(*Scene: Mako Reactor*)

Phase 2 Start up Sequence - Complete

Performing Phase 2 Diagnostics:

Mako prepared in outer chamber - NOMINAL
Coolant valves cleared - NOMINAL
Control feedback primaries and secondaries - NOMINAL
All independent safety mechanimsm - NOMINAL

Preparing for Final Stage Sequence - Mako reactor start up

WARNING! WARNING!
Detected extraneous levels of mako in outer chambers!
Do you wish to continue? [Y/N] _

Kefka: (*glomped tightly by Yuna*) Ack.. must.. reach.. keyboard... (*squirming hard*)

Yuna: KEFKAAAAAA-CHAAAAAAAAN! Where are you going? (*glomps tighter*)

Kefka: Let go of me you crazy person!! (*arm reaching for the keyboard*)

Yuna: IYAA! KEFKA-CHAAAN, DAISUKIIII!! ^_^

Kefka: Almost.. got.. ergh.. (*taps the keyboard*) Whew!

Do you wish to continue? [Y/N] Y

Are you SURE you wish to continue? [Y/N] _

Kefka: ARGH!! STUPID *(#&$&**@ COMPUTERS!!! (*pause*) Look, there's an SD-Kefka doll in the corner!

Yuna: (*lets go*) DOKO? DOKO DOKO DOKO?!?

(*Kefka scrambles to the keyboard and repeatedly hits the 'Y' key*)

Are you SURE you wish to continue? [Y/N] Y

Are you really really really SURE you wish to continue? [Y/N] Y

Did you know the Mako reactor will probably destroy the universe? [Y/N] Y

... You must be insane or megomaniacal, aren't you? [Y/N] Y

Okie Dokie! [ahem]

Diagnostics alarm disabled, continuing final phase start up

Mako reactor final phase start up in 13:59:59 secs _

Kefka: YES!!!!! ERgh!

Yuna: (*glomping Kefka again*) KEFKA-CHAAAN you tricked me!!! I won't let go now!!

Kefka: (*laughter ^TM*)

Yuna: You're so funny, KEFKA-CHAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!

---

(*Scene: EGC no Sanitation Crew HQ*)

Ralf: Zzzzz.. (*sleeping again*)

Byron: (*flip flip*) Oh, cool mecha. (*flip*)

Darrel: (*examining city board*) Hey what's with this blinking light?

Byron: (*looks up*) Huh? Oh that's the warning lights for all the buildings.

Darrel: Why's _this_ one blinking?

Byron: That's the old mako reactor.  Nobody runs that thing anymore.  Must be a faulty light bulb.

Darrel: Uh, but what if someone is starting up the reactor.

Byron: (*laughs*) Are you nuts, kid? Nobody in their right mind would want to start up the Mako reactor! We'd all be toast if that thing ever got back to operation.

Darrel: But--

Byron: Look, New Guy, I said to ignore it.  It's a faulty lightbulb. (*Goes back to reading magazine*)

Ralf: (*pretending to sleep*) Hey, where's my soda?

Darrel: Uhm, I forgot.

Ralf: (*annoyed*) Well, go get it!

Darrel: Okay.  (*leaves*)

(*Pause*)

Byron: So, should I tell the EGC Bar about the reactor?

Ralf: I bet they already know.

Byron: What do you think will happen if the reactor starts up?

Ralf: Probably some flux in the dimensional cohesion will cause the entire existence to self-implode.

(*Pause*)

Byron: Cool. (*goes back to reading magazine*)

Ralf: Snort.. ZZzzzzz...

---

Wai! Cool post Chatty-san! I think my RL origins fit in kind of well with what you wrote, being an NGC-RL.  Now, I wonder if I have my own church too? Heehee..  ^_^

*Helix stands outside of a transdimensional rift, surveying the goings on.*

Helix:*blinks* Would.. uh.. anybody mind telling me what the devil is going on?

*walks out in normal, RL art-student form*

Me: Ahem. I realize that I have been away for a long, long time. A while ago, I consinged myself to being the "official lurker" for this message board, posting non-sequiter garbage when the fancy struck me. Seeing as the "fancy" has been a cruel mistress, I'd much rather be an active participant in the strings again.

Most of you should remember who I am, or was, at least. I was Flying Monkey, who brought with him Floyd, S'Kean, Race Bannon, Fink the Lancer Duck, and many, many others.

Now, like the proverbial salmon, swimming upstream against unimaginable odds, I'm diving back into the fray. For all intensive purposes, Flying Monkey IS Helix. The name change will be explained later.

The reason for this post is this, if anyone can find it in their heart to send me an email or an ICQ (my number is 17902217), telling me what's going on plot-wise, and where I might be able to jump back into the fray a little less awkwardly would be appreciated.

One last thing... unlike pretty much all of the regs on this site, my background is not in anime/manga, but in american comics. Hopefully, I can bring in some cameos from there that won't seem too out of place. I don't think they will, and I think they can be both well written, and, as is often the case with my posts, pretty funny. One such cameo I plan to bring out, some of you may know. Shinobi, you should definitely know him. He's our favorite "Merc with a mouth."

That's all. I've said my piece. I know that I've taken up too much space already with this silly post. I just wanted to say that, basically, I'm back, and I'm looking forward to causing some mayhem. If you'll let me. ^_^

(Dot's Fiction Corner, interior.  It is apparently empty save for one Authoress.)

Adam's Voice: Hey, Authoress?

*grim* I know.  It's begun.

Adam's Voice: Should I start evacuations?

No.  Just make sure that the rift is _completely_ closed when the counter reaches zero.

Adam's Voice (sarcastically): In that case, everything's peachy.  Your army's doing a fine job getting things done.

So it all hinges on me, then?

Adam's Voice (sarcastically): Exactly.  Try not to screw up _too_ badly, 'k? Adam out.

(The Authoress looks into the distance, as if waiting for something.)

---

(EGC Bar, interior.  Vermin and Roach are sitting at the same table they had sat before, while Knox paces in front of them.  Everyone looks up as a very shocked Tifa stumbles back into the bar.)

Tifa (stuttering): D-demons...r-roaches...

Roach (standing up, alarmed): What about the roaches?

(Tifa just wordlessly points towards the exit.  As one, Vermin and Roach run out the door.)

Vermin (mouth gaping): Oh.  My.  God.

(The Massive Roach Army--the very same which had been "decimated" by the Authoress' characters--are mowing down the demons with every weapon imaginable.  One of said Roaches stops when he sees the two sons of the deceased Roach Leader staring at him, and salutes.)

Random Roach: Roach-sama! Vermin-sama!

(The Random Roach then returns to directing the massacre.)

Vermin (slowly, in awe): She really meant it...

---

(EGC Bar, upstairs.  Dives is sleeping fitfully.)

Dives (moaning, sweating): No...no...

(*FLASH*)

There is...nothing.  No big explosion, no massive black hole that swallows everything in an agonizingly slow disintegration, no evil presense infecting everything, nothing.  The entire universe just blinks out of existence as the forces holding it together are abruptly terminated.  Gravity, electro-magnetism, the strong force, the weak force--all gone, just like that.  With nothing holding them together, the subatomic particles which make up everything simply fall apart.

And then, a silent darkness so profound it overwhelms.

(*FLASH*)

(Dives forces his eyes open, gasping for breath.)

Dives (in a horrified whisper): Oh, God...

---

(NGC bridge, where they're watching the invasion of Dot's Concept Space via mini cameras attatched to each demon.  The demon horde races down the long corridor, and slow to a confused stop as they run into a large, empty room.)

(*BGM: Magus' theme.*)

(A large spotlight falls on the Authoress, who is weilding a rather large mallet.)

*calmly* You are not authorized to be here.  Turn back now.

Demon Aoi (raising an eyebrow): Well, well.  The "Eternal Dot-sama."

Demon Rei: Don't underestimate her.  When "this" Dot Warner self-destructed, the interference took out surveillance for months, and we can still detect residual patterns now.

Tatchi: Something's definitely jamming our sensors.  I can't locate Atsuko anywhere.

Demon Aoi (ordering into speakers): Spread out and attack, but be careful!

(The Authoress makes no move as the demons surround her warily.)

*calmly* So I take it you're not going to leave peacefully?

(The Authoress swings the mallet in a wide arc, forcing the demons back slightly, but they quickly rush in again.

And so begins a frantic round of Whack-A-Demon.)

---

To be continued after the UF/FSU game, maybe.

*The NGC bridge.  Demon Rei turns to Tatchi and Demon Aoi.*

Demon Rei: The invasion proceeds apace.  You two have your own jobs to do now.

Tatchi: Hai, Lillith-sama.

Demon Aoi: B-But, Great Mother, really--a Jet Alone? Isn't that a little beneath--

Demon Rei: *Scowls at Demon Aoi, causing her to fall silent* Do not question me, Tamashii.  You died against a single rebel.

Demon Aoi: She wasn't alone! She summoned--

Demon Rei: *Sharply* I'm aware of her tactics! But the fact remains that you failed.  Consider this a chance to redeem yourself.

Demon Aoi: *Sullenly* Hai, hai....

Demon Rei: Move out.  Tatchi, you'll be on navigation.

Tatchi: *Bows* Hai, Great Mother.

*The two disappear, teleported off by Aoi's AT Field.*

Demon Aoi: *Sits down in her cockpit, located towards the J.A. Unit's chest, dressed in a black plugsuit* *Sighs* This is going to suck.

Tatchi: *Sits in the navigator's cockpit, in the J.A.'s back* Mmmhmm.

Demon Aoi: Feh....what's the point of griping to someone incapable of even caring....

Tatchi: A good question.

Demon Aoi: Oh, shut up.

*The hangar doors open, and the nuclear-powered behemoth begins to lumber out, making its way towards the rift.*

Demon Aoi: *Begins to laugh quietly to herself* Oh....it doesn't matter, I suppose....*Laughter grows louder--and more maniacal* How will you compete with this, Sizer?!! This time, it'll be your mangled corpse that's pulled from the wreckage!

Tatchi: ....

*Scene switch: the Bar.*

Sizer: *Sneezes*

Gerhilde: *Walks down the stairs from the sickrooms* Coming down with something, Sizer-sama? *Grins* What're you doing out of bed, anyway?

Sizer: Heh, a cold on top of all of this....*Rubs one of her bandaged arms, wincing a little* I couldn't stay in bed....I've got one of those feelings.  Something's up.  How's Brunnhilde doing?

Gerhilde: ^_^ Should be ready to wear in just a little bit.

Jenova: *Happens to walk by and overhear* "Ready to wear"....? Isn't Brunnhilde the girl with the "9" on her armor?

Gerhilde: Yes, she's the last Valkyrie--and she has a special duty.  She has the power to become Sizer-sama's armor.

Jenova: o.o; I....see.  Interesting.

Gerhilde: *Laughs* Yeah, it's a good thing we regenerate so fast.  :P

Sizer: *Wryly* Oh, shut up....

*Meanwhile, a lone figure flies high above EGC.  From the ground, he cannot be distinguished from a bird.  Angel Hugh turns in a graceful, almost lazy circle around the center of the city.*

Angel Hugh: *Thinking: Aoi and Tatchi should be arriving soon....the distraction they cause will be more than enough opportunity to attack.*

End communication.

A Slightly Smaller than Uber-Post

---

Hey, i'm just fiending for a title...
and beware, i feel the need to make an NGC Shinobi...  just to warn y'all

---

So last night i had a dream.  I had several, actually... something like 7 or 8, to be precise.  The only thing i really remember out of all of them is going downstairs in my house and finding one or two boxes of donuts.  I should say "donut boxes" rather than boxes full of donuts as they every time they were all empty.  Seven seperate dreams, seven seperate trips to the kitchen, and not one single solitary donut.  I can't help but thing Freud would have a field day...

And so it looks like i ended up posting next week, then...  (Instead of tomorrow, like i threatened last post.)  I really should be shot...  Y'all can set penance as you may, but until then i punish _you_ with my script.

---

[   SCENE : Remember the gas station?  With the ShinRa guys?  Well, they are officially on the move now, complete with moderately decrepit wheels.  No... the board members don't have wheels, the _car_ does... but only barely  ]
[  BGM:  "Whoever You Are" Geggy Tah  ]

Scarlett:  Are we there yet?

Reeve:  No.

(*Later*)

Heidigger:  Are we there yet?

Reeve:  No.

(*Still Later*)

Palmer:  Are we there yet?  (*Munch munch*)

Reeve:  No.

(*Even later*)

Scarlett:  Where are we going?

Reeve:  Away from the demons.

(*Later even than that*)

Palmer:  (*Munch munch*)  When are we going to get there?

Reeve:  I don't _know_!!

---

[  SCENE:  The tank.  Shinobi is staring into the pokeball that contians the universe (so to speak) as if it also tells the future.  Littlefield is at the same time shying away from Bub and trying to decide whether or not the tank is stolen.  Everybody else is more or less doing their thing.  ]

Lyric:  Are you going to keep staring at that thing like that?

Well, i _am_ incredibly concerned.  I mean its not like this is something Chats would just let out of her site...

Neal:  Why not just use it?

Hah!  Hahahahahahahahaha!  Sorry...  i needed that.  Anyhow, me emplying this is about as likely as those demons winning.  I mean yeah, it could happen.  But only if i'm the last one left standing on a smoking rubble that used to be the City and the demons are all around me.

Leah:  Oh, i get ya.  A beyond last ditch effort.

Bub:  Aaaaarrrrggghhh!

Littlefield:  What the hell is that!

Zombie says there are roaches ahead.

Voodoo:  But that's not the interesting part!  They are _fighting_ the _demons_!

Really?

Clone:  Hell yeah!  I knew they would eventually be good for something.

Hah!  I'm _sure_ you held such an optimistic view of human... make that roach, nature.

Clone:  (*Strives to look innocent, and fails horribly*)

's what i thought.  Anyhow, this i _gotta_ see...  (*Sticks head out of the hatch, and sees none other than the aforementioned scene of roaches teaching demons a new definition of pain.*) Now, its safe to say, i've seen everything...

---

[  SCENE:  A Hilltop, overlooking the slightly smoldering NG City.  A single figure on horseback watches a small skirmish between a group of about 30 demons and just about half that number of humans.  ]
[  BGM:  "Feed" by Miranda Sex Garden  ]

(*The man sits atop a black horse, wearing black armor, and altogether looking rather like a knight and charger dipped in tar, until he reaches into his cloak and withdraws a set of broze balance scales, the only spot of color assiciated with the rider*)

The Scales must be balanced.  One in every four is mine, and the Apocalypse will always take its due.

(*He raises his other hand and beacons to the assembled horde, who have fall silent and stand staring at the rider.  They watch in horror as one fourth of their assembled ranks simply wither and crumble into powder*)

(*The Horseman grins behind his visor, and simply vanishes without a touch of drama*)

---

o/" There's something in his soul,
But there's nothing in his body's grave o/"
-- Self

---

[  SCENE:  A universe, more or less a mirror to EG City.  More accurately high above said universe, in a large disc shaped space station sporting a long faded ShinRa label  ]

(*The many banks of monitors show various scenes of the NGC.  Needless to say it ain't pretty.  Demons are doing what demons do, and the populace is doing its best to survive.  It is, quite simply, a losing battle.  Several more screens show shots of Mahanaym, and of the Oni Sentai.  One final huge screen shows the Rift, and NGC-Hugh's passage though*)

>>  The balance is tipped.

It was bad before, you can't argue that.

>>  Yes, but the balance was only off here.  Now it threatens the other.

So, what do you want to do about it?

>>  Awaken the sleeper.  This was why he stole the program and this station in the first place.

Are you sure about that?  The OS was purely experimental when he used it.  Hell, it was an experimental beta version of an experimental program.

>>  Yes, i know.  He was aware of the risks.  And frankly, i don't want to do it.  It involves giving up my control of the station.

Sadly, you've almost concinved me...  hell, if it works it could help turn the tide.  And if it doesn't, then it couldn't possibly set us back any...  Lets fire up those old data-tracks...

>>  Its a deal.  Initiating transfer.
>>
>>  /Switch ShinRa OS v. 6.3 = PersTrasfOS v. ß [ Data_000-001.STO ]
>>  Loading Data
>>  0%   [  ........../...........|..........\......... ]   100%
>>  Data load complete.  Restarting System.

(*The lights in the control room dim slightly, and then brighten as the whirr of the computers start back up*)

>> ___---===SYSTEM STARTUP===---___
>>  System Configuration has Changed!
>>  Personality Transfer OS 2000 Enhanced  v. ß loaded and active.
>>       Data_000-001.STO active
>>

Did it work?

>>  I... think... so...  damn...  this is very strange...  And this computer is all cheery...

Well, that's to be expected.  You have been stored on reel to reel for about 3 years now.

>>  And now?  Where am i?

Remember the Final Evolution?

>>  The space station?

Exactly.  Like you had it set up, soon as that other presence or whatever it was made its move, you were transferred to the storage banks here.  You've been here for a little over 3 years.

>>  And the me down there?  Still doing the "Balancer of the Scales" impression?

Yes.

>>  I think we have a _very_ strong candidate for the first target.

No argument here... The Ragnarok is right where you left it, and the arming codes are still the same.

(*The station irises open, revealing a ring shaped superstructure with a cylander bisecting it.  The cylander then pivots on an axle pointing the huge cannon at the city below.  At one particular member of said city, actually.  The man with the scales from before.*)

>>  Initializing HellBore Nucleo-Magnetic Cannon "Ragnarok"
>>             Mode -- [ Twilight of the Gods ]
>>  Ragnarok Initialization and Targeting sequence complete.
>>  Target selected and Locked into reticle.
>>
>>  Tip of the day:
>>          "Guns don't kill people, the Ragnarok kills people."
>>  [X] Display Tips at startup
>>
>>  Fire when ready_

>>  Ya know... some times i just _love_ being me...

Actually, i think you may want to lay off firing that thing for a second... there's something you may want to see...  i'd say an ambush a-brewing, but i don't want to ruin the surpise.

---

[  SCENE:  Meanwhilst, on the ground, the Horseman continues his misguided Ride.]

(*He doesn't speak much, but that's a part of the job description.  Thankfully for the dialogue, someone who speaks rather alot more happens on screen (stage)?*)

Alt-Voodoo:  Take this, you sick freak! (*With one snap of her wrist, a steel cable flies out of her left cuff, wrapping itself around the Horseman's neck, and with another pull of her arm, he is wrenched from his horse, pulled to the ground and to within point blank range.*)  I hope you like lead, you twisted bastard.  (*She reaches behind her back and pulls a single barrel pump action shotgun (pistol grip, not full stock)  On the pump grip, "Damnation" is painted in rather sloppy manuscript.  She closes her eyes and grits her teeth, and with one pull of the trigger, seeks to end the life of the Third Horseman*)

Not _nearly_ enough gun...

(*The horseman stands, his visor and most of his face making Bub look attractive.  He grabs Voodoo by the neck and flings her into a pile of trash*)

I hope you like the taste of grabage...

Alt-Clone:  You seem to like picking on girls, jackass... how do you like a little of this!  Wild shirtless kung fu attaaaaack! (*And with that insane battle cry, the Clone (picture a ryu/ken outfit sans upper half, no, it's _not_ a pretty picture, but i bet that its as different from the heavy armor wearing clone that you can get) launches what would most likely be a finishing move or level three or more Street Fighter move.  Hundereds of shadow doubles flying at the Horseman and all that*)  How do you like the taste of that?

Don't even think i'm fazed by your weak kung fu...

(*The battered, beaten and now literally faceless Famine rounds on the Clone, preparing to attack in some way*)

Alt-Voodoo:  How about this!  (*Shot after shot is fired from the seemingly endless shotgun magazine, knocking the black armored man around, rather like the T-1000*)

Just stop, it will be easier that way...

(*Out of the shadows steps a hazy and instinct hologram...  imagine R2-D2's projection, but except for bun-wearing Carrie Fisher, the NGC's Shinobi stands slightly out of the shadows.  He's similar to the EGC's version superficially.  Shorter hair, slightly more stooped posture, but otherwise pysically the same.  The wardrobe, on the other hand is a little different.  Gone is this ninja suit, in favor of a simpler black suit.  At first, or from a distance, you would think he's taking fashion tips from Dives.  Get a little closer, and you would notice the white collar.*)

(*Yes, NGC-Shinobi was/is a priest*)

>>  Somehow, i don't think they are the giving up type.

Alt-Voodoo:  _You_?

>>  I figure it was time to come back...

Alt-Clone:  I'd think you wouldn't even try to come back.

>>  Forget what lead up to my death.  Forget the last few months before it actually.  I'm here to put things aright.  Starting with you.  (*Points at his old body, now the vehicle for the Third*)

(*A column of hazy light spears down from the orbital cannon, forming a vaguely glowing cylander...  then, as the reactors heat and the lasers fire into the firing chamber an incredibly bright light lances down the field.  Rather like the effect on "Honey, i Shrunk the Kids" only with pure white and with less Rick Moranis*)

(*He _is_ the Third Horseman, but on the other hend, its just a mortal body.  Secondly, its not like he's on a sactioned apocalypse, so power is understandbly reduced.  A nuclear explosion contained in an electromagnetic field overwhelms the once-Shinobi fairly quickly, staying active just long enough to purge any trace of the Horseman's existance from the NGC soil.*)

(*The Hologram flickers and starts to fade*)

>>  I'm'll have to be going now, but i may be back, as soon as the station rechages, and if i'm actually needed again.

Alt-Voodoo:  I think we may be able to manage.

---

[  SCENE:  Back on the now rechaging station  ]

The highest setting?  Was that really necessary?

>>  Yup...  atleast for a dry run.  We have to see if everything was still working, right?  Huh, i have no mouth but i must smirk...

Dry run my right foot.  You drained almost 75% of our stored power...

>>  I'll try to be more careful in the future mother...

You _know_ i love sarcasm...  and there's no way we are related...  _anyway_ what's the plan now, fearless leader?

>>  Lets see...  what else can this station do?

At the moment, observe the NGC and recharge...

>>  What a coincidence, that's _exactly_ what's on my To Do list...

---

In retrospect, i'm too similar between dimensions, but hey, its not an _exact_ mirror...  for one, i'm far better prepared and paranoid in the NGC...  EGC me wouldn't have even been prepared for the self takeover by the Famine.  But then on the other hand, they are just personality similarities. Oh, and if there isn't an NGC ShinRa, just tell me and i'll director's cut this post and change the name...  And if i misquoted Self, sorry.  I'm about this close to saying it shouldn't be there, but ah well, it kinda fits.

Welcome back FM...  ICQ me and i'll try to fill ya in, more or less...

Oh and dig this... i just won a tank/apc weapons arming control panel over eBay.  I think its pretty cool, and the general consensus around the office is that its pretty badass... But then the true badass around the office is Martin, sadly enough.  Don't ask, its all pretty cloak and dagger, but check out http://209.211.51.51/shinobi i'm not sure what to do with it, as it would probably be deleted if it were ever to be discovered...  (*Shrugs*)  It could be fun though...

And the rainbow text sure is perty, innit? (*Laugh*)  So i was bored and i wanted to know what the text colorizer would do, so sue me....

neglected: skin:1

---

  shirojinka no miyu

---

[Scene:  NGC, a run-down churchy sort of a place.]

(*As to be expected of the NGC surface, the place is filled with demons.  However, they're all sitting quietly and patiently on the floor ... which would seem rather odd unless you realized that this is the same crowd that Holy Miyu converted a while back.  And the nun in the green habit herself is walking around the crowd, giving what support she can ...*)

Holy Miyu:  It's alright, don't worry ... Seraphita-san and the Professor will have another batch ready soon.  You'll be human again in no time.

Somewhat Little Demon: (*skeptical*)  I dunno about that.

Holy Miyu: (*squats*) What's your name?

Somewhat Little Demon:  Very-Painful-And-Slow-Death.

Holy Miyu:  I mean, what name did you have before Lilith?

Somewhat Little Demon:  Oh ... err ... I was ... Emilia ...

Holy Miyu:  Emilia?  That's a nice name ...

Demon Emilia:  You certain?  I always thought it was kinda dorky ...

Holy Miyu:  No, it's very melodic. ^_^

Demon Emilia: ...... it's almost freakish how you can make that sound plausible.

Holy Miyu:  That's because it's true.  Emilia, don't worry.  So long as you can remember something, Lilith doesn't have complete control over you ... and with a little ledgehold like that, it's not difficult to bring you back from the state she's brought you to.

Demon Emilia: ........

Holy Miyu: (*pats Emilia's hand*) Think about that for now.  My shift is ending.

Demon Emilia:  Good night, Miyu-sama.

Holy Miyu:  Same for you, Emilia.

(*She stands up and walks a little while, down a messed, drafty hallway.  The whole place looks rather condemned, with boarded windows and the rest.  She turns and opens a door that would feasibly lead to a storage closet ... which it does, except said storage closet has a bed instead of storage.*)

(*Holy Miyu enters her cell and closes the door behind her.*)

Holy Miyu:  ..... Kami-sama, keep the ones who opened the rift safe ... and forgive my pride ...

(*She closes her eyes and begins to examine her conscience.*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, a lab somewhere.]

(*There is a big glass tube of yellow liquid in the middle of the lab, with a young girl looking about two or three-years-old suspended in it.  She looks pretty damn odd for a child of that age, with wavy white hair grown about four times her height and flowing around her like white, liquid fire.  She also looks pretty damn observant, constantly examining her surroundings with a look of pure curiosity in her blood-red eyes.  Sight isn't so bad, but sound with all the bubbles in the tube is very choppy and uncollected ... there are some men and women in white coats, and snippets of the conversation make it through from time to time ...*)

Woman:  --tiful, isn't she?

Man:  Mayu-chan, you've out--

Woman:  (*unintelligible, indignant*)

Second Woman:  -- too personal, Mayuri.

Alt-Mayuri:  But I didn't make her, that's not in my hands --

Second Woman:  -- religious.

(*More quabble.*)

Second Man:  -- looks like an esper ...

Second Woman:  I'm guessing she's an artificial angel.

Man:  I'm with Yui on --

Alt-Mayuri:  (*shakes her head, says something with a smile*)

Third Man:  -- entirely serious?

Alt-Mayuri:  (*nods*)

Alt-Yui:  --upid!  And I suppose you --

(*Yui continues into a long, dull tirade.  Mayuri sighs, glances over at  in the tube, and notices that the child's watching.  She smiles and waves at her.*)

(*The child blinks with surprise.*)

Alt-Yui: -- even listening to me, Mayuri?

Alt-Mayuri: (*turns back, mumbles something meekly ... but she does glance back at the child and wink*)

(*The child merely stares back, bewildered.*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, same lab, but after some time.]

(*Now all of the other people aren't present, except for the green-haired woman and the man with the dark glasses.  He looks rather embarrassed, and that's probably because the woman is standing in front of the tube making weird noises and holding out a round white thing with a small, flaming waxstick in the center of it.*)

(*The child reaches out and presses her hand on the glass near the white thing ... and smiles.*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, West Mahanaym Labs.]

(*It appears to be much, much later.  The child now appears to be five years old with an unbelievably long trail of hair behind her, a black eye and many scratches and bruises.  Around her stand innumerable demons, all much, much taller than her (and all of them apparently quite aware of that).  Behind a thick wall of glass nearby kneels Mayuri, pounding on the glass and yelling, but with no sound since it is apparently quite soundproof.*)

(*Directly before the child stands an apparently eight-years-old Demon Ayanami Rei.*)

Child Demon Rei:  Come, come, there's no use pretending ... show your power.  Defend yourself.

Child:  Leave me alone.

Child Demon Rei:  Don't be so impudent.  Show me your power, that I might make you truly great ...

Child:  No.  Go away.

Alt-Mayuri: (*pounding on the glass*)

Child Demon Rei: (*glancing at the glass wall*) Human, you are beginning to get on my nerves.

Alt-Mayuri: (*mouths something and pounds on the wall*)

(*The child Demon Rei turns her head towards Mayuri and narrows her eyes.  There is an orange glimmer, and the glass wall shatters inwards towards the doctor ...*)

Alt-Mayuri: (*screams*)

Child:  ............ you ...

(*With a green flash, the shards shatter into dust and change direction.*)

Child: (*yellow eyed*) LEAVE HER ALONE!!

(*The glass powder blasts towards the child Demon Rei ...*)

(*... and she smiles ...*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, West Mahanaym Labs, a little later.]

(*The demons are all now suddenly quite shaken up.  What's left of the child Demon Rei lies in a rather goopy pile in a corner, with various former articles of furniture and equipment sticking out of very uncomfortable-looking places in it.*)

Child:  ....... I ............. did I ...?

Alt-Mayuri:  It ... it's alright, try not to worry about it ...

Child:  I ... killed.  (*tears puddle up in her eyes, now red again*)

(*The doors open suddenly, and in walks ... another child Demon Rei, exactly identical to the first.*)

Alt-Mayuri:  Wh-what?  How ...

Child Demon Rei: (*smirks*) Ikari Yui never makes anything without a couple of backups. (*nods*) Children, take her away.  There's no more need for the doctor ... I have my new weapon now.

Child:  ..........

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, one of Mahanaym's circumference alleyways.]

(*Inexplicably, it's an escape scene.  The man with the dark glasses, Mayuri, and the child (now looking about nine and wearing some sort of uniform), make a run for it.  Mayuri seems to have developed a limp.*)

Alt-Mayuri: (*stopping*) It's no good, Gendou, I'm slowing the two of you down ...

Alt-Gendou:  Stop talking like that.  I'll get the two of you out of here.

Alt-Mayuri:  No.  Get her out of here.  I'll stay behind ... don't worry about me.

Alt-Gendou:  No, I won't --

Alt-Mayuri:  Gendou, just shut up.  It's my choice if I want to be a bloody martyr.

Alt-Gendou:  ...........

Alt-Mayuri:  Take care of Tat-chan, make sure Shin-chan doesn't meet his mother anytime soon ... and ...

Child:  (*walks up to Mayuri*)  Don't go.  Please.

Alt-Mayuri: (*smiles*) It's all right, believe me.  In fact ... I want you to keep this for me until I get back. (*reaches into her pocket, and puts something unseen in the child's hands*)

Child:  (*stares at the whatever it is*)  What ... is it?

Alt-Mayuri:  Something to keep you company while I'm gone.

Child:  .... domo arigato ...

(*There is the sound of a blast, and Gendou more or less yanks up the child and runs.  There is a second explosion closer down the corridor, and the flames engulf it as Mayuri waves goodbye.*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, corner of an abandoned warehorse]

(*By a small fire sits the girl.  The three Rokubungi 'men' -- a ten-year-old Shinji, a roughly twelve-year-old Tatchi, and Gendou -- sit with her.  Apparently, it's the first time the sons have met their father in at least several months ... but it's not a happy occasion ...*)

Young Tatchi:  .... okaa-san is ...... she's ...... no ...

Alt-Gendou:  I did everything I could, Tatchi.  She wouldn't have it any other way ...

Young Tatchi:  .... why? (*eyes water*) Why would she do this?

Alt-Gendou: .......

Young Alt-Shinji: .......

Child: ......

(*Barely seeming to think about it, she draws out the thing that Mayuri gave her and examines it.  It's a white and green ball.*)

Child: .......

(*She puts it up to her ear and listens ...*)

Child: ....mi..yu..?

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, a street. Much later]

(*Miyu now looks more or less 14, Shinji looks 13, and so on up the age ladder.  Apparently, it's the aftermath of a small battle between the Rokubungi-gumi and some demons.  The demons, despite their number, seem to have lost ...*)

Alt-Shinji:  Miyu, that diversion tactic was great!  I'm impressed ...

Young Miyu: ........

Alt-Shinji:   Err ... Miyu...?

Young Miyu:  ........ that wasn't a diversionary tactic, Shin-chan ...

Alt-Shinji:  (*eyes widening*)  You don't mean ...

Young Miyu:  They were back with us, back out of her grasp ...... and the three of you killed them anyway ....

Alt-Shinji:  .........

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, another warehouse.]

Alt-Gendou:  Hojo-san, I was hoping you could talk some sense into her, not reinforce the matter.

Alt-Hojo:  It's her choice, Rokubungi.  Someone should have realized before that the most destructive weapon to be created by any side of this war might not want to kill.  That's her choice.  If it's the wrong choice, she'll change her mind eventually.  If it's the right one, however, you have no right to force her to choose otherwise ...

Alt-Gendou: Yes, but ... a nun?  A NUN?

(*Miyu steps forward, now looking about 18 and wearing a green and white novice's habit.*)

Young Miyu:  .... hai.  My choice.  I have Shirojinka for my defense, if it ever comes to it ...

Alt-Gendou: ..... (*shakes his head*)

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, an abandoned cathedral.]

(*Piles after piles after piles of wounded and dead are laid out on blankets in the empty area of the cathedral where the pews would be.  The aftermath of a discovered refugee camp ...*)

(*Rokubungi Tatchi runs in, now at the age familiar to everyone.  Miyu, too, has hada growth spurt, but enough of that she could be mistaken for twenty-something.*)

Tatchi:  Oh God ...

Holy Miyu:  Tatchi ... Tatchi-kun, I'm sorry ...

Tatchi:  How ... Tou-san...?

Holy Miyu:  Rokubungi Gendou is dead.  Shin-chan is alive ... but ...

Tatchi:  (*coldly*)  Where is he?

Holy Miyu:  He's over ... there ... (*points*)

(*Tatchi runs over to his brother, somehow managing not to disturb the injured, dying, and dead.*)

(*Rokubungi Shinji is not in good shape.  He lies on his back limply, not moving any more than weak breathing requires.  His skin is covered with cuts everywhere that shows, and the blood flows freely.  He's also missing an arm, and his gut is slit.  Not much life-expectancy in this picture.*)

Tatchi: (*kneels*) Shin-chan ...

(*Slowly, Shinji half opens his eyes.*)

Tatchi:  .... I ...

Shinji: (*weakly*) It's ... all right.  I'll be fine.

(*A pause.*)

Shinji:  Did we ...... win ..?

Tatchi: ........ hai ... we won.

(*The tone in his voice makes it clear that he's lying.  But Shinji doesn't seem to notice this, or rather, if he does, he doesn't care.  He just smiles ... and his head turns to one side limply as the life finally leaves him.*)

Tatchi:  .........

Holy Miyu:  ........

---

[Scene:  Flashback, NGC, another part of the abandoned cathedral.  Maybe it's the rectory ...]

Alt-Lyn:  Wait ... you mean to say you actually approve of the idea?

Holy Miyu:  We can't continue like this anymore, Lyn-kun.  If what Yuna-san here says is true --

Yuna:  Believe you me, it is.

Holy Miyu: -- then there's an entire other infinite city like this one, only stronger.  Help from such a universe is worth the risk.

Alt-Sephiroth:  But suppose they sent armies instead of the kind of help you want?

Holy Miyu:  ........ then that's ... their choice.  I can only hope that they would choose otherwise.

Alt-Ritsuko:  Fat chance.

Yuna:  Who's going, then?

Alt-Sephiroth:  Not me.  No way I am getting myself killed in the center of Mahanaym.

Alt-Ritsuko:  Eh ... and a chicken like you is supposed to be the son of Hojo and the Ancient?  There goes the genetic theory ...

Alt-Sephiroth:  H-hey!

Holy Miyu:  Sephiroth, do go.  You're an ancient, and you have the white materia.  So far as I can tell, that's what's necessary to trigger a rift in Rub al-Khali ...

Alt-Sephiroth:  But ...

Alt-Lyn:  Look, Ancient Chicken, I'll go with you too, okay?  I'll kill that blue-eyed monster if it's the last thing I do ...

Tatchi: (*walking in*) No, Lyn, I'm afraid that's my chosen privilege.

Holy Miyu:  Tatchi, you don't --

Tatchi:  I don't have to, but I will.  I'm going, Miyu.

---

[Scene:  Present, NGC, Miyu's cell in the run-down churchy place.]

Holy Miyu:  I let them go through the rift ... and now it's been nothing but another universe's ruin ... possibly even the end of an entire family.

(*She opens her eyes.*)

Holy Miyu:  Kami-sama ... forgive me for what I've done.

(*After a pause, she walks over to her bed and sits on it.  And for the first time, she notices something odd ... the green and white ball -- a pokeball, in fact -- sitting on the bed, wide open.*)

Holy Miyu: ........... Shirojinka ........?

(*Her eyes water and she smiles.*)

Holy Miyu:  ... domo arigato ... Kami-sama.

---

Last night, in the moments my thoughts were adrift And coasting a terrace, approaching a rift Through which I could spy several glimpses beneath Of the darkness the light from above could not reach I spied wings of reason, herself taking flight And upon yonder precipice saw her alight And glared back at me one last look of dismay As if she were the last one she thought I'd betray

---

Programmed for Damage

---

*Somewhere in a darker than usual corner of the NGC, a rift in space/time opens. Out steps Helix, carrying a high-powered laser-rifle and wearing light body armor. On his head are his red-spectrum goggles/communicator unit*

Helix: ~Start spreadin' the news... I'm leavin' today...~

*He turns and fires as a stray demon passes by him. The shot goes clear through the little bugger, leaving nothing but a smoking husk.*

Helix: *cocks the gun* ~I wanna be a part of it... New York, New Yooooork!~

*Helix pulls out a small device from one of his many ammo/supply pouches*

Helix: *Frowns slightly* Yep. 75% probability. It's here. *Turns the device off and returns it to its pocket.* God, I love being the acceptable risk.

*Helix readies his gun again and heads off. After he gets about 50 meters from where he started, a horrendous pounding noise distracts him. He looks for the origin, and sees Jet Alone lumbering down the street towards him.*

Helix: Oh, good God. *looks around, then pulls out another electric device* Projected trajectory... heading towards a rift... Jeez. That can't be good. *Looks up at JA as it lumbers closer* Hmph.. at least that nuclear monstrosity hasn't noticed me yet. *Raises his gun* Bravado tiiiiime!

*He fires a burst of laserfire at JA, and looks in dismay as the shots don't even scratch the thing*

Helix: Crap. This is going to be one of those days.

---

God damn it. It's good to be back!

*EGC.  The streets.  In the part of the city near the rift, the streets are relatively quiet.  The demons have unchallenged control over this portion of the city, with most of the combat taking place a ways out from the rift itself.*

Demon Aoi: *Giggling madly to herself* Soon....SOON!

*The streets get noisier, however, as a massive mechanical foot comes slamming down into the pavement.  Aoi's J.A. Unit lumbers along at a steady, if somewhat slow pace, making its way towards the combat lines.*

Tatchi: ....

Demon Aoi: *Scowls* Damn you.  Can't you at least get excited? This might be tolerable if you showed some signs that you cared about this.

Tatchi: But I don't.

Demon Aoi: *Rolls her eyes* You must truly be part of my punishment, then.  Pairing me with a former enemy, who can't even get excited about killing, no less....feh!

Tatchi: ....Why do you get so excited about this, anyway?

Demon Aoi: *Smirks* You don't care.  So I won't tell you.

Tatchi: Fair enough.

Demon Aoi: Now then....*Grins* Because I'm feeling excited....why not pick up the pace? *Grasps a lever and thrusts it forward to the maximum setting, and the J.A. breaks into a run, its massive arms swinging back and forth and smashing into buildings as the cumbersome mecha increases in speed*

Sizer: *Perks up a bit*

Gerhilde: Sizer-sama?

Sizer: Something's coming....*Eyes narrow* I can feel tremors....

*At this point, an odd crow--"odd" by virtue of its blue-white feathers and the vertical scar intersecting its right eye--flies in through the window of the Bar.  The crow lands at Sizer's feet, and in a brief shimmering of pale blue light, transforms into a slender, rather pretty young woman with short feathery (get it?) hair to match the color of her crow form, and a pair of wings that belie her non-human origins.  She is dressed in deep blue armor that covers her chest and below her waist but leaves her midriff bare.*

Sizer: *Nods to the woman* Anything to report, Ocarina?

Ocarina: *Stands* Hai, Sizer-sama....they appear to be headed this way.

Gerhilde: More demons? No problem! ^_^

Ocarina: Iie.  A mechanized giant, moving at high speeds.  It should be here in a few moments....

Jenova: Hey, wait....*Arches an eyebrow* Any of you feel that?

*There is a tense silence as a blatant homage to a certain science-fiction movie begins.  Slowly, the eyes of those present in the Bar turn towards an abandoned mug of beer left on a nearby table.  It is still for a moment.  Then tiny ripples spread through it.  Then still.  Then ripples, bigger ones.*

Gerhilde: I've always wanted to do that.  ^_^

Sizer: *Resists the urge to fwap her* Go assemble the others, Gerhilde, it looks like we're going into the fray again.

Ocarina: Shall I call for the other Shito Sentai?

Sizer: They have their own battles for now.  This one's ours.

Aoi: *Slides down the banister* Heh! Yeah right.  Mine, too! I just got done regenerating and I'm in the mood for some action! Besides, with the other guys off handling demons, someone needs to stay here and make sure Rei and Hugh don't get in any trouble.

Sizer: *Nods* Very well.  Come on.

*The Valkyries come trampling down the stairs, lances and shields strapped to their backs.  #9, Brunnhilde, leaps into the air and dives at Sizer, her form shifting into reddish energy that wraps around Sizer and resolves itself into the Hawk King's crimson armor.  The entire party--Sizer, Ocarina, Aoi, and the Valkyries--book it outside just as Aoi's J.A. comes juggernauting its way into visibility.*

Gerhilde: *Whistles* That thing's uglier than Drum!

Helmwige: ....No it's not.  ^^;;;

Gerhilde: Well, okay, it's not.  But it's pretty damned fugly.

Waltraute: Hai!

Sizer: *Ignores them, pulling her scythe from the loop on her belt*

Aoi: Hmmm....a J.A.....this could suck.

Sizer: You know something of its design?

Aoi: *Nods, watching the charging giant with a frown* Nuclear core.  Or maybe N2.  Which would be worse.  Either way, you damage it too much or in the wrong place, and everything within about 30 miles goes to ash.

Sizer: Kuso....

*Meanwhile, as the J.A. pulls closer, Demon Aoi flips open the P.A. system....*

Demon Aoi: SIZER!!!

Sizer: *Turns to Aoi* ....Did you say that?

Aoi: *Frowns* No, but....oh, no....

Helmwige: No way! Sizer-sama, we killed her evil-side!

Sizer: Not well enough, it seems.

Demon Aoi: I SEE YOU, SIZER!! YOUR BLASPHEMY WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED!!!

Sizer: *Faint smirk* Heh.  That's her, without a doubt.  *Takes to the air*

Ocarina: Sizer-sama....! *Flies after Sizer* Be careful....

Sizer: *Smiles* With you around to look after me, I'll be fine.

Ocarina: H-Hai....

Demon Aoi: DIE!!

*Demon Aoi sends one of the J.A.'s disproportionately long, flexible arms lashing at the two fliers, the arc of the attack ripping almost effortlessly through a row of buildings as it seeks out its target.  Ocarina and Sizer fly in opposite directions, and the arm misses both, slamming into the pavement near Aoi and the Valkyries, causing the group to scatter in all directions.*

Aoi: *Zips around the J.A.'s legs, thinking* Fighting it head-on won't work.  If they can even damage it, hitting it too hard will kill us all....but there must be a way to disable the damned thing.

*Meanwhile, Demon Aoi takes another swipe at Sizer.  This time, however, the Hawk King waits for the blow to come.*

*Ocarina screams Sizer's name, terror painting her face.*

*Sizer grins, crimson eyes gleaming.*

*Her scythe hums through the air--and then the sound is swallowed by a twisted, tortured scream of ripping metal and wire.*

*And half of the J.A.'s right arm crashes into the street below, severed by Sizer's counterattack.*

*Needless to say, this causes a few jaws to drop.  Most noteably, Demon Aoi's.  Even Tatchi raises his eyebrows, about as much surprise as he's capable of registering.  The only exception is EGC Aoi, who is glad for any distraction as she examines J.A. for weak points.*

Demon Aoi: Damn....Damn you.

*Demon Aoi's hands clench around the controls with painful tightness.*

Demon Aoi: DAMN YOU!!

Tatchi: ....Hm.  *Thinking*She's strong....strong enough to defeat Aoi....

Sizer: Heh....*Flies straight at J.A., her scythe cutting into the behemoth's armor before Aoi can attack with the other arm, peeling back the metal casing of Aoi's cockpit* Found ya!

Demon Aoi: DIE!!! *Leaps out of the cockpit, bodychecking into Sizer*

Tatchi: *Mumbles quietly to himself* So....what if I were to defeat her....?

Sizer: *Grabs Demon Aoi's shoulders and pivots in midair, hurling her to the pavement below with enough force to make a crater*

Tatchi: Would I be free....?

*Tatchi's line of thought is cut off, however, as the hatch of his cockpit begins to bend and warp, pulled away by an unmistakeable field of shimmering orange....*

Aoi: Two cockpits, of course! ^_^ So, come on out, Mr. Secondary Pilot, and--*Sees who is sitting in the cockpit and is struck dumb momentarily* U-Uso....

Tatchi: *Whirls around to face the intruder* You.... EGC no....

Aoi: I thought you were....oh my God....*Performs the unexpected action of leaping into the cockpit, wrapping her arms tightly around Tatchi's shoulders and burying her face against his chest as a sob escapes her* Ch-Chatty-kun!

Tatchi: ....N-Nani?

Weird stuff ahead! Sizer fights Demon Aoi once more! EGC Aoi gets to know Tatchi! And a new attack begins....

End communication.

UF lost.  What a shame.  Now maybe those druken fans will keep their mouths shut and I can finally get some peace of mind.  (So sue me, I'm still more of a Michigan fan.)

---

(Dot's Concept Space, interior.  The demon horde, minus a few of their number, have come to a tense stare down with the Authoress at their center.)

*thinking* I know whoever's at the other end must have noticed by now that even if I look winded, I'm actually holding back.  So why haven't these stupid demons done anything other than attack blindly?

(As if some unspoken signal has passed, the demons begin another wave of attacks.)

*thinking, annoyed* Dammit, I don't think this plan's working.

(The Authoress bats a demon away, but it merely uses the elasticity of its muscles to bounce off the floor and lunge at her again, grabbing the mallet away from her in the process.  Two other demons pin her to the ground, forcing her arms back.)

*thinking* Then again...

(One of the demons walks over to her.)

Random Demon (demanding): Where is she?

*calmly* Who?

(The demon motions with his hand, and the Authoress is yanked to her feet.)

Random Demon (dangerously): You know very well who I'm talking about.

(The Authoress doesn't reply.  The demon lightly traces a clawed finger across her cheek, and then slaps her with the back of his hand.)

Random Demon (dangerously): Next time, I'm going to give you some permanent scarring.  (beat) Answer me.

*calmly* No.

(The demon raises its hand again.  Just as he's about to bring it down--)

Atsuko (appearing): No!

Random Demon (looking up, smirking): Aha.

*feigning panic* Atsuko, I thought I told you to stay out of this!

Atsuko (tearfully): I had to watch the NGC you die.  I won't let them hurt you, too! (to the demons) Let her go! I'm the one you want.

(The demon closes his eyes and cocks his head, as if listening to something.  Then, he looks back up, smirking.)

Random Demon (sarcastically): That's very noble of you, but I've got orders to take both of you back.

Atsuko: NO!

(Atsuko attacks blindly, but is quickly taken down.)

Random Demon (shaking his head): What a pitiful waste of RL power.  (motioning with his hand) Let's go!

(The demons file out.  For a long time, nothing happens.)

Noa's voice: I-I can't believe that actually worked!

(A round field shimmers and disappears, revealing Noa, Keale, Vegita, and Goku.)

Keale (worried): Not necessarily.  They might have just decided to take the bait.

Vegita (cracking his knuckles):In that case, it'd be wise to follow them, don't you think?

Goku: Definitely. (beat, sheepishly) But can I get something to eat first?

(Collective facefault.)

---

(Mako reactor, interior.  Kefka is standing at the catwalks over the main Mako intake, waiting in eager anticipation, while Yuna clings persistently to his leg.)

Kefka (gleefully): Whee hee hee...49 minutes to the end of the world.

Yuna (sighs blissfully): Nothing matters as long as I'm with you, Kefka-chan.

Kefka (lips curl upwards): Ugh...if this is the price of power, I suppose I have to deal with it...

(Kefka goes back to watching the rising Mako.)

---

Next post, the counter reaches zero! :)