Shadow's Masquerade

[Aether]

((OOC: This is a saga thread, continuing from where Destination: Midgar and The Journey left off. The location for those on the Shera is a small section of land west of Gongaga on the Gaia Continent. Map can be found here: finalfantasy.neoseeker.com/w/i/finalfantasy/1/19/FFVII_Map.gif
Only those who have been on the ship or have been asked to partake in the mission due to technicalities are permitted to post here.)


Cid's normal plan didn't involve landing the ship, especially so close to the two powerhouses than caused a majority of the damage to his ship. However, the pilot had finally reached the breaking point of his stress level. Everyone thought they were finally going to get some rest, but Mr. Highwind had another idea, and that plan did not bode well for the students or the pokemon.

According the the readings of the electronic map at Cid's disposal, they we're landing in a clearing just a couple miles away from Gongaga. As far as he was concerned, the kids could make it to Midgar on their own from here, since they had a couple Ex-SOLDIERS with them. Cid was somewhat surprised when he found out there were SOLDIERS on his ship, but the boy who hired him had no problem revealing his identity. SOLDIERS against SOLDIERS?

This oddity was not Cid's problem. His problem lied with these students and their monsters running around this ship and wrecking it as if it were their own. He wasn't going to allow it. The landing was somewhat bumpy, but for the most part smooth enough for Cid. Whatever dents he caused wouldn't be nearly as severe as the damage he was going to repair now. With the Shera landed, the pilot turned to his passengers with a grin on his face, though you could tell he wasn't happy.

"Alright ya little craps! Time to get the h*** off my Shera! Pack your bags cause I ain't haulin' yer destructive little a**** anymore!"

****


Getting kicked off the ship...wasn't surprising.

Fenrir was actually starting to suspect this would come. Cid did not appear to be a man with a long fuse, and their actions undoubtedly set that very short fuse ablaze a while ago. Why he didn't explode earlier was a miraculous mystery. He had to have been paid handsomely. However, the Lucario couldn't focus much on the ejection from the Shera. He didn't know quite what to focus on at the moment.

Anger. Despair. Hatred. Everything he was trying to let go was only holding onto him tighter now than ever before. His feeling of exhaustion and nausea quickly faded as they landed. His previous talk with a certain self-proclaimed Emperor was starting to take root in his mind, which meant those words were reaching out for his heart. Memories of pain and loneliness began flooding his conscious.

What was the point of trying to become a better person when all it would do would bring pain? Why get close to anyone when you cause them pain...
This couldn't be his fault. No. They weren't the ones who caused this trouble. All he was doing was helping out and minding his own business. Caden...this was all his fault.
From what Fenrir could see, Erebus had no right telling him that this was his doing. Caden's pokemon destroyed the ship, and Caden was the one orchestrating this entire mess. If anyone deserved pain and loneliness, it was Caden. Their group would be better off without that boy. Part of Fenrir began to think that they would be better off if Caden was taken out of the picture...completely and permanently.

Old habits die hard.

Fenrir stood up qucikly and wrapped his wing around his body. The SOLDIER closed his eyes, relying on Aura to guide him out of the ship. He left without a word to anyone: Not his team, not even Rhea. Anyone who watched Fenrir leave could tell something was wrong.

He made his way outside, the hangar door already open with several WRO sentries standing guard in case anymore trouble broke out: Apparently Cid did not want to take anymore chances. Fenrir could feel another Aura or two in the cargo bay that were not present at the time of the fighting. Perhaps there were more stole-aways than previously thought. However, the Lucario paid no attention to them, as they appeared to be a couple more students, and more help would be appreciated.

Fenrir, sadly, couldn't be much appreciative about anything at the moment. He could still feel Aiden's aura, and it was burning fiercely in the heat of battle. They boy looked as if he would be fine, which was about the only positive he could find in this situation.

Filled with unrest and frustration, Fenrir was starting to resemble his old self.

****

Zyre and the rest of Aiden's team looked at each other after Cid's demands before looking around at the ship. They did create quite the mess, so Cid's frustration was not without reason. But kicking them off completely? Why not just leave Caden and his pokemon behind? They thought this decision unfair, since they were only attempting to remedy the situation. However, without Aiden there to speak on their behalf, and having nothing else going for them, the group didn't have much of a choice. With a mixture of sighs and grunts, Aiden's group slowly made their way out of the wheel room, taking the route Fenrir had taken. They too reached the outside, glad to at least grab some fresh air. However they saw their dark companion at the edge of the clearing: Arms crossed, eyes closed, and his wing covering his body like a cloak.

("Our comrade is not looking well.")
("I'm not particularly happy myself...but that is some nasty brooding going on over there...")


****
"Welcome back to our realm."
"The corruption has spread...It's been far too long..."
"A thousand years to be exact. I hate to send you out after such a long slumber, but I need you to follow a group located in the south-western section from our location. You should have no trouble finding them."
"I sensed their presence when I arrived. Will I simply follow?"
"Follow them. Let them get close, and them give them reason to fear. I want to see how they function when their spirits are broken."
"As you wish..."

[Fallen Hours™]

The herringbone braid had lasted well, the cloak wasn't even wrinkled. The lock on the crate wasn't a problem, considering she was the one who put it there. She'd met the ruckus with the only solution. Don't let anyone in. The crate was well shielded as well, but she didn't rely on that alone. Situations like this were when she descended into the depths of ebony calm. This wasn't a day when she wanted to be human; this was a day when she wanted to be Truth. Underneath her cloak, the dark membranous wings were folded and her fringe just about covered the small spiral horn that ever so apparently came from her forehead. The eyes were only barely noticable, but they were larger and her hair thicker.

Only anyone who had known her for an extremely long time would notice the suttle differences. And since she didn't have to worry about that, the cloak was extremely useful. But as the ship came to a quick and abrupt descent the crate jerked around the slightest bit and - with a sharp reflex in frustration - her wings flexed and she bumped her head on the top of the crate, ever-so-promptly leaving an indent as her horn also knocked it, making her groan with odd animalistic roughness. There were pros and cons to the Truth, and it was only one of the many cons that some of them had their own reactions to outside disturbances.

Muttering a long string of curses that could make a fully grown man cringe, Tsukiko Yasu slid the lock open and let it fall onto the floor with an audible clatter. Sliding carefully so she was lying on her back, Tsukiko kicked the crate open and shifted position once more. It only took her a few seconds to get up and out of the crate, stretching her muscles once she was standing as they were cramped and tight. She didn't need them to be tight; she needed them to be loose.

"Dallan, revoir."

It was their native language, but it only took a few moments before an extremely large feline predator emerged from a visual shield, his copper pelt rippling over his mucles and rising the moment he sensed the turmoil abord the ship. °Dallan, they've been fighting. I can understand that and I'm sure you can too. I want you to stay ahead of me, and if someone comes from behind me with intent of harm, you ignore my presence and warn them that you are my guardian. Atleast, for now. Is that understood?° Telepathy. The only way Tsukiko had learned to communicate with was to 'shuck the human trappings, and take a step to the side.' It was like taking a step through a mental hedge and finding that there was another path on the other side.

°I understand, wolf-child.°

She snarled. He bristled. They both glowered. Dallan and Tsukiko had known eachother ever since Tsukiko had turned five, and he had found her with such determination she knew that there was no getting rid of him. His was a lifetime contract, and the fact that he knew how to purposefully bait her and make her relax -even the slightest bit- could be considered to scary to numerous men and women alike. He knew how much distance he could cover in a flatout run, and he was proud of it. °I'm not a child anymore.°

All he did was nod. Tsukiko sighed and shook her head, pulling the cloak closer around herself and the part that covered her mouth into place. Dallan was a Polar Cat. Bloody six hundred pounds - and maybe a tiny bit more - of muscles, fangs, claws and predatory power. A lot of people would be terrified of him, but the five-year-old Tsukiko Yasu had laughed delightedly, hugged him and dragged him around like an over-loved teddy bear. She had called him kitty. A bad kitty, but kitty all the same.

She watched through crimson eyes as Dallan slipped past her. He had already appointed himself her protector for this journey, even if she was comfortable with the others in the group. He was a typical male in that fashion. Over protective, possessive, having a short fuse when it came to other males... She would have to warn whoever would be on this trip about that. Cautiously, Tsukiko followed after Dallan and began her traditional assessment of the situations. There would be and already were wounds which she could heal to a certain extent with a few herbs and a string of Latin words. There would be fighting, which both her and Dallan could hold their own against. There would be challenges and careful movements - but most of all, there would be humans. People who were relatively human. People who she might not be able to stand or reveal her true appearance to, but people who she would have to work with.

They were defending a place she loved, and she defended the things she loved.

As she passed through the Hangar door, she noticed the suttlely shocked looks they had and tried not to snicker. Dallan had that affect on people. She had that affect on people. The lifeforces were strangely disorted in her radar, though, so that was immediately eliminated as a source of information. She might have just needed time to adjust, but this place might have done something to her. Might be doing something to her. °Stay close to me, Dallan. That Lucario isn't in the mood for claws meeting feathers, and I think even he would put up a good fight against you.° She was an odd figure to see, dressed in the cloak that looked like a moving desert on fabric with the massive copper Polar Cat beside her. But if any attention turned to her, she was oblivious. The only thing that would alert anyone at all to her swift mental succession of thoughts was the almost unnoticable twitch of folded wings underneath unruffled material.

She found a place she could stand almost out of the line of sight of the ship and settled in besides Dallan to wait, watch and observe. Wait.. Watch... Observe. Dallan hissed at the obvious movement on the ship, and Tsukiko slapped him on the head.

"Bad kitty."

She had stayed away from the main body of the ship for a reason. Three angry males was something she didn't want to deal with at once. Dallan was enough. But then again, he was enough and at home she had to deal with quite a number of irritating men.

...So, maybe, this would feel more like home than Starfall did.

...That wasn't a comforting thought...

[hieisorcerer]

Aven's eyes narrowed as the ship took a downward turn. He didn't like where this was going one little bit. Both trainer and pokemon groaned when Cid made his announcement. "Thanks for bringing us this far Cid." Aven said grabbing his backpack and helped Lucario up, the both of them exiting the ship. Aven looked twards the battle though he could sense what was happening, he liked being able to see it. He placed a crystal on Lucario's forehead and healed most of his wounds from his fight with Caden's Houndoom. "Sorry buddy, I can't do much more than that. You should be able to move now though." Lucario nodded and looked around.

"So huh, where are we Fenrir?" Lucario asked, projecting his thoughts for all to hear. Aven nodded his agreement, showing he was listening, but his eyes didn't move from the distant fight. He couldn't believe it, the raw power emanating from this fight. They needed to become stronger... Aven looked at his bandaged right arm, they were going to need help.

Aven sighed and finally looked away, surveying the group. "I guess our first move is to wait for Aiden, and Caden to be done with their fight." He stated the obvious, looking at Fenrir, he wasn't trying to step up. Just trying to keep busy so he didn't think about Deepground too much.

[wildkuma]

"...What...what going on down there?"

For the time being, it appeared the turmoil upon the Shera had ground to a halt. And it also seemed apparent there wasn't going to be another opportunity for it to occur. Judging from the activity of the Pokemon around her, and the tone of the Ship Captain's speech, their ride had abruptly ended. Rhea could sigh as she began to note the change in the engine, the giant gears and combustion engines only humming along enough to stay warm.

They were on the ground now, so was the battle over? It probably wouldn't be safe to do so until Aiden made an unaccompanied return, which she was sure he would.

But more than this seemed to trouble the Espeon, who's attention had urned from tending her injuries to the actions of those leaving the building. Aven and Lucario seemed to adopt a similar course of action, intending to make a swift recovery following the battle. Nexo and his team seemed to have gone outside already and didn't appear to be causing any disturbance. In general, the ship seemed quite relaxed for what had occurred. But it was the action of Fenrir that brought her the most concern, though she was really only able to determine it from a splash of black and gold hue which decisively made its way out of the ship.

She made her way out as well, her movements a bit stiff as well, but for a far different reason, that was certain. She didn't need physical detail to know that he was thinking, his stillness and silence alone enough to show he was thinking. There was a storm forming within his psyche, but she didn't have the energy or insight great enough to determine what it was about. He was probably better off dealing with it on his own....anyone would be angry after a situation like that. Attention turned instead to the remainder of the group, as she found a new location to rest in the grass and clear her senses, as it seemed probable from the extra energy fields she was picking up, that some of what she was experiencing might not even be real. She had even fancied that she could detect a few traces of Kamille's wavelengths, if that was even possible at this point. Surely interference had to be occurring somewhere. Better to just rest and wait until she could rely on her senses before she attempted anything...she had to make sure she was ready to move off when they were anyways.

"Perhaps...it would be best to go about setting up camp for the night, and checking our inventory. The Gaia continent commonly has monsters roaming about, and with it being midday, we probably would only be done by nightfall. We'll need to make it secure if we don't want to go about serving sentry shifts..."

It was all she could offer to say at the moment, in hopes of buying Fenrir some time before having to address the needs of the unit. Seeing as it appeared he was in charge for the time being, and didn't look to be in any condition to give orders, the group would probably have to come up with some course of action on their own. She could only hope the group would stay united until someone returned. Having to deal with this business on top of potential injuries from the battles was probably going to inhibit the group's progress quite a bit.

(I suppose we can only hope that with time comes stability...)

She lay her head upon the grass and awaited whatever would come patiently. Experience had taught her to be calm in times such as these.

-/-/-/-/-

(The Shera...is still landing....d*****. They refuse to see the truth. As they wish, perish by my hand, or theirs...)

The massive lyger seemed to halt a moment as he witnessed the settling of the vast ship...a blot in the distance perhaps, but the action still as significant as if it were mere feet away. A low growl rumbled through his chest as he turned to Aiden with a vengeance, spreading his giant claws to earn better traction. It likely could be viewed as a bad omen. The Chimera Noble, though aware of his opponents increased potential, seemed determined to finish him in one strike. He stepped forth, bore down into the soil, and appeared ready to resume his charge until a thin wave of energy shot through the surroundings. The energy caused a brief headache, but more prominently, the lyger's behavior seemed to be stopped in its tracks.

(....Is it some form of communication? Rather odd....two patterns...like that wretched dragon of the olden wars......?!?!

D*** her, a Diminish Aria!)

Just as swiftly as he'd stopped, the massive beast leapt back into action, driving one of his paws into the earth and causing a tremor to echo through the area. This could not be taking place, not here, not when he was this close. Energy seemed to be returning to Caden's form, the evidence shown in the swiftness of movement and the intensity of the quake. But even this seemed to be too late as they soon came to a halt, and the lyger too, with the realization his efforts had come too late.

(....Accursed dragons...how dare they interfere...in this battle...victory cannot be accepted unless borne of my own hardships. There is no honor in slaying the bound...

Relentless wretch, this is the last time you will make a fool of me!)

Seemingly coinciding with his anger, flame began to billow out of the corners of the chimera's mouth, as the basilisk tail whipped around and rendering various objects to stone, causing many to collapse under their own weight. There was no doubting it at this point...if Caden was receiving a boost in power and becoming able to ignore his pain, the second wave must have an intended effect on his opponent. Caden had already swore he'd defeat Aiden by his own hand...and now Kamille would throw the match with her latent techniques? She had deceived him, she stole his glory right before he could grasp it...there was no shame such as that he felt in his soul now.

"Aiden!!! Do not think this ends here. By no means am I finished with your punishment, you will perish by my hand, I swear it!!!

....You grew lucky this time. But I will hunt you down again, and I will kill you. But until I deal with the source of this upset, consider yourself saved."

The land seemed to cry out with the reception of Caden's savagery, native grasses and plants being set ablaze, the fallen rubble crushing the shoots blow and destroying olden trees. Cracked earth and sunken caves emerged; he could not afford to strike Aiden while subjected to this effect and turned angrily, the basilisk segments receding back into his form and the wings of pegasus emerging. The chimera took one look back before proceeding through the trees, seemingly indifferent as if the battle had never took place, and would leave the Aura SOLDIER to his own devices, knowing he would be inhibited a good deal just by her technique alone. An unexpected variable perhaps, but not one that could be dealt with. Just another fool who would receive death. After all, he was stained in crimson already, it would not change anything now if he were to add to the pile he'd slain.

The chimera bore no regrets now. The Dragon had knowingly shed her armor of innocence, and she was the last obstacle that bound the Chimera's freedom. If he could finally manage to slay her...no longer would he have to hold his temper in fear of receiving judgment.

He would not wait to see what became of his opponent. Death....death was all that remained to bar his way.

[Aether]

To see the ship landing was not surprising in one sense, yet seemingly reckless in another. Aiden did not doubt the high possibility of Cid coming down with a great sense of frustration in this time. The boy was hoping that he could have taken the group a little bit further to their destination, seeing as they would have Fenrir with them as a guide, and Aiden could reach them easily as he knew this land better than the others. However, landing so close to this battle was asinine. The pilot was putting their lives in danger being this close, or they would be if Aiden could not stop the raging inferno of Caden's wrath.

And that's what he had in mind.

The tremor came, but something was amiss in the beast's movements. The pause came at the same time Aiden had felt a strange wave pass through him. The point of origin was unknown, but whatever caused the energy wave wasn't close by, or not close enough to sense through Aura. It was a wave of energy the SOLDIER had not encountered before, so what was the purpose? His attention was quickly turned back to the chimera, gazing through the plate of adamant that surrounded his face and form...until the world began growing darker and darker. Finally, the last bit of light disappeared.

"What...Has the darkness...No, it's not the darkness. This was caused by something else...I can't move my limbs correctly either...what's going on?"

Aiden could not get a chance to show his inefficient limb-handling before Caden made his declaration, which only made the situation more confusing. This was too odd to be a lucky break, seeing as this was a perfect chance for Caden to strike. But the declaration seemed to give off the notion that Caden knew what was going on.

As troubling as this situation had become, the boy decided to focus more on the group and their current mission. Caden had left, which meant there was no need to remain among this desolate, burning scar on the planet's surface.
"Punishment is better left for the Planet and Arceus to decide..."

****
Fenrir and Aiden's group remained in the same area, thinking about what plans of action they could take. Of course, Fenrir was the only one here who had any insight of where they could be, but his mood did not permit him to make any replies or suggestions. The Shera was still in place, however the engines were still running, meaning at any moment the ship could take off, but the open hangar doors indicated that take-off was not likely at the moment.

The onyx Lucario's ear twitched slightly as he caught a familiar Aura heading towards their location. The presence was alone, and the one Fenrir was waiting to come back. The small group turned the focus as a platinum-haired, blue-eyed youth came into the clearing. He looked exhausted, and for some reason unknown to them his eyes were closed, but he appeared to be alright, if not moving somewhat oddly. As expected, his pokemon quickly made their way towards him with smiles of relief, with the exception of Fenrir, who was glad to see his trainer alive, but was still bothered.
"Hey there guys...Are you all ok?"
"We are fine. However..."
"I figured...I'll see what I can do."

Aiden began making his way toward Fenrir first, not before passing the Dragoon, who stood silently and followed Aiden's movements, especially the boy's hand who patted the Nobody on the head lightly.
"I can't believe you followed us...You sneaky little fiend you."
He smiled with those words, trying to keep a bright appearance on his face for everyone, mainly Fenrir.

"Is everyone alright?"
"Yeah...Is Caden gone?"
"Well...He's gone...but not dead. He left during our battle..."
"Why didn't you finish him?"
"Fenrir...Now's not the time to worry about that. We have to get organized and settled. Rhea's right; let's set up camp for the night everyone! I'll go talk to Cid and see if we can get any extra materials."
"What's wrong with your eyes?"
"Huh? Oh...Nothing. Just exhausted"

The fact that Caden was still alive left a bad taste in Fenrir's mouth, and it didn't help his mood at all. However, the fact that Aiden was here and they could actually continue on with there mission negated the effects that Caden's survival could have had on the Lucario. Overall, not much had changed, and he simply continued his brooding underneath the tree.

Aiden walked up the ramp which lead to the cargo bay, slowing down as he passed the Espeon who rested in the grass beforehand.

"Do you think we could talk soon? It's kind of important..."

He didn't know if Rhea would pick up the message, but he didn't wish to make verbal contact at the moment, seeing as the matters he wished to speak of were not for public hearing. Aiden made his way past the cargo and shipments, again taking a moment to slow his off-movements.

"You can come out now...You might want to get off the ship and start getting settled before it leaves with you."

Of course the head of the Aura Academy should have been able to pick up the trace of the other stole-aways on the ship, even in his exhausted condition, but he didn't appear to be upset with them. He just hoped that the island wasn't left completely unprotected. They could use all the help with this mission they could get now, having lost one of their members.

[hieisorcerer]

Aven clasped his hands, "I'll handle shelter guys." He said closing his eyes. He remained thus for several seconds before his eyes burst open, at the same moment he spread his arms wide. In a flash of red light enough tents appeared for everyone. Each one big enough for comfort, the tops camouflaged for protection. Aven muttered a few lines in a strange language before spinning in a circle, summoning a wall with another flash of red. "Anyone in our group should be able to simply walk through that wall. With the exception of Caden. Anyone else will pass through one wall, and come out on the outside of the opposite wall."

Aven sighed, he was slightly tired from using his magic for so many big jobs in one day. He would be fine after a nights sleep. Aven tossed his backpack into the center of camp, "There's enough food, water, and medicine in their for about three weeks." Sometimes it was useful to have magic, and a mother that was loaded.

Aven turned to Aiden as he showed up, "Glad to have you back bro." He nodded and turned away continue getting ready as Aiden went back to the Shera. "Things are going to get very hairy soon enough Lucario. Go get some rest and heal buddy." Lucario nodded and went to the nearest tent to lay down, closing the door that had previously been open.

[Fallen Hours™]

It didn't take long to rearrange her energies as for others to percieve that she and Dallan were still on the ship. Tsukiko was an excellent hider; and so she stood just out of the group's line of sight, she picked up almost everything. She couldn't touch them through telepathy - of course not, because that would be rude - but her hearing picked up each word. Each name... And she raised an eyebrow at his thrown in the mix. So he'd gotten in a fight, had he? That was interesting...

Though, as she shed her cloak, she felt almost glad that he had left. The cloak had simply been a precaution, really, as she had easily felt that familiar soul enter up onto the ship. As it faded away out of physical existance, she knew it could be called back with just a flick of her finger, but she still felt some reluctance. There were men out there, and she was wearing a catsuit that fit her like a second skin. Any woman would have some reluctance to go out there, but considering some of her previous encounters - there was slightly more.

"Dallan, keir." Stay. With her slight accent the words sounded fluid and easy compared to when she spoke english. "I'm afraid we got off the ship a bit before you." Tsukiko moved then, standing so they could just see her. Those brilliant, livid crimson eyes flashed over each person and Pokemon alike - softening and hardening depending on the individual. And finally, they rested upon the platinum maned man who had addressed her.

And despite her words, her six hundred pound friend could be seen just behind her. With here wings partially spread his form could just be seen behind her. °Dallan!! WAIT!°

Pleasenooneoverreactpleasenooneoverreact...

She kept her porcelain composure, but there was a brief twitch of her lips to show her irritation. Her mind was racing through the databases to find who these people were. Okay, the man who created the shelter was William Aven and the man with the platinum mane was... was... She couldn't find him. ****. Dallan began to snarl when he dipped into her thoughts, but with a brief mental slap, he fell into line. Her almost-fur and yet still hair swayed with each movement, and as she absorbed the appearance of wounds, she paused to gather her thoughts. The true ones, and the lies.

"My name is Kahlan... And behind me is Dallan."

She nodded once.

"I wanted to help, and I know I can. For one, I can help you with those wounds."

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