped. "Nothing. So where are we?" "Knothole Village." "And I'm from here?" "Originally? No. But you live here now." "Oh." "C'mon," Del gestured to the door. "Let's go tell the others what happened. I'll fill you in on what I can as we go." They walked outside. "You know...you really had me worried, Dev," Del asked Devon. "Why joke around like that? Couldn't you have just told me Jared was awake?" She turned back to Jared. "This is Devon Comber, Jared. He's another of your friends." Devon gawked. "I...I..." He trailed off. What could he tell her? He wasn't sure himself what he'd seen. Jared looked back at him. "What's your problem?" "Nothing," Devon swallowed. "Just forgot how ugly you were, pal." "Oh...hahaha...very funny." K.T.E hopped up into his hammock, ready to catch some "z"s. k.a. was out cold in Del's hut. Hopefully he'd sleep for a while. Just as he closed his eyes, he realized that maybe he should have chose another area. Behind Del's hut had seemed like a good idea at the time, but, damn, the street was noisy. You'd think Knothole would be quiet. "I just need go into my hut for a minute," Delphine's voice filtered through his pillow. "Wait here, Jared." The sound of someone opening a door, and then closing it were heard. He sighed. Maybe now there'd be some peace... A scream shattered that hope. K.T.E leapt out of the hammock, and marched over to the door. He knocked loudly with his knuclaws and when no answer came, opened it. Delphine was standing holding a shirt over her, and Ash was standing with his shirt off. KTE blinked. Then grinned. "Certainly don't waste any time, do you, Ash?" He turned red. "Shut up, KTE! It's not what it looks like!" "What the hell are you doing in my room?!" Del snapped. She looked mad enough to smack them both. "I was...looking for k.a," Ash spluttered. "With your shirt off?" Del snapped. "I..well...yes and..." Ash stammered. "Look, k.a. is my little brother. I was checking on him!" KTE shot Ash a look. An out-and-out lie wasn't like him. A subtle bending of the truth maybe, but not an outright lie. "Oh. Well that doesn't explain why you shirt is off." "I...it's..." "You're bleeding," KTE broke in. "I told you to go to the Infirmary first!" "I..." Ash stared at him. "Forgot I guess." "Let's go now then," KTE told him. "And for goddess' sake, put your shirt back on." Ash nodded, and grabbed his shirt and followed him out the back door. Del watched them go not able to shake the feeling she was missing something. "Smooth, very smooth," Ash muttered as the two of them rounded the corner. "Bleeding. Hardly." "What the hell were you doing?" KTE snapped. "Waking up." "And what was she doing?" He shrugged. "Changing I guess." They saw Neo was standing near another human, waiting for Delphine. "Should we?" Ash asked. KTE shrugged. "Why not? You go on, I'll be there in a minute." Delphine sighed. She couldn't believe Ash had surprised her like that! She hadn't even heard him come up. She sighed, and looked back outside. Jared was standing near Devon who was talking to Ash. She turned back to shutting her drawer. When she looked up again, Devon and Ash were still talking, but Jared was no where to be seen. She could see the tip of something green at the bottom of the sill. She rushed outside, and looked around. Jared was talking to Ash again, who kept shaking his head about something. Then they noticed Del. "I heard a scream," Jared said. "Are you okay?" "Yeah. I just had a little surprise visit." She shook her head. "Did you go somewhere, Jared?" "No. I've been here the whole time." "Are you sure you're all right?" She asked. "Are you sure *you're* all right?" He asked back, giving her a confused look. "I thought you were bleeding?" Del turned on Ash. "Hm? Nope. Not anymore." He replied. "Lift up your shirt," Del replied. "Excuse me?" "Do it." He shot her a strange look, but obliged. "Just as I thought," Del muttered. "Your wound is completely gone." "Del..." Devon began. "What?" She snapped. "You can look away Del...I won't disappear." Ash replied sarcastically. "What is it?" She turned to Devon. "It's Jared..." he pointed. "What about Jared?" "He's...uh..." "What the hell are you doing here?" another voice asked hostilely. Del looked up to see the red haired human boy staring past her. "Jack? What are you doing here? Where'd KTE go?" "He's looking for k.a." Jack replied. He was staring at Jared. "Is something wrong?" Jared asked. "I..." "It's all right, Jack," Ash stepped in. "It's Neo. Or rather Jared something-or-other. That seems to be his real name." "Yeah." Jared nodded. "We met before?" "Oh...I thought you were someone else," Jack replied. "Like who?" Chapter Two: Local: Unknown "Your mother was such a dear, sweet thing," Vampire Sephiroth smiled slightly. His eyes glowed, but the fire in them was ancient, and cold like the indifferent stars. His silver hair fell long far behind his shoulders. "Don't you dare speak of my mother like that," Lirsage his, narrowing his own green eyes. "Don't you dare dishonor her memory." "Dishonor?!" Sephiroth exploded. He grabbed Lirsage by the collar and lifted him off of the floor. Those eyes focused all of their hatred on ones a similar color. "You have no right to speak of my mother," Lir repeated, his breathing hampered by the tension on his neck. "I have every right to speak of Lillian. She...belonged to me." "You can't own a person." "Is that something that idiot David told you?" he sneered at Lir's shocked expression. "Oh, yes. I know all about the man who she claimed was your father. There'd be no way I couldn't; not after the way I've been watching you." "Watching me? For how long?" "Since the day you were born." He lowered him to the ground. "My mother wasn't enough for you?" Lir snapped, venomously. "It wasn't enough you drove her mad?" "Her own lies drove her mad!" Sephiroth raised a hand and a small globe appeared before Lirsage. "She never told you." "Told me what?" Lir demanded. An image was forming inside the globe. "You're familiar with the ghost view spell, aren't you?" He didn't say anything, but focused on the globe. The image inside of it expanded, and surrounded him. He stood beside a wall in a hut. Two figures embraced. One he recognized as his mother. The other... "Your father." He didn't turn. Sephiroth had followed him into the vision. "It doesn't look like my father," Lir replied. He walked closer. "How do I know you're not fabricating this?" "It's true, I assure you." The man stepped back from Lillian. Her eyes were watery; she was clearly in love. "You came back to me," she whispered. "You came back!" The man just nodded, smiling a little. "I thought I might see him." "How did you know our baby was a boy?" She asked, as she bent down and picked up a baby wrapped in blankets. "He's started to turn red already. You should have seen him when he was born. So beautiful...pure silver. And his has your eyes." The man nodded. It was then Lir realized he was human. "What have you named him?" the man asked. A sick feeling was collecting in the pit of Lirsage's stomach. No...that couldn't be... "I decided to call him Lirsage, Sephiroth. Do you agree?" He nodded. "A fine name-" "No!" The vision shattered. Lir shook his head furiously. "It's some kind of trick!" Sephiroth looked at him sympathetically. "I understand this must be difficult for you, Lirsage. But I assure you, it is not trick." He held out a small, black orb. "This is another memory recorder. It will show you everything you need to know." "How do I know you aren't pulling a fast one on me?" Lir demanded, eyeing the orb suspiciously. "You have my word. You do want to know the truth don't you?" Lir met his eyes for a few moments. Then he lowered his head, and nodded. "Of course you do." Sephiroth smiled. "Go on. Take it." Lir reached forward... Local: Pitopolis "What's interesting?" Sailor Eclipse demanded. She looked from GG! to Peter Matte. The two were staring hositley at each other. "Well it just so happens that your 'Green Gibbon' here looks an awful lot like my dear brother Jared." Sailor Eclipse raised an eyebrow. "Oh does he? How interesting." "So who put you up to this? Delphine?" Peter demanded. "I have no idea what you are talking about," she replied. "I've come here to make you an offer." "An offer of what?" "Power." Vampire Sephiroth stepped out of the shadows. He smiled slightly at Sailor Eclipse. "Forgive me for being late, my dear. I had a little family business to take care of." "Family business?" Sailor Eclipse blinked. "Yes." He gestured to the figure behind him. "I'd like you to meet my son, Lirsage." Local: Knothole Del sighed. "Explain to me again. Why are you guys here?" Ash looked at her, annoyed and frustrated. "Del, I've told the story three times." "It doesn't matter, Ash," Jack replied. "They just don't understand." Ash looked at his friend. The two of them sat with Del and Dimitria in Dimitria's hut. They weren't getting anywhere, and Ash was tired of repeating himself. "This whole...Realm Protector business," Dimitria interrupted. "Sounds vaguely familiar to me. I think I've heard an old myth about it." She regarded him closely. "You're a Silver one, aren't you?" Ash folded his arms defensively. "Maybe. Why?" "What did you say your name was, again?" Dimitria asked. "Ash--Ashrire. Ashrire Guardian." She smiled. "Yes, I thought that's what it was. Del, could I talk to you for a moment? In private." "No problem." Ash gestured to Jack. "Let's go wait outside." "Yeah. Maybe someone's heard news about the others," Jack nodded. They left. Delphine walked over. "What is it, Dimi?" "That boy is not what he claims to be," Dimitria warned. "If this about him being an echidna. I know already." "It's about who he really is," Dimitria's expression turned serious. "I am quite certain I've met him before. He seems young, Del, but he's nearly a thousand years old. His real name is Dimitrius Kaos Guardian. He goes from world to world and captures them for the empire he has. I'm warning you, Delphine Kiminsu, walk away from this while you can." "Excuse me?" she blinked. "Ash?! C'mon Dimi! Look at him!" "I *am* looking at him. If you can't see through this act then he's already started to work some sort of control over you." Ash's eyebrow was cocked as he tilted his head to hear what they were saying. "Anything good?" Jack whispered. "No. Something bad." "What're y'all listening to?" Jared asked, walking up behind them. "Y'all were in there a long time." "Shhhhh!!!!" Ash hissed. "I can't hear what Del is saying!" "It's rude to listen to other people's conversations. I hope y'all realize that." Ash cast a cold look back at him. "Shut up Gibbon!!" "What're you talkin about?" Jack turned and glared at the green two-tailed fox beside them. "At least this time your dumb act is for real." The gibbon blinked and folded his arms. "I don't know what you're talking about." Ash sighed. "Show im a mirror or something, Jack." "What're you going to do?" Jack asked, sensing something was up. "Set the record straight," Ash turned, and looked back at them from the door to Dimitria's hut. "You know me. Besides, I haven't done anything really self-destructive in the past five minutes." "Must be a new record." "You better believe it." Jack shook his head at the closing door. "C'mon, Gibbon." Chapter Three: Local: The Great Forest Moon stopped walking. "Knothole's just a few more miles," Knuckles told her pleasantly. "Something's wrong," she whispered. "I can sense Lir nearby, and Tonia, and Leslie. I think they're in danger." She looked back at the guardian. "Go on to Knothole. If the ones I told you about are there you tell them to meet Moon in Alpha-beta-twenty-two. Once you've relayed this message you are to come out of your trance with the return of complete free will." He nodded. "Once again, I thank you for your loyal services, and apologize for any inconvenience you've been caused. You may go now." Moon waved a hand, dismissing him. Knuckles nodded again, and walked away. She turned back towards the distant city-scape. "I hope I'm just worrying for nothing." She sighed, and started running. Local: Pitopolis "Your *son*?!" Sailor Eclipse looked thoroughly shocked. The human boy stepped forward. His silver hair fell below his shoulders, shorter than Vampire Sephiroth's, and tied with a black strap. His resemblance to his father was haunting. He had the same cold green eyes, the same silver bangs, and even was dressed similar. But instead of the black trench-coat, he wore a dark indigo blue shirt and pants. "You have enemies here, Peter," he came even further into the light. "One of who happens to be your brother? What a coincidence." Peter stopped staring at GG!. "You have a problem with a brother too?" "Half-brother, actually. Different fathers." He cast a smug look back at Sailor Eclipse. "But then we all have our little problems with siblings. Wouldn't you agree, Star? It must be such a drag to have not only a brother, but a *twin* sister on your case." She growled. "Wipe that look off your face, you bastard!" She whirled on Vampire Sephiroth. "How dare you tell him!?" Sephiroth looked at her apathetically. "I've told him nothing concerning this matter. If he knows then he came by the knowledge some other way." Lirsage ignored her. "Now, Peter, it must be hard for your to fight a member of your own family." "No not really," Peter shrugged. "We pretty much hate each other's guts." "Then you should enjoy killing him all the more." He glanced at GG!. "What's the matter, Gibbon? Don't have the stomach for this?" "Talking about killing your brother doesn't interest me right now," GG! replied. "That's all." He looked at Sailor Eclipse. "Can we get on with it?" "Impatient today, aren't we?" Sephiroth remarked. "Even more so than usual." "Ah, stuff it, you Soup Broth wannabe," GG! snapped. " 'Wannabe'?" "You know what pal? It's been really weird, but I am outta here," he started for the door. Lirsage frowned. He flicked his wrist, freezing GG! in place. "You really think you can just walk out of here?" He asked, then sneered. "Where did you plan to go? Knothole maybe? Think you were gonna get to tell your little friends that they need to come and attack before we put plans into motion?" "What are you talking about?" Peter asked. "The Gibbon is a traitor?" Sailor Eclipse asked. Lir turned and laughed. "Really, Star. Naiveté doesn't suit you. It just makes you appear ignorant." "How dare you talk to me like that!" She snapped. "Who do you think you are?!" "Don't over-step your boundaries woman. You don't realize how replaceable you are." "Sephy!" She wailed. "Are you going to let him say things like this to me?!" "Mind your tongue," Sephiroth replied softly. "You would be best to listen to Lirsage. He clearly has caught something you've missed." He strode forward. "All right. Who brought the wrong creature? Was it you, Ember? Or perhaps you, Julie-su?" "Well...well..." Peter sneered, catching on. "Thought you could pull a fast one, did you Jared?" "Hey, shut up. It's not my fault these psychos can't tell one person from another!" Jared shot back. He was trying to make his feet move, but they remained stuck in place. Sephiroth turned to Lirsage. "Stay here with Peter. If this is not the gibbon, then he'll be coming shortly. Be ready for him, and any others he might have with him." "Of course, Father. I'm looking forward to dealing with Ashrire and Jack personally." "Don't lose sight of the objectives, Lirsage," Sephiroth warned, as he began to walk away. "Come on, Sailor Eclipse, Julie-su, Ember. We have to be quick if we're to be ready in time." "Ready for what, Sephy?" Sailor Eclipse asked as they followed him out. "Honestly! I think you don't tell me anything anymore! Sephy? Are you listening to me? Sephy?!" "So, the sailorette really isn't in charge, then," Peter smirked. "I'm not surprised. She didn't seem like the type who could hold things together." "Hrm," Lir snorted. "She has no idea what's really going on. Now," he turned to Jared. "I hope you don't mind, Peter, if I ask your brother a few questions." "Sure, go ahead," he shrugged. "But just don't kill him. I want to do that." "Of course not, I wouldn't dream of taking that away from you." Jared gulped. "Look at the bright side," Lir told him. "If you cooperate, you have nothing to worry about. Of course, if you won't talk...well maybe you'll get lucky and pass out." Tonia looked up. "Leslie, someone's coming." "Great," Leslie hissed, ducking back behind a corner. "We manage to break out, and avoid that crazy metal sonic thing only to get caught by a bunch of bots on a routine rounds check?" "It doesn't sound like bots..." Tonia whispered. "I wonder what happened to Lirsage. I hope Sephiroth didn't hurt him." "Hurt him?" Sephiroth stood before them. "Now why would I do that? Lirsage and I simply had a small chat to help make his part in all of this a little more clear for him." "What did you do to him?" Leslie demanded. "Sebrina said you were controlling him! I bet you've got him under some sort of mind control right now!" "Well, bravo, my dear. It appears you might be partially correct. But you're wrong on a very important account. I *was* controlling him. But not anymore. Lirsage came over to the Black Materia by his own free will. Just as I did. Unfortunately, you don't have any choice in whether or not you'll serve it." "What?" Tonia blinked. "What is that supposed to mean?" "Do you see this crystal?" He held up the crystal usually on the end of Sailor Eclipse's staff. "Yeah, what about it?" Leslie demanded. "Oh, so you haven't read that part of the Book of Shadows." He sighed. "Very well. If this crystal were to break, it would open a gate-way to the Nether Realm. Tremendous Dark Powers would be able to cross that gateway and roam freely in these realms once more. All of them, of course, obey the Black Materia." "Namely, you then," Tonia snapped. "We've read that much from the Book." "Too bad you won't be reading anything else." He sneered. "It doesn't matter, once Lirsage reads it he'll know that he's made a mistake and he'll come to help us," Leslie told Tonia. "That's assuming he still has it." "Lirsage won't be reading the Book of Shadows. I can't have my son tainting his mind with all the words of the Light that it contains." He smiled. "The only way he'll ever reach his full potential is if he gives himself willingly to the Dark. Heart, Soul, and Mind completely." He frowned. "But I digress. To shatter this crystal, and open the gateway, a sacrifice must be made. Two souls of Light to shift the balance of power to Darkness. I simply cannot thank the two of you enough for volunteering." "Waitaminute," Leslie spoke up. "Where's Sailor Eclipse. Isn't that her crystal?" "Not anymore." He withdrew his masamune. "It's nothing personal, my dears. I would have much rather killed Ashrire or K.T.E. Of course, Moon would have been the best choice to provoke my opponent with, but I have other plans for her." "Wha-what are you going to do to us?" Tonia stammered. "And what will happen once that gateway opens?" "Now, you have to ask yourself: do you really want to know?" Chapter Four: Local: Knothole "About twenty years ago, I met Dimitrius," Dimitria was saying to Del when Ash covertly snuck in. He stood, still as a shadow, listening to the D'jini. "He appeared one day, seeming to materialize right out of thin air. Now this shouldn't have startled me, but I knew right away that he was not one of my kind but something, far far older." "Dimi," Del began. "I think you're overacting. You can't judge a whole species by one member." "This is not just any member that we have with us. Dimitrius is their Master. The highest authority, you could say a king." Ash scanned Del's thoughts briefly to see what he'd missed. Dimitria seemed convinced that he was some evil fiend hell-bent on controlling this world. Gee, how nice. "What's the point, Dimi?" Del asked. "What could he have possibly done to get this kind of reputation?" "You should read your father's journal, Del. It might be in there." "I don't want to read my father's journal. I want you to tell me." "Fine. He appeared one day, like I said, and approached your father. He asked who the ruler of this world was, and your father laughed a little and said that King Acorn was the ruler of this kingdom. Dimitrius made your father take him to King Acorn." "So he wanted to talk to the king...so what?" "He told the king he was here to purchase this realm, and wondered what the asking price would be," Dimitria paused. "At first the King laughed at him, and told him that it was most certainly not for sale and he should leave the palace at once. He thought that some poor delusional fool had wandered on to the palace grounds after escaping the local asylum. "Dimitrius told the king that no one ever told him 'no', and he would most certainly not just let this kind of disrespect go unpunished. The king had one chance to apologize and seriously consider the offer, or his ignorance would cost his entire universe its freedom of travel." "But why would he do such a thing?" "You have to try to understand, Del. Silver Echidnas are extremely proud creatures. They always over react to a blow to their pride or honor. And they can hold a grudge against someone for centuries." "All right. So he got mad at the King. What does this have to do with Ash?" "When the king refused to listen to him, and called for the guards to have Dimitrius thrown out, he was told that all portals to his realm would be closed off. No one could come or leave." She paused. "And right before he vanished he told the King that when he was ready to deal, the portals would reopen. That would be how Dimitrius would know when to return." "So you think Ash is really this Dimitrius and he's come to deal with a missing King Acorn." Del rolled her eyes. "Why?" "Well, we have four people here now that used to leave on Earth, Delphine. A portal to that world is what we used to travel their and back. Someone who'd seen that might misinterpret it as a sign to come back." Del was silent, thinking. "And someone might interpret this whole secret conversation as occurring because you don't have the courage to approach me yourself about it, Dimitria," Ash spoke up finally. "How long have you been there?" Del asked. "Long enough. Why? Wondering why you or your mentor didn't sense me?" He smiled a little. "You think it's hard for someone who has the power of an entire Chaos Emerald in them to mask their presence?" "So it's true then?" "Couldn't tell you. I wasn't alive twenty years ago." "Insist on playing this little game, don't you?" "Please if I was going to *pretend* to be someone, I would hardly choose Ashrire Guardian." He folded his arms. "I don't know why anyone would willingly live my screwed-up life if they didn't have to." "Ash," KTE walked in. "We've got a problem. The guardian of the Floating Island is here. He told me Moon says to meet at Alpha-Beta-Twenty-Two. Then he kinda blinked and demanded to know how he got to Knothole." "She's gone to Robotropolis by herself?" Ash exclaimed. "For the love of...why the hell would she do that?!" "I really doubt he could tell us. I think she might have had him under some sort of mind control." "Mind control? It must have been serious. It's not like my sister to do something like that." "But why would she go to Robotropolis when she knows we're supposed to meet here?" Ash rubbed his neck and sighed. "I don't know. But if she wants us in Robotropolis, we'll go to Robotropolis. Get the gibbon." "Oh, yeah I meant to talk to you about that..." "What is it, KTE?" "Well, it appears he's in denial." "Denial? Of what?" "That's he's the Green Gibbon!. You think if we hit him hard enough his memory will come back?" Ash looked back at Del and Dimitria. "We're going to Robotropolis." "I'm not done talking to you!" Del snapped. "You are for now!" Ash called as he followed KTE out the door. Del growled. "He is so...so..." "Are you going to follow him?" Dimitria asked. "Somehow I doubt you'll get another chance to talk if you don't." Local: Pitopolis Lirsage looked up from sending another blast of energy coursing through the figure cringing on the floor. "I'll ask one more time," he said calmly, "before I start to get angry. Where is the gibbon?" "I don't know what you're talking about," Jared hissed. "You've got a high threshold for pain," he remarked. "I'll give you that much. But you differ from the gibbon in many ways. I'd have to say the most important is the fact that he is immortal, and you, my friend, are not." He prepared another energy blast, but stopped. "On second thought, I think I'll turn this over to you, Peter. I just sensed someone I'd rather play with." Ash and KTE snuck up to the building. "Why are y'all hiding in the shadows?" GG! asked from behind them. "There's no one up ahead." Ash turned and glared at him. "Because there are security cameras all over the place and we don't want to be seen." "Ooooooooh...." "Front way...or the back?" KTE asked. "Well, if it's anything like the Robotropolis of my world," Ash looked thoughtful. "There should be a set of stairs to the back that don't have any security cameras in them." "And if this isn't like your world?" "Your guess is as good as mine." KTE scratched his head for a minute then looked back at GG!. "Your call Gibbon! Bust in the front, or try to find a back way in?" "Don't be baka, Baka. Everyone knows you take the back way!" he replied in a huff. "If you take the elevator you get attacked six times!" "Eh...right." Ash looked at KTE. "Let's take the stairs." "Do you think Moon's waiting for us over there?" Chapter Five: Local: Pitopolis Moon found herself wandering around one of the upper floors. There was no sign of Tonia or Leslie. But she could sense Lirsage was somewhere nearby. She turned a corner and opened a door. Lir was sitting inside. At least she thought it was him. He was in the shadows. Not something he was usually partial to doing. "Lir...?" she asked hesitantly. "Moon." He didn't look up. "I'm so glad you're here." He tapped a crate beside him. "I just really need someone to talk to." "What are you doing here?" she sat. "Are you all right? Where's Tonia and Leslie?" "They're gone." "Gone where?" "Dead," he shrugged. "Dead?" she trembled. Her eyes started to tear up. "No, they can't be." He put an arm around her. "But they are. My father's seeing to it." "Your...father...?" His grip tightened, and he leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "Of course my dear, sweet Moon. My father Sephiroth's seeing to their deaths as we speak. You see, he needs their souls so he can open the gateway to the Nether Realm." "Sephiroth's not your father. He's tricking-" "No," he cut her off. "Don't try to lie to me. I know he's my father. He's shown me the truth about my past." She tried to pull free. "You're not yourself right now, Lirsage." He grabbed her face. "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, my love. For the first time in nearly 18 years I am completely myself." "Lir," she started to cry. "You're scaring me..." He touched her face; wiping at the tears, and he felt her shudder again. "You should get used to it because you and I are going to become very close in the near future." GG! stared up the stairway. "Okay who's stupid idea was this?" "We don't want to cause a commotion till after we've saved the others," Ash replied from a flight up. "I'm beginning to doubt that's gonna be possible." K.T.E panted and stopped on the step next to GG!. "Hey, what's this place remind you of?" he asked the echidna. "I'm...drawing a...blank," K.T.E gasped, catching his breathe. He grinned stupidly. " 'Marlene, Daddy wanted to see your face one last time-" "Quit acting like a retard and get climbing!" Ash called down to them. "Final Fantasy VII..." K.T.E nodded. "Yeah. Lately this whole experience has been a little surreal." "Especially this part about spending the better part of my day running up stairs with Cloud Stife and Gourry Gabriev!" GG! moaned. "I coulda been playing Parasite Eve, but noooooooo..." "Hey," Ash stuck his head over the railing. "Try to keep the jokes down to a minimum." "It's certainly not my fault you look like Cloud! Maybe if you did your hair a different way..." "I don't try to get it like this, y'know! It just does it on its own!" Ash replied. exasperated. "Doesn't that tell you that you should try to get it to do something else?" GG! asked. Ash sighed. "Just shut up and climb, okay?" Peter grinned. "Gee, Jared. I'm surprised you haven't ran away." "Kinda hard when your new friend glued my feet to the floor." "Are you really gonna let a little thing like that stop you?" "Why you sonnufah..." An alarm went off. Peter looked at the display monitor. "Dammit! Someone's coming down the corridor! How'd they get this far without me noticing?!" "They probably took the stairs..." "Shut up!" Peter snapped. "SACC bots! Intruders approaching the control room! Do something!!!!" "But see to it that they come in." Peter turned. Sephiroth had reappeared, alone. "Where's the rest of the side show?" Jared asked, as he took the opportunity to get up. "See to it that the three of them make it here." He glanced at Jared. "Then release this one back into the wild." "Hey now wait a minute...Lirsage said-" "I'm aware of how he over-stepped his authority. I'll deal with him at the proper time." Sephiroth walked forward to the monitors. "The spell on the gibbon should be reversed now." "You can't tell me what to do!" Peter yelled. "This is my chance! If I want to kill Jared, then I'll kill him!" "I said no." He continued to watch the monitors. "Hmmm...no sign yet." Peter left Jared on the floor, and grabbed his gun. "Listen, pal. No one tells me what to do!" Sephiroth turned then. And looked down at the gun. He smiled, amused. "People make choices all the time, Peter. Often they make the wrong ones. I'm just making your choice less difficult. Kill him another time. You should be thankful I've let you choose at all." "What the hell are you talking about!?" He looked down at Jared. "You'd be best to get out of here." Jared gave him a skeptical look. "I'm not even gonna ask what's going on." "Perhaps that's best. Your friend, Miss Kiminsu, is headed this way. I suggest you go back to Knothole." "Riiiiight..." Jared shook his head. "And tomorrow morning I will wake up and go, man that was some dream..." he walked away. "How could you just let him go?!!!!!" Peter was screaming. Sephiroth looked at him. "You've become somewhat of an annoyance." He raised his hand, and cast an Ultima. It sent Peter sprawling across the floor. "When you wake up, you'll probably have quite the headache." He looked back at the monitors. "Hmmm...enough of this game. It's time for the pawns to know what's at stake." Ash looked at the SACC bots surrounding them. "This has a very déja vu-ish feeling to it." "Get ready," K.T.E reached for his sword. The SACC bots powered down, and stood dormant. "Hey, that's a new feature," GG! quipped. "Don't recall them ever doing that before!" "Wait a sec..." Ash looked around. "Someone's over there...in the shadows." The sound of applause was the response. "Very intuitive." "Sephiroth." "Correct." "Now what would be the chance of us having you to thank for this?" Ash asked sarcastically. He smiled briefly. "As much as I've enjoyed this, you really aren't the reason that I'm doing all this." "Then why don't you tell us what it is?" K.T.E snapped. "This game has been in making since before most of you were born." "Game?" Ash's eyebrow raised. "Is that what you do, Sephiroth? Set up little games to play with people?" "Don't treat this like something trivial, son of Dimitrius. Because if you die in my game, you die for real. If you lose my game, you lose a lot more than your 'honor'. No, the stakes in this Game go beyond just you." "So why don't you tell us about them? Name the game. Explain the rules. Give us a chance to play-" "Fair? What in life is fair? You want the rules? Very simple. You stay alive, and stop me; you win. You fail, and I kill you; you lose." He turned. "Oh, perhaps I should outline the players list." "Players?" "Team one, that would be you, is now down to three players." He smiled. "Look to your left and your right, Ashrire." "What about Moon?" GG! demanded suddenly. "And Tonia and Leslie?" "Tonia and Leslie met an unfortunate end. You see, they've been sacrificed to the Nether Realm." "And Moon?" "She's a captured pawn. If you want her back, you'll have to play me for her." "Why are you doing this to me?" Ash demanded suddenly. "I haven't done anything to you!" Sephiroth did turn back then. "I see. It never occurred to you that you aren't the one I'm playing against?" He shook his head. "You're still a child; you yet to come into your power. I'll admit, in a few centuries after you've matured and had some more experience you'll most probably be a formidable opponent. But now, I see you as simply as someone who amuses me with his determination. You'd be so much better off as my ally, Young Prince. Lirsage certainly came to realize that." "What did you do to Lirsage?!" K.T.E demanded. "Tell me, or I'll...cut you in two!" "I did nothing. He chose to come over to the winning side." Sephiroth shrugged. "And I welcomed him as I would welcome either of you." "Why you son of a-" "Hold back," Ash told him, shoving an arm in front to block K.T.E from coming forward. "Either of us? Just who is your opponent in this?" Sephiroth smiled. "A very old acquaintance." He turned, and walked away. "Aren't you going to tell us?" K.T.E yelled. "Let me at him, Ash. I can take him! I know I can!" "Calm down," Ash hissed. "Any more information will cost you." Sephiroth said without turning around. "How much?" Ash called. "Keep in mind we don't have a lot of cash-" "This is not a monetary issue. But because you are at a disadvantage, I'll grant you the favor of playing the next round on your home grounds, Ashrire." He walked away. "I could have had him..." K.T.E muttered. "Home grounds?" Ash repeated. GG! sighed. "He means the world you grew up in, baka." Chapter Six: Local: Knothole Delphine and Jared met up outside Pitopolis. He told her what he as much as he knew concerning what was going on while they went back to Knothole. "So there's a whole part of your life I don't know about?" he asked when she was done. "There's a lot about me you don't know," Del replied. "Did you see Ash? Actually see him? Did he say anything, like if he was coming back here?" "I've told you everything I saw," he trailed off. "You've got that look you get when someone's sending you a message. What is it?" "Dimi...she said she has something for me. We'll talk later," Del told him. She ran to Dimitria's hut. "Are they coming back?" "They were back here, yes, and now they're gone again," Dimitria replied. "But, he left something for you." She handed Del a paper folded over once. " 'Dear Del,' " Del read as she opened it. " 'I know you probably have a lot of questions. I know I have a few I'd like to ask your friend, Dimitria. But unfortunately, they'll have to wait. Something's come up. Something always seems to come up. I give you my word, though, one day when I can I will answer those questions. But I just can't right now. Signed, Ash. P.S. if Dimitrius Guardian does return to your realm, could you do me a favor? Tell him that his son was last headed for his birth realm. If he's the real Dimitrius, he'll know what I mean. Thanks.' " She looked up at Dimitria. "What's a birth realm?" "I'm supposed to know?" "Dimi..." "Now, why don't you tell me about this 'Green Hill Zone'?" to be continued....