Ripples of Fantasy 7: Mako Awakening|PART II (Shun/Ethar)

[Ethar Luxun]

Playing follow the leader was something Ethar didnt really like to do, but something about not getting into the thick of things was making something in Ethar tick like a bomb ready to go off.

He couldnt help but wonder if they were walking int oa trap of some sorts, as each time they seemed to meet someone else who wasnt a guard, they gave up their keycard no problem, and even helped them go into a lift that took them a level higher.

When they finally reached the 62nd floor, Ethar finally said "This is just way too easy... You think theres a trap somewhere, waiting for us?" he asked, until they came up to the mayors office, where the greeter 'Hart' was standing.

Ethar decided to wait outside the mayors office while the others had their short meeting. He was silent, until the door opened and his friends came out a moment later.

Listening in on their conversation, Ethar looked over to Hart ,and asked "You know what the secret key is, dont you?" as he walked over to the man. Tifa said to Ethar that they would need another way of getting the secret key, and Ethar replied "Leave that to me. Some people do say, I have a bit of a shocking personality..." as he looked bac kto Hart, and extended his hand, as if offering a handshake.

"If you tell us the Secret Key, we can just handshake, and be on our way. We can put in a good word for ya with the mayor." He said. If Hart was to shake Ethars hand, the man would suddenly get a constant dose of electricity. NOt enough to make him fall down or render him unconscious, but just enough to be relatively effective form of torture.

[Shun]

"BEST! ITS BEST" Hart cries out.. "H-He has an excessive amount of his own pictures staring him in the face on his desk! In any case, you can't generally point the finger at him! Everything in Midgar is controlled by President Shinra b-but the Mayor is so self obsessed! His secret phrase is BEST!" Hart whimpers.

Tifa add a whipser, "I didnt know you could be cunning" She says to Ethar nudging his back.

The group walks back in and Domino greets them with a smile, "Alright so can you guess my favorite word?? let me know."

Cloud reveals to him the secret word. "BEST."

Domino jumps in his office chair, "BEST!! God, I cherish the sound of that! BEST!! I AM the best..... ME!! No matter what any other person says, without a doubt......hmm. Indeed, alright. Here, take it."

Cloud recieves Keycard 65.

Domino sits back in his chair "I never thought you'd get it on the first try... Just goes to show you can't pass judgment on a book by its cover. Such is life, a guarantee is a guarantee. Take this, as well."

He gives cloud Elemental Materia!

Domino shrugs, "Why might I do something like this, you may ask? To disturb them, obviously! Shinra's been tormenting me until the end of time. That is the reason I was somewhat unpleasant on all of you a few seconds ago. Please go up there and truly make them suffer. This should make us even! Heh heh....."

///Moments Later////

They go to the 63rd story, a labyrinth of entryways and ventilation channels.

They go to a work station in the corner.

"... beep....beep.... ......verifying key card.....

...................."

"Level B worker: confirmed. You are allowed to open entryways on this floor up to three times."

"blip... On the off chance that you get a coupon, make sure to trade itfor a thing."

"...warning... cease from entering the ventilating pipes heedlessly - they are exceptionally hazardous."

They mess around with the entryways for a short time and enter the conduits, obviously, until they get the three thing coupons. They backpedal to the terminal.

"Man that was a waste of our time" Cloud sighs as they walk up to the terminal.

"...bing... bing... Enter a choice"

"Every single clear (reset all entryways and things)"

"You can trade your coupons for things. Here are the things you can have..."

A) coupon.....'Star Pendant'

B) coupon.......'Pheonix Down'

C) coupon.......'Mega Potion'"

"Trade coupon?"

Cloud and Bun look to Ethar, "Hey.. what should we get?"

[Ethar Luxun]

"I do apologize for that. But I was starting to get a bit bored...." He said to Hart after letting the man go.

Feeling TIfa nudge him in the back, and called him cunning, he merely smirked and replied "I was just trying to sped things up a bit. But thank you Miss Lockhart." as he watched cloud go into teh office to retrieve the final keycard.

After Cloud had it, Ethar followed the group, transversing through a series of conduits and pathways that seemed to lead to no where. But eventually ,they picked up coupons for items he had never heard of, and when it came time to exchange them, Cloud and Shun looked at Ethar, wondering what they should get.

Shrugging a bit, Ethar replied "Whatever you guys want. I dont know what ANY of those even are." as he would then wait for the guys to make their choice of items.

"I dont know about you, but Im really getting frustrated playing it cool, and stealthy. We could of been done and out by now if we did things my way." Ethar said as he crossed his arms. It was quite clear thast trying to be stealthy was started to get on Ethars nerves, as his itch to battle became more and more apparent.

[Shun]

Shun slams his hand on option C'... High Potion!, "We might need this for later heh!"

Cloud pats his back, "Good choice."

"..................... Coupon trade finish."

Shun completes the transaction. Afterwards, They go up to the 64th floor, the Exercise Center.

Individuals on the 64th floor converse amongst themselves, "...huff...puff... In case you're drained, you ought to get some rest in the next room."

One person comes up to the group, "...huff...wheeze... I'm beginning to stress over my belly....."

Random worker, "Hmph, hmph... Since I'm head of security for this building, stamina's imperative to me. You should be a guest. If you don't mind don't hesitate to utilize any unused machines."

Some guy on a couch, "...zzz... It would be ideal if you let me.... get some..... rest......"

Tifa approaches a vending machine, it hums to life, "Take one to reestablish your vitality!! 'Shinra Gym Special Drink' Just 250 gil!!"

Tifa smiles and gives it a shot, putting money in. The machine makes clamor.

Tifa face twists up and she frowns, "...Nothing..."

Cloud comes up behind her and puts in money, ".......Is it broken?'"

"Man, hol' up." Barret hits against it and hammers the machine.

The assistant runs over. "Sir, what's going on with you!? No viciousness here, please!"

The group move forward and Cloud wanders over to a treadmill, "........"

He looks over to Ethar, "Would it be a good idea for me to attempt it? This is so dumb"

[Ethar Luxun]

Following the group to the next floor, Ethar wasnt all surprised that no one found their presence to be suspicious in any way.

He looked at all the people who had occupied the room, and was quite disappointed, but he did perk up when Tifa walked up to a vending machine and attempted to get a drink.

However, it seemed the machine was trying to rip the woman off of her hard eared.... money.  He saw Cloud and Barret walk up to the machine ,and Barret tried to hammer it with his fists, but an assistant ran over and tried to persuade Barret to stop.

Seeing a potential oppertunity to alleviate some boredom, Ethar walked over to the machine and placed his hand on it. "Let me try..." He said, as Ethar's eyes turned purple with electricity. Moments later, the vending machine made a horrid popping sound ,and smoke started to escape from teh machine. But a second later, can after can of beverages started to put out, and the coin deposit door in the machine popped open, spilling hundreds and hundreds of Gil onto the floor.

"Er, did I overdo it?" He asked Tifa, looking a bit embarassed.

[Shun]

Cloud starts running on the treadmill for a while... "This is so doltish, lets go."

Tifa is flabbergasted.. she is amazed.... she is.. in awe, shock, no words can describe... She reaches down and takes her portion of her gil back and take the Shinra soda.. she opens the can, taking a sip. "eh.. energy.. drink?.." She hands it to Ethar, "Take a sip. I.." She blushes and looks away. "T-Thank you.. It seem's you have much more to you than I thought." Her finger trails along Ethars jawline.

Barret waves at them, "AYE!!! IF YALL DONT GECHO ASSES OVA HERE MAN!"

Cloud walks past the two with Shun in tow, "Lets go before we draw any suspicious eyes guys."

The group now reaches a locker.

Cloud looks inside, "What is this..... an Amplifier? Clinging to this won't do any good..."

///A FEW MOMENTS LATER////

They go to the 65th floor, where they find a stash. There are a few money boxes, yet just a single is open. Cloud locates the opened one, get the Midgar Piece from it, and places it in a gap in a huge model of Midgar.

"Huh?" Shun gasps and he finds the Keycard 66 is in a trunk by the stairs. "One step closer" Shun says a he flashes the card.

Cloud looks at the model at the far left, where Segment 6 would be, "Midgar.... conceived from Mako vitality which was drained out of the earth. A model of the city.... At the point when development of Segment 6 completes, Shinra's arrangement will be finish. That must be the reason he took Aerith.... You got key 66 right bun?"

Shun nods.

Cloud nods back, "Ethar, Tifa, Barret lets move."

They go to the 66th floor.

A secretary passes them in transit up. "Whew, I'm so tired of conveying every one of these records. In any case, I get the opportunity to meet heaps of folks. I figure that is the advantage of being a secretary!"

People on the 66th floor

".........................

.........................

.........................

.........................

.........................

.........................

One person goes, "Phew!"

A lady says, "Is it just me or does the Gathering Room smell? There's a few kind of stench originating from somewhere...."

Some random guy speaks, "Hello, when you're in the lavatory, do you ever hear whispers originating from some place?"

Shun responds with a weird stare.

A female work says, "They're having another official meeting. I think about whether it's about that Plate episode."

A lonesome man speaks, "It gives me the feeling that I AM invigorated. The sentiment moving this world, just with my hands."

They bump into some nervous man and he smiles, "Go ahead, we're building the fate of Mako!"

They enter the washroom and Cloud see's a toilet. Immediately, Cloud flushes it and looks up and prompt's his party members to scale into the ventilation pipe over the can. It goes over the Gathering Room, which would clarify the odor in there. They squat over a vent. Through the supports, they see President Shinra also, different representatives sitting at a long table in the Meeting Room.

Barret chimes in quietly, "Holy cow - ! That is a lotta suits man!"

The group watches..

Theres a man with black hair and a mustache,

"We have the harm gauges for Segment 7. Considering those industrial facilities we effectively set up and all the ventures, the harm is assessed at around 10 Billion gil..." He crosses his hinds in his lap, "The evaluated cost to modify Area 7 is..."

President Shinra speaks,

"We're not revamping."

The black haired man raises his voice, "What?"

President Shinra looks out of a window, "We're leaving Division 7 as it seems to be. What's more, restarting the Neo-Midgar arrange."

The black haired man squints, "...then the People of old?"

President Shinra shrugs, "The Guaranteed Land will soon be our own. I need you to raise the Mako rates 15% in each region."

A fat fellow with a white shirt and a double-breasted, tan-colored suit with matching bow-tie comes into play and speaks,"Rate climb! Rate climb! Tra, la, la! Also, please incorporate our Space Program in the financial plan!"

President Shinra smiles, "Reeve and Scarlet will separate the additional salary from the rate increment."

The fat man takes a seat, "Gracious man!"

The black haired man speaks, "Sir, in the event that you raise the rates, the general population will lose confidence..."

President Shinra stops him, "It'll be good. The uninformed nationals won't lose certainty, they'll trust Shinra, Inc. considerably more."

A large man who dresses in a green suit with red and gold details gives a, "Ha!" and continues, "All things considered, we're the ones who spared Division 7 from AVALANCHE!"

Barret grites his teeth, "That filthy #$*$^"

A slender middle-aged man with a long black ponytail wearing small round glasses and a white lab coat enters the Meeting Room

President Shinra opens his arms, "AH Hojo. How's the young lady?"

Hojo turns his head, "As an example, she is mediocre compared to her mom. I'm still in the procedure of contrasting her with her mom, Ifalna, yet for the present the distinction is 18%."

President Shinra rubs his hands together, "To what extent will the exploration take?"

Hojo adjust his glasses, "Most likely 120 years. It's likely difficult to complete in our lifetime. Or, then again in the lifetime of the example as well, besides."

Hojo moves in the opposite direction of the table."That is the reason we're considering rearing her. At that point we could make one that would withstand our examination for quite a while."

President Shinra thinks and then speaks up, "Shouldn't something be said about the Guaranteed Arrive? Won't it upset our arrangements?"

Hojo nods, "That is the thing that I have to arrange. The mother is solid... but then has her shortcomings."

President Shinra sighs, "That closes our meeting."

Cloud gazes upward. "They were discussing Aerith... right?"

Barret shakes his head, "I dunno."

Shun narrows his eyes, "Likely."

Cloud breathed softly, "We should take after them."

They leave the conduit and land back on the latrine. They leave the lavatory and come around a corner. The part spot Hojo.

Cloud speaks, grabbing the handle of his buster sword, "Hojo... huh...?"

Hojo notices the group and rushes up the stairs to the 67th floor. They take after him without tarry all the while a hulking figure approaches them in the hallway

with an arrangement of dark armor with a horned rudder and blue shroud. His eyes gleam the same color as Shun's and Cloud's. Also note, his blue shroud has spots of violet with gold trim, and the rudder has two extra, yet littler, spikes on the top.

He points to Cloud, "I shall break you and your sword."

Cloud grabs the handle of his buster, "....Never seen anyone like you. You'll go down like the rest."

"FOOLISH WORDS!", Garland waved his weapon around his head before pushing it somewhere down in the ground. The floor beneath the party aired out and sprung out in bunches around the Cloud who was rapidly backstepping far from the approaching assault unsheathing his buster blad and settling into his fighting stance, "Guys! No chain is unbreakable if we fight together!"

"You impertinent fools. I, Garland, have the strength of ten men and will knock you all down! For the Shinra!" And with that, Garland leapt forward and swung at Ethar.

[Ethar Luxun]

Taking the can from TIfa, He smiled softly as she then seemed to start getting flirty with Ethar, although such an attempt was for naught with Ethar, being the clueless guy he was. After she thanked him, he replied "Not a problem. I enjoy helping people." as he heard Barret yell at them.

"Hold your..... what do humans say... Horses! Hold your Horses!" He said, yelling back to Barret before he and Tifa would rejoin the group.

They would eventually come up to a bathroom and Ethar sees Cloud craw into a ventilation vent above a toilet. After being prompted to join him up in the vent, Ethar would gift Tifa a boost up into the vent, as Ethar merely floated up to crawl into it.

Following the group, Ethars nose would burn from the foul odor since Norans had enhanced senses, including smell. Looking down the other vent, Ethar had to say, while plugging his nose. "That smell... No human can smell like that, I say... it is most foul." he said while whispering.

Listening to the suits conversation, Ethar heard Cloud start to talk. He looked up and nodded. "I believe it seems that is the case. My itch to have a true battle is becoming more prominent.| HE said as he followed the group back to the bathroom.

Staying silent while they moved to capture Hojo, they were quickly confront with a heavily armored figured, proclaiming himself as Garland. ANd that he was as powerful as ten men. This made Ethar laugh.

"About time I had a real fight since I got to this universe!" He said as the armored man decided to attack Ethar first. Using his ability to sense energy, Ethar sensed a very powerful energy from the knight. AS the knights giant sword was swung at Ethar, Ethar's aura burst into the visible spectrum as Ethars own power rose up to seemingly match garlands. HIs skin seemed to turn more pale, as if he hadnt seen the light of the sun for years. HIs eyes turned from a clam ocean blue, to a violent glowing red. Some of his front teeth seemed to change shape to resemble fangs, and two red demonic markings appeared on his face. Ethar reached up in a split second as Ethar caught the giant blade with his bare hands, and attempted to hold the knights weapon in place.

However, as Ethar had transformed, he was painfully reminded that he was not fully healed yet, as a sharp pain started to be felt in the chest where Sephiroth had stabbed him before. Looking to the others, Ethar said "Attack him now! I cant hold this up for long!"

[Shun]

Garland laughs maniacly as he lift's his sword from Ethar's grasp and swung towards Shun, in attempting to avoid, Shun fell in reverse. Garland raised his sword over his head and brought it smashing down at Shun. Cloud captured and obstructed Garland's assault with his buster blade. The steel screeched and his arms vibrated agonizingly under the constrain of the blow from Garland. Cloud gritted his teeth. Garland hit him with an elbow that sent him flying.

He truly has the quality and strength of ten men, Cloud acknowledged with a twinge of dread.

Barret gulped and ventured forward and started pelting him with bullets galore. Garland gave a huff of annoyance and swung at him, yet hit just the air as Tifa herself tackled Barret down. Garland then thundered and roaroed in disappointment and hit Shun in the face with the grip of his sword as Shun droned a spell. Shun folded to the ground, oblivious. Cloud jumped to his feet and charged Garland, shouting pointlessly. The two swords clanked against each other, again and again, as the two dueled. Tifa looked to keep an eye on Shun.

Enough of this, Shun thought, and got to his feet. He droned the words he had heard Cloud say in the fights prior to this one and felt a surge of fulfillment as a thunder spell shot from his hand to Garland. Garland thundered and shouted once more, this time in frustration, and Cloud assaulted him with restored assurance.

"Nothing you can do will ever bring I, Garland, down. Surrender and DIE!" He swings aimlessly and Tifa takes the que from Ethar snapping out of her awe struck look at Ethars graceful form.

Tifa then jumped off the ground and flung her fist down hard at Garland's head who took the assault full power. The girl pulled her arm back to her, grabbing and dragging Garland alongside it before sending him away with a slanting throw. Garlands's protective layer was sufficiently solid enough to not be penetrated by the womans fist but rather the power she exuded was all the while amazing.

Cloud then followed up and pursued Garland through the air grinding to a halt just to push his sharp buster sword at him in a fierce cut. "IM BREAKING MY LIMIT! BRAVER!" Garland evaded it in mid-air and opened his weapon and crushed it over the Ex-Soldiers spine sending him colliding with the ground. Cloud rapidly got to his feet and stuck his sword in the ground. Barret stepped up and beams of light risen up out of his barrel arm gun and homed in on Garland's position. Garland reflexively evaded to one side and hopped to the air tossing his spiraling weapon towards the ground where it emitted in a downpour of water from a pipe near by.

Shunbun himself avoided it by jumping off of the ground again where he took Barret's fire matera and eyed Garland. He quickly yells, "Fire I!" and 1 fire ball appears and shot out when the bunny pointed at Garland. The fireball gone towards Garland gradually fast. Garland spun his weapon around himself utilizing a long chain which made two violent winds. The fireball was caught inside the twisters and were shot out in seven distinct headings until they reached the walls and floor.

Garland stands and remain silent before his foes. He is unscathed. They'd been backpedaling and forward for a considerable length of time and neither of them could effectively do any noteworthy harm to Garland. Garland ended the hush between them, "Is there any good reason why you won't surrender and die?"

Tifa grinned, "We are here to rescue a friend."

"Oh?" Garland folds his arms.

"Yes" Tifa tumbled to a sitting position on the ground, tending to Cloud's wound.

"That is it? That is all you will give me? This was hardly a fight, Except you, Ethar? I will remember you next time on the battle field." Garland examined.

"You have not met our friend, Truly, we would not have made it here without Ethar." Cloud smirks but is in pain.

Garland's weapon vanishes as he look's at Shunbun and Ethar as if he feels a connection with them, "Obviously Order and Disorder don't think so. Our fight is done," Garland noted impassively.

Barret only tenaciously gazed at the man. Garland turned his back, gradually starting to walk. "Shouldn't you be going towards your next goal?"

Shun nods, "Why do you work for Shinra?? Who are you? What is your purpose here?"

Garland looks back over his shoulder, "I don't know whether I even have one. My objective was to battle and kill you and since this Universe has taken my life away I can't do either. Shinra should have something else in store for me, The Shinra have given me a great Strength. They have drained the light from the world and given me the strength of ten men." he walked down the hallway away from the party. "Even if I have no clue what Shinra truly needs me to do. Shinra always...so confounding." He scratched the side of his eye with a solitary finger. "We will meet again. And we will fight. And I will, return home."

"Home..." he mumbled as he steps around a corner.

Shun looks at Ethar, "Order and Disorder?... He's like us? Not from this world...."

Cloud drinks a potion to restore some vitality and shakes his head, sheathing his sword, "We need to catch up to Hojo! Come one up the stairs guys!"

[Ethar Luxun]

Ethar was able to hold his own during the battle with Garland, however, Things would slowly turn bad for Ethar, as the pain in his chest became stronger and stronger the longer he held his transformation.

He backed himself off to recover some of his stamina as Cloud, Barret and the others took to the fight. He watched them all closely, as if studying their movements and attacks. Formidable indeed.

Soon, the fight seemed to end in a stalemate, and the group started to converse with the knight about their objective, and why the knight was fighting for Shinra.

When the knight turned the corner after talking about going home, Ethar said "His strength is incredible, but it is not his own strength. True Power is not someone that can be taken from something else. One has to have it themselves..." He said, almost as if he was trying to reach Garland even after he had reached the corner. "The way that knight was fighting... It seems like there is a secret meaning behind his reasons for fighting." He added, as he suddenly fell down, and coughed up some blood.

His body and power resumed its normal levels and appearance as Ethar was almost gasping for air.

As cloud said that they had to catch up to Hojo, Ethar waved them off. "You go on ahead. Ill catch up when Ive recovered a bit. Transforming put strain on my body, and it made my internal injuries worse, but I will... survive, I think."  He said as he looked over to Shun.

"You have great friends my boy. Im proud of ya."

[Shun]

Barret shakes his head, "AWW HELL- DAMN MAN!!! We cant have ya' ass dyin' on us wait til we done!"

Tifa rushes to Ethars side wiping the blood off of his lips, "Shh shh.." She gently presses a finger on his bottom lip, "You did.. amazing. We need to get you to Aerith.. She can heal you fast.. But try to walk with me.." She hikes him up on her shoulder.

Shun comes to his other side and helps hold him, "Im.. sorry i draggedyou into this.. I did not know if the crystal was going to drag you in here... We need to keep going okay?"

So Ethar supported by Shun and Tifa along with Cloud,and Barret pursue Hojo to the 67th floor of the Shinra building.

Barret chimes in as they proceed, "I remember that dude. That Hojo fellow. He's accountable for the Shinra's Science Division. Cloud, don't you know him and all?"

Cloud, jogging behind him shrugs, "This is the first time I have ever seen him. So... that is the thing to consider..."

They take after Hojo to a grim research center. A red, lionlike animal is detained in a glass tube, sitting unemotionally in the far corner. The Party hole's up behind a case, in the nick of time to keep away from a worker who enters the room.

He speaks, "Is this today's example?"

Hojo adjust his glasses, nodding, "Yes. We're beginning immediately. Raise it to the upper level."

The worker takes off. Hojo places his hand on the glass, smiling, "My valuable specimen..." He remains there for some time, and at that point, he exits.

Shun, Cloud, Ethar, Tifa, and Barret come out of stowing away. Tifa goes up to the animal, "Valuable specimen...?" Tifa scratches her head, "Is it going to be utilized for an organic investigation?"

Shun turns. He sees a metal arch, with a solitary entryway. There is a window in the entryway, through which sparkles splendid purple light.

Cloud turns as well, "Jenova..." He looks into the window and sees an odd, white, female being. Her head has evidently been evacuated rather brutally. Cloud steps back and grasps his head. A shrill cry resounds through the room, or maybe just Cloud's head, and he falls to the floor and Barret races over.

Cloud's eye twitches, "Jenova... Sephiroth's... So... they've brought it here."

Tifa tries to calm him down, "Cloud, be still!"

Cloud eyebrows fidget, "Did you see it Ethar, Shun?"

Shun scratches his head, "See what?"

Cloud gasps, "It's moving........ still alive?"

Shun investigates the window...

Barret walks up and his eyes widen, "Where's its $#&*&@ head? .... Mannnnn Look y'all, how about we keep goin', creepy as hell 'round here."

Barret helps Cloud get up. And they proceed, futher into the lab, reaching a lift.

They enter and start moving to the 68th floor.

////In the lift..../////

Shun exhales softly, "Man... I don't know what to say honestly, Ethar.. I know you have had to face finding secrets that blew your mind in your time right?"

The group looks at him, waiting for an answer.

[Ethar Luxun]

Grunting softly as Tifa helped Ethar to his feet and propped him up a bit on her shoulder. "Forgive me Miss Lockhart. I didnt mean to be such a burden on you and your friends." He said, as Shun rushed to hsi other side and helped hold him up. "Heh, Dont worry about me shun. I have to admit, Im starting to have a good bit of fun here."

Eventually, they group came upon the lab, and Ethar got his first look at Jenova.

HIs attention though was quickly captured by Cloud seemingly having difficulty with something, as they all moved to see if he was alright. Cloud then asked Ethar and Shun could see Jenova moving, as if it were alive.

Ethar pulled himself off of Tifa's shoulder, and followed Shun to the window. Ethar closed his eyes and tried to sense energy from the creature in teh container, and felt a very strong life force from inside the container. "Yes....This...creature, is alive... And it knows we are here." He said, as he looked right into Jenova's eyes. He mumbled quietly, but still loud enough for everyone to hear "So, this is the Jenova Sephiroth said I was part of.... Im not seeing what he is talking about...."

He then turned to face the others and followed them to the lift.

Shun started to ask him a question, as he replied "Everyone has their secrets. Some good, some bad, and some just plain weird. But yes, I have seen some things that were quite.... unique. But thats why I wanted to study the human race when I first came to Earth many years ago Shun. I got another.... 400 years atleast to learn all that I can before passing it on to whatever students and children I have." HE said, pretty much blurting it out to Cloud and the others that Ethar was the furthest thing away from being human.

[Shun]

Tifas eyes widen, "Y..you're 400?? No one is able to live that long! 400!?"

Shun nods, "There's so much I have to learn.."

Barret face cringes, "MAN STOP PLAYING! We all know you 'bout. like. uhhh. Imma just say mid 20's. Ain't no way yo ass is some 4 hunna'."

Cloud regain's his composure, "Well, I believe it. Jenova's age is unknown even by Shinra scientists. She could be as old or older. We do however need to keep moving, we can speak on this after we get Aerith."

And with that Ethar, Shun Cloud, Barret, and Tifa touch base on the 68th floor. It is an exploration lab, more advanced in technology than that on the 67th floor. There is a glass tube like that on the 67th. Close to the glass tube is Hojo. Inside the glass tube is Aerith.

Shun yelps, "Aeris!"

Hojo turns swiftly, "WHAT HOW DID YOU GET PAST GAR- huh, Aerith? Gracious, is that her name? What do you need then? You are no mere intruder."

Cloud grips the handle of his blade, "We're taking Aerith back."

Hojo shakes his head "Outsiders..... and rats. The lot of you."

Barret smirks, "Shoulda saw it, Ya boi' Garland just let us go on by!"

Hojo throws his hand out, "Bah, There's such a large number of unimportant things in this world."

Cloud and Barret push ahead first.

Hojo smirks, pushing his glasses up, "So you want to kill me huh? I don't think you ought to or will in anycase. The hardware here is amazingly sensitive. Without me, who could work it? Gee wiz."

Shun squints his eyes, "Good grief."

Cloud clenches his swords grip ever more tightly, "Ugh."

Hojo laughs, "It's hard to believe, but it's true. I suggest you think things out legitimately before you make any careless moves. Now, get the Specimen!"

The red animal from the 67th floor is lifted into the tube. Cloud, Shun, Ethar, Barret, and Tifa rush to the tube. The animal jerks its tail. Aerith races to the glass.

Aerith cries out, "Cloud, Shun! Help!"

Shun swings to Hojo. "What do you believe you're doin'?"

Hojo runs his hand over his hair, "Loaning some assistance to an imperiled species... Them two there are on the very edge of extinction... In the event that I don't succeed, every one of these creatures to will vanish."

Tifa steps up, "...WHAT? That is repulsive! Aerith is an individual like us all!"

Barret shouts, "Yo' ass is going to pay! I put dat on my daughter!"

Cloud taps barret, "Barret! Wouldn't you be able to...... right?"

Barret nods smiling and points his weapon at the tube. "Awright!! Aye yall, step back!"

Hojo's eyes grow wide, "NO! Stop!"

Barret fires at the tube. Within the tube sparkles a splendid white as it breakdowns. Hojo hurries to the tube. "Wh... what are you do- - GOD! My valuable specimens..." The tube gleams brighter. The entryway opens... the light diminishes, and the group see the red animal balanced in the entryway. It jumps forward and begins attacking Hojo.

Cloud looks to the group, "OKAY! our opportunity to get Aerith is now!"

Shun takes the que and starts running into the tube and picks Aerith to up from the floor.

Aerith gets her barrings, holding onto buns shoulder's "Much appreciated, Bunny.." She comes up short on the tube, which begins to sparkle a dull blue. Cloud reaches and helps her out of the tube.

Aerith see's Ethar and extends a hand, "You must be new! I thank you for helping with AVALANCHE to rescue me! My names Aerith but my ma' calls me Aeris! oh by the way-"

Tifa interrupts, "Cloud... Everyone, do you feel.. that?"

Cloud nods, "...The lift is moving."

Hojo hauls himself out from under the red animal, "This is no conventional example. This is an exceptionally fierce example!"

The red creature moves in the opposite direction of Hojo and sits, "He's fairly okay. I'll help all of you out of here."

Tifa eyes widen, "It talked!?"

It looks at her, "I'll talk as much as you need later, Miss."

Cloud comes up short on the tube and to the animal, "We'll deal with that beast. But some one.. take Aerith some place safe... Shun and Ethar, you're staying with me."

..... Cloud looks to Ethar, "Well which one looks more capable, Tifa or Barret?"

Tifa cross her fingers hoping Ethar don't pick her to go.

[Ethar Luxun]

Laughing at Tifa's reaction, Ethar siad "haha, nah. My race can live to be over 800 years old, but only the pure breds. Im a hybrid, so I got maybe 450 max. Im only 29 years old." as he then looked to Shun. "When we get back home Shun, I got a few things I wanted to teach ya anyways. Magic stuff. And I mean, REAL magic." He said as he smiled at his son.

When they arrived on the final floor and confronted Hojo, the man far exceeded his exceptions in reguards to being an ethical monster. "So glad this guy doesnt know what I am, or else He'd try to capture me to...." Ethar thought as Barret soon opened fire and free'd the woman from her confines.

Shun was the first to get into the tube to help her out, and Ethar smiled as she refereed to Shun as Bunny. Clearly, they were good friends as well. Aerith started to introduce herself to Ethar, who replied "My name is Ethar Luxun... I am Shun's father. Well, adopted Father." as he then felt the lift start to move.

When the red creature began to speak, Ethar was actually one of the few to not be surprised. Considering where he had grown up, He had seen alot stranger things in his lifetime.

Cloud looked over to Ethar and asked him who should escort Aerith to safety. "Barret has more firepower, and is more then capable of protecting Miss Aerith." He started to say, as he then looked to Tifa "No offense Miss Lockhart, but you might be safer if you stayed with us." He said, as he gave a thumbs up to Barret. "Good luck out there. And when all this is over, Drinks are on me. Alright?" He said to Barret with a smile.

[Shun]

Tifa pointed at Ethar.... "....."

Then she points at Shun... ".... But.."

Then she scratches her head.

Aerith chuckles with her hand over her mouth, "Adopted! He said Adopted! Stop confusing everyone Tifa!"

Tifa tilts her head, "Magic, You need Materia to harness magic right? That's how it works."

Shun shakes his head, "There's this thing called Ki.. everyone can access this power through training.."

Cloud nods and shrugs clapping his hands and pointing to Barret, "Well, Barret, deal with her!"

Barret shakes his head, "Are you GAHD DAMN CRAZY! I AIN' GOIN NO WHARE. I'm stayin with yawl"

Aerith snickers, "Don't worry!" said Aerith before anyone else could say anything else, "I'll fight with you. And I need to take care of that wound of yours, Ethar! They put my stuff over there, give me a second." With that Aeris ran to the other side of the room and started to look around, knowing that they had put her staff & armlet with the materia here.

Shun looks to the red beast, "What's your name?"

it speaks, "Hojo has named me, Red XIII. A name with no importance at all to me. Call me whatever you wish. Also this one, Ethar, seem's to be the only one unphased by my presence. Interesting. We need to leave, now."

"Yeah.. Aeris!" yelled Cloud in frustration, trying to get her to cooperate.

"No time Cloud, it's here!" exclaimed Barret as he got his gun arm ready.

Cloud, Shun and Ethar, turned back around and saw a tall and peculiar creature which had dangerously sharp teeth in its shoulder and an enormous hook originated from the base of the floor. Before it could do anything, the red animal seized him, fiercely pawing and gnawing into its other shoulder before the paw got him and tossed him pull out of the holder. Red XIII figured out how to land securely on every one of the fours as HO512 attempted to come up short on the compartment, just to be kicked back in by Tifa.

"Ethar!" Tifa yelled out as the creature turned its attention to him getting ready to strike.

[Ethar Luxun]

Smiling, Ethar replied to Tifa "Well, what Shun means, is that were we come from, there are many different forms of energy people can use. Ki, Magic, Life force energy, the list is endless. The magic I use, does not require materia. It just requires LOTS of study and patience, and focus." He said as Aerith said that she will stay with them, and that she was going to take care of Ethar's internal injury.

He watched Aerith run over to get her things, while he turned his attention to the red creature that mentioned him by name. "Im only unphased, becuase where I come from, there are much stranger creatures then you. I apologize if I offended you." He said, as Cloud yelled at Aeris to hurry up, but BArret said that they were too late.

Ethar was wondering what he was talking about, but he then saw the creature. A genetic monstrosity that had no business in the relm of the living. He watched as the canine creature attacked it, but didnt do much damage, and Tifa knocked it back a bit but the creature then turned to Ethar for its attention.

"Shun! Tifa! Help Aerith get her equipment! If you guys can get me back up to full strength, your going to see some real power!" He said, as the creature swung its claw at him. Ethar, with his quick reflexes, managed to side step the attack, and he quickly threw several punches and kicks at the creatures torso. Each attack feeling like a truck hitting the creature head on, before Ethar's injury caught up with him again, as he coughed up some blood in the middle of his combo.

"Gah....Fuck..." Ethar cursed, as his onslaught of attacks was interrupted by his condition.

In the midst of his coughing, Ethar saw the creature had begun to advance towards Ethar. The creature swung its claw at Ethar, and Ethar grunted "Fuck it all! HA!" as he suddenly threw an open palm towards the creatures claw. A bright light burst from Ethars hand, as a blast of energy erupted from his hand, engulfing the creatures arm in the same light.

The energy impacted the ceiling behind it, scorching the wall with black. But when the light subsided, the creatures entire arm had been vaporized. "...Im done..." Ethar said, as he fell to the floor, groaning.