Subject: ToM: A Fight for Alexander's Soul Date: Sun, 20 Dec 98 23:04:06 (PST) From: "cap'n mike" Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" (OOG: Warning. Some parts toward the end may become quite graphic.) July 9, 2000 1:00 PM Sector 1 stadium, monster containment area It was a dark cold dream. There was ground and asky, but nothing around but blackness, with oner light shining down on him. Alexander saw himself in his current state, part human and part lizard. Often times, he would have dreams when he looked like he did when he was human, then he would feel kind and gentle and happy. Other times he would have dreams when he looked like he was a dragon, then he felt hatered and spite, wanting to get revenge on everyone. This particular dream was much different. Alexander had no real strong emotions of love or hate, only confusion and undecisiveness. It was as if rather than being forced to feel a certain way, he was going to decide how he wanted to feel. He sat down on the cold ground, or was it warm and comforting. Suddenly, his surroundings started to brighten. He was sitting in a grassy field, with the sun shining and birds singing all around him. He was resting under the shade of a tree and the fresh scent of flowers blew through his nose. He could see a figure walking up to him. It was the image of his human self, before he turned monster. The human figure spoke, "Alexander, I am you, what you truly are. I know when you are conscious, you feel anger and resentment for all the hardships you have endured, but trust me. Forgive all those who wrong you, and forget what has happened, and you will regain your humanity and become a person again." The human came and sat down by Alexander, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Breathing deeply, it continued. "You know that you are not a monster. Could a monster feel love toward other people? Could a monster have cared for a wife, and have a true bond with his daughter? Could a monster have real feelings, and live every day knowing that no mater how bad things got, they would always get better? No. You are not a monster, you are a person. Calm down and listen to me. You have to fight your anger. You are about to be placed in a tournament where you will be forced to kill other living creatures. These creatures are innocent and have done nothing to you. Some of them are even people, like yourself. You must forfeit and go out into the world. You must try and become part of societ again and show them that you mean no harm." The human figure stood up again. It looked down on Alexander and gave a big smile, a tear rolled down it's cheek. "I know you Alexander. You won't be tempted by the anger. I have told my part to try and convince you. Your other half will try and sway you toward destruction and evil, but you must hold firm and believe my words." The figure started to walk away and fade into the air, whispering, "I know you Alexander. You're not a monster... not a monster." Alexander sat on the ground and felt the grass around him. His human half put up a very good argument. He had never felt so calm and serene before. It was like a state of total bliss that he hadn't felt since his transformation. Looking to the blue sky, he whispered, "I'll try... I'll try." One moment, Alexander had been sitting in a field of total bliss. Now, he found himself in a dark allyway with a misty rain falling down on him. It was a cold and forebofing place. A place of great depression, made to incite fear in the hearts of those occupying it. As he sat in a cold puddle, he saw a large black figure, swooping down from the sky. It was a hideous black dragon, with gnarled teeth, and glowing yellow eyes. It was like a figure that had haunted the nightmares of many little children. It wouldn't even fit in the alley if it was a quarter of the size it was now. Instead, the dragon straddled the buildings above and gazed down on Alexander with it's evil face, piercing down into his soul with the wicked grin of malevolence. Alexander could only guess that this dragon represented his evil side, trying to win him over for the cause of hate. He had remembered the feeling of bliss, and this place he was placed in by the dragon was definitely not a feeling of bliss. Seething with protest he cried out, "Dragon! I won't give in to the anger you are going to place before me. The human gave me comfort and a good feeling inside. The human made me feel like a person. He made me feel good inside, and that is something you cannot do. I will never become the monster you intend to turn me into." The black dragon sttod on it's hind legs and gave out a loud bellow. Thunder cracked and a blaze of lighning shot across the backround. The light misty slowly turned into a downpour. With a mighty voice that was as loud as a cannon firing it roared, "Alexander. I don't intend to comfort you. I don't intend to make you feel good. I don't even intend to help you in any way, but I do intend to show you the truth. The cold hard truth that is welling up inside you. The huamn made you feel good inside, but that was with illusions and hopes that could never possibly happen. You would like to think that you could fit back into society. You would like to think that only if you were calm and passive, that you would be accepted in a world of humans, but that will never happen. You're a monster, Alexander. A cold hearted monster, and that is all you will ever been seen as." The dragon had hit a vein within Alexander. It had made his blood boil and now he was just seething with anger. "No. That's not true. I am a human, not a monster. You can't prove to me otherwise. The human said you try and turn me evil. but I stand by my postion. I'll show you I still have love and kindness in myself. I'll show you that I can still have emotions." The dragon grinned evilly. "Oh, you'll have emotions alright. You'll feel hate and anger. Remorse and regret. Loathing toward all humanity for what they've done to you." "But they've never done anything to me. I've slways been treated good." "Oh yeah!" Alexander felt the air around himself tighten. He couldn't move from the spot he was standing. Two more images materialized in front of him. One was of Alexander's wife and the other was the SHinra agent that had murdered her. His wife ran up to him. "Alex. Please honey. Remember me. Remember how good it felt to be together. Remember that me and our daughter love you very much, and you can't let us down." A tear began to roll down Alexander's cheek. He had memories of his wife, but hadn't seen her since the incident two months ago. He could feel her warm breath and her loving touch. "Time for reality." Cackled the dragon. A shot rang out and Alexander couls see his wife fall to the ground, dead from the bullet. The shinra agent, clad in black clothes, stood behind her. His finger was on the trigger and a big grin crossed his face. He pulled the trigger twice more just to make sure the woman was dead and each shot was like a knife jabbing Alexander in the heart. "No!" Alexander yelled. "She wouldn't have wanted me to get angry. She would have wanted to keep her in my memory and remember the good times." The dragon scowled and gave another bellow. "So, you have no anger yet? Well let's just see about your mother and your daughter." The image of Alexander's mother and his young daughter appeared. They looked so innocent and helpless, fear streaked across their faces. Alexander wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn't. Two more shots rang out in the darkness and the old woman and little girl slumped to the ground lifeless. Once again, the Shinra agent grinned evilly. He stared at Alexander and laughed. Laughed at the pain he was suffering. Laughed at his inability to help hid family. That was all one person could take. With raging anger in his mind, Alexander gave a loud cry of anguish. Once again he could move. He charged toward the Shinra agent standing there. He jump on him and ripped his claw across the man's stomach, spilling his intestines across the ground. He delighted in seeing the look of sheer terror on the man's face as he hacked the man's chest apart and bit his face off. Warm blood flowed from Alexander's mouth and the evil black dragon, perched high on the buildings grinned and laughed wickedly. "See Alexander. You feel much better don't you. Your anger makes you strong, and when you use that anger for revenge, it makes you feel like you've accomplished something. Let the anger flow through you. Go out and see the streets at night. See what people think of a monster. If they make you feel bad, punish them." Alexander ran out of the alley. He saw an old man. The old man just stood there in fear and screamed for the monster to go away and leave him alone. The dragon's voice rang through Alexander's head, "IF he makes you feel bad, punish him." Alexander clawed the man's face off and tore his limbs from their sockets. Continuing, he saw a teenage girl. The girl saw the large green fiend with blood dripping from its claws and teeth and tried to run away. She threw rans and sticks and screamed with horror. ?If she makes you feel bad, punish her./ Alexander thought. Leaping into the air, he glided several feet and landed on her back, knocking her to the ground. In a fit of rage, he ripped his feet across her back and ripped her spinal chord out. He held up the quivering bloody mass in a trophy of his great victory. Once again the dragons voice came back to Alexander. "See. This is the way all humanity will treat you. No, not all humanity, all LIFE! You must always feel anger and resentment toward all living things. You must destroy and kill and inflict suffering for how the people have inflicted suffering on you. When you go into the tournament, and for all time after that, don't let anger cloud your judgement. You must be calm and keep control of yourself. You must remain emotionless, with a heart of stone, like a monster, but when I tell you to, you must release your anger and kill those that have wronged you. I belive in you Alexander. You're to clever to get yourself killed in a minor altercation, you won't go into a berserk rage and get yourself killed, but channel your hate and use it effectively to kill. Thatbis what you are Alexander... A KILLING MACHINE!" The dream ended and Alexander shot back up wide awake. The memory of what he had seen glistened in his mind and a cold, evil grin crossed his face. /Keep control of my anger./ he thought. /Release it at the right time to make me strong./ He gave out a loud bellowing roar that temporarily silenced the noise of the monster containment area. /I will punish those that have wronged me./ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: More Confusion Date: Wed, 23 Dec 98 20:36:30 (PST) From: Brian Kuhn Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" ~Before Rezz.~ Darman floated through the life stream. He was not totaly apart of them yet. But why? He asked himself that many times during that period. He heard screams of people. He heard things mumbeling almost as if they are talking. He could not see these things but somehow he knew what they looked like. He "looked around more," he had been in this place for a long period of time. He saw a familiar face, a face that he had seen once before. He never met the woman he was looking at but he had seen her. His memory was fading just as his life was, into the stream. She was shone too him once by the creature that had killed him. He knew the lady's daughter, he aproached her. He could see her clearly, she "turned," to him. Darman had discovered that he could comunicate with the spirits of some. ~After Rezz.~ Sometime around 6:00 "What should we do with this?" a voice said. "Dump it," another said. Darman felt hands grab him and drop him. He then opened up his eyes. He opened up the sack that he was in. He was in an alley way. They few gil that he had had been stolen. Still wearing his cloak and carrying his sword he walked into a crowd of people. There were people every where. Booths set up, people yelling out what they were selling. "I have Materia," some would yell, "Potions, Softs, Hypers, and Fire Veils HERE!!" Darman continued to walk around trying to figure out what was going on. Then he saw a sign that said, 'First Anual Midgar Festival, brought to you by Shinra. Rufus: The New Age.' "The New Age, oh god I was hopping that it was just a dream," Darman said to no one. He continued walking around. He heard from far off a loud voice talking. He recognized it as Rufus'. He walked trying to keep himself concealed not knowing that there was no longer a bounty on his head. He walked infront of a diner and looked through the window, he saw someone sitting inside. He had seen her before. Then he saw a child that he had seen before. The child was watching the screen, Rufus was on it. Darman started to walk in . He stood against the wall, not knowing what he was going to say once he showed up, did they know he had died? Would they even recognize him? Hee watched on the screan as Rufus stopped and looked around, screams came through the speakers. "What the...." Rufus let out. Darman walked towards the group of people. He stood infront of them, before they could say anything he lifted his hood up revealing his tatooless face, he had changed quite a bit, no wings, no tail, no claws. The four people just stared at him. "Oh my!" Aeris let out, "Darman!" Brian _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free a yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Honor Guard - Part 3 Date: Mon, 28 Dec 98 17:44:03 (PST) From: Jason Brown Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" {OOG: Sorry about the delay for this post, but there was exam hell and then the fact I forgot part of the post back at my residence. Anyway, I wanted to wish all of you a belated Merry Christmas, a belated Boxing Day, and a Happy New Year!} Date: July 9, 1998 Time: 6:10pm Place: Sector 8, Shinra Circle Fear reeked in the recycled air of Midgar as thousands of panicked people charged pass one another all over Shinra Circle. Erik, on the other hand, stood near the podium with nearly a dozen other SOLDIER, with their weapons raised against what seemed to be an impossible foe. The Coral Sword in his hand trembled visibly as the sight before him was a foe that the Academy never taught them strategies for. The fear emanating from his comrades only added to his already frightened state. He could have stood there for what seemed to be an eternity before clamorous noises jolted him out of his mesmerized state. Gunfire. The sound echoed through out Shinra Circle as squads of ARMY members started firing with they're rifles at the monstrosity to the left side of the stage. Screaming and yelling resounded as loud as the guns as people scrambled all over the place. Turning his head, Erik looked behind him to find the Turks standing in a defensive circle between President Rufus and the hostile robot. Each had a calm look on their face like this was nothing more than a typical training mission. The ground shuddered again, prompting Erik to snap out of his daze. There wasn't much to think about as the robot stopped, shifting it's gigantic mechanical body. All together, the robot looked more like a spider to Erik than anything else. It's bright red mono-eye glided left and right within the confines of it's metallic skull, gazing ferociously over the surprised crowd of civilians and soldiers. Under the head was a mounted chain gun, swiveling left and right as it seem to acquire targets. Six massive legs stood on once was a twenty feet steel wall, crushing it like it was a sheet of paper. The heavily plated body section was the most ominous of the robot, stretching almost twenty feet long and ten feet thick. On the top of both sides of the midsection were two more chain guns, as well as an underbelly gun. {OOG: OK, so my description is horrible. If anyone has seen or played the FF8 demo, think of the spider robot near the end of the disc, just on a smaller scale.} More and more soldiers gathered in a defensive position in front of the machine as civilians still rushed in a panic frenzy away from the spider robot. Some soldiers were farther back, setting up what seemed to be tripods and Mako assault cannons while others loaded rocket launchers. "Orders, sir?" a SOLDIER named Victor asked, standing beside Erik with his Buster Sword held in a defensive position. Pausing for a moment, Erik decided on a plan of action. "Claire, take Larry and Joseph beside you and head to the far right of the stage. Michael, take Richard and Simon and position yourself at the far right of the robot. Calvin and Andrew, take Mitchell and Elizabeth and head to the far left of the stage, around the rear left of the robot. Janus and Victor, stick with me....." "I'm coming too," someone interrupted Erik as the person leaped on to the stage. On the ground level was a woman looking up at the man with worried eyes. He looked down and gave her a reassuring smile, then waved her off. The person had spiky green hair with accompanying colored skin. His frame depicted someone of very little physical strength, but the thing that caught Erik's attention was his Mako green eyes. This prompted him not to yell at the man, but only to ask him what question. "What's your name and rank, SOLDIER?" "Nick Renold, First Class, sir," the man replied, grimacing at the robot before them. "All right. Nick, follow me. The rest of you, wait for my orders, understood?" "Sir, yes sir!" "Good, dismissed, and be careful." The three groups broke off from Erik's group as he motioned his unit to take position behind the barrier at the front of the stage. The robot still stood still as the ARMY held their position, having setting up their weapons. Erik felt somewhat at a disadvantage as only Victor and himself carried a sword while Nick carried a staff and Janus had no weapon at all. "What the hell is going on?" Michael mumbled over the comm system. "I don't know," Erik replied quickly. Surveying the situation, he watched as the ARMY stood still, like it was against their will. The spider robot also stopped in it's tracks, like something was going to take place. All of that didn't matter as the spider robot turned it's head towards the stage, staring down at them. Erik looked back to find the President standing tall behind his five Turks. He also noticed even more ARMY soldiers moving into position in the distance, setting up what seemed to be more rocket launchers. The spider's mono-eye gazed over them slowly as the big screen on Shinra Tower flickered for a few moments, then a face of an fairly aged man appeared. He had spectacles on the bridge of nose, emphasizing his sagging eyelids and tired eyes. His hair was still dark yet sparse, holding true to his old age. Wearing a worn-out lab coat, the scientist-looking man grinned widely on the screen. "Good evening, President Shinra. It seems you have gotten yourself in a minor predicament," the man sarcastically commented, lowering his glasses so his eyes could be seen. "What do you think you're doing, Hojo?" the President's voice asked through the still active mic on his suit. Erik looked back at the President, and by the tone of his voice, he didn't seem very content with the current situation. "Threatening me and the lives of the people isn't going to get you what you want, whatever it is." At this, the man named Hojo began to laugh out loud, lifting his head up in amusement. "Want? No, I don't really want anything from you. You just took away my life's work, giving it to some unconventional, misguided scientists." His voice then changed from sarcasm to pure rage, "No, I don't want you to GIVE me anything. No, nothing can change what has happened. But, something that I could take that would give me great pleasure would be your life!" "You're gone mad, Hojo!" Tseng yelled out, taking a step forward with a finger pointed at the spider robot. Elena took a step forward to hold him back, but was greeted with a slap of her hand. "Shut your trap, Tseng!" retorted the well-known scientist, "You're just one of the President's pawn. Nothing more than a expendable resource used to further his own needs!" His face was now boiling red, like he was on the verge of losing his temper. "It doesn't matter what you say anyway! All I want is the President's blood to be splattered all over Shinra Circle. If anyone stands in my way, your lives with be mixed in the blood bath as well!" From what Erik listened to, he found the conversation intriguing as bickering started to go back and forth. Tapping his intercom, he asked if everyone was in position. Getting an affirmative response from all groups, he looked down at the stage level and found most of the crowd had vanished. The ARMY members seemed to have secured their position and raised their weapons, like they were waiting for an order. Taking note, Erik tapped into his intercom and quickly notified all SOLDIER units to watch out. "Sir," Michael's voice called over the intercom. "I have some....people here who are willing to help us." "And what's the problem?" "They're from AVALANCHE, sir." His voice seemed a little uncertain, which would be expected when placed in a combat situation with the enemy. "I don't care if it's Cloud Strife himself. We have to protect the President at all cost, so enlist as much help as possible. Is that understood?" "Yessir!" Erik listened into the conversation once again as the President seemed to have changed his tone of voice. "Well, Hojo," the President stated, pausing to fix his suit, "it's been nice chatting with you, but I have a dinner appointment to catch, so ta-ta!" He waved his hand in a good-bye gesture as a heavily armored helicopter emerged from behind the stage. In a matter of seconds, the blasts of rocket launchers was heard from afar, prompting Erik to yell into his intercom order everyone to safety, especially Michael's group, who was in the midst of the action. His back leaned closely to wall as the three other SOLDIER members did the same beside him. Looking onto the stage, he could see the President and the Turks getting into the helicopter as two armed ones flew over the far right wall and began to fire it's payload at the spider robot. Erik turned around and peeked over the wall to see the robot. The sound of rocket impacts made him feel a whole lot better as he thought the threat had been exterminated. He breathed a sigh of relief as he looked over, waiting for the smoke to clear and seeing a pile of metal. But instead, gunfire once again echoed through the air as the chain guns unloaded hundreds of bullets in the direction of the ARMY soldiers and the attacking helicopters. On the top of the spider robot, three panels slid back and three more armaments began to rise up from the body. Two missiles stacks and a turreted assault cannon emerged, immediately launching their reign of terror over ARMY and the helicopters. Streaks of smoke cursed through the air, heading for the directions of the rocket attacks. The turret turned toward the hostile helicopters and fired at them, retaliating with full force. Two more turrets emerged from the right side of the robot, firing another barrage of bullets into the helpless soldiers. There were still civilians tiring to flee from the battlegrounds, but many were mowed down as were many soldiers. Erik watched as some of the bullets hit areas above the President's helicopter, which brought down rubble, clinking loudly as it impacted against the rotors. This seemed to slow the President's escape as the helicopter rose very slowly, with smoke coming out of the rotor engine. It hovered for quite a long moment, then rose a bit before they hovered for a while once again. "Michael! Report!" Erik hollered over the comm channel, then trying to contact the other two members of the group. No response. He tried again as increasing gunfire blocked out whatever sound he could hear. "Dammit! Report!" There was a moment of crackling transmission before Erik's tension was relieved a bit from the sound of Michael's voice. Still, the news was not good. "Situation critical, Richard is down in unknown condition, Simon and I have minor injuries. Requesting assistance and new orders....." Michael's voice trailed off with a deep breath. "Locate Richard. Assistance is deni....." Erik was interrupted before he could complete his command. "I'll go," a voice from his right offered. Erik turned to his right and looked at Nick. "It's too dangerous to send anyone over there." Even though he never met this SOLDIER, he still had a duty to keep him alive. "I have enhanced speed." Staring at the unexpected newcomer, Erik frowned a bit, then spoke into his intercom and repeated his previous order. "Locate Richard and Nick will come to assist you. Once he arrives, group up with whomever is helping you and find a secure position. Contact me for any change in plans." "Yessir. Thank you, sir." Erik's intercom buzzed immediately as another a voice yelled into his ear, "Distract the robot so we can get the President to safety!" He couldn't recognize the voice, but it didn't matter whether it came from a lowly soldier or the General, the President still had to be protected. Opening a channel to the other SOLDIER, he ordered, "Claire, Andrew, spread out and give that son of a bitch everything you've got!" With his back still behind the wall, Erik started to cast Bolt 2, hoping that the lightning would cause more damage to the robot. Already, Janus and Nick were already standing up, pointing their hands at the massive robot. Nearly finishing the spell, he stood up from behind the wall and pointed at the spider. In a last second decision, Erik redirected his spell to a chain gun on the robot's side, hoping to disable one of the weapons. Yelling the final incantation, white lightning surged from his hand, arching back and forth in the air before striking one of the chain guns. The gun was still intact but was rendered useless for a some time as the electric current shot that system. Sitting back behind the wall to prepare for another spell, Erik noticed a light blue aura glowed around Janus' body as his faced seemed to strain from the intense concentration. Before Erik could say anything, Janus yelled out Hojo's name in pure rage before a blinding white light formed at his hand. Like a cannon, Janus was forced back by a massive recoil force as a ball of white energy surged towards the robot. In a second, the ball impacted with the metallic side, knocking the aggressor to it's left, causing a slight pause in weapons fire. A hole near the top right of the robot was the result of Janus' attack as he fell on his knees. Erik pulled him behind the wall once again, letting him recover. Victor unleashed what seemed to be two Bolt 1, then knelt down behind the wall as he watched the robot with nervous eyes. Taking his cue, Erik peeked over the wall to find out something he rather would not have. From behind the large spider robot, three small robots emerged. Not having the same armament as the spider robot, these smaller version had a single turreted cannon. Before Erik could say anything, they started firing onto the crowd of soldiers with lasers. Most of the rocket attacks were halted by the dead soldiers in the robot's barrage, but a few Mako assault cannons were still firing away. The ground was crimson, covered in the blood of hundreds of fallen soldiers and civilians. Weapon lay everywhere beside the bodies of soldiers, parents, the elderly, even children. "Calvin, report!" Erik yelled into his intercom, watching as the small robots passed Calvin's group. His rage was almost taking control of him, but took a deep breath as he needed to assess the situation. "There are about five smaller robots approaching the premise," Calvin responded promptly, "Three are going forward while two seem to be holding up the rear. They're about five feet in height, and made with the same design as the larger version." "How about the situation?" "The ARMY is setting up near the rear of the main robot, but a rear turret and the two smaller ones are holding them at bay." A pause occurred as the report was being giving, then Calvin spoke again in a more apprehensive voice. "Oh shit, one of them noticed us....aaaaaahhhhhhh!" The sound of laser being fired echoed through Erik's ear before the connection went dead. "Calvin!" Erik yelled over his intercom, moving his vision over to their position. He saw a body on the ground as the other three attacked their spider opponent. Within moments, the spider robot paused, then exploded. "Andrew! Give a report!" "Calvin is dead, sir." Andrew paused to take a breath, then spoke again. "Orders?" "Hold position and assist in taking out the two rear robots with spells," Erik replied, holding his head as one of his team members died on him. "Do not engage in close combat, I repeat, do not engage in close combat." "Of course, sir. Andrew out." "All other units, report in!" "Sir, this is Nick," the newcomer responded with a calm voice, "We have secured a position with Michael's unit behind a fallen barricade on the left side of the robot. Several other non-Shinra people have taken cover with us. Richard died when we found him and the others have only minor injuries." "Nothing new on this side," Claire responded, hearing her voice for the first time since they arrived at Shinra Circle, "but I think we just got the robot's attention away from the ARMY." The barrage of magical attacks surely caught the full attention of the robot as the one of the two defending helicopters faltered, falling slowly to the ground. Instead to hitting the stage, the helicopter charged forward in the direction of the spider robot. Taking notice of this threat, the robot aimed it's rocket launchers at the ailing helicopter and fired, blowing it apart. Switching over to the remaining flying defender, the main robot fired it's remaining rockets and bullets at it, hitting the engine. The helicopter exploded as it crashed into the far right support beam, sending debris all over. "Get out of there!" Erik yelled across the stage, trying to get Claire and her unit away from the crash site. The support started to crumbled as metal beams and concrete plunged to the ground below. Joseph was ahead of the unit when the support beam fell. Clouds of dust blanketed the stage as Erik tried to call out Claire. The sound of gunfire still echoed through Shinra Circle as Erik covered his face with his arm and continued to call out through the intercom. Slowly, the dust slowly blew away, giving Erik his sight back. Standing up, Erik watched as Joe came out of his cover, then running back to the debris. Still a bit cloudy, he couldn't tell whether she had made it or not. Erik fell to his knees as he waited anxiously for Joseph's response. A few apprehensive seconds passed before Erik called out to the only member of the unit he knew was still alive. "Joe. Give me a report." "I don't know, sir. I still can't see Claire or Larry, sir." He paused as Erik could hear his deep breaths. Erik's heart dropped to a low as he watched with blank eyes as Claire vanished from his life in a matter of seconds. "Wait," Joe replied, giving Erik a ray of hope, "I think....no, I'm positive I see someone. It's Claire." "Her condition?" Erik inquired, trying not to let his personal feelings get in the way. "Unconscious, mostly likely from a blow to the head. No other external injuries." Joe paused for a second before he said some more. "I found Larry. His legs are buried under the rubble, but not to badly. I think I need some assistance to get him out." "Victor, get over there and help Joe with his unit," Erik ordered, watching as the young SOLDIER nod and sprint across the debris-covered stage. A loud clattering sound made Erik turn his head as the President's helicopter seemed to rise at a steady pace. Turning back to the bloodied circle, it seemed that the robot noticed the President getting away. Stopping all attacks, it stepped forward to turn around and go in pursuit. Erik then watched as Janus stand up and prepared to cast another of his viscous spell. Holding his arm, he told Janus to wait for a moment as attack when he ordered him to. "Sir, this is an opportune moment," Janus mumbled with a high degree of anger in his voice. His eyes almost glowed with more Mako as Erik for some way to get to the top of the wall. Having the exact same thought, Erik whispered to Janus to fire at the robot's back, then to join with Andrew's unit and support them. Giving Janus this order, Erik sprinted to the left beam, finding it still intact, then hoped that the triangles gave him necessary leverage to climb up. {OOG: You know, those support beams with triangles inside them?} Sheathing his sword, Erik gripped the metal tightly as he started his ascent to the top of the beam. Climbing as fast as he could, he stopped halfway to see the position of the spider robot. It had turned all the way around and stopped at the gaping hole it made on the left wall, firing it's weapons to clear a path. Looking back up to his goal, Erik was about to climb when he heard a large impact. Assuming this was Janus' attack, Erik continued to climb for a few more moments until he reached the top of the pillar. The pillar was the same height as the wall, but was nearly six feet away from the wall. Finding no space to get a decent running start, Erik took the three steps and jumped reaching for the ever-so-distant wall. Barely reaching it, Erik's right hand gripped onto the wall as the rest of his body hung from four fingers. Grimacing at the thought of falling twenty feet to the ground, he pulled his left hand up and grabbed onto the wall, pulling himself over. Taking a few deep breaths of relief, Erik watched as the giant spider robot and two remaining turret robots take out a majority of the ARMY reinforcements. The President's helicopter was about five hundred feet from Erik when the spider robot headed in that direction. Turning rapidly, the robot charged through sections of building, attempting to get in range of the helicopter. Erik noticed that the armor on the top left side of the robot was nearly blown to pieces by Janus' attack, leaving a vulnerable spot on the menace. The problem was that none of the guns below could attack the top side. Relying on drastic measures, Erik pulled out his sword and ran toward the direction of the robot, trying to gain enough speed. He could feel the air brush across his face as he inhaled the smell of burned metal, watching as the distance between him and the closed. The robot had a lot more difficulty moving as it charged through buildings, taking out most of them with a single movement. When the distance was the best for a jump, Erik held the sword with the blade pointing down and jumped across, flailing his arms as the robot's body became larger and larger in his eyesight. A few feet before impact, he pointed his sword down and watched as it punctured the weakened armor around Janus' attack. His body slammed into the side of the robot as he felt the air being knocked out of him. The blow made his body ache in pain, but he grabbed onto a higher part of the robot at he tried to climb to the top. Finding his sword was in too deep, Erik decided to use a minor limit attack to break the armor even more and get his sword. "Lightning Stab!" Erik cried out as the Mako energy within him gave a small charge through his sword and into the robot, causing it to tilt over to the one side. Pulling his sword through the weakened armor and hull, Erik slowly climbed to the top as the robot gained it's balance again. He was facing the back end of robot as it lurched forward, being hindered by the narrow paths. Staggering, Erik quickly found that the robot had caught on to his presence and was in the process of aiming the top turret at him. Without even thinking, Erik used the same limit attack again, this time on the turret. Lightning surged forth from his sword and hit the turret straight on, causing sparks to fly everywhere. But before it was disabled, it got off a few random shots, two of which hit Erik. One nicked the side of his left shoulder while the other went right through his shoulder, causing him to knell down in pain. Ignoring the pain, he slowly crawled toward the section Janus damaged earlier. The spider's movement seemed to have slowed down as it tried to make a turn down another street of Midgar, knocking parts of buildings on Erik. Kneeling, he shook off the debris and lifted his sword up, driving it through the armor and hull to about half of the blade length. Looking over his shoulder, he could see the spider getting closer to the President's helicopter. They were well within range to use rockets, but they were not fired. Erik assumed that his previous attack disabled the rocket launchers as well. Tapping into his comm system, he tried to get a hold of the helicopter. "This is SOLDIER First Class Erik Lauborough hailing the President's helicopter. I advice you get out of the area as soon as possible. I'm going to cause a massive explosion in order to destroy the spider robot. Do you copy?" A tense second of silence elapsed before a response came through, "SOLDIER, this is Tseng, we hear you loud and clear. How do you plan on blowing up the robot?" His question was legit, but Erik had no way of explaining how he would do it." "A Mako explosion, but don't worry how I'm going to do it," Erik replied in haste, trying to give them as much time as possible. "I just have one request. Please take care of someone for me. Her name is Claire Norton, SOLDIER Second Class." Another pause occurred, making Erik think about the request he just made. Before he could think of something else, a different voice came over the intercom. "This is President Rufus speaking. If you destroy this monster, I will personally see to it that your request will be fulfilled." "Thank you, President Rufus. My loyalty is my life," Erik acknowledged, feeling like the last comment was almost forced. The connection was cut as Erik held his sword in both hands, feeling it tremble as the robot slowly crawled to it's destination. Calming himself, he could feel the Mako within his body begin to jump to an excited state as he prepared himself for a final attack. Taking a deep breath, Erik closed his eyes and watched as his memories started to flash before his eyes. Every place he has ever been to, every sensation he has ever felt, every person he has ever met. All this began to sum up in thousands flashes of images as his body began to increase in temperature, making him sweat profoundly. His body felt lighter as the Mako within him started it's chain reactions, emerging from all the pores on his body. Slowly opening his eyes, Erik could see small pockets of bright white energy burst in front of him, spreading their energy all around him. Looking around, he could see a hemisphere of Mako energy surrounding him, stopping the energy from being dispersed. White lightning surged from his body, hitting the hemispherical barrier, then bouncing in another direction. Before Erik could even comprehend what was going on, he could see his forearm start to emit light, widening out as the distance became greater, just like a flashlight. {OOG: Actually, to get a better description, try to remember when Cloud kills Sephiroth. That's what this should look like.} Looking all over his body, he could every nearly every limb emitting light out. The light became brighter and brighter until Erik couldn't even keep his eyes open as the light caused him pain. Erik felt energy the power surge out of his body and out into the confines of the hemisphere. White light penetrated his eyelids as the pain surged all over his body. His body started to feel like it was on fire as his blood pulsed through his veins, causing pain throughout. The last thought he held in his mind was a face of Claire, watching him with her lovely natural eyes. In an instant, the picture in his mind was engulfed in the bright white light. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he found that sound did not exist in this state. The whiteness overtook all of Erik's control as he let himself loose, feeling even his soul becoming pure energy. Then it all turned black. {OOG: Well, I hope this post didn't confuse or screw up anyone's plot. Anyway, I guess I'll hand the torch to Arcana and see what in store for the world of ToM.} _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free a yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Attack! Date: Wed, 30 Dec 98 02:52:24 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" 1) Attack! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sector 8, close to Shinra Circle, circa 6:00 P.M., July 9th 2000. ~~ "What the...." Rufus let out. Darman walked towards the group of people. He stood infront of them, before they could say anything he lifted his hood up revealing his tatooless face, he had changed quite a bit, no wings, no tail, no claws. The four people just stared at him. "Oh my!" Aeris let out, "Darman!" "Darman?" Elleen exclaimed, staring at the man and trying to recognize him. "I barely remember what Darman looks like, after such a long time... but are you sure that's him?" The other two girls shrunk back cautiously. Anita eyed him with a hawk's gaze while Stacey nonchalantly ate at her ice cream but occasionally glanced up. "I am Darman," the man replied, unsure whether the two knew about his tragic death and resurrection a few months back. "I do look different, do I not?" Elleen nodded frantically. "No wings, no tail... you look... like a human." She then chuckled, hesitantly at first, but in a few seconds it was genuine, a way to let out tension. "Whatever happened to you over these last few moments, Darman?" Aeris asked. "Please tell me." "Well I am trying to figure that out for myself," Darman replied, "All I can really tell you right now is after I last left you I got in a fight with Sephiroth." They looked more attentively after the mention of that name. "The fight was over in a couple of seconds, Dagh was the first to go. It wasn't long until I was put down, I woke up in the Shinra building. I fell asleep in an inn and woke up around here. I have no idea what's going on, or even what has happened to me," Darman said, "All I know is that I have some things to settle, then I noticed you sitting in here, so I thought I would say hi to an old friend, so how long has it been?" Aeris shrugged. "I really don't know. I've lost track, but it's been about two months. Darman, it's great to see you again." "Do you know where Sephiroth is right now?" Elleen asked. "I hear that he's out to kill all the Ancients." She shuddered. Stacey and Anita did not know about her being a Cetra, and she did not want to reveal the fact. However, she felt that Darman knew. He immediately picked up the inflection in her voice. "I do not know," he replied. "I have not been greatly aware of my surroundings." A crash and a loud scream interrupted their conversation. Anita rose and pointed toward the large spindley triangles that made up the legs of a large metallic monster in the distance, around Shinra Circle. "We shouldn't stick around for long," she said, trying to keep her voice from quivering. "Something mean's down by Shinra Circle, and I don't want to be around if it comes up here." "Can't we do anything about it?" Aeris shouted. "People are dying out there." Stacey shook her head. "I'm beginning to get scared," she said. "I... I don't want to be around it. I'm not like you, Aeris... I'm not used to danger like you are. You're so brave. Like Elleen. You two will stand up to anything." Elleen rose. She did not have any weapons or ways of attacking. She had only one thing, and that was a fire materia in her hairpin. She had never cast magic before, but according to Aeris, magic is natural when you have materia, and that was doubly true if you were Cetra. "I can't just run away," she said. Inside, she felt the lives being ripped from the surface just as Aeris did. "I have to do something. I don't know what, but I have to go." "I'm just going to get in the way," Anita replied. "And, you know, Elleen, I'm scared too. I don't mean to be cruel or anything, but..." Aeris nodded. "I understand. Totally." "I don't want you two to die... don't risk your lives for my sake." Anita prepared to bolt in the other direction. "Don't you come back in a box, Elleen. Make sure you're alive when this is all done." "All right." "Will you promise me that?" Elleen nodded. "I promise, Anita. I promise, Stacey. I will come back alive." Stacey took a step back, then nodded. "We're going to be at my place. Visit us there." They nodded one last time at each other, then the two girls took off in the opposite direction, away from the robot that dominated Shinra Circle. A large picture flashed on the screen, and Aeris looked up. It was the scientist from Shinra, Hojo. He had been fired a while ago, and was apparently trying to get his revenge. "We can't wait any longer," Aeris said, gripping her striking staff and making sure it was secure on her back. "Darman." Aeris turned around to face the man. "Will you come with us too?" -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby Tales of Midgar FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: The Tango We Call Battle Date: Wed, 30 Dec 98 02:52:26 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" 2) The Tango We Call Battle ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sector 8, close to Shinra Circle, circa 6:00 P.M., July 9th 2000. ~~ /Damn. Damn. Damn./ Lars readied his shotgun. He loaded the ammunition and readied his weapon. His puny gun was no use over a long distance, though, and it would certainly not protect the President against the large, longer-ranged turret weapons. "Protect the President!" Tseng shouted loudly. "Get a helicopter here, on the double! Mister President, we're going to evacuate you from this area." Rufus frowned. He was a capable warrior, but in this sort of situation, he understood the concern of his bodyguards. Lars ducked low on the dais and watched the spider-like robot with a calculated appraisal. He saw the single eye sweep over the dais, and then lock itself somewhere above it. Lars looked up to see an image of Hojo, the infamous ex- scientist of Shinra, pop up on the screen. His wirey frame and wrinkled skin was not mistaken for anyone else. He grinned. "Good evening, President Shinra. It seems you have gotten yourself in a minor predicament," the man sarcastically commented, lowering his glasses so his eyes could be seen. "What do you think you're doing, Hojo?" Rufus retaliated. His voice echoed over the Circle since he was still speaking into the operational microphone. His impatient tone of voice made him sound very annoyed with the entire situation. "Threatening me and the lives of the people isn't going to get you what you want, whatever it is." Hojo laughed aloud, a shrill, cackling laughter. "Want? No, I don't really want anything from you. You just took away my life's work, giving it to some unconventional, misguided scientists." His voice then changed from sarcasm to pure rage, "No, I don't want you to GIVE me anything. No, nothing can change what has happened. But, something that I could take that would give me great pleasure would be your life!" "You're gone mad, Hojo!" Tseng yelled out. He took an offensive step toward the target and exposed himself to enemy fire. Elena took a step forward to hold him back, but Tseng turned around and slappd her on the cheek. Lars went to one side as he prevented her from falling to the ground. Rude was on the other side, and they both supported her on her feet. She was not injured in body, but only in ego. "Shut your trap, Tseng!" retorted the well-known scientist, "You're just one of the President's pawn. Nothing more than a expendable resource used to further his own needs!" Hojo's face was flushed and red as his temper built to extravagant levels. "It doesn't matter what you say anyway! All I want is the President's blood to be splattered all over Shinra Circle. If anyone stands in my way, your lives with be mixed in the blood bath as well!" "Well, Hojo," the President stated, pausing to fix his suit. He swept a hand through his hair in an arrogant fashion. Lars could hear the rotor blades of the helicopter as it approached. "It's been nice chatting with you, but I have a dinner appointment to catch, so ta-ta!" He waved his hand and ran for the armoured helicopter that appeared behind the dais, escorted by the five Turks. Lars nearly tripped on the step of the helicopter, but Rude pulled him up and inside by the baack of his pants just as the chopper was starting to lift off. Within minutes, all of the Turks were inside, and extra air support helped cover the President's escape to the borders of the city until it the coast was clear. "Why the hell was he attacking?" Rude asked, but at the same time, Elena said, "You didn't have to hit me, Tseng." Tseng, in the front beside the pilot, lowered his head. "I'm sorry. My temper ran away with me." "Hmmph," Elena replied, crossing her arms and turning her head toward the window. Rufus gazed over his Turks. There was Tseng, looking depressed, and somewhat dejected. He seemed to be the melancholy type, but Tseng was loyal and never questioned his decisions. There was Elena, who lookd haughty, and terribly offended to have been hit by Tseng. Rude sat with straight posture, face stoic and plain. Vladimir, in the back, was his quiet self. The man scared Rufus somewhat, to be honest, but with an almost flawless track record, he was an instrumental part of the Turks. Lastly, there was Lars, who looked everything over with a powerful gaze that seemed to burn holes in the walls. They would protect him. He had nothing to fear, not from Hojo, not from anyone inside Shinra. "Hojo's just bitter," Rufus replied to Rude's earlier question. "He doesn't like having his job taken away. But I can't just give him his job back because he brings a huge robot to thrash half of Midgar. I can't turn myself in for him. If he wants to do terrorism, then that's his problem. Not mine." "The army's having an awfully hard time trying to fend that thing off," Lars mentioned. In his mind, he was thinking about the cuts in Army funding, but he kept his mouth shut. His own paycheck had not been deducted at all. "They've gotten lazy since AVALANCHE disappeared from the face of the planet," Rufus said. "I think I should initiate a new law sometime... like the right for the Army to conduct door to door searches without a warrant. That'll help cut down on terrorism. Or do you think I should start monitoring phone lines and public places a bit better... to catch anyone who mentions the word 'bomb'?" Lars didn't answer. Tseng said, "That should be something brought up before your ministers, Mister President." Rufus nodded. Perhaps he would ask Cantorek how the Army would like having the right to conduct searches. If they didn't like it, then he would have to stick with option two. "Mister President," said the helicopter pilot. "We're starting to approach your summer cottage." "Good," Rufus said. He looked out the window and saw his villa in the mountains just below them. He would pass the time here until the army handled the attacks. -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby Tales of Midgar FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Fall-4: Orders and Ideals. My Loyalties Are Split. Date: Sat, 02 Jan 99 13:49:07 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Fall-4: Orders and Ideals. My Loyalties Are Split. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 9th, 2000. About 6:00 P.M. Post written by Arcana and Tim. ~~ Tyr Signus stepped into General Cantorek's office. Tyr was adorned in the casual blue uniform that signalled him as a military commander. The General, as always, wore his green military suit. He was seated behind his desk, elbows on the top, hands folded together, hiding his mouth. The grey eyes stared at him, piercing through his mask and looking into the very windows of his mind. Tyr pressed his lips tightly together. The General was obviously upset. The Head of SOLDIER had a sinking feeling as he realized that his little vision of the future was about to become a reality: he could already hear the rotor blades of the helicopter that would take him to Junon. "Would you like me to start with the bad news, or the really worse news?" Cantorek asked. The General appeared to have not even moved a muscle. The sinking feeling in Tyr's gut became a plummeting drop; somehow, it seemed that Rufus had found the political will to actually remove Tyr from his position. Cantorek's hands fell to the table, went into his desk, withdrew a remote control, then pointed it toward the projection screen on the wall. "Please look at the screen, SOLDIER Signus." The General pressed a button, and an image appeared on the screen. It as one of the security videos from the stadium. Although the news had been initially blanketed with videos of Barret's spectacular death, Tyr had never seen a video from this particular angle before. Cantorek hit the fast-forward button. As the images scrolled past, Tyr had to struggle to maintain his professional discipline as he watched the blood of young children splatter messily across the field. As more children exploded from the hail of bullets, Tyr felt a sickness within him; not a phiysical feeling, SOLDIER training had largely immured him to the sight of blood, but a moral sickness. The cancer that was Rufus had spread even to SOLDIER, it seemed. Finally, mercifully, the children stopped dying and just as suddenly Cantorek hit the "pause" button. Frozen, in the middle of the screen, clearly in the open, was Rio, the ninja Tyr had reported dead. Cantorek grimaced at the sight of children being shot down. He ordered Vicks to execute AVALANCHE, and not five innocent children. After he was done with Tyr, he would have a talk with Vicks. Soldiers did not kill children unless it was in self-defense, and this was certainly not self-defense. Even as the scene disgusted him, he showed no reaction. He glanced at Tyr to see if he revealed any emotion at having been discovered, but Cantorek noted that the Commander of SOLDIER's eyes did not even flicker. A good soldier would not reveal any sort of emotion, especially under these circumstances. "Do you see that man? His name is Rio Yokaze." Cantorek looked at Tyr, then stood from his desk and picked up a file. Waving it, Cantorek said, "According to this report you submitted, you executed Yokaze and tossed him into the boiling Mako of a reactor during an interrogation. If that is true he has either lived after falling through a boiling Mako vat or you have been lying to us. Mister Signus, I'd like you to tell me about the situation, please." As he waited for Tyr's response, Cantorek attempted to clear his mind of any distractions; if his suspicions about Signus were true, then the man was the highest ranking military officer to turn traitor in Shinra's history... he could be capable of any sort of lies or excuses to save himself. His mind racing frantically, Tyr knew that he was caught. If he admitted to freeing Yokaze, he was finished; there was only one punishment for high treason against Shinra. Yet, if he denied the accusations, he would ruin any chance he might have of explaining away his actions. The room seemed stuffy suddenly; Tyr needed time to think. "Are you sure you identified the correct man? Maybe that wasn't Rio in the video..." Tyr hoped that the general's response would buy him time to think his way out of this situation. Cantorek shook his head slightly. Tyr was slightly surprised to see that the General's eyes were downturned, almost sadly. "It is true then." Tyr opened his mouth to protest, to argue, but Cantorek silenced him with a wave of his hand. "If you'd truly killed this Yokaze, then you would KNOW that the man in the video couldn't be him. It's useless trying to deny it now." "That can't...," Tyr knew he was beaten. The defiance drained out of him. "Yes, I freed Rio Yokaze and released him two months ago. My report was nothing but a lie." Cantorek kept his face outwardly calm, but inside conflicting emotions raged. Signus was a good soldier, able to take the initiative when necessary, but not willing to showboat and risk troops in vain pursuits, so it saddened Cantorek that he'd have to hand the man over to the military police for treason. At the same time, though, a cold fury burned in him. The man who had risen to be only one step below himself had been corrupt, had betrayed Shinra by releasing a terrorist and murderer. "You know what this means, don't you?" Cantorek was surprised by how calm his voice was. "You know the punishment for treason." That was not a question, simply a statement of fact. Anyone in Shinra's armed services knew what fate awaited traitors. "Sir, if I can explain..." "No. You can explain to a tribunal once one is organized to try you for your crimes." Cantorek reached for the button that would call security. "Please, General, allow me to explain," Signus pleaded. "This is not the place for that, traitor. Justice and order will be kept in MY military." "Even as his finger reached the top of the button, Cantorek saw Tyr begin to move. Without warning the SOLDIER's sidearm was only inches from his eyes. Though blazing with determination, surprise flickered in Tyr's eyes as Cantorek's own sidearm pressed against his chin. "It seems we're at an impasse," Tyr said. "I will explain my actions. "Look, General, do you know what the meaning of the word honour' is?" Cantorek did not reply. "Honour is what a soldier, even in war, must adhere to. Any good man who trains for the military must follow this code, spoken or unspoken. You attack only those who threaten you. It means that you don't attack anyone that's defenseless, and that you help those who need help." "Honour is also telling the truth and following orders from your superiors," Cantorek replied. "That's where justice comes in," Tyr replied. "What's right? What's not? I might not know a lot, but killing four million unarmed, harmless people in the slums isn't right. There was only one way for me to combat this, and that was to let Rio go. He could stop the release if he told his friends." "Apparently, it worked, somewhat," Cantorek replied. "AVALANCHE helped cease the killing of millions. There were still many deaths, but not as many as there could have been." "Who's right, General? Us? Or AVALANCHE? Is it all right to agree with the release of a gas over the slums? How about you? You were there. You could have said something, couldn't you?" "It's simple, Tyr. Go against Rufus, and he fires you. Maybe a more accurate word would be 'shoot'. Even someone like me has little power over the President. Alone, in a Meeting Room? I have no chance." "Excuses. You don't know justice or honour." "I know the meaning of both. My superior has no concept of the word." Tyr frowned. "My superior has no concept of justice or honour either." "I never knew you think like this," Cantorek said, staring through the sights into Tyr's chin. "Justice. Honour. Goodness. What's right, and what's wrong." "Is it disappointing?" Tyr replied. Cantorek shifted his handgun back. "No. Ever since President Shinra came into the picture as the ultimate ruler of the world, Midgar's Defense Forces have been nothing more than police for the people. As a General, as a veteran of the war fifteen years ago, I find it insulting." There was a pause. "Will you lower your weapon?" There was a flicker in Tyr's eyes. "No." "Very well. As I was saying, I'm a war veteran. Of course, I don't want to see war ever again. There was something about the war with Wutai that wasn't all right. There was a cause to fight for, but it was not all right. We weren't fighting for the good of people, but instead, our self-interest. In Wutai, did you ever feel as if you were actually fighting for justice? Is that why, right now, you are dreadfully seeking to do the right thing? Are you trying to make up for what you couldn't do in the past? "As I understood, you killed Yokaze's parents. He should have killed you as soon as you let him go." Tyr didn't reply. "Was it to make up for what you did, Tyr? The rescue of one man? The prevention of a poisonous gas to kill four million people in the streets? I don't know what's going on in your head." "There's no justice. Not when Rufus is around. Not when Shinra is still Shinra." The gun in his hands inched closer to Cantorek's forehead. "To you, I am Shinra? I am but his arm. Shoot the arm, the rest of he body still lives. But as the arm, I have to obey what the brain orders, unless I cut myself off. Do you think I like what Rufus does? I was born during a time of democracy. Where we believed in upholding justice and goodness. I'm one of the traditional generals out there. I maybe tough and harsh, but that's because I don't tolerate people who cause a ruckus in my military. But when it comes to actual battling, I can't be cruel. Because it's not wrong. I'm not god. I can't decide who is worth living, and who is not worth living. I don't like working for Rufus. Working for President Alexander was not nearly as bad, but this red-haired jerk Rufus thinks that he can get away with anything he wants. But I can't do anything. I can't reveal myself and complain. Just like you can't complain to me." Tyr didn't reply. "Tell me, Tyr. Who is it that runs Shinra Electric Company? Who is it that gives me my orders? Oh, did you know that Shinra used to be a Weapons Manufacturer in the past? But they changed their name to Electric Company when they took over Midgar to sound 'nicer' to the people. What do I think? It's all bullshit." The General's office was a few floors above the gigantic screen that was draped over the side of the Shinra tower. As if Cantorek had timed his speech exactly, Tyr could hear, through the walls, the sound of Rufus' voice. "Ladies and gentlemen of Midgar, I hope you've been enjoying the Midgar Festival, courtesy of Shinra Incorporated, thus far!" Tyr's weapon wavered. Cantorek said, "He says he'll be different from his father. He says he's not going to buy the people with money. But look what he's doing right now. He's buying them with money. With the Midgar Festival. With the Diamond Saucer. But yet, he still positions the army all over the place. What are we? Riot control. Hah, what an insult. Why doesn't he just hire more policemen? I'm sure the MSF would like that. "Tyr, your anger is misdirected." Cantorek moved one arm from his gun, and then pushed Tyr's arm gently to one side as he lowered his own weapon. He placed his handgun on the desk and crossed his arms. Tyr chewed on his lip. "Are you saying that I am right, General?" Cantorek didn't give any indication of approval. Tyr placed his weapon on the desk. Outside, he could hear the people cheering for Rufus, and Rufus' loud speech praising the glory of the city and Shina. It made him sick. Cantorek stood by the window, and invited Tyr to listen with him. Tyr did so, hearing the words, the false words, and the false hopes that the President rose in the people. Suddenly, voices rose in horror as spidery legs were seen moving among the rooftops. It seemed that a large mechanical beast was moving through the city. "What the... hell is that?" Tyr asked, whirling toward the general. Cantorek peered at tbe window again. "It looks to be something that Scarlet or Hojo would make. Although the two were often in great contention, Hojo and Scarlet often worked together to create new weapons and engineering devices. Scarlet's dead, though; she was reported dead today. A terrorist blew her to pieces when she went down to the detention block. Frankly, I can't say I'm really upset." Tyr nodded. "Ahh, it looks as if it was Hojo after all," he said as soon as the sneering scientist's voice reverberated over Midgar. "I wonder if Rufus will get killed. No, he won't. They always have a helicopter ready for such emergencies." "If Rufus is the cause of all of this... I mean, in a way, he just killed thousands of people... and is still misleading millions more..." Cantorek turned his head to Tyr. "As I said. Direct your anger to those who are wrong." Tyr nodded. "Will you help me, General Cantorek?" Cantorek blinked, and lost his stoic mask. "You want me to..." "I'm one man. I can bring some people with me, but there are others. How about you, General? If you come along, we can make the wrong right. To restore justice... not just to your military, but to the city of Midgar." Cantorek chuckled. "You're an idealist, son," he said, suddenly sounding like a father. Tyr's mind flashed back to Lars. "But your thinking... it's interesting. Yes, as long as Rufus is still around, there's not going to be a change, is there? I should be too old to be a revolutionary. But I'll do it." He slapped Tyr on the shoulder goodnaturedly, totally breaking the previous iron- grip, right-wing image that Cantorek had built up around himself. "Thank you, General," Tyr replied. Cantorek shook his head. "No, it's you who should get the thanks." He headed for the door. "Tyr, there's a robot attack outside. Our men are horribly underequipped, so I'd like you to come with me to grab some of the newer rocket launchers." He removed a device similar to a cell phone from his pocket, and began speaking into it. "I want men positioned at the third and fourth floor windows close to the Sector 8 area. Equip yourself with rocket lanchers and try to get a good shot from above. Members of the Reserves, I want you all to meet on floor forty, by the weapons magazine. On the double." Cantorek snapped his Comm shut and hit the button on the bullet elevator. "Now, Tyr. I want you to go out and free Midgar from that menace. Don't think about anything else. We can free Midgar from only once menace at a time." "Yes, sir," Tyr replied. -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: What's going on with... Date: Tue, 05 Jan 99 12:57:54 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Can anyone tell me if the tournament is going to start? I don't want to sound impatient, but I am waiting to introduce Armada's girlfriend into the storyline. She is a new and intriguing character that will encompass many adventures with Armada as well as on her own. Besides, female characters seem to be outnumbered. Anyway, lemme know whenever. T-Bone -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: A Lovely Little Soliloquy Date: Wed, 06 Jan 99 00:55:03 (PST) From: Evans Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" July 9, 2000 7:30 PM Sector 1 Stadium Alexander wriggled his nose. The cage smelled bad. Looking to his right, he say another cage with something that looked like a cross between a horse and a catfish. That smelled bad too. Looking at the cage floor, he saw an animal carcass that seemed to resemble a raw, decomposing cow rib. It also stank. Scanning the large dark room again, he tried to make out the contents of the other cages like he had tried to do for the past seven hours. It would be easier if it was brighter, but only a dim red light shone from various places throughout the ceiling. He would have tried to make another of his home-made, totally organic torches, but he was still groggy from the tranquilizers. Earlier in the day, he tried spitting some mucus all the way across the containment area. It was interesting how he learned the technique, but what resulted was a sticky flaming mass that resembled a large flaming slug, but seemed more like a pile of napalm. Anyway, it coincidentally happened that a griffon that was positioned on the other side of the room was having a rather nasty fit of cawing, and, in the grand crescendo of its annoying call, got a mouth full of flaming mucus. This little incident sort of blew up in Alexanders face. It turns out that a rather big gambler had blown all his money purchasing this particular creature and wasn't pleased to find out that it was now blind and had a rather nasty hole burned in its esophagus. The situation escalated as this man kept screaming about how he wanted a refund. The incident was finally settled when the person in charge of registration said, he'd find the animal that did this and, if it had an owner, the refund would come from him, otherwise, the money came out of the tournaments pocket. At this point, Alexander couldn't help but laugh to himself. He couldn't but find a way to ridicule the society that he realized would never accept him. Yelling in a rather cocky voice he lectured what he could barely make out as two men. "You know, I just don't get it. This guy buys a griffon. He doesn't know what it's like, where it's from, or even if it is happy with it's current situation. It just looks big and fearsome, so he decides to buy it and fight it in this tournament to make money. You think you're so smart don't you. Just because you find what you think is a mean vicious animal, you're sure you're going to be on top. Well, I was listening to that bird, and it sounded as if it was crying in sadness. You stivk that thing out in a battle arena and it will probably just lie down and mope as some blood-thirsty gladiator lops it's head off. I did it a favor when I killed it." In his moment of feeling good about ridiculing normal, non-mutated people that did not resemble monsters whatsoever, he failed to even notice the shadows of two figures moving towards him. Ignoring the furious cursing the gambling man was spitting out at him, Alexander continued to chide the two people. "You know, you bring a monster into society and you act surprised when it gets killed." He started to growl to himself and spurt out puffs of fire for effect. "If that griffon had survived the tournament, I'm sure you wouldn't have taken it home and treated it like a companion. No, you would have kindly given it back to the people running this show and the poor creature would continuously be placed in match after match until it finally was killed. You don't care about these living creatures. They could be quite friendly, but because of how they look to you, you percieve them as vicious monsters who frighten and kill and enjoy revelling in blood. You people make me sick." Alexander was starting to get mad again as his own words made perfect sense to him. "You're whole society makes me sick. You find a cute little puppy on the street and you raise it to be a dog. Then, you find out it is some mangy mutt with a rather nasty tendency to bite people. So what happens? It bites your neighbor, he gets really angry and has it put to sleep. Why do you suppose the dog did that? I'll tell you why, because that is the way he acts. You overlook all the good qualities in him: loyalty, companionship, playfulness, the ability to cheer up a dreary day. Then you go and kill him because he has one bad quality: he likes to bite people's legs as a sign of affection." Alexander was hideously mad with rage at this point. So blinded with his own anger that he didn't notice the two guards loading tranqulizers in their guns to sedate him. As he got to his main point, Alexander bellowed with anger. The roar swept through the cavernous containment area and came flying back to the same spot in full force. At once, all the other animals in the facility made a loud noise in whatever sound they made, as if rallying behind the words of Alexander. The man who's griffon had been killed fell over on the floor clutching his ears with fear as the loud noise rocked the walls. "Now I say to you," Alexander began, "How am I different from that dog. I used to be normal, but I was created to be like this. Shinra scientists made me to be like this. I manage to escape and get out into society. How am I seen by society? They look at me and scream in horror. Take one look at my face. You don't see a noble, intelligent, reasonable man, who, at the drop of a hat, would be willing to defend his friends to the death. NO! You see am evil killing machine that could only seek to destroy and murder. The only reason I actually killed anybody since my transformation was because they treated me like shit. I try to reason with people. I go out of my way not to hurt anybody, even in the heat of battle. What do I get out of it? A filthy cage and a bunch of people who want to beat the living tar out of me for some sort of contest, all because I look like a monster." He thought a little bit. "Oh yeah, and because I have a tendency to slaughter people when I get angry." Continuing gruffly, he noticed there were two dark figures that appeared to be holding guns up to him. It puzzled him as to what was keeping them from firing. Maybe reason had finally gotten through to them. No. They were normal people raised in a normal society whose ntural instict it was to fear and destroy that which they did not understand. Alexander decided to finish his speech while nobody was trying to kill him. "Anyway, I've come to realise one thing. People will never accept me. I'll be nice to them. I'll try not to hurt them. God dammit, I'll even wait on them hand and foot. However, I'm still gonna have people on my back, trying to kill me every step of my life. Well, I've decided that all I need to do is change people's minds. The only way I know how to do that is to make them live in the constant fear of knowing there next breath might be there last, just like they make me feel. I shall enforce brutal justice until people get the picture and stop trying to kill me." He cackled evilly. It sounded exactly the same as the black dragon that was in his dream. Beaming with pride, he decided on his goal for the next few years. He would kill people until they stopped hating him. Some may call this a crazy way of thinking, but after the ill treatment that Alexander had to endure for the past two months, nobody would have blamed him for going insane. The dark silhouette of the monster manager fingered his chin. The gambling man lie on the ground crying, "Oh lord. He's gonna kill me. Please don't let the lizard kill me. Oh, please!" The to figures with guns sat outside his cage, fingers on the trigger. They were reafy to fire at a moments notice. Finally, someone spoke for the first time since Alexander made his speech. (Other then the guy lying on the groumd crying.) "I can definitely see that this is not your ordinary monster. He has some brains in him. Unfortunately, he's a bit crazy, and he was responsible for the death of this griffon. I have no other choice. Guards, sedate this monster." /What?/ thought Alexander. /They weren't going to kill him? Wow! That was nifty./ Before he could get any other thoughts in, everything when black. Now, it was several hours later and Alexander was still thinking about it. /Maybe I said too much./ he thought to himself. -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Re: Tournament Date: Wed, 06 Jan 99 11:43:25 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Here's my registration, but I have to let you know that I am fighting a nobody (for example, some Shinra soldier) and Kyomi, Armada's girlfriend, fights no one. She is wanted by Shinra assassins for the trouble she caused in Mideel when Shinra killed her father and stole her brother (details to come when Armada and Kyomi meet up). Whoever wants to fight against Kyomi can have a bye to the next round without any bloodshed. Thanks in advance, for the trouble this may cause will undoubtedly result in insanity. Or something like that. T-Bone -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM Robot Attack: Reprisal Date: Mon, 11 Jan 99 20:20:15 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Reprisal ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [OOG: Strike the first post. This one involves Armada, it was my bad for not seeing that before. Other than that, it's virtually the same post.] Shinra Circle, Midgar Sector 8. July 9th, 2000. ~~ The group watched the television at Matrim's place. As AVALANCHE members, none of them had good comments about the President's speech. Jairen was trying to be as patient as possible while waiting for the speech to finish. The speech wasn't completed. The sirens wailed. The robot appeared. Outside, things started to get nasty. Jairen shrugged. "Well, this is it, boys. Big robots attacking Midgar. Trying to kill Shinra. Frankly, I hope they succeed," he added. "That's not nice, Jairen!" Tifa said, slapping him playfully with her fingers. "Come on, let's help them out." Adam shrugged, and Jairen's eyes went from yellow to grey. "Whatever." "Hey, man, it gets you guys reputation points, doesn't it?" Natalie put in. "Imagine the headlines.... 'AVALANCHE warriors heralded as heroes after defeat of evil robot!'" "I didn't start doing this for the glory," Jairen retorted. "But it would be nice for them to stop dragging your name through mud, wouldn't it?" "Hey, I wouldn't mind being a hero," Matrim said. "I mean, imagine the money, the girls..." Natalie rolled her eyes. "Let's stop deciding. As the leader of this little rag-tag group, I declare that we go in and try everything we can to stop them!" In an instant, a laser ripped through Matrim's ceiling, taking out the halogen light and spraying dust all over the living room. Instinctively, Jairen hit the floor as a second laser tore through the wall, just missing the spot where his butt was sitting just seconds before. He saw a dark shape fly across the room and hit the kitchen table, spraying black feathers all over the place. He saw a man lying on the ground next to what appeared to be a large bird. Tifa immediately rose to assist the man. Armada opened his eyes. The wall had a large hole through it. The ground was smouldering outside where the laser blast had hit. Echo was sitting beside him, either unconscious or sleeping. He looked around. It appeared that they had landed in an apartment building. "Echo, wake up," the man said. The bird flinched and opened his eyes. "Playing turtle, eh?" Echo shook his head to ruffle his feathers. "You're still the toughest bird I know," Armada added, getting up. He dusted himself off. The soot and dust fell off him and all over the floor. With the lights off, he looked around blindly, trying to find out where he was, and who he was confronted with. "What should we do with these two, Jairen?" Tifa asked. "I got an idea," Jairen, replied. Armada took a step back and drew his sword. Echo ruffled his feathers. They prepared for a fight. "So, you want to fight?" Jairen asked defensively. "Jairen, that's not what I meant," Tifa said, holding his arm back. "We aren't Shinra," the mysterious newcomer added. "We were almost killed by the robots. Besides, it's me, Armada. Remember, Jairen?" "Yeah. So? That's your acquittal?" Jairen asked, lifting his eyebrow. However, he lowered his blade slightly. "I'm entered in the tournament, so all I want to do is get some rest," Armada said. "Well, you've found the right people," Tifa replied. "The only problem is that you flew in just as we were deciding to go out and fight. I suppose you could grab a nap here... although I'd be against that idea." She glanced over at Matrim, who was gnashing his teeth and shaking his head while he assessed the damage that the robot did to his apartment. "Damn it, I want my revenge," Matrim replied. "I'm with Jairen. Let's kill this thing and get rich and famous and then I can buy myself a house." "What about Armada?" Jairen asked. Armada blinked. "I'll come with you." The people from AVALANCHE readied their equipment, then assisted in shooing the people out of the area from what they knew was going to be a combat arena. When Hojo's face popped up on the screen, none of the members stopped. They kept moving the people to the side, trying to force them to file out of the narrow streets and alleys around the Shinra HQ. Armada, who rode on his sturdy Echo, helped move groups of people at a time to the sidelines, out of harm's way. There came a point when the five people could not do any more to get people moving. "What can we possibly do?" Matrim asked. "Ask that SOLDIER over there!" Tifa exclaimed. Jairen frowned. "You're not serious." "I am!" "Then you go do it yourself," Jairen replied, fully expecting Tifa to agree and run off over to the man." "I will." As Jairen predicted, Tifa went off in the SOLDIER's direction. "She's so predicable, but yet, unpredictable at the same time," Jairen said to his allies with a grin. They watched as the SOLIDER nodded his head, spoke into his comm, and then nod again. Tifa was back with the group a few moments later. "They say that since we don't have any anti-tank weapons, we should try to keep injured people out o the way of the robot." "Fair enough," Jairen replied. Armada dismounted off of Echo, realising that his high mount made him an easier target. The group ducked under a slight overhang around the wall surrounding Shinra HQ. Echo just fit beneath it. They heard the fall of explosives rage now as the rocket launchers and machine guns started to go off. Beside them two SOLDIERS set up a tripod and placed their ten millimetre gun on top of it. They dashed off in another direction. Adam had to leap and roll to avoid a stray rocket, and Natalie's hair was almost caught on fire from a broken gas pipe. The pavement was being torn up and twisted as the large metal monster swiped at a moving target in the air like a human swatted at a fly. As Tifa ran across the battlefield, she scooped up a crying child and ran to the sidelines. "Damn it, where's Trev when we need him?" she said, trying to comfort the crying toddler. Matrim was in the process of trying to tear the cell phone from his pocket. "Who has a number?" "Try Rio. Nine-one-two, four-six-eight-three," Tifa said as she leaped over a large hole in the ground. They were slowly closing in on the robot, moving in the cover of the large cement wall around Shinra HQ. From around, they heard explosions and gunfire, as well as rockets and the electric zap of bolt spells. Adam, who was holding the rear, was nearly hit a second time with a rocket. "These Shinra guys are horrible shots," he complained. Matrim was yelling into his phone wile running. Tifa still held a child in her arms. Jairen saw a cowering adult on the middle of the street, and he broke off from the main group to scoop up the man, throw him over his shoulder like a sack, and bring him to the cover by the wall. "I can take the child," a voice said. It was a loud kid's voice, rather high-pitched, but melodious. "Let me tend to the adult," said another voice, which was more mature and more aggressive. It managed to keep the same kind of melody that the child's voice had, however. "Aeris?" Tifa exclaimed, stopping and nearly dropping the child in her disbelief. "And..." "Elleen." Elleen reached out for the child, and Tifa relinquished the hold of the child to the little girl, who hefted her with a bit of effort. Jairen handed the man, who was sobbing and blathering, to Aeris, who put him gently on the ground. "Go," she said. "Stop the robot. We'll help the people." Matrim could be heard yelling, "Trev's with you? Great! Get your asses over here as soon as possible!" He slapped the phone shut and then announced, "Rio, Yuffie, and Trev are in the area. They'll be here in a moment. We can meet them at the corner of Shinra Circle and Mirell Avenue." "Okay, Aeris," Tifa said. "Don't die on us now. Meet up with us.... on.... at the Salmon Fish restaurant. You know what I'm talking about." Aeris nodded. It was a favourite restaraunt of Tifa's. She had never ate there herself, but the place was very famous in Midgar. The last sight that Tifa caught of the group was of Elleen was patting the toddler on the back gently. The two disappeared as Tifa faced forward, sprinting toward the rendevous site. Trev saw the group sprinting toward them just as the helicopter that carried the President rose up and disappeared into the sky. They were close to the street corner, but the way that the short building slumped over gave them adequate roofing over their heads to protect them from shrapnel and rubble. Two of the SOLDIERs in front of them were casting immense Bolt spells at the largest robot. Suddenly, one leaped on top of the largest spider-like creature and stabbed his sword in between the plates of its armour. "What the hell is he doing?" Trev asked Rio, who was watching with no sign of emotion on his face. Rio was silent for a moment, almost as if lost in thought. Yuffie gripped his arm in worry. Finally, he said, "I think he is going to attempt a Mako maneuver." "A *what*?" Trev asked. "Either way, the robot is dead. Here comes Tifa." Tifa, followed by Jairen, Natalie, Armada, Adam, and Echo, ducked under the slight overhang of fallen beams. "Rio. I'm glad to see you," she said between deep breaths. "What... Trev, what can we do now?" Trev stuck his head out from under the bent beams. "There are still about four other robots. They're on the far end of the building, which really sucks for Shinra because most of their rocket launchers were concentrated on the largest robot..." They heard an immense explosion that made Trev lower his head and cover his ears instinctively. Rio was the first to recover, and he was looking outside, studying the surroundings. "It appears that the SOLDIER is still there, but unconscious," he reported. "The robot is leaning over.... impact!" On the word, the others braced themselves as the large metal behemoth fell sideways on the large road, toppling a building and sending dust and rock all over the place. Trev felt the rocks hit his back as they flew toward their street corner. He winced in slight pain; it was bruised for sure. "Damn it, we still have to take out the other five or so robots! What will we do?" Matrim asked. Jairen grinned. "Hey, new people, it's time for you to prove your worth." Adam frowned. "I am not your underling." Jairen returned his expression with a look of innocence and a shrug. "Too bad. We don't get a choice in this matter. We work as a unit... or else we're dead. Trev, what do you think you can do with what you've got?" "Okay, I have my backpack here. We have a bunch of plastic explosives, gum, string, and a plastic bag." "Okay... Trev, Adam, Natalie, here's your mission. See the second robot there? The one that's being pretty much ignored by those soldiers with rifles. Destroy it." "How?" Jairen made a face. "I don't know! Think of a way! I'm sure you can do it!" He looked back at Trev, but he was already at work, rigging the explosives to be easily lit while running and tossing it into the bag. "Go now, guys. We'll follow. "Rio, Yuffie?" "Yes SIR!" Rio said, snapping his arm to his forehead in a smart salute. "Stop that. Okay, you guys.... umm, how about we move in a big group. We can't do anything without explosives. Swords and magic just don't cut it. Come on, we'll move around the back end and get the back robot. Let's go!" -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Camp (Rithemin-2) Date: Wed, 13 Jan 99 16:02:12 (PST) From: Benjamin Cutler Reply-To: "MIDOOG" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDOOG" Time: 8:30 pm, July 8th Place: Rithemin's Campsite Rithemin was settling down after another day, after a satisfying 4 days of hunting. This was her last day. Tommorow morning she'd be heading home. In addition to the bear, she'd caught three rabbits, two deer, and an armadillo that was sitting under a pear tree. [OOG: Sorry.] Dinner was some instant lasanga she had brought. All you had to do was add some boiling water and mix it up, and you had a meal. It was actually pretty good for dehydrated food, but nothing could compare to making it from scratch. Not only was it the most satisfying but it tasted the best. She changed into some thermal underwear and got into her thick sleeping bag inside the tent. It could get deathly cold up here at night, even in the middle of summer. The first time she came up here she didn't know that yet, and she'd left a six-pack of soda underneath her motorcycle by accident, and they had blown up in the middle of the night. The shrapnel had chipped the paint on the motorcycle, severed the brake line to the back wheel, and ripped a couple holes in her tent. That tent had cost 1000 gil, about a month of pay at Shinra Food Suppliers from what she was getting paid at the time. She fell asleep, thinking of what she'd get for that bear. Time: 9:00 am, Next Day Rithemin woke up at about 9 am the next morning, meaning after putting everything away and actually making the trip, she'd get home about 2 pm. It took a while to get everything packed up, and getting down the mountain actually took longer than getting up because she had to be more careful or she would wreck. After a couple hours of packing and checking and re-checking that she had everything, she slowly started to make her way down the mountain in her motorcycle. She followed much the same route she took when getting up, but she zig-zagged more than she did coming up, to keep her speed down. After about a half hour of getting down the mountain, she started to head back to Midgar. It would take her another half an hour or so to get back to the city, another another half hour to an hour to get back to her house once she got to the city. After about 15 minutes, she thought she saw somebody off in the distance, to her left. She slowed down and stopped, and then got some binoculars out of her pack. It was definately a person, with black hair, walking back towards Midgar. From where he was, it would take him at least another day or two to get back to Midgar if he had to walk all the way back. Going 80mph on a motorcycle was probably a better alternative. He looked to be about a mile away, which wouldn't take long to get to on her motorcycle. She changed direction and sped towards the man. He looked up when he saw Rithemin approaching on her motorcycle. Rithemin pulled up near him, and asked, "Need a ride?" [OOG: All yours, Q.] == --- Benjamin Cutler http://surf.to/rproductions/ This message sent from school, yall. _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free a yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Against All Odds Date: Thu, 14 Jan 99 10:03:11 (PST) From: "Threep Meister" Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" ---------------- Trev grabbed Jairen's arm as he turned. "I was doing some quick thinking--these robots--their joints are sure to be a weak point, and running with conduits to keep the motion smooth. Take some plastic, cut a hole, shove it in and jump--the current will make it go critical in a nanosecond, and you don't want to be in the way when this stuff goes." Jarien looked at the metal monstrosities and back at Trev. "All right, guys, you heard him. Let's go!" Trev looked at Adam and Natalie, sizing them up. "We've got that one." He said, gesturing. "Here." He handed them each a small clump of plastic explosives. "Let's get to the robot and each take a leg. Tripping them up should be sufficient to take one down for the count." They sprinted, full throttle, towards their target. A Shinra soldier, already ahead of them, dropped to his knees to fire a shot from his RPG, a standard antitank weapon. Before he could trigger it, a small army of explosive rounds riddled his body, lofting him several meters back. His fingers twitched, reflexively firing the weapon. The rocket went far wide, and detonated against the side of a building, sending shrapnel and chunks of concrete flying into the street. Trev threw himself to one side as a small boulder crashed to the ground beside him. He shook his head to clear it, and clutched his arm. A sliver of metal had found it's way into his bicep, and he gritted his teeth against the pain. Adam and Natalie, unaffected by the debris, had gotten a fair head start on him. Trev took off to catch up. He ducked into an alley about 20 meters from the nearest leg of the robot, where the others had taken a brief respite from running. "How...are we going to get up on...that thing's leg joints?" Natalie breathed heavily, winded from the run. Plucking the piece of metal out of his arm, Trev hissed through clenched teeth. "You got me." He looked again at the robot. "It's up there above our heads; that'd still be a long reach." Adam spoke up. "Look--by the ankles these things have a third leg joint. We can reach those easily." "Nice thinking." Natalie nodded. Trev hefted his clump of C4 and drew his pistol. He reached into a back pocket of his jeans and withdrew a clip, painted with a red X on the front. "And that is...?" Adam wondered, drawing out his own golfball-sized chunk of explosive Trev had handed him. "Modified rounds--also highly explosive. Gonna use them to chew my way into it's joint. You guys got stuff that can cut metal?" Adam tapped the hilt of a sword strapped onto his back and Natalie shrugged. "No weapon?" Trev frowned. Hardly advisable to attack large, deadly robots with fists. "Here. Use my other pistol." He loaded his second pistol with three explosive rounds from his special clip, then shoved what was left into his personal sidearm. "You've got three shots only, so try not to miss." She nodded. "Remember to beat it after to shove the gunk in there--when the leg is still, there will only be a central current keeping balance, but to move it's going to activate all it's pistons which should detonate this stuff. You might only have seconds to clear out." They darted back into the street, Trev first. He looked up at the 'bot, expecting to see it 'looking' at some Shinra schmuck down the street. He was handed quite a shock when it--and one of it's chainguns--stared right back. "Crap." He breathed. He tore across the street towards one of the far legs, bullets tearing up the sidewalk behind him and riddling the back of his calves with tiny pieces of concrete. When he reached the leg, the chaingun could no longer trace him. He heard servos whining as the gun attempted to aim sideways and down. He sighed in relief, and spun towards the leg. He pointed the pistol and fired two rounds at the small area where armor wasn't covering the robot's exoskelton. The rounds were deafening. When the smoke cleared, Trev saw that he'd made only a small impression, tearing through a few small servos and wires, which weren't spitting sparks. The robot's legs groaned and the one in front of Trev shifted and moved forward, creaking loudly. The wires began to shower him in sparks in midair, proving his theory about the circuit activation. He ran after the leg, hoping Natalie and Adam were having luck with their targets. The leg sat down on the sidewalk, and the robot let loose a barrage of firepower at some unseen target. Trev slapped the C4 into the hole and ran for dear life towards an alcove by an apartment building. Before covering his eyes and ears, he saw Adam (with Natalie only meters behind, luckily) running as well. He spun and shrank himself into a ball. He waited, perhaps, fifteen seconds before the robot decided to lumber off again. In midstep, Trev heard the reverbations of two explosions. He turned. One of the robot's feet was hanging by a few thin wires, and the other was smoking on the ground. Trev whooped and threw his hands in the air just as a third leg exploded in a ball of fire. The robot placed it's two stumps on the ground. They immediately gave way, and the robot, making a sound somewhere between a confused child and a scared animal, fell flat on it's face, wiggling it's legs in the air as through trying to right itself. "Ooh! THAT got 'em!!" He yelled. Explosions from a street running parallel to the one Trev, Adam and Natalie were in now spoke of another battle. SOLDIERs and Shinra army regulars were filtering into this street now, as well. Trev wondered briefly how Jairen and the others were doing. ------------------ "Duck and cover!" Jairen yelled, waving his hand in an arc over his head and gesturing to an open doorway. Three corpses lay in the street--two from Shinra and one civilian who had been in the wrong place at the definite wrong time. Their robot had put up stiffer resistance; Jairen had arrived just as the dead pair of guards were finishing their battle with it. They'd managed to back it up against a wall, making it hard for Jairen, Tifa and the others to close on it. They had ended up splitting up and charging it from different angles to confuse it. The tactic worked, but not as effectively as Jairen had hoped. Instead of being confused, the robot's AI assessed and picked out it's most immediate threat: Jairen, who was the closest and already readying an attack, and had spun it's autogun in his direction, firing a veritable hail of bullets (in a talk with Trev and Jessie later, Jairen found out that an average Shinra-made autogun fired at a rate of 4000 rounds a minute. Very respectable). Tifa was the one who managed to get the hole cut, using a dead SOLDIER's Buster Sword, right underneath the abdomen of the robot. She'd planted the plastic explosive and ran. That's when Jairen realized the stuff was primed and could go any second--and yelled his warning. After the last person had made it into the safety of the doorway, Jairen threw himself inside. What was wrong? Why hadn't the C4 exploded yet? He wondered. The robot had noticed where his target had gone, and began to slowly turn himself to fire. It raised itself up a bit, aimed it's chaingun. It seemed to smirk in a mechanical way. It's gun barrel rotated rapidly, but no bullets came out. Tifa grinned. "I cut out his ammo feeding loop. Here comes the storm." The 'bot 'looked' down at itself, looked seemingly straight back at Jairen, and muttered three sharp beeps before it's stomach side blew out, showering the ground with sparks and shrapnel. The lights in it's optical sensors dimmed out and it's equilibrium shut down, sending it sloping down the side of the building to crumple in a heap on the sidewalk. "Got it!" Matrim nodded grimly as Tifa grinned. ---------------- Trev had one explosive round left. The thought probably wouldn't have entered his mind unless he noticed that the robot's chaingun and 'mind' were still operational, and the clue that tipped him off to that was when a Shinra army regular was torn up when he stepped unwittingly in front of the cannon. A second regular hefted his launcher, and was about to put a rocket in the robot's gun, when Trev stepped up and placed his pistol to the thing's optical sensors and fired. The legs twitched for a few seconds and fell limp. "Jessie always says that the best place for optics is near the motherboard. Since the robots use that as their main sense, it makes logical sense to have less area possible to be damaged between the input and central processor. So, destroying the optics has a good chance of damaging the motherboard. Looks like she was right." Trev commented to the Shinra army man as he reloaded his pistol with a normal clip and primed it. Trev glanced up at the man. The rocket launcher that had been pointed at the robot was now pointed at him. Trev was silent. "If I wanted to kill you I could've while you fired at the robot, you know." He reasoned. "You're--" "AVALANCHE scum who just saved your ass, Shinra. Let's think about this." Trev put his pistol in his back pocket and walked away towards where Adam and Natalie were standing. Trev lit a cigarette and inhaled casually. "Let's go find the others." He said. Behind him, the Shinra guard stood fuming, finger on the trigger and the three in his sights. Clenching his teeth, he dropped the launcher on the pavement and went to see about his fallen comrades. ------------------ Trev, Adam and Natalie found Jairen, Tifa and Matrim in a side street. "We got ours, but we're out of explosive." Jairen said, face stained with grease from who-knows-what. "Same here." Adam reported. Trev was bandaging his arm where the metal had hit him. "Where's Rio and Yuffie?" Tifa said, glancing around. "We told them to come find us after...I hope..." "Hope what?" Rio said, dropping down from his vantage point on a fire escape. "We didn't get roasted by that ungainly thing?" Yuffie dropped down by Trev, slapped him on the back, knocking the breath out of him, and walked over by Rio. "We kicked it's butt!" "Got ours, it's history, man." Rio agreed. "Where's my fire materia?" Trev wondered absentmindedly, looking around. His eyes fell on Yuffie. "Time to meet up with Aeris and Elleen. I mean, we're out of explosives so we can't do much more here." Jairen said. "Agreed." Tifa nodded. "Hey, where's my Fire materia?" Yuffie said. Trev fitted his materia back into his pistol. "I ain't bad at the five-finger discount myself, sweetheart." Trev said, annoyed at the fact Yuffie thought she could get away with it but pleased he'd gotten it back. Jarien hid a grin and Adam chuckled quietly. Yuffie stomped her foot and crossed her arms angrily. "Hmph." ------------------ They found Aeris and Elleen sitting quietly in the back of the restaurant fifteen minutes later. "You're here!" Elleen said. Aeris turned. "You made it. That's good." She said. "You weren't having doubts, were you?" Jairen replied. "No, we just..." Elleen said, then stopped herself, looking up at the ceiling . "What I mean is, we were thinking that...well, actually--" "--we weren't sure you'd all get back here." Aeris said bluntly. Trev grimaced, rocked back on his heels, and looked around. Matrim broke the silence. "Well, the robots aren't any trouble. It's the trigger-happy Shinra soldiers with bad aim that keep you on your toes." "Tell me about it." Trev nodded, agreeing as he eyed his arm. "But we all made it, and that's what counts." Tifa said wisely. "Now let's talk about our next step..." ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM Robot Attack: Armada's Change of Heart Date: Thu, 14 Jan 99 21:56:21 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" The party, led by Jairen and Trev, took off. Echo began to move, but Armada motioned him to stay. Elleen and Aeris took off as well. "We've got business to take care of," Armada said to Echo. Armada surveyed the neighbourhood in front of him. The inn was the only building left standing... and it was a couple of blocks away. "The inn!" Armada yelled. Echo took off towards the inn and Armada sprinted behind him. They arrived safely. The inside was a disaster zone. Rubble filled the hallways. "Is anyone in here?" Armada yelled. The sound of explosions rung in the air. Echo, staring intently, began pecking away at a pile of rubble near the desk. "What is it?" Armada asked, moving rocks out of the way. He pushed a large piece of the ceiling of the pile and a hand was sticking out of the pile of debris. Armada and Echo began digging madly. They finally uncovered the buried body. It was a woman. Armada took a step back. "It can't be..." he began to mutter. He pulled the woman out of the rubble. He dusted off her face. It was who he had thought. Kyomi, his girlfriend. She must have came to Midgar for the tournament. "We gotta get her out of here!" Armada yelled. Echo turned around, and Armada threw her on to the saddle. "Go!" he yelled. Echo took off out the door. He faced the door. They'll pay, he thought. They'll pay dearly for.... A huge explosion ripped through the wall to his right. He slammed into the wall to his left and fell heavily to the floor. He opened his eyes slowly. He was groggy from his short and painful flight. A man with a grenade launcher was sifting through the rubble. Shinra? Why wouldn't they be after the robots? He pulled himself to his feet. He was bleeding from a large cut under his left eye. His right arm was bruised and bloodied from have a piece of the wall land on it. His left ankle was swelling up from landing heavily on the floor. He was hurt, but now he was angry. The man looked up and saw Armada limping towards him. "Sorry, pal," the man started, "but we were looking for a woman. You haven't seen her have you?" "Does she have brown hair?" "Yes." "Blue eyes and a gorgeous smile?" "Yeah, I guess so." "Slim and beautiful?" "Where is she?" "I think she ended up under that pile of rubble," Armada said, motioning towards the pile he emerged from. "Thanks, pal," he said. "You've done a great service for Shinra Inc." He walked over to the pile and began moving rocks out of the way. He placed his grenade launcher beside him. Armada drew his sword. He walked up to the man who was facing away from him. He thrusted the sword deep into his back. "I forgot to tell you," Armada said. "She's with me." Armada pulled the sword out of the man's back and bent over to pick up the grenade launcher. The shocked look was still on the man's face as he slumped to the ground. The wound allowed Armada to see through the man's chest. "Now I've done a great service for Shinra Inc," Armada said as he limped out of the building. Outside there were parts of robots scattered across the streets. No one could be seen. Armada walked towards the restaurant. As he passed by an alley, a familiar sound was heard. "Wark!" Echo emerged from the shadows, still carrying Kyomi. "Let's get to the restaurant," Armada said, smiling. "We don't want to miss a thing. And I'm buying today." Echo let out another "Wark" and Armada climbed aboard. They sped off towards the restaurant. They arrived in a matter of minutes, and Jairen, along with a group of others, could be seen through the window. They were talking to to two people. "I'm going in to see what's up," Armada said to Echo. "You stay here." Echo complied by sitting down. Armada opened the door. The restaurant went silent. "Look what the cat dragged in," one patron said. Armada ignored him and headed for the table at the back. He heard Tifa say, "Now let's talk about our next step...". "I'm in for the long haul," Armada said. The group huddled around the table looked up. "What happened to you out there?" Jairen asked, the tone giving way that he was angry. "I took matters into my own hands, and it cost me," Armada replied. "No kidding," Trev said, looking at his face. "You're a bloody mess, and I mean that literally." "I want revenge on Shinra," Armada said, ignoring the chuckles from the group. "My girlfriend is outside unconcious and don't even know what happened. And I just about got killed while trying to save her." "So?" asked Elleen. "What does this have to do with Shinra?" "They're the ones looking for her, and I'll be next." "Why?" "I killed one of the soldiers looking for her." "What if we aren't in it for revenge?" "I want to be part of this elite fighting force. You guys took care of the robots, and I don't want to interfere when the time comes when you go head to head against Shinra Inc." "That's enough!" Tifa yelled. "We aren't in it for personal reasons, Armada. We're fighting for a reason. That's what AVALANCHE is all about." Armada was silent. "If you want to be part of this group, drop your 'What about me' routine and help us do what we need to do!" she said. Armada pulled up a chair. "I'm in it for us," he said. "Good," Tifa said. "Now our next step...". (OOG: Anybody who's in the restaurant has control.) -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Revelations for the Unexpected Date: Sat, 16 Jan 99 23:57:05 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Revelations for the Unexpected ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Midgar July 9, afternoon. ~~ Turi's mind fought. It fought, not only with itself, but with an entity that lived within him. Two minds lived inside this one body. The body was tired. One of the minds was tired. But he could end the lethargy and the endless struggles this afternoon. All Turi had to do was tell Korrine. /She will hate you, Turi. I'm not sure if you can handle that. She will look at you, spit in your face, and forget that you ever existed. Ty may be out of the picture, much to your delight, but that doesn't mean your chances will improve./ "Neo. Your days are numbered," Turi replied smoothly and emotionlessly as he walked back to where he had last seen her. "I will tell Korrine. Yes, it will hurt. Maybe she will never want to see me again. But then, at least, the truth will prevail, and that is what must achieved. I can choose either to be selfish, or to do good for all the people I can." /You're only being selfish either way,/ Neo hissed in reply. /Aren't you doing this only to get rid of me? To make me go away? To let someone else have to fight their battle, insted of you?/ "Yes. It is selfish on one way," Turi replied, "but by not telling Korrine, I will only hurt her. Secrets will hurt." Yet, despite the confident tone of his voice, his mind still screamed. Korrine was ahead of him, talking to someone on the park bench. He stopped suddenly. He took a deep breath. There was more to confess than just the massacre of Corel. /Yes, you love her. And yet, you will scare her away./ Turi ignored him. He stepped toward her. The person she was talking to was a male. "Turi!" Korrine exclaimed brightly, rising to her feet. "This is Jon, he's a friend from school that I haven't seen in a while," she said. "Jon, this is Turi." Turi breathed thanks that she did not introduce him as some sort of alien gladiator. "Korrine, I'm sorry, but I have to talk to you," Turi said firmly. "Alone." Korrine's smile faded at his serious tone. "What is it? Jon, could you give us a minute?" Jon nodded and wandered off somewhere into the crowd to be lost in the sea of people. "Sit down," Turi said, motioning for Korrine to sit. His mind still screamed defiance. There was a section in his mind that coldn't tell Korrine anything. And then there was Neo. His nagging voice bogged his thoughts down, but at this hour, at this minute, Turi let the voice fade away. He pushed it to the back of his head and stared at Korrine. She was so beautiful. Te body of her hair, the deep aquamarine of her eyes. He missed being around her, and he was gone for only a few hours. Those hours would literally turn into years if he expressed the truth. The speech that he had in mind to recite to her fell out of his mind, and he was left blank. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. /You will not do it. Save yourself the agony, Turi. Those years of loneliness. Those hours of sadness, of wondering whether you did the right thing./ /I will not wonder, Neo,/ Turi replied. "Korrine," he started immediately, so he could prevent himself from falling into Neo's temptation of staying silent. "Umm, okay, first of all, I have a... I have a secret to tell you." Korrine stared at him solemnly. "I... I didn't want to tell you this before, because I care about you, and I didn't want you to be hurt. I didn't want the others to judge me by who I was, and what I did in the past. I want them all to see me as I am now. "But I have to tell you." /No, you don't./ "I have to tell you, because secrets kept back will only hurt." /And secrets brought forward kill./ "Korrine...." /I will miss you./ "I will miss you." /But there is nothing I can do./ "And there is nothing I can do." /I have to go. There is nothing more to say./ "I have to go.... no! I will not go! Korrine! I did it!" Turi was shouting now. Tears were in his eyes, and his mouth quivered with fear and anxiety. His heart thumped against his chest, threatening to jump out of its bodily confines. "I burned down the town of Corel!" he cried. /GO TO HELL, TURI! YOU FUCK OFF AND GO TO HELL!!!!/ Silence. All Turi heard was the sound of his heart. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. "Really." That was all that Korrine said. Turi lifted a hand, hesitantly. He let the fingers touch his forehead. He felt the hard crystal. /Ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha!!!/ Neo roared, his chuckling growing louder and louder, filling Turi's head with a sound of domination, of impending doom. Turi's mind raced furiously. Ramzi, he thought. How could you do this? How could you lie to me? He looked forward. Korrine just stared at him, shocked. Already, Turi regretted his decision to tell her the truth. She turned away. "Did you really." It was a statement more than a question. Already, her aura felt cold. It gave him goosebumps on his good arm. He was almost thankful that he could not doubly feel the torment on his robotic one. He felt horrible for letting Korrine go so easily, by revealing his secret. In his head, Neo's chilling, piercing laughter echoed. It was the feeling of guilt, of being unable to let go, Turi remembered Ramzi saying. He looked at Korrine, who was looking far off into the distance. There were tears in her eyes, but she tried her best not to cry. And Turi realised that all he had done was replace one guilt with another. "Korrine, I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you..." "HURT ME? You didn't want to hurt me," Korrine said in a mockery of his voice. She stood up from the bench. Turi rose, hands in front of him, pleading her to stay. "Turi, there's nothing that could have hurt me more than to know that you were keeping secrets from me. Just when I trusted you. Just when I thought you were...!" "I didn't want you to judge me for who I was in the past. I want you to see..." "To see you as you are now? A liar? A cheater? One who can't admit to himself what the truth is?" "No! I want you to see me as a changed person! I don't want you to go, Korrine. Please don't leave me." "After what you just said, I don't think there can be another choice. Turi, do you know what this did to me? You just took a knife and stuck it right here." She hefted an invisible dagger and stabbed it through her heart. "I can't hang around a monster... for all I know, you haven't changed a bit. Ducking the truth. Lying to get your own way. Destroying for your own personal pleasure!! Stay away from me, Turi! Go!!" "Damn it, Korrine! I hid it because I love you! Because I didn't want to scare you away! I didn't want you to leave my sight!" "No," she said, whirling back to face him, glaring at him with cold aqua eyes that were no longer the colour of gems, but the tone of ice. "You don't love anyone. You just did it for yourself." She turned her back to him and began to walk away. Turi reached out with his good arm, grabbing Korrine by the back of the waist, and before she could protest, he tilted her head back and placed his lips fully on hers. At first, she squirmed under his grasp, but he felt her relax under his arms. There was only one thing on his mind as he kissed her. Korrine. He let go of the kiss and looked at her, astonished, but not regretting what he had done. Korrine stared back, totally awestruck, both the shape of her mouth and the size of her eyes reflecting her surprise. "Good-bye," Turi said, taking a step back. He lowered his head. Korrine couldn't say a word. She watched as he turned away from her and began to walk farther and farther from him. He looked back over his shoulder. She saw it. First, there was a flash, a silent, blink of light that was so instantaneous that she thought she imagined it. The amulet that haunted Turi for so long started to fall. It was like slow-motion in her mind. The dark, smooth jewel twirled effortlessly in the air as it released itself from his head. Over and over it tumbled, until it hit the ground and cracked. The short, staccato sound brought everything back to her. "Turi!!" Turi stopped. He didn't have to touch his forehead to know that Neo was gone. He knew it because his mind was rested. It was filled with his thoughts only. It was filled with his dreams, desires, and feelings, only. There was only one person in his head now, and that was him. He didn't even look down at the jewel on the ground. He just looked forward, at Korrine. She stood there, hands folded in front of her lap, tears falling, in small droplets, over her smooth face. "I'm sorry." She looked down. There was something about the kiss. It was not a kiss that one did for show. There were men out there who kissed, only to show off that they were good kissers. Their minds were somewhere else, most of the time. They were thinking about how their technique was, or their secret fantasy crush, or about what he was going to do next Friday. But Turi's kiss was different. There was something there that was lacking with other kisses that she had experienced. She felt that it was him, and entirely him, that dominated the action. He kissed with only one thought in mind. And that thought was her. Korrine couldn't deny the passion and feeling that he placed into one action. He had said it, aloud, that he loved her. But actions spoke louder than words. Turi nodded at her. "I understand if you do not want anything with me anymore," he replied. "I did what I did in the past, and sometimes, it's difficult to let go." His eyes went directly to hers, almost transferring exactly what Turi was thinking about. "No one said life was easy. But I'm prepared to tackle it as best as I can. Win a few, lose a few. But make all the losses into preparation for wins." Korrine stepped forward. "Please stay, Turi," she said. "Please stay with me." Turi looked back. His face went into a smile. He covered the distance in a few short steps and wrapped her in a wide embrace. "Thank you, Korrine. Thank you so much... for everything you've ever done for me." "No, Turi. I'm the one who should be thanking you." -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Robot Attack: Aftermath Date: Sat, 16 Jan 99 23:57:20 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDOOG" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDOOG" Robot Attack: Aftermath ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 9th, 2000. About 7:00 P.M. ~~ "Tom, are you ready?" Tom nodded as he adjusted his microphone on his jacket. "Yeah. I'm set." The cameraman nodded. "On three, two, one, you're on!" Tom the reporter looked directly into the camera, maintaining his straight, even face. "This is Tom Acknus, speaking live from Sector Eight of Shinra Circle. Tonight, the Robot Attack set up by Hojo to kill President Shinra has been thwarted by valiant members of SOLDIER forces and ARMY regulars. Although the damage around Shinra Circle's Sector Eight was extensive, casualties did not number past five-hundred. This number is considered fortunate especially considering the density of the area at the time that the President made his speech. "Shinra clean-up crews are beginning their work immediately, and will be closing the area down. In the meantime, Diamond Saucer is considered open to the public. We will talk more about Diamond Saucer and the upcoming Warriors of Supreme Fighting Championship in the next hour. Back to you, Fran." The cameraman gave Tom the thumbs up as Tom sighed. "Thank you, Tom," Fran said as the camera went back to her. She looked down at her papers. "The next big news is the Warriors of Supreme Fighting Championship. This Tournament involves hundreds of warriors who came from around the globe. Last-minute regisration will be occurring tonight. According to the schedule, the battles will begin tomorrow. Although most of the fighting will be done in the brand new Diamond Saucer, the most popular event, known as Bloodsport, will occur in the Sector 1 stadium. Twenty rings will be set up in the Stadium to accomodate as many matches as possible. The other matches are all in the Battle Arena in the Diamond Saucer. The Battle Square is located just above Sector One, and is a short car ride from the Stadium. Up to ten battles will be occuring simultaneously in there, which is larger than Gold Saucer's Battle Square. "If you are still wanting to register, then you should report either to the Diamond Saucer Battle Registration Booth, the Shinra Headquarters, or sign up at a number of registration points that will be listed shortly. "And in other news..." -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Registration Date: Sun, 17 Jan 99 18:01:32 (PST) From: Mike Evans Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" (OOG: Just so I don't get any questions about what happened to my character, I'm creating an NPC which I intend to use solely for bloodsport and then never use again. There, that's said.) July 9, 2000 Time: 7:00 PM Sector 1, Outside the Stadium Hrothgar briskly strolled down the street. Every now and then, he would gaze at the tops of peoples heads. In fact, that was the only view he had to remember most people by. He had been a very large man all his life, which was a result of his abnormal pituitary gland and a condition called gigantisism. It was a very inconveniant thing to have in a world built for medium sized people, but the extra sized stature and strength did have its advantages in other aspects of life. He finally arrived at the parking lot to the stadium. There were signs up in several different spots advertising Bloodsport. Walking over to one that was hung on a nearby lamp post, he noticed how it was hung dirctly at eye level, if he was about a foot and a half shorter. Stopping down, the poster became much clearer to see. It had a large green dragon lying on the ground in a rather pathetic looking heap with a large battle axe protruding from its head. Standing next to it, with a large grin on his face was a man that was significantly smaller than the dragon, who looked like he would have a pretty hard time wielding the axe that was imbedded deep in the monsters skull. There were red letters that read, "BLOODSPORT! Where you can see real heros in action. July 10-11" Hrothgar chuckled to himself. "Yeah, right." he mumbled. It was his personal experience that dragons weren't such easy competitors. In fact, while he was on survival training in the wilderness for three months, he had almost been killed by a dragon, and other things that were a little less opposing. The way they depicted this medium-sized warrior killing a dragon quite easily with his large-sized axe was a bit unrealistic and didn't do justice to all the gladiators that obviously trained very hard to gain the amount of skill to take on a foe that difficult. On the other side of the parking lot was a rather large trailer. It was covered with various advertisements for the competition. There was one sogn that stood out. It was large and white with big black letters that sais, "Tournament sign-ups here." Hrothgar thought to himself. /Hmmm... I think this is where the sign-ups are./ Obviously, like most people, the hulking juggernaut had the amazing ability of being able to deduse the bluntly obvious. This failed to impress most people. The large gladiator continued down the black asphalt. It would have taken a normal person several steps, but for Hrothgar, it was only a few short strides. Arriving at the trailer, -at least that's what he assumed it was, being as it was totally covered with posters and advertisements of the various businesses supporting event- he braced himself for his final moral decision. He had gotten married four months ago and his wife had been very worried about him competing in these competitions for fear of him getting hurt. After days of pleading, he had finally convinced her that he was his own man and this was his decision. Now, he just had to block out of his mind the tears she always used to affect his decisions. He plodded slowly up to the door and opened it. Inside, there was a lady sitting behind an adequate looking brown desk. On the desk sat a computer and a mug full of pens and pencils. Off to the left was a gray metal filing cabinet. It was interesting how they had managed to fit this inside with all the other junk lying around. The piles of junk appeared to consist mostly of items with the Bloodsport logo on them and various other merchandise advertising or commemorating the event. If Hrothgar hadn't seen the sign on the outside, he would have been sure this was a gift shop. The lady behind the desk was currently reading a book and it didn't look like she was too thrilled about the position she was stuck working in. She glanced up for a moment to see if the sound she just heard was actually the door opening, or if it was just her imagination. Not too much emotion of either surprise or dissappointment crossed her face when she found out someone actually had come in. Her expression probably wouldn't have changed even if no one was there. "Um, hello." Hrothgar said, clearing his throat slightly. "I suppose this is where you sign up for Bloodsport, isn't it?" She stared at the large man. Most people would have laughed at Hrothgar stooping down to fit inside the trailer, but the lady working registration didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor. Besides, she had already seen some pretty strange weirdos walk in that made her slightly crack a smile. "You're a bright one. How long did it take you to figure that out." was her only response. Hrothgar thought a moment. Then he tried to stand up, but in the process, bashed his head off the top of the trailer and quickly stooped down again. "Damnit!" he yelled. "Don't they make any extra large trailers. Ow! Well, anyway. What do I have to do to sign up?" The lady reached into the filing cabinet and pulled out a pamphlet of papers. "Here, read over these and sign them. Got that Red?" (She called him red because he has long red hair and a beard that, besides his enormous size, that gives him away pretty easily.) "Ummm... Okay." He read over the papers. Taking a pen, he signed every so often where it told him to. Then, he reached a part that puzzled him. "Hey lady. What's this mean here about the tournament holding no responsibility for injury or the expiration of life?" "It means if you get bashed up or killed, we don't get sued. If you do get really beat up, though, we do have medical teams with potions and phoenix downs on the spot to revive you in any way possible. We're not making any guarantees though." "Oh." Hrothgar thought some more. His wife really wouldn't be pleased if he came home in another body cast. She really wouldn't be happy if he didn't come home at all. In his line of work, however, there was that amount of risk. His wife had known that when she married him and she knew this was the only way he could make a living. It was either fight in competitions, or live in the slums and fight every day to survive. He signed the final space "Here you go." he rang out cheerfully as he made the last mark with his pen and handed the papers over to the lady. "Will you be paying with cash or credit?" "What?" "There is an entrance fee of 150 gil." "That's not especially expensive for a tournament of this size. How do expect to make any money?" "Merchandising." she said with what one might be able to assume was a slight smirk. "That reminds me, would you like to buy one of our 'I Survived Bloodsport' tee-shirts? Contestants get the discount price of 45 gil." "No thanks. Uh, I'll pay with credit." Hrothgar reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. At first the lady behind the desk had a puzzled look on her face, but that just turned into another drab expression as the giant curled back his fingers to reveal the wallet which was totally encompassed by his hand. He pulled out his credit card and handed it to her. She went through the usual credit card business and gave him his receipt. The overly large man was just about to leave before the lady stopped him. "Uh, sir. I'll need to know a bit of information before you leave." She turned to the computer and clicked a few keys on the keyboard. "First of all, what's your name?" "Hrothgar Anderson." "Size and weight?" He shrugged a little wondering why this was relevant. "Um, 7 foot 4 inches. Er, 450 lbs." The lady made a bit of a mouth movement, impressed by the size of this hulk. "What weapon are you using?" "A hammer." "Hah. You're entering this tournament with a little tool? What are you going to do? Beat up the nails?" "No, not that type of hammer. A big war hammer." Just to prove his point, he stretched his arms out to try and show how big it was, but just bumped his arms on the trailer's walls. "I think it's called a maul." "Maul, right. What type of armor are you using?" "A breastplate, metal arm and leg covering and a horned helmet." "Right." She nodded her head as she tried to picture this Goliath in a getup like that. "What materia are you using?" "Is this really important to know?" "Hey, it's tournament rules. We have to make sure the contestants don't go swapping items in between matches." "Alright. Let's see. Lighting materia attached to elemental, cure, barrier, ice, and a counterattack. I won that at my last competition, you know. I've been dying to try it out." The lady rolled her eyes. He sounded like a little kid full of excitement with a present he just received for his birthday. "All right. You don't have any fire arms or explosives, do you? I think they're prohibited." "No." "Alright then. Let me just enter this all in." She searched through the filing cabinet again and gave him a piece of paper. "Here's a map. It shows where the locker room areas are in the stadium. You can go there before and in between matches. They should have some sort of order posted by tomorrow morning. Be here about 8:30, the matches start at nine. If you don't sjow up, you're automatically forfeited. Got any questions?" "Yes. What's this I hear about monsters in the tournament? What kinds are there?" "Ah yes. They have this thing going called rent-a-monster. If you come here and ask me about it, I get to ring up a guy to go and show you around the monster containment area. People get to pick out what monsters they want to buy. They're all different prices, it all depends on how ferocious they are. There are monsters ranging from goblins to griffons. It all depends on what people decide to pay for. It's kind of unexpected, but you're a professional competitor, you should be able to handle it." "Alright." Hrothgar said, feeling satisfied. "Thanks for the information. I suppose I'll be going now." With that he gently climbed out of the trailer and set off towards his house. He was going to need a good nights sleep to be ready for the challenge he faced ahead. -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Just adding on... Date: Mon, 18 Jan 99 21:38:07 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Restaurant, mid-afternoon. "Our next step is to..." Elleen had begun. The door to the restaurant flew open. The group turned around to see who was causing the ruckus. A young lady appeared in the doorway. Her jet-black hair was blowing in the breeze from outside. She looked angry. Armada lowered his head and whispered, "Oh, no. Here it comes." The woman stormed over towards the group. Her eyes were fixed on Armada. "Is that Echo outside, or was I just dreaming?" she asked, standing over Armada. The group looked away from Armada. He stood up from his chair. "Nice to see you, too," Armada said, his back to the woman. "I thought that was you, cowering over here," she said. "It's only been like, what, three months? When I said goodbye that night, I didn't mean goodbye. I meant good night." "Hey, saving you back at the inn was no problem," Armada said, ignoring her last comment. "All in a day's work." "Excuse me," she said, scanning the group. "We have business to attend to." She grabbed Armada by the arm and pulled him towards the door. He shook himself free of her as they got outside. The group looked at each other. "Who is that?" Jairen asked. "What's her problem?" Trev asked. "More importantly, he's in big shit!" Elleen said, smiling. The group looked at the Armada and the woman outside who were obviously having a heated argument. The woman pointed at Armada, then to Echo, and then poked him in the chest with her outstretched finger. Armada responded by pointing in the direction of the battle. The glass prevented the group from hearing what they were saying to each other. He then in the direction of the inn. She turned her back on him. He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. She looked angry. He looked her square in the eyes and said something to her. She looked at his face. He looked angry, but smiled when she looked up. His face had cuts and dust all over it. The dried blood on his cheek and the bruise on his forehead that had developed mad him look like he had survived a war. He took his hands off her shoulders and she stepped back. She turned away from the restaurant and began walking out into the street. Armada came back into the restaurant and returned to the table. "Who was that?" Tifa asked. "Not now," Armada replied. "It's a long story." "Oh," Tifa replied, sounding let down. "I'll come across her again," he said. "She's entered in Bloodsport, and so am I." "Her?" Jairen asked. "Hey, don't let her looks deceive you," Armada cautioned. "Anyways, our next step...." "Right," Elleen said. (OOG: I almost forgot about Kyomi in my last post. I thought it would be better if I added on, rather than confuse anyone.) Jairen, Zach or Arcana, the story is yours. :) Trev -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Tom: Date: Sun, 24 Jan 99 16:51:09 (PST) From: Mike Evans Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" July 9, 2000 9:30 PM Sector1 Stadium, Monster Containment area The large room had become very quiet. Most of the animals, even though they couldn't see the sun or moon, followed there bodies natural pattern of sleeping at certain times. For the first time, a person could actually hear themselves think. Alexander sat in his cage, stroking a bunny rabbit. A short time ago, a rabbit in one of the non-electified cages, had managed to knock its small cage off of a wooden crate. With a loud clatter, the door flung open and the rabbit hopped away. With its small size, it managed to fit between the bars of Alexander's cage and sat there, trembling with fright. Right now, the bunny was calm. It had learned that Alexander was gentle and wouldn't hurt it. That was a quality that could be prided in the less intelligent creatures. They saw things the way they were, and didn't assume anything differently. The bunny had made a nice companion. It was no bigger than a loaf of bread, and didn't do much besides sit in Alexander's lap and sleep, but it was calming to sit and stroke the cute little furry white animal. The previously psychotic monster had even gone to the extent of giving his companion a name, Mr. Buns. It was unlikely that these two would find comfort in each other. The rabbit found protection and comfort in the big lizard. Alexander found an unprejudicial companionship in the bunny. It was like a peaceful harmony had come to form between the beast and the timid animal, the fury and the gentleness. Drifting off into euphoric though, ALexander started talking to Mr. Buns. He knew the rabbit wouldn't talk back, but it was still comforting to him. "Mr. Buns, I believe you're the only thing left in this world that I can call a friend." The bunny wriggled it's nose slightly and wiggled its ears in response to this. The large monster chuckled a bit. The small creature wasn't event startled by his intimidating voice. "That's what I like about you, Mr. Buns, you're not afraid of me. You have no reason to be scared of your big ol' pal, Alexander. I hope we can stay together forever. Just me and you, little friend." Sitting there, so calm and care-free, Alexander began to daydream, and think back to the dream he had had before. Rather than feel anger and rage, he felt like he was in that warm, green meadow. A light summer wind, kissing his cheek and making him feel like nothing else mattered. The intoxicated scent of the flowers wafted through the are and placed itslef pleasingly under Alexander's nose. This was true paradise. Then, the human figure started to walk towards him again. As it moved closer, it began to change. It shrank and drooped closer to the ground. It started to hunch over and walk on all fours. Now, rather than walk, it was starting to hop. It wasn't a person any longer, it was a small white rabbit. This was what he truly wanted. Alexander no longer had an urge to fit into human society. He didn't want to act like humans do. He didn't want to fear, or hate, or hurt like humans do. He wanted to live in peace and happiness, like a little bunny, enveloped in placidness. Oh, he hopped around in that field and rolled in the grass. He slowly drifted back into reality with a big smile on his face. Looking once more at the bunny he let out his thoughts. "Mr. Buns, I realize what I want now. Why should I try and correct the problems in a society I no longer want to be a part of. I know what to do. I'll find someway to escape and get back to nature. Yes sir, it'll be just you and me, Mr. Buns. As long as I've got you, we can live together with no more fears or worries. All I want is a companion to stay by my side forever." As Alexander continued to stroke Mr. Buns, he looked over at the cage the rabbit fell out of. It was right next to his, so it could be seen easily. A horrified expression crossed the monsters face as he gazed upon the cage. On the side was a sign that read, "Already been rented." The lizard sat there, trembling. He whispered to himself, "I've got to save this bunny. I can't afford to lose my only friend in the world." With that, a little tear ran down his cheek. -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Fighting Is Never The Way? Date: Wed, 27 Jan 99 14:06:20 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Fighting Is Never the Way? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 9th, 2000, about 7:00 P.M. The Salmon Fish Restaurant. ~~ "Our next step is to order something to eat!" Matrim announced, a bit too loud. "Shh, you're attracting attention!" Natalie said. Matrim looked at her as if she had a car built into her forehead. "Look, it's not as if we're alreaady a big enough group as it is!" They were certainly not a small group. There were eleven people present. They were all seated, looking grimy and dusty, around a circular table. Natalie looked around. Tifa sure chose a restaurant totally inappropriate for their appearance. Although it wasn't exactly a very classy place, it was estabished and clean enough to make you want to take a shower and change before you stepped inside. The entire group was showered in dust and stained with grease. There were tracks of white powder tracing their path from the entrance to their table. "Yes, let's eat." In an undertone, she added, "And let's leave an extra big tip for bringing in half of the dirt in Midgar with us..." Jairen nodded agreement, then he rose to clean himself off. Matrim immediately followed. "Speaking of tips, Tifa," Rio said. "What has been our source of cash for the last few months?" Tifa, who was in idle conversation with the young Yuffie, suddenly faultered. "I... umm, I don't know," she said. "What do you mean, 'you don't know?'" Rio asked. "My bank savings, mostly," Tifa replied. "I took out all of my money when I was wanted long ago, and have been living off of that..." Trev leaned over the table. "Yeah, Tifa, you *do* realise that none of us have jobs, right?" Tifa stared at the members of the table, totally unable to speak. "Right..." she started. "The point is, how do we start getting cash? I mean, we just trashed Matrim's apartment, most of us can't get any cash, even more of us lost our homes at one point or another..." "Yes! I know!" Tifa hissed, trying not to be so agitated. "It's a problem. But at least we're not wanted anymore. There's ten million people in Midgar. I'm sure one of us can get a job or something. Maybe we can win the lottery." "Why don't we just borrow from people and pay them back?" Yuffie suggested innocently. "No way!" Natalie said. "I'm not stealing... we're supposed to be heroes, remember?" "Shinra's not going to give us rewards for taking out those robots," Trev said. "Maybe we should have grabbed some of those cool parts and salvaged them at the salvage yards." Tifa sighed. "Is that what we're reduced to? Salvagers?" "Well, unless anyone else has some bright ideas..." "I sell flowers," Aeris suggested. "We need more," Tifa replied. "No offense, of course, but..." Aeris nodded gracefully. "I understand." "I don't need room and board," Elleen replied. "Heck, I'm not even supposed to be a part of you all. I *live* with Shinra people!" "You do?" Tifa asked. Elleen suddenly fell silent. She nodded. "Come on, don't patronize the girl," Rio said. "Anyway. We can all fight, right? Why don't we start up a mercanary unit?" "A mercenary unit??" Adam asked. Rio shrugged. "Why not? I'm sure we could do worlds of good in the slums. Protection from criminals, elimination of..." -he looked around to make sure he wasn't overheard- "bad people..." At this point, Matrim and Jairen came back from the washrooms, looking much cleaner than before. Rio and Adam both got up and headed there once Matrim mentioned that there were only two sinks. "What did I miss?" Matrim asked. "We're talking about getting jobs," Tifa said. Matrim frowned. "Really. Maybe we should like, go gold mining or something." "Ha ha. We all know the Mitril in Kalm's pretty much exhausted..." Maybe we should leave town. Away from Midgar. Begin an assault later," Yuffie said. "I mean, there's tons of jobs away from here. We could to to Wutai." "Wutai? What the heck would we do in Wutai?" Armada asked. "Maybe we should all sign up for this tournament, and then split the winnings. Hey, I'm doing it." Jairen looked at Armada. "That's actually not so bad of an idea... if we get a man in every division... it costs like, nothing, right? And if we win enough, we'll at least get paid small amounts of cash..." "You get great items if you get up to the finals," Armada added. "Come on, how hard could it be?" Jairen asked. "I have confidence in my abilities. My father..." "Then what are we waiting for?" Yuffie asked. "Let's do it!" "I'm still hungry," Matrim said. Tifa nodded. "Right, right. Grab a menu, guys.. Let's make it look like we're actually going to order something to eat... -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Participation Date: Wed, 27 Jan 99 19:21:26 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Participation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 9th, 2000. Shinra HQ, top floor. ~~ Rufus sat down at his desk, staring at the reports on his computer terminal. The Turks escorting him were at ease as he chewed on his lip. He heard bits of their idle chatter, but didn't care for it as he assessed how much money he would have to divert to rebuild the most beautiful sector of Midgar. "Who's going to go see the Tournament?" Lars asked Rude. They were both sitting on the couch. Tseng was keeping guard, standing away from the group and watching the door. Elena and Vladimir sat across from them on a set of chairs. "I'm not," Elena replied. "I don't want to see all that junk if I don't have to. It's great to let people release their energy and all, but I mean, I personally see enough blood for a day." Rude shrugged. "I'm still considering to watch." Lars glanced at Vladimir. "How about you?" He had never really had a chance to talk to the mysterious Turk, and decided to take this opportunity. Vlad nodded slightly. "Actually, I am registered in the Tournament. I will be fighting in the Magic Division." "Really?" Lars excaimed. "That's cool! You'll kick some serious ass. I swear. Maybe I should come watch now. Normally, I'd want to join up myself, but I don't think I have the talent to do anything. They don't allow guns, and I can't fight without one..." Tseng suddenly spoke up from his post, which made the rest of the Turks jump. "Didn't you hear, Lars? There's a new division that's called the 'Labyrinth'. It's set up in a maze, sort of like a city, and you get to do military things like set bombs, use rifles, and all that other stuff. Of course, it's all fake, but it uses guns and stuff nonetheless. To simulate killings, they use stun bullets and gas. Since it's not fun one on one, they're setting up teams of four or five." "Really?" Lars asked, eyebrows lifting. "Think I could sign up?" Tseng bit his lip to keep a straight face. "Well, I don't know what you'd do there... I mean..." "I'm not a really lousy shot, am I?" Lars retorted, mouth curling into a frown. Tseng scratched his head. "Well, not that, but I mean, you're going to need a team. Tonight's the last night, too." "Yeah, well," Lars started. Suddenly, the President spoke up casually. Immediately, all of the Turks turned in his direction, not used to being addressed by the President in a casual tone. "Lars, come look at this," he said. Lars stood up nervously and started to step toward the immense desk, conscious of all the attention being centred at him. What did I do now? he thought to himself. When he came across the computer screen, he saw that it was a list of Tournament Participants; the Labyrinth, specifically. At the bottom of the list was a team called "Landslide". When Rufus brought up the team statistics, he saw no names he recognized. There were "Johnny Ails" and "Jennifer Stonevan" listed as the team captains. Their team was made up of four people. "With respect, Mr. President, but what does this have to..." "Watch this." Rufus entered a few keyboard commands. On the screen, there flashed "Indentification Check", and then a picture of this supposed Johnny Ails appeared on the screen. The face instantly registered in Lars' mind. "Jairen Quicksilver??" "He was the man who shot you a while back, wasn't he?" Rufus asked. "Slashed." "Whatever. Anyway, he's registered in the tournament now... yeah, they forward me these things. We're planning to invite the winners of the Tournament into the Shinra Army so we can tighten our security. More so, now that we've discovered a new threat to our forces..." A chime rang, and Rufus looked down at the vidscreen that showed who was ringing his bell. He saw the face of General Cantorek, but turned back to address Lars. "Yes, we have a new threat, and we need all the help we can get... Hojo cannot be underestimated." Rufus nodded. "But we can't have AVALANCHE trying to gain a foothold in the army. Lars, if you want, I can assemble a strike team of some of the best Shinra forces, and we will show the world, in the Tournament, that the Turks are the strongest elite fighting unit in the world. And with that, you get to defeat Jairen, and get revenge for what he did to you. How about it, Lars?" Lars' mouth dropped. "Who would I... bring?" "Me," Rude said, rising. "Apologizes, Mr. President, but a few words of your conversation caught my ears, especially about Lars' revenge. As his friend, I want to help." "If I could, Mr. President, I would like to assist as well," Tseng added. "Me too, I guess," Elena announced, rising out of her chair and snapping a smart salute. Vladimir was the only one who didn't stand. "I would join, Lars, Mr. President, but I am already registered in the tournament. May the Turks dominate more than just one category." Rufus lifted an eyebrow. "Really? All of you? Excellent! I'll register you all immediately." He grinned. "Want to bet that at least ten teams will drop out when they learn that the Turks are a part of the tournament?" "I'd lose, Mr. President," Lars replied. "You may start preparations downstairs. All of you are well- versed in this sort of combat... did you know that Rude used to be a sniper for the Shinra Army, and that Tseng worked as a ninja of Wutai before he defected here, Lars?" "No sir, that's new to me," he replied. "I hope not to disappoint, sir. My father taught me much about shooting with rifles, as well as the shotgun." "Good. You are dismissed. I have to exchange a few words with General Cantorek." "Thank you, sir," Lars replied, turning away from the desk of the President. As he approached the door, the other Turks were close on his tail. They exited, passing the General on their way out. Lars looked up, hoping his father would give him a slight bit of acknowledgement, but nothing came from the narrow man. Rufus pressed a button. "General, you may enter. Do you have the reports about the Robot Attack...?" -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Short, but sweet. Date: Thu, 28 Jan 99 19:21:53 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Place: The Restaurant The eleven people looked at the menus. Armada stood up and tossed his menu into the middle of the table. "I'm going to an inn to get ready for tomorrow," he said. "Rumor has it that one of the prizes is some powerful materia. I'm sure we could all use that." The others agreed and, after a round of "See you soon", Armada left. He walked outside to where Echo was sitting. "Let's go, buddy," Armada said. "The gil I swiped from that soldier I killed should get us into the Diamond Saucer Inn." Echo sped off towards the Diamond Saucer with Armada on the saddle. They headed for the entrance to the Saucer. A man stood at the entrance. "Excuse me," he said. "Do you have a pass?" "Excuse me?" Armada said. "A pass, do you have one?" he repeated. "No." "Well you can't come in then, unless...." "Unless?" "Do you plan on racing that bird?" "Who? Echo? No, I was going to use the inn so I can get some sleep before the tournament." "Well in that case, you can enter." "Thanks." "No problem, chicken." Armada stopped in his tracks. "Pardon me?" he asked the man, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "I said 'chicken'," replied the man as he smiled slyly. "Do you want me to waste you right here?" Armada asked. "I've got a proposition for you," the man said. "Proposition?" Armada asked, slightly releasing his shirt. "Sure," he replied. "I think that I can find some one to beat you in the Chocobo races." "No one is faster than Echo," Armada said, defending his friend. The man had a large grin on his face now. "OK, if you beat my guy, I'll give you a lifetime pass to the Diamond Saucer. If my guy beats you, I get your bird." Armada looked over at Echo and swallowed slowly. This was the first time he ever had to consider not having his best friend beside him. But he believed in his friend. "You got it, pal," Armada said. "But I got a stipulation as well." "Let me hear it," the man said. "I want 10,000 gil as well as the lifetime pass," Armada demanded, letting the man go. "You're on," he replied laughing. "My guy hasn't lost yet!" The man ran into the Diamond Saucer and disappeared. "We'd better get to the Chocobo races, Echo," Armada said. They both walked into the Diamond Saucer to compete in the Chocobo races. (to be continued...) -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: TOM: Robot Attack: Aftermath (Darman) Date: Sat, 30 Jan 99 13:02:27 (PST) From: Brian Kuhn Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Some Time Some Place Some Date Darman had watched as peeople died, others fought, he just fealt helpless. Actually there wasn't too many times in his life that he felt helpless. He hated the fealing, so rather than confronting his problem, he did what he had been doing a lot, he walked away. He started walking anyway, then he saw one of the small robots that was still visualy intact. "Piece of shit!" he yelled at it. "Darman!" Aeris said as she walked up him. "Hey," he said, "Listen can I have sometime alone right now." "Uh, ok, I think I saw everyone walking up to the dinner anyway," she said, "You should come along." "Yeah in a few minutes," he said. Aeris started running towards the dinner. Darman stared down at the robot. "Why should I stay here anyway? What has Shinra or Midgar eever done to help me, I should be out of here," he said, "Here that you piece of shit! Hojo and Shinra can screw them selves!" He kicked the monstrosity again. "Ow, that one kind of stung my foot," he said, just then the eyes lit up. It picked it self up. "Damn, your not supposed to do that," he said. A couple machine guns popped out of it and aimed. Darman started to run. "I think I'll go to that dinner now," he said, the robot started firing, but do to the fact that it was missing three legs it was lopsided and off target. Darman could see the dinner before he was hit. "Aw Damn it!" he said, he dropped to the ground. He saw the bullet sticking uot of his leg, on the opposite side that it hit. "I really didn't want to do this," Darman said. He curled up in a ball and started glowing, then growng. (OOG: sorta like Ryu in BOF1+3 I figure his limits are close enough to Ryu's dragon morphs might as well go with it.) A tail sprouted from his backside, claws began to grow, his skin hardned and turned black. He stood up a dragon a little smaller than the robot. "GGGGGRRRROOOOOOWWWWRRRRRR!!!!" 'Darman' let out. That got everyone within a mile to suddenly jump. In a slight distance those in the dinner looked out the window. The robot aimed and was preparing to fire but it was too late. Darman shut his huge jaws around one of the legs and wipped his head letting go, sending the robot hurtling through the air. It stopped within a couple about five yards of the dinner. "GGGGGGGRRRRROOOOOWWWWRRRRRR!!!!!" he let out a yell of victory (or at least to him it was, to everyone elsse it was just plain loud) He approached the downed wiggling robot and let out a ball of fire. The entire outer shell of the robot began to melt. Finaly it stopped moving. Darman started to shrink now, until he was back in his normal form, at that point everything to him went black. (OOG: I figure I really can't screw up anyone's plans by doing that, Darman will be out for a couple hours. Well it's like 12 in the morning so I should probaby get off line now.) -Brian _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free a yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Fall-5: Black Smoke, Black Gas. Cover. Date: Sun, 31 Jan 99 01:52:48 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Fall-5: Black Smoke, Black Gas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shinra HQ, General Cantorek's Office, July 9th, late in the evening. ~~ The chime rang, twice in succession, then two, with a two second pause in between the rings. Cantorek looked down at the television monitor by his desk, to guaruntee that it was not an annoying janitor. It was not an annoying janitor. It was Tyr Signus. "Come in," said Cantorek. The door slid open, and the Head of SOLIDER stepped in, dressed in a suit and tie, and looking quite smart and dignified. He strode in purposefully. "At ease, commander," said Cantorek. "All right. You want to start the first step of this, don't you?" Tyr nodded. "I'm getting too old to do this sort of stuff," replied Cantorek. "But one might say that someone is never too old." He circled around his desk, then sat down, touching his fingertips together. "I would say that, General. You're never too old to make something right." Tyr said. "Anyway, what are your plans for tomorrow?" Tyr placed his briefcase on his desk and opened it up, withdrawing a small notebook. "Okay, Benedict, my second, wants me to go over to Junon and help him with the observation of the Junon Recruits. He feels that my presence there will be beneficial to motivate those who are working there. I don't think I should go, with the situation becoming sensitive over on this end of the globe..." "Before we decide on that," Cantorek said, "Have you thought of who's going to take Rufus' spot?" "Why don't you do it?" Tyr asked. Cantorek shook his head. "I can't do it. I'm not going to be 'good' enough. What we need is somone up there with a decent reputation... or, at least, with no signs of scandal behind him. You do know what scandal I'm thinking about, right? It's Rufus' big mistake... and he will pay for that. We'll use it to the best of our ability." "Black 36!" Tyr exclaimed. "But how do you intend to expose it to the people?" "We have footage of the planting of the gas by Shinra officials. In fact, I even have tapes of Rufus giving the orders to begin mass production of the gas. If we play our cards right, we could show them to Midgar. You know how Rufus networks all of the stations and stuff together, right?" Tyr nodded. "We can show them then. If we show the tape of Rufus giving orders like that, he won't be able to resist. However, there are a few things I have to be wary of..." Tyr sat down in one of the General's thickly-padded chairs. "A riot?" "That too, but something else. The support of the armed forces." "We have the two highest ranking officials in the military for this," Tyr replied. "I'm sure I can go talk to the soldiers about this. Most of them feel the same way I do about Rufus... low pay, short hours. Rufus drastically cut the defense budget." "I will talk to them as well. You see, Tyr, there will be two sides to this Junon trip. One, you can talk to the young recruits there. Plant the seeds of rebellion. Be very subtle about it, though. For a soldier, you're one of the more eloquent men that I know." Tyr inclined his head, noting that the general said that the General said that there were two points. "I'll be subtle. Beg your pardon, sir, but what is the second point?" "Do you remember Heidegger?" Tyr nodded. "That man? Wasn't he fired for letting the AVALANCHE break in twice over..." "Yes, he was fired. Now. Where is he now? Do you know?" "No, I don't." "Junon. Here's the idea. We'll call him up. We can use him to sit in Shinra's Throne until we can get a permanent government set up. He's not as public as you, or even someone like Benedict. Somehow, if we let him know that we're making change, I don't think he'll refuse. He may be loud, and he may also be somewhat incompetent, but he's not stupid. Presidency? He's not going to reject." Tyr nodded. "And you want me to come get him." "Exactly." Tyr contemplated this for a moment, then he nodded. "Okay, we can do it. I'll agree to go. Too bad it's sort of late." He shrugged. "Benedict might..." "He won't question you. You outrank him." "He can question me all he wants to, but he won't directly act against me," Tyr corrected. Cantorek nodded. "Very well. I will call Heidegger now. I'll be sure you meet up with him." He pressed a switch that scrambled the frequencies. Tyr nodded as the Raith Cantorek reached for his desk phone. He couldn't believe that this was happening.. He was actually planning a coup against the largest corporation in the world. The military might of Shinra was extraordinary. Their power stretched to the heavens. Yet, a small group like AVALANCHE dared to fight them. Their faces were plastered all over networks. Their friends died quickly, dropped like flies. It seemed as if they finally withdrew into solitude and silence, away from the public's eye. But now, here he was, Tyr Signus, Head of SOLDIER, replacing AVALANCHE as the force against Shinra. In a way, the thought scared him to death. But yet, at the same time, it excited him. Raith's harsh voice interrupted his thoughts. "Tyr. Phone. It's Heidegger. I seemed to have woken him up. I've explained the basic plan to him. He wants to know more." "Hello?" Tyr said. "Commander Heidegger." The gruff voice replied harshly. "Don't call me 'Commander', lad," he said. "I'm just an ordinary citizen now. But with this plan of yours... maybe things'll change." "Things will change, Heidegger," Tyr replied. "I want them to. You know about the Black 36 thing, right?" "Released by AVALANCHE, the networks said. I bet my ass that you guys did it." He chuckled in a mean way, mocking Tyr viciously. "I'm not feeling good about it myself. Look here. You want to meet me? I'm in Junon tomorrow morning. How about dinner? We can meet at Cafe Revolution. Six, sharp, Junon Time. We'll talk details there... including the money that you'll get once you're ... 'appointed' President. Remember, Heidegger, we wouldn't telling you this unless we trusted you." "Yeah, yeah, I understand, lad," Heidegger replied. "Rufus may have called me a bumbling fool, whatever. He thought I had no use. Trust me, lad, I don't have much love for the Shinra. Specifically, that Rufus kid. Cafe Revolution, six. I'll be here. Don't worry. I'm on your side. Yeah, and no word of this to anyone. Hey, I'm only screwing myself if I tell anyone." "Good." He glanced at Cantorek, who moved his eyes toward the button. Tyr hung up the phone. "That's it," Cantorek said. "Now, you have to call Benedict and tell him that you're going to go to Junon after all. I'm sure you can do that on your own cell phone. Remember, Tyr, none of this leaves this office. Even this office might not be safe. I'm the Head of Security, but Rufus still has an override on much of the access. I scan my office for bugs... I did so yesterday, actually. Nothing came up. We should be okay. If anything happens, I'll arrange a meeting with you." "Right," Tyr replied. "You can be on your way, Commander. You are dismissed." "Thank you, sir." Tyr turned around to leave. He stepped out of the office and the door hissed shut. Cantorek let his face break into a slight smile. "Too old to be doing this, for sure," he repeated to himself. -- /-|rcana ----- ----- * ----- ----- Araby Weyr Fandom: http://members.tripod.com/~Araby/ Tales of Midgar- FF7: http://members.tripod.com/~ArcanaTxM/ Xenogears Interactive Fiction: http://members.tripod.com/~project_xat/ -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Robot Attack: aftermath (Nick) Date: Sun, 31 Jan 99 01:52:52 (PST) From: Brian Kuhn Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Some Day Some Time Some Place Nick woke up. Where was he? How did he get here? Is it night? It is dark. Wait, what is that feeling, oh of course pain. What happened? Some sort of attack against the president. It was a giant robot. Then there were little robots, but wait, weren't they spiders? What was going on? "Ugh," Nick let out, "Well at least I can still talk." He tried to move, but nothing happened. Until he moved his new arm. "Hey this thing is pretty cool," Nick said, the arm moved away whatever was ontop of him. Sudden light, well at least he wasn't in the slums. He hated it donw there, so dark and depressing. He stood up. "Well nothing too badd happened, only a few cuts and bruises," he said looking around at the reckage that used to be Shinra Circle. "There you are," he said picking up his staff. He started walking around. "I should probably get back to HQ, otherwise I will be officially dead," he said to no one, "Knowing Shinra they probably don't even search for dead SOLDIERs, no matter what class." He started walking towards the large building that was high above everything. "Yup, don't show up to work, you are officially dead, no one cares about the fact that they are still alive, its just one less person to pay," he said, "Well I should get some sort of reward for fighting those things and living. I mean if I'm not dead already." He made his way to the door of the center of Midgar. He oened the door like it was an average day at work. "Excuse me sir do you have an appointment?" a recptionist asked. "No I'll just go to the president on my own," he said. "I'm sorry sir you need an appointment," she said. "Excuse me, but I have never needed one before, I work here, well sorta," he said. "Name and position?" she asked. "Nick Renold, SOLDIER First Class Beta Division," he said. She typed something on the computer. Then she hit a button on her desk. "Um, Bill can you come here," she said, a man walked behind her desk. "Bill look at this," she said. "Is there a problem," Nick asked. "Oh I'm sorry sir, according to this you are dead," Bill said,"I am sorry, we will tell your family immediatly." "You're not a bright one are you?" Nick asked, "I am probably listed as dead, but that is because I didn't show up for work." "Why would they kill you for not showing up to work?" Bill asked. "Um Bill why don't you go outside and look at some shiny objects, so I can talk to the person that has some say in this conversation," Nick said, "Now if I can please just talk to Rufus or Lars, or even Cantorek for that matter, I don't care but let me talk to someone other than bumble the boy wonder over here." "Do you know the penalty for impersenating a high ranking SOLDIER, especially a dead one," she said. "Listen, a... whatever your name is, I am not lying to you, please let me talk to anyone, get me Tseng for all I care, just someone with some pull around here, someone that can get me undead," Nick argued. "Security!" she yelled. about five men in security uniforms came out and grabbed Nick. "Hey, what did I do!" Nick yelled. "You will remain in custody until this is settled," she replied, "Bill, get me someone who can identify him, probably a SOLDIER or something." "No don't leave it in his hands, do it yourself, just not him," Nick yelled while being taken away, "You are sending me away for life!" Nick was dragged down to the first basement with cells and placed in one. "Hey gaurd?" Nick asked, "Do I get to call someone." "I guess you can, just in case you are who you say you are," he said, and handed him a PHS. Nick dialed the number. "Hello, this is President Rufus' office," a voice said. "Hi, this is Nick Renold SOLDIER First Class," Nick said, "Is Rufus in." "Do you have an appointment?" she asked. "No, but I am in jail for a crime I didn't comite, and did I mention I am in Beta division. You should know what we are, after all you do work for the most powerful man in the world." "Yes I know what that is," she said with a little bit of a nervous voice. "Now as soon as Rufus is free send him down to cell block F cell 38, I will be here," Nick said. "Uh I guess, but he has many meetings," she said. "Did I mntion I am mentally unstable, and I helped save his life at the entire robot thingy," Nick said. "No you didn't well thank you, I will tell him as soon as I can," she said, "Well bye." "Bye, have a nice day," Nick said. They both hung up, Nick was placed in his cell, and he waited for something to happen. (OOG: anyone that wants to take it from here feel free.) -Brian _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free a yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: STORY : what did I say about them not being misplaced? Date: Tue, 02 Feb 99 01:54:44 (PST) From: "Eileen Stone" Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" The Beginning: Part 1 "Ron Reeder" Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:30:38 PST Jan 1999 11:25:43 -0800 (PST) To: smcclure a goldrush.com [MUST put subname/focus in the To: line! --Eileen] The Beginning by Ron It was an average day in the slums of Sector 5, if any day was average. There was no sun due to the plate above, save for one place. That place was an abandoned house, the old Gainsborough house. There was no sign of life in the area, excpet for an occasional bird flying by. The sun was actually quite peaceful. Unfortunately, the peace did not last long. Screams rang out through the area, followed by the sound of gattling guns. The sound of the Shinra soldier pierced the air, "Where is Stralojico? Tell me or more will die!!" Then the gattling guns started firing again. Shinra forces started running into the Gainsborough yard, looking around for footprints. One of the soldiers saw a path of footprints going into the house. Before he could tell the others, the door blew down on him. Lightning flew everywhere. The soldiers drew their guns and ran to the doorway. "Tzem, come out and put your hands up. We will do this as peaceful as possible, if you just cooperate with us." said one of the soldiers. "You took away peaceful when you were born, Shinra scum. If you want my hands up, you can pose them that way after I die." " Have it your own way, Stralojico," replied the soldier as he motioned for two men to open fire. "But you will die like the dog you are." "Big words for a little man. If you can back them up, bring it on." Two soldiers busted through the opening and started firing. They shot up the walls, the table, and even the stairs.When they stopped to reload, they saw no sign of life. They heard a sound upstairs. "Thats him, go," said a soldier to the other. "I'll cover you." The soldier went towards the stairs, looking around cuatiosly. As he started uo the stairs, he heard another sound upstairs. He continued to the middle of the staircase, then he heard a sound beneath him. He looked down just in time to see a sword come through the stairs and into him. Then the sword went down just as quickly as it came up. The other soldier looked over in time to see the sword go down. He drew his gun and started shooting the staircase. After he used all his ammo, he walked to the stairs. As he was examining the stairs, Tzem popped up and stabbed him in the gut. He grabbed the weapons and ammo and hid behind the table. "You're gonna have to do better than that, got anything stronger?" "Dammit!!!! You two get ready to kill that dog. Go you fools." With that, two more guys came in and opened up fire on the house. When one reloaded, the other started firing. They kept up this pattern for a good ten minutes. Then Tzem said," Okay, I give up. You'll can take me in. Just quit firing for a minute." When they stopped firing, Tzem stood on the table. " I give up. Just one thing." "What is it you pathetic punk. Speak quickly." Tzem stood still, and started mumbling something under his breath. Then there was a explosion of fire between them. One of them flew to the right and smacked against the wall. The other flew outside the house and into the spring. "Get better men next time!" "You have defeated all my men, no you shall die against me. Get ready for some hell dog." "Ready when you are. Just bring it on, wuss." The leader walked in slowly, drawing his sword as he did so. He jumped onto the table and got into a ready stance. He swung his sword around twice, then beckoned Tzem to get ready for the fight. Tzem jumped up onto the table and got his sword ready. The soldier waited till he was ready and then spoke. "Are you ready, swine?" "Wow, a Shinra that has honor. How suprising." "Funny, let's fight," said the soldier as he swung at Tzem, who brought his sword up in defense to stop it. Then he brought his sword up to cut off the soldier's head, but was stopped short. They continued to try to kill each other on the table for at least ten minutes. After that the fight got interesting. Tzem hit with enough force to knock the soldier off the table. Then he jumped down trying to slice him down the middle. The soldier hopped back to dodge the attack. This was followed by the soldier elbowing Tzem in the ribs. "You have to do better than that, dog." "I'll do my best." Tzem brought his sword up with all his strength and forced the soldier out the door. The soldier lost his balance and was about to fall off into the spring, when Tzem caught him to stop him from falling. He pulled him up to his face and spit in his face. "I told you I'd do my best. Good-Bye!" and then he let him fall. Tzem had paid so much attention to the enemies, he forgot about the staircase and being shot. For the first time since then, he noticed he was bleeding. He also noticed all the bullet holes. He decided to forget about the pain and check on the townfolk. So he put away his sword, and jogged into the main area of town. When he got there he noticed that most of the townfolk were dead. Those that were left were cursing the name of Stralojico. When one of the townsfolk saw him, he grabbed a gun and started firing at him. Tzem dodged past all the bullets and ran back toward the house. By now, the entire town was following him, trying to shot his head off. When he reached the stream he leaped and grabbed ahold of the fence on the other side. The townsfolk had nearly caught up with him and started opening fire at his hands. Tzem tried climbing up and his hands were shot, making him fall into the stream beneath. When he hit the water, he tried to grab a root or something to hold on to. He couldn't find something to hold on to, so he got washed down the stream, still trying to grab a root. After he was washed about a mile, the water stopped abruptly and turned into piles of trash. He climbed up the pile and caught his breath. Then he stood up and looked around. All he could see was trash piles everywhere and, between them, water running through. He jumped from pile to pile, looking around every once in while for a sign of life. Every time he looked around, he found nothing except trash. He kept this up for about two miles, and then he found land. It was off in the distance, about two miles. He jumped across the trash and he finally reached the land. When he reached it, he looked around and saw the gate to Midgar. There was a glass wall with a metal door. On the door, there was a large white 5 in bold print. He saw that the door was locked, so he turned around and walked down the path, opposite of the one he entered from. The path lead to a fork, which went to Sector 5 slums or the broken road. He walked to the road and set off for Wall Market. THE JOURNEY GOES ON IN THE BEGINNING PART II ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Forwarded from: Troy Altiare #1 @172 -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: Deja Vu is only an expression. Date: Wed, 10 Feb 99 11:30:42 (PST) From: trevor alexander Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" Place: Chocobo Racing Square Armada looked up at the screen. He had been to the Chocobo races in the Golden Saucer. That's where he met Echo. OK, so he stole Echo from Teioh, but that's life when you're an avenger. His opponents were being listed. Jake. Lily. Bryan. Primo. Armada. ????. Who was this mystery rider, Armada thought. No doubt it was the man's secret weapon. The crackling of the PA alerted him. "Would all riders registered for the next race please proceed to pre-race zone." Armada went throught the door. The room was dimly lit, but he could see evrything clearly. Five competitors were here. Armada walked across the room to the water fountain. He pulled a cup from the dispenser. The water ran slowly into the cup. "For being new, they sure picked a crappy water fountain," he mumbled to himself. He heard the door open behind him. The water filled the cup and he turned around while drinking the water. The mystery man was Teioh. "Hello all," he said, smiling. "I expect this to be short and painless for me and my bird, so let's not have any heroics in this race, OK?" The others riders nodded. Perhaps they were intimidated by the best rider the Chocobo races had ever seen. Maybe they were scared by the message he had just relayed. What did he mean by "let's not have any heroics this race"? "Who is the guy who put his bird on the line?" Teioh asked, looking around the room. Armada lowered the cup from his lips. "Well, somebody speak up!" Teioh demanded. "Me, and what are you gonna do about it?" Armada said. "Well my black chocobo hasn't lost a race in over two hundred races. I was brought here to christen this place, so I guess you might as well give me the reigns to your bird right now," Teioh replied, matter-of-factly. "Well my black chocobo has never lost so take it and shove it where the sun..." Armada said. The PA cut him off. "Would all riders please proceed to the race area." "You have a black... you stole that from me six years ago!" Teioh yelled. "Like I said, shove it," Armada replied. "And I want my gil after you do." Armada walked past him and they brushed shoulders. Teioh followed him out. Armada was stationed in starting block number 5. Teioh to his right in #6. The chocobos were already in place. "OK, Echo," Armada began. "We have to beat these people. I know you can. You're fast, you're tough and you'll do anything to win. Just for today, though, use brains and speed over braun." Echo looked at Armada. It appeared he understood the message. Teioh popped his head over the wall. "Good luck, loser," he said. "You're gonna need it." The Mog came in holding the starting flag. As soon as he waved it, the gates would open and the race would be on. Echo beared down. Armada put his head down. The Mog's hand and flag were raised in the air. Suddenly Teioh's gate opened and he sprinted away. The Mog dropped the flag and the race was on. Teioh had about a two second head start, so Armada knew he had to make up time. The other riders were being lft in the dust. Their birds weren't as fast as his or Teioh's. Armada guessed that Teioh would slow going around the corkscrew part in the middle, so that's where he would catch him. Teioh appeared in front of Armada on the straight-away. There was only 200 meters before the corkscrew. About 100 meters separated the two. "Sprint now!" Armada said to Echo. Echo dropped his head and was gaining on Teioh. The first turn of the corkscrew had just begun. Teioh cut Echo off as Echo was going to make the pass. Twice more he did the same thing. Echo let up. He was beginning to tire. The gap between the two remained the same. Teioh reached into his pocket. He pulled out his hand, clenched in a fist. Armada saw this. "Sprint now, Echo, or we're gonna lose! The two riders were side by side now. "Give it up, rookie!" Teioh yelled. "Never!" Armada yelled back. Teioh held out his closed fist beside Armada. "Sorry I have to do this, but winning is winning," Teioh said. He opened his hand. Marbles fell under the feet of Echo. Echo slipped and threw Armada towards Teioh. Armada grabbed for Teioh. He caught the back of his jacket and pulled him off. The both landed hard on the track. Armada landed heavily on his chest. Teioh fell backwards onto his shoulders. Teioh's chocobo sprinted away. Armada rolled onto his back. Breathing was difficult for him. Teioh was lying on his back as well. He sat up quickly, though. Armada looked over at him and saw him get to his feet. "Stupid bird!" Teioh yelled, his bird nowhere to be seen. Armada still had trouble breathing. He hurt all over. Teioh spun around. "If I can't win, then you won't either," he said, walking towards Armada. He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small dagger. "And after I get rid of you," he continued, "I'll hop on your bird and win the race." Armada tried to move out of the way. He couldn't though. He was sore all over. He was breathing with difficulty. This is not the way he had imagined losing, especially not here. The tournament maybe, but not at the Chocobo races. Teioh stood over with him and put the blade of the dagger against Armada's throat. Armada closed his eyes. He had wished he hadn't been so hasty. He wished he hadn't been so stupid. He wished he had saved his friend, rather than losing him. "Say your prayers, loser," Teioh said. "Wark!" Armada opened his eyes. Teioh looked up and a black flash passed over Armada's head. Armada crawled over to the wall. Echo was standing over Teioh. A pool of blood was forming on the race track from Teioh. Echo turned around. He ran over to Armada, scooped him onto his back over his neck, and set off for the finish line. The other four racers were right behind him now. Echo didn't have to sprint. The others just weren't fast enough. Echo and Armada won the race. It was ugly, but a win nonetheless. They proceeded to the stables. The man that Armada had made the bet with was standing in the stables. He had a bag with him. "Good race," the man said. "Best ratings for a Chocobo race we've ever gotten. Teioh was the heavy favorite and you knocked him off. Good show. Over one million people tuned into the first-ever televised Chocobo race. We made millions, thanks to you." "Is he OK?" Armada asked weakly, still in pain from the fall. "Teioh?" The man asked. "Sure. He needed 47 stitches to close the cut on his face, but he'll be OK. Your bird looked like a tank running over a toothpick. He really killed him. I mean, that was the hit of the year." "My money and the pass?" Armada asked, pointing to the bag. "Yes, here you are, and I'll let you stay free in the hotel tonight just because we made a pile of money off you tonight," he said. With that he scurried off. "To the hotel, buddy," Armada said to Echo. "We gotta get ready for that tournament tomorrow." Echo ran off towards the hotel. (OOG: The tournament can start whenever now. Armada had gil and the pass, so if anyone wants to use it, come find him. :] ) -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: ToM: Crisis Averted Date: Mon, 15 Feb 99 10:59:40 (PST) From: "Quicksilver X" Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" The meal had just been finished, and everyone was leaning back in their chairs, patting full bellies and belching. Despite the lack of finances over the past few months, they'd scraped together enough for a rather large meal, and everyone was glad for it. Leftovers were few, but what was left was being hauled away by the waiters, to be placed into doggie bags. Tifa looked over the group again, a serious look on her face. "Okay, now that we've eaten, our next step is...more difficult. We did very well this time, but if nobody knows about it, then what we just did was pointless. We need people to know that we helped protect Midgar, to let them know that AVALANCHE is not a group of criminals. Just because the warrants against us were cancelled doesn't mean that the people automatically trust us." "So what should we do?" Trev asked. "We can't just go on T.V. and say, 'Hey, everyone, we're not criminals because we destroyed some huge robots and saved a few people.' They'd hunt us down in a week." "Sarcasm noted," Tifa replied, allowing a slight grin to play across her lips, "but we can't just sit down and wait for the next time something big happens to get involved. We have to spread the word around that AVALANCHE is out there to protect the people." "But it'll be our word against Shinra," Jairen said, "and the people already believe what Shinra tells them anyways. If we say one thing, they'll say something completely different that is anti-AVALANCHE in some way. If we try to defend ourselves from their attacks, they'll make more claims about us being terrorists, and the people will hate us even more. It's a no-win situation." "Maybe some people saw us helping," offered Adam. "They could back us up." "Not likely," Jairen scoffed. "If anyone survived the attack, Shinra would probably buy them off or have them silenced, just so they could spread their propoganda more effectively." "But maybe," Tifa mused, thoughfully playing with her bangs, "someone _did_ see it, and Shinra doesn't know about them. If that's the case, then all we have to do is find them, and..." "If Shinra can't find them, what makes you so sure we can? They have hundreds of intelligence agents. We have a few people with very little money and a bad reputation..." "But if we find them first..." "We'd never find them!" Tifa stopped, and looked at Jairen. "Why are you being so negative all of a sudden? You're not usually like this." Everyone turned to look at Jairen. Something had changed about him. The changes were subtle, but closer examination found them. His skin had become very pale. His breathing was erratic. His hands twitched and shook as he moved them. Now they'd started to advance on him, cautiously. He began to cast his eyes around the room nervously. "What?" he asked, as he reached back and grabbed the hilt of his sword. "What are you all staring at?" "Somethings...different...about you," Tifa was trying to look him in the eye, and he hastily averted his gaze. "Are you feeling alright?" "I...I feel...feel..." "Fine?" Trev finished for him. Jairen nodded, his mouth suddenly dried out. /What's happening?/ he thought. /I'm freaking out, but over what.../ "Are you sure?" Trev asked, drawing his gun defensively. "You don't look right." He offered no response, but rather drew his sword halfway out of its sheath. His nervous glancing increased, and his breathing had elevated. His face contorted into a snarl, and a low growl escaped his lips. With each passing second, his actions became more like that of a wild animal, backed into a corner, trying desperately to defend itself from a larger predator. "Jairen," Tifa was talking to him again, a slight quiver in her voice reflecting her concern, "now just calm down. I don't know what's wrong, but it's going to be alright." /Alright?/ his mind was racing. /How can it be alright? I don't ever know what's happening to me./ "Nobody's here to hurt you, Jairen. We're your friends. Now, just put your sword down, Jairen. Everything'll be alright..." "No." The word had come from his mouth, but he hadn't chosen to say it. It came out as a reflex, a simple response coded into his deepest of primal instincts. He also noticed, for the first time, that he couldn't feel his body any more. It moved, but he didn't move it. It felt, but he couldn't feel it. A separate entity controled his body. It was as if he'd been physically detached from himself. He was not in control. Jairen looked at Tifa again. She was edging towards him slowly, hands opened wide, palms forward. Ignoring her non-aggressive posturing, he reacted by shifting his stance to face her, as another snarl left him. /No!/ he thought, trying to will his body to stop. /She's not a threat!/ Their eyes met for a brief moment. Tifa gazed into her lover's eyes, finding only a swirling rainbow storm of colored emotion. "What the..." she started to say, but stopped herself. Jairen thought it was strange, as she had never been one to be at a loss for words. Then, he noticed why she stopped. She was glancing over his shoulder. A shadow flickered in the corner of Jairen's peripheral vision, and his eyes darted towards it. Tifa saw the pigment shift, and let out a warning shout, but it came too late. Adrenaline pumped, muscles tightened, reflexes whirled into action, and... Jairen snapped. He whipped around fast, pulling his blade free from its sheath and arcing it blindly towards the shadow, as a battle cry escaped him. Trev had barely any notice, and he jumped back, gun pointing forward. The point of the sword caught the gun's handle, and Jairen pulled the weapon up and to the side. The move was a standard fencing tactic, and it ripped the weapon from Trev's hand, causing it to fly across the room. Disarmed, Trev became the recipiant of two vicious kicks, which he tried to deflect with his arms. His lack of hand-to-hand skill hindered his defence, and each blow rattled through him, leaving bruises on his forearms where they landed. Another kick hit him, and then he saw the sword again, raised for a diagonal slash. He had no defence from it, and threw his arms over his head, closing his eyes. The clang of metal on metal made him open his eyes, and he saw that Yuffie and Rio had stepped in beside him, weapons drawn and pressed against Jairen's own weapon. The standoff that ensued was brief. Despite their numbers, they couldn't match his strength, which seemed to have magnified in the past few minutes. They couldn't hold him off for long, and a final angry push from Jairen caused them to fall backwards, sprawling on the floor. Pausing in his assault on Trev, Jairen lifted one of the tables, throwing it in the ninjas' direction. They rolled out of its path, and it splintered into pieces as it landed. Seeing his first target defenseless again, Jairen raised his sword for the killing blow. Sweat glistened on his brow from the immense burst of activity. He panted for air now, and as he lifted Sorrow, his panting turned to a shrieking death cry, designed to instill terror in the recipient. He could see the terror in Trev's face, and it excited him. The tempered steel blade cut through the air. Inside, his mind screamed, /Stop!! Don't do this!!/ A kick to the back of the head stopped the downward stroke, and stunned him. Turning, he realized Tifa had hit him with a roundhouse while his attention was diverted. She spun again, landing a heavy boot on his wrist. The sudden jolt knocked the sword from his hand, and it clattered to the floor. Jairen looked at the sword, then back at Tifa, who had backed up a few steps. "You want to fight someone?" she said in a cool tone, flexing her muscles. "You fight me." /No! I'm not in control!/ "God dammit!" Trev cursed. "What the hell's with you, Jairen?" "That's not Jairen," Tifa replied, keeping her eyes on the lunatic in front of her. "At least, not the Jairen we used to know." Jairen's snarl had turned into a grin. Here was an opponent worthy of his effort! His hands balled up into fists, and he approached her slowly, taunting her with his movement. Tifa attacked first, darting in and out for a two-hit combo. The blows landed in Jairen's midsection, but he showed no sign of feeling them. Following up her attack, she again spun a boot-clad foot at his head, which he avoided easily. This time, he reacted by aiming a left jab at her jaw. The blow landed solidly, and her head snapped back slightly. /Dammit!/ he thought, pouring every ounce of willpower he had to make his body respond. /Stop this now! I command it! Stop!!/ His left jab was immediately followed by a right cross to the eye, which knocked her around a bit. Another jab, then another, followed by a kick to the shin. She took the blows well, but they still were hurting her, and they were beginning to take their toll. He smirked, and spun around, bringing a vicious backhand across her cheek. She cried out as the force of the blow knocked her to the ground. /Tifa!!/ ---------- She brought a hand to her tender cheek, felt the warm blood. /He's playing with me,/ she thought, as she rose to face him again. She realized that she'd need a plan to take him out. Whatever had happened to him, he'd changed for the worse. He prepared to attack her again, launching a roundhouse of his own at her. "I don't think so, pal," she said, raising her hands defensively. She had a plan. She caught his foot, surprising him and stopping him in mid-strike. She ducked low, finding her target open and vulnerable. Faster than he could react, she crouched, fist balled, and propelled herself up with her tightly coiled legs, swinging her fist upward. As she connected with his groin, she allowed herself a self-satisfied grin. ---------- The pain was intense. Jairen's jaw dropped, and his eyes bulged in their sockets, as the wind was knocked out of him. /Yes!/ his mind cheered. /Smart move, very smart. But don't stop now. It's not over yet. Keep attacking me!/ Tifa backed away, watching as Jairen's face contorted in pain. It'd been a risky maneuver, and she'd been lucky. But it was far from over. The pale color of his skin, which had gotten paler, slowly began to return to his face, and he looked at her again, red eyes blazing. He was ready to kill her, and even though it pained her to think it, she knew that she had to stop him now, either by knockout...or by killing him first. Her face flushed as an adrenaline rush hit her. A warm feeling began to grow from inside her, expanding steadily, until it filled her completely. She raised her fists again, tears streaming down her face. "Eat THIS!" she screamed. Jairen watched as the blows hit his body. He'd seen her use this skill only once before, with amazing success. If it didn't stop him, nothing would. First came the four hit Beat Rush combo. /Good girl,/ he thought, /keep me dazed./ Then a somersault caught him on the jaw. /Yes! Keep going./ The water kick knocked him against the wall, and for the first time, he felt it connect. It felt like a strong ocean wave had crashed into him, pushing him back towards the shore. /I felt that,/ he thought. /I must be getting control back./ He could feel her touch as she grappled with him, pulling his six-foot frame over her head. Jairen felt the dizzying sensation of being inverted, followed by the pause in mid-air. One sensation came in after another, as more of his body returned to his command. He knew the piledriver came next, and braced himself for the impact. "Do it," he breathed, squinting his eyes in anticipation of the pain that was to come. But the blow never came. His eyes opened, and he found that he was still upside-down, held in the air by Tifa's powerful muscles. She had stopped in the middle of her attack, and seemed to be waiting for him to react. Everyone else stood around them, waiting with baited breaths for whoever would make the next move. "Jairen?" Tifa asked quietly. "Is it...you...in there? What should I do?" "Do...it," he whispered again, his mouth close to her ear. "Finish...your...attack." "I...I can't," she stammered back. "I might break your neck. It'd kill you." "I...know..." She wavered slightly, her muscles failing her slightly. She'd been holding him up for too long, and her strength was draining away. "I won't do it," she said. "You...must. I might...lose it...again. End it...now." She shook her head in defiance, and fresh tears fell on her battered cheeks. "No." She dropped him to the floor, and Jairen immediately let his muscles go slack, willing himself to fall. Gravity took its toll, and he collapsed. Tifa motioned to the group, and suddenly there were three people holding him by the shoulders. Rio and Yuffie held his legs, while Aeris held his head still. Despite his regained control, he still twitched violently at their touches, and his eyes lolled in their sockets. Someone (Jairen wasn't sure who) produced a tranquilizer shot from their pack, and handed it to Aeris. She laid a hand gently on his neck, directly on the artery which ran to his brain, and pulled the cap off the needle with her teeth. He flinched under her touch, and reluctantly allowed her to insert the short needletip into the bloodstream. The tranquilizer's auto-plunger fired the dose into him, and he gasped slightly. His head reeled from the intensity of the drug, and then he was calm. His eyes wandered slightly around the circle of people, and his breathing slowed down greatly. Tifa was still by his side. She laid a hand on his cheek, brushing away her own tears with the other one. She talked to him softly, "Jairen..." "Yes, Tifa?" he answered her, staring vacantly into empty space. "Why did you attack us?" "I...I don't know..." "I may be able to fill that part in," Trev piped in, stepping up behind Tifa. "But it's only a theory." "Well, what is it?" "I remember," he began, gently rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "that when we were fighting the robots, just before they died, they vented some sort of gas. I assumed it was some sort of steam, or perhaps a new form of hydraulic agent that was being released to avoid pressure buildup. But maybe, and this is the theory, maybe it was something else." "Like what?" "Like a vaporized drug. Or some sort of nerve gas. Only this stuff causes the victim to become a sort of hyper-berserker." "But why was only Jairen affected? We all fought the robots, and if it was nerve gas, wouldn't we all have been exposed?" "That's the part I'm having trouble explaining," Trev nodded at her. "Maybe something was different about the way your robot was constructed. Or maybe how you fought it. I don't know. The only one who would know is whoever created it, if it is a nerve gas." "Hojo made it," Jairen said dreamily, the drugs finally beginning to take full effect. "He knows...the answer. We have...to find...Hojo. We have...to...stop..." "Shhh," Tifa quieted him, gently running her fingers through his tangled hair. "We'll find him, and figure out what happened to you. But for now, just rest." Jairen grinned at the suggestion, and nodded his head dreamily. "Okay...Tif," he yawned, closing his eyes. He couldn't fight the tranquilizer any more anyways, he noted. "I'll...do...that..." Unconciousness overtook him, and he slipped away into oblivion. ---------- OOG: I owe the biggest apology to everyone. I should have sent this story in a month ago, but time constraints, as well as a really messed up computer lab shedule, make it really hard to access my Hotmail. So, I'm just lucky it's Reading Week, and I can do this on my parent's account at home. Eep! I leave the game for a few days (weeks, months, who's counting, I've been so busy), and now we're considering shutting it down? (dramatic poses) Nooooooooo! Say it isn't so! It can't be true!! Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not too surprised about *this* turn of events. As I recall (please permit me some margin of error due to the long period of time involved), back when we started the Tales of Midgar, Arcana stated in one of his messages that he was (and I quote), "damned if this game is going to last more than a year," or something to that effect. Well, it's been about a year, so perhaps it's for the best that it ends. Besides, sometimes one good thing must die in order for a better thing to come along. DeM promises to be as good as, if not better than, ToM, in most respects. I look forward to the time when I can submit a p-sheet for my DeM character, but I won't do that while I have so many other IF obligations. Two is more than enough for me (well, three, if you count my pretty-much-dead-or-NPC-statused Zigfried, who I never even think about these days), and I don't think I'm ready for another one. But, if ToM does go the way of the dinosaur, I would just like to say that it's been great writing with all of you in this particular IF, and in case I don't do so later, I would like to wish you all well in your future IF experiences. At least, for now, I will stick with you all, and try to help push the storyline alone to its proposed end. (Which is very hard, seeing as I'm one of the many AVALANCHE characters, and since I'm not an NPC, I get to push the group along by myself. I think there's only me, Trev, and...uh, someone else who are controlling AVALANCHE's movements right now. Well, not counting Arcana, who can control any NPC at will...) Q,C+C welcome, as always. Quicksilver X ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========-------- Subject: The History of the Cetra: Tales of Midgar Date: Sun, 21 Feb 99 05:19:13 (PST) From: kkwan a globalserve.net Reply-To: "MIDGAR" To: "Multiple Recipients of Mailing List MIDGAR" The History of the Cetra: Tales of Midgar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [OOG NOTE: This storyline was inspired by discussion with Matt about Zerahs, the Overmind, and the Nexus. However, since his departure I have chosen to alter his storyline a little bit for reasons of compatibility, dramatic impact, and simplicity (and just because I don't remember all of the details).] INTRODUCTION My name is Nakata, and I am a historian who has studied the life of this Planet extensively. It has been hundreds of years ever since the Planet was threatened so that the Lifestream rose from the Planet's inner depths to fight the Meteor. Through extensive research and gathering of resources, I have compiled the following report on Cetra and the life of the Planet. THE CETRA The Cetra, called the "Ancients" by the inhabitants of Final Fantasy VII's planet, are an ancient civilization. They have advanced technology and powerful internal abilities that enable them to use various powers. These powers are so unique and mystical that it is often called "magic" by other races. Cetra inhabit and colonize planets that they deem worthy of resurrecting. They harvest the land and help the world grow. Often, this task stretches into millenia for each planet. Despite advanced technology, the Cetra farm Planets by hand, using their voices to direct energy and help planets to grow. On each planet, they never develop industry or manufacturing; they are strictly an agrarian society. Although there may be many "tribes" or "groups" of Cetra that exist, the only Cetra that we are familiar with are the Cetra that colonized the Planet of Final Fantasy VII. Any other Cetra tribes are none of our concern, as they are certainly beyond our reach, and perhaps, even our comprehension. The Cetra migrate from Planet to Planet, seeking a "Promised Land", which is probably comparable to the proverbial "heaven" from Christian religion. Cetra harvest and let planets grow to find out where the Spirit Energy (Chi in Chinese; Ki in Japanese) resides. Only through this tedious task of leaping from planet to planet will the Cetra find their destiny. However, some historians believe that this "Promised Land" differs from Tribe of Cetra to Tribe of Cetra. In fact, some even believe that each and every inhabitable planet has its "Promised Land", and that the Cetra of that one planet devote their lives to seeking out the "Promised Land" of their designated land. However, this cannot be proven. Likewise, it is certainly a possibility. CONVENTIONS IN THIS DOCUMENT Because we are unsure of the exact nature of the space- migrating Cetra, we cannot be certain if there are multiple tribes of Cetra, if the Promised Land spans many planets, or if the Cetra of one planet are different from the Cetra of another planet. For simplicity's sake, when I refer to "the Planet", I am referring to this large mass of rock in which Final Fantasy VII takes place. When I refer to the "Cetra", I mean the Ancients of this Planet, the current Planet that we live on, and no other. THE PLANET'S HISTORY Millenia ago, the Cetra arrived on this planet and decided that it is a suitable planet to colonize. They quickly set up their society and put their skills to use. It was found that the Planet had much potential, in both Black Magic and Holy Magic. This was a mystery that even many Cetra scholars were stumped by; new planets were never "good" or "bad". This fact gave hope to many of the Cetra, believing that they had found their Promised Land, but it also instilled fear that if this Planet had an alignment, that others would have alignments as well. Nonetheless, the Cetra continued to harvest the Planet, brining birth to animals and plants due to their ability to communicate and manipulate Spirit Energy. MATERIA THEORY There are a number of theories about materia. I will present one view, based on my study of Cetra and their culture. Materia is created from compressed Spirit Energy. It often occurs naturally in Mako Fountains in pure forms. When Materia is kept close to the body, notably, the hands, the head, the heart, and the abdomen, the user tends to feel refreshed and knowledgeable. This is because Spirit Energy can link with conscious beings, spreading stored intelligence. The more natural the materia, the more pure the thoughts, and the more unique the abilities. In the case of artificial materia, most of the specialized knowledge has been eliminated, leaving only the most fundamental and basic of knowledge skills. For instance, 'Fire' materia, often seen around the Planet, enables the user to cast 'Fire'. This was a very low-level, simplistic spell for the Cetra; even a baby could use a fire spell as if it were second nature. As Cetra grew older, their abilities became more customized and unique, and this can be seen with powerful materia such as 'Contain'. The more natural the materia, the more pure the thoughts, and therefore, the more powerful the knowledge that is passed to the user. Materia is a very potent tool and it is dreadfully dangerous in the wrong hands. CETRA JUSTICE SYSTEM Although the Cetra are highly disciplined on their own, and are rarely ever corrupt, they are monitored by a group of "supervisors", called "Templars", who help maintain order. The Templars are rarely used, but they have immense power and ability and either rehabilitate or destroy any Cetra who deviate from the plan of seeking the Promised Land. The Templars are best compared to the Praetorian Guard of ancient Roman Times; these guards would destroy the Emperor if he was too corrupt. THE BLACK AND HOLY MATERIA These two materia are purely natural materia, but in fact, neither of these are actually materia at all. Materia is created from knowledge of the Cetra, but these two utterly unique "Spirit Energy Gems" are believed to have been created by the Planet itself. The Holy Materia was discovered first and was sealed up by the Templars, only to be used in times of great need. The Black Materia was found by a young Cetra named Zerahs, who, unfortunately, did not conform with normal Cetra expectations and kept the Materia a secret from the Templars. The origins of the Black Materia and Holy Materia are unknown, and even more mysterious are the exact methods to use them to their full potential. Both of them maintain a balance with each other, and attempts to use one without using the other may be disastrous to the Planet. THE REARRANGEMENT: DARK AGES ZERAHS This piece of history occurred two-thousand years ago on our Planet. It was unheard of for many millenia and only uncovered recently. It gives great insight to the situation of the Planet and uncovers many secrets that deal with the Black Materia and the Holy Materia. There are a total of fifteen Templars. Zerahs, who was mentioned above, was one of the Templars; his mentor was Rohan, who was called the "High Templar", referring to his seniority (the Templars do not actually outrank one another, but Cetra paid their respects based on age and experience). Zerahs was a very powerful Templar, who was very passionate, diligent, and focused on his work. He worked as a scholar to discover the Planet's true nature. One day, during his meditations, he feels a new awakening, one that he later called a presence. He is unsure of what it is, but he is in utter awe of it, and decides to research further into the topic. Over the next two years, he continued to feel this aura, in fact, he feels that it made him feel powerful and strong. However, he slowly underwent a change as he searched for these feelings, becoming more aggressive, having a shorter temper, and being less patient with others. He came to a theory and decided that he had discovered the Planet's "Dark Side", with emotions such as lust, violent anger, vengeance, desires for destruction, and a wish to create chaos. He approached Rohan with his theory, and asked him about this "Dark Side". Rohan tells Zerahs that this power was, in fact, discovered once before by his former pupil, but that his pupil had commited suicide, unable to control himself against the overwhelming emotions of the Planet. Zerahs is doubtful about whether to continue or not, but his curiosity cannot be contained, and he decides to keep doing his research. Eventually, he comes across the "gate" to the unbidden powers of the Planet's dark side: the Black Materia. He is swept over with intense emotions of rage, urges for chaos, and unbidden fury, and, like Rohan's former pupil, becomes unable to control himself. Although he attempted to fight it, he fell into a deep coma. He woke one year later, undiscovered by anyone. To his surprise, he had survived, but he realised that it was because of his intense discipline that he was still alive. However, he felt much different than before; more dominant than ever was a desire to rebel against those in authority. He found that he now had a slight amount of authority over this Dark Power, instead of the Dark Side having control over him (which led to the death of Rohan's former pupil). He returned to the Temple in the Great Northern City, but Rohan confronted him and knew immediately what the Templar had been doing. Although he had intense respect for Zerahs because he survived the bombardment of darkness, his ability to wield this power also instilled fear in his mind. Zerahs had discovered a power unlike any other within the Planet. Through the Planet, Zerahs found that he had many answers. Although the Cetra manipuate and move Spirit Energy, the Planet still has its own coherence. Zerahs no longer wondered about anything, for he had a direct link to the Planet's energy. The Cetra say that he knew the answers to everything, from life to death, the reasons why emotions occur, what consists of Spirit Energy, sorrow, and the nature of hatred, destruction, and greed. Zerahs realised that now he had control of the Dark Side, he could make the Planet do what it did not want to do: he could tilt the Balance between Holy and Black. In fact, it is reported that Zerahs, in his promotion of rebellion and free will, communicated with many of the Cetra and attempted to give them the answers that were revealed to him. His knowledge and power, in addition to the position of respect (being a Templar), caused many of the Cetra to follow him as a leader. One of the most vocal and most loyal followers was called Neophyte, or Neo, for short. Rohan, fearing this, went to the Great Northern City's Council of Templars to warn them, and he was granted an Army with which to bring Zerahs back. Zerahs, however, demanded that they seek justice, and the Council of Templars decided to try Zerahs, a procedure that had never been called upon on the history of the Planet. Rohan acted as the prosecutor. This procedure of a "Court of Law", with the deception brought in by Zerahs and the conflict of words, changed how many Cetra felt and thought. Zerahs, with moving, passionate speeches, spread the ideas of free will and justice, ideals that he stated that he had only discovered again. He claimed that he did not do any wrong in rediscovering great knowledge. "The Planet was a colossus, bullying its life, and that it that feared someone might discover its weakness, The Dark, then it wouldn't be as it is." The intense trial split the Cetra up into two camps. One group agreed with Zerahs and his ideals, while the other feared that the balance of power was being ruined and that Zerahs would spell doom for the people. The ones who feared Zerahs called him "The incarnation of Evil and Destruction born into life." The trial did not finish; Zerahs was rescued by a band led by Neo. This was the starting point of the "Dark Ages" of the Cetra, for it was the first time that one Cetra had killed his own kind; Zerahs had struck down civilians during his escape. Only a mere year later, he returned to the Great Northern City with an army designed to take the city by storm and to displace the seats of power, the Council of Templars. Zerahs called himself the "Dark Templar" during this time. War was waged all over the world, and the scale of the battles were so large that great clouds of dust were tossed into the air, blocking the sun for months at a time. Zerahs and his troops, with the knowledge of Darkness, called forth hurricanes, destroyed mountains, shifted continents, and summoned earthquakes against the other Cetra. Because the sun was covered so often, the war was dubbed "The Dark Ages". During this time, Zerahs realises that he had not only the ability to tell the Planet to do what it does not want to do, but that he would become even more powerful and gain the ability to destroy other worlds if he can injure the Planet so severely that it would send its Spirit Enery to repair the wound. He begins to devise a plan to deal great damage to the Planet. In the meantime, Rohan and his armies are trying to defeat the forces of the Dark Templar, but are virtually annihilated. As Zerahs attempts to seek external powers, he realises that he can injure the Planet the best by summoning an Icy Ball to strike the Planet. However, he did not come to this realisation himself. During meditation, another entity came to his mind: this entity, physically represented as a mutant with three eyes and sixteen tentacles as lower appendages, gives him this idea. This entity refers to himself as the "Overmind". Zerahs receives the ritual to summon a comet from this Overmind, but at the cost of becoming a servant to this Overmind. Zerahs eventually succeeds in summoning his Icy Ball. As the Cetra realise that the Icy Ball is being summoned, they work hard at trying to prevent the disaster. Zerahs, weakened by the ritual of summoning the Icy Ball, is captured by the other Templars. Templars, led by Rohan, use the previously sealed up Holy Materia to create the "Nexus", which is a "seal" against Zerahs. They take Zerahs and lock him into the Nexus, unable to break free. Using this same power, the make the Black Materia as inaccessable as possible. Later, Zerahs discovers that the reason he was able to be locked into this Nexus was not because that he was weakened by the ritual, but that the Overmind, on purpose, weakened him so he would be captured. Zerahs, letting his hatred grow, decides to call for revenge on the Planet. To this day, Zerahs is still sealed up inside the Nexus. JENOVA: THE CALAMITY FROM THE SKIES The Icy Ball that Zerahs summoned was, in fact, Jenova. According to the Overmind, Jenova was a parasite designed to destroy Planets. Upon impact on the Planet, it destroyed the Great Northern City instantly, removing millions of Cetra along with it. Those who were not killed immediately were infected with a virus that altered the genetic code of the Cetra, making them mutate into various forms. However, the scope of the virus is limited. Many Cetra, most of them being Zerahs' former followers, flee from the North and try to settle in different parts of the earth. It is said that many of the modern "monsters" today are descendants of the infected Ancients. In fact, some of the Summoned Monsters are bodies of the Holy Cetra who have been preserved well in the Lifestream, and condensed into a very pure form of materia. Over a course of many years, the former followers of Zerahs, in their attempts to flee from the viruses and disasters, lose touch with their inner abilities; they are too worried about secular struggles to concentrate on their internal skills. They soon become unable to use magic and to transport to other cities. As the disasters die down in the North, they begin to scatter again, colonizing the world and starting up a new civilization based on what they could remember. These former followers of Zerahs who escaped the virus of Jenova are the ancestors of today's modern man. THE TRUE NATURE OF THE OVERMIND The Overmind remains much a mystery. His motives are unclear and his methods are unorthodox. However, close analysis reveals that he is really only another form of Cetra, one that helps Planets realise their full potential. He was the one who created Jenova and directed her toward the Planet. In addition, he also weakened Zerahs so he would be trapped in the Nexus. However, through these actions, he initiated a process of healing and revival inside the Planet: a process that many planets never go through in their lifetime. It is rare that Lifestream floats up over the surface and covers it in a healing wave, but yet, it happened. Only through disasters do Planets create Weapons, one of the most powerful abilities a Planet can acquire. Apparently, the Overmind's intention is to provide this sort of situation to Planets in order to teach them all that they can learn: one learns the most when he faces hardship and difficulty. PAST CONFLICTS It is unfortunate that this next section appears random and sketchy, but at the time, these events were deemed to be minor and were therefore poorly documented. These events happened sometime after the year 2000. The greatest event that is documented is the stopping of the Meteor, but the events leading up to this great conclusion are not very well detailed. Hopefully, a more comprehensive account can be released by different sources for you to read. -Zerahs is freed. He is determined to seek revenge and attempts to destroy the Planet. -Sephiroth seeks the Black Materia. However, Zerahs also seeks it as well; both want to cause great injury to the Planet. -Zerahs and the Overmind are at odds with each other due to conflicting ideals. In addition, Jenova, being an independent lifeform (although she was created by the Overmind and Summoned by Zerahs, she pays no loyalty to either), attempts to stop Zerahs. -Who it is in the end that destroys Zerahs, or even if he is destroyed, is unknown. However, it has been wondered if the High Templar, Rohan, still walks on the Planet as a Gatekeeper, one who watches the Nexus to be sure that Zerahs is never released. (It is unknown exactly how Zerahs is freed from the Nexus, but it is believed that Neo has something to do with it). -In fact, it is unknown who summons Meteor to destroy the Planet, and what intentions this person had. It is also unknown who stops this person in the end. However, many people suspect that the rare decendants of the "Holy Cetra" were involved. It is known that Holy, in addition to the Planet and Lifestream, help deter Meteor, but the people involved in the defeating of Meteor's Summoner are unknown. -It is also a mystery as to who destroys Jenova. Although Jenova could be considered a neutral entity, the instincts of self-survival (which are natural, and not considered wrong) lead one to desire a destruction of Jenova. -Apparently, reports that the Planet's defenders, the Weapons, were revived during this conflict are true, but again, what exactly happened is not known to me. Perhaps you can help me solve these mysterious holes. Each person has a unique connection to the Planet, and therefore, different revelations can come to you. In fact, some have even stated that the Planet is so loud about this event that they have "merged" with minds of that era. I have not experienced this myself, so I will not mention any more about this matter. This is by far an incomplete document, but I hope that this helps you understand more about the Planet and its grand history. Much work will be devoted to the details; in time, I hope that I can compile a complete history. Sincerely, Nakata, grandson of Red XIII by /-|rcana -------=========================+++++=========================------- This note comes from: The MultiVersal Dreams BBS @ (209) 754-5851 ----======= WWIV 4.24a via the PPP Project Software =======---- --------=========+++=========--------