Joined Worlds

Joined Worlds
by Sailor Poison

Chapter 9

Kramer was worried. Nine days have passed since they fought Cloud and Seifer. Three days ago Esthar was strangely silent. Next day, Laguna called to say he was unable to help. He claimed he was too busy with real problems to go chasing imaginary ones. This wasn’t quite in character for Laguna. He decided to send Selphie to Esthar to discover if anything odd is occurring. Meanwhile, the guests were learning about the world they were in and about guardian forces. They decided they didn’t want to use guardian forces. Instead theycticcticed their skills. Tifa and Zell sparred some. Barret stuck to the training room. Vincent went with Quistis to investigate the machine in the Centra Ruins more thoroughly. So far, today was quiet. Then Nida came running to Kramer.

Nida, “There is an emergency call from Deling City. They said they were under attack, but the communications were cut off.”

Kramer, “Better tell Squall so he can move out and get over there.”

Cloud was rather pissed off. Someone tripped the alarm. He had men take out the communications and had more men occupy the guards. Cid was watching out for reinforcements. This left finding the President and that girl. Cloud went out into the city. Cid was having better luck. Cid and his men were using some flying mecha suits when he saw the approach of Ragnarok. He just smiles and gives them orders to attack.

Squall was a bit surprised when something began firing upon Ragnarok. He saw it was armored suits. He had the others help and take control of the guns. This meant they couldn’t land right away. After a bit of being fired at, Cloud ordered Cid to fall back. After Cid’s men retreated, Ragnarok is able to land to the east of Deling. They all quickly go into the city. Squall was more interested in finding Rinoa. He knew she was in the city before the attack. Tifa lead her group against the grunts following Cloud. Botll all and Squall went to the Presidential palace. Squall couldn’t but help notice the attacking men were falling back. Zell saw someone who was outmatched and toqualquall to go ahead. Squall entered the build alone. He went into the living room, to find Rinoa and the President out cold on the floor. Seifer walked into the room from the opposite door.

Seifer, “Damn it! Where is he?”

Squall, “Cloud ditch you?”

Seifer, “Well, I don’t need him to get rid of you.”

They begin to fight. Squall found him a bit harder to fight this time, but was getting the upper hand. Cloud enters the house at this point. He watches the fight from his spot, which is around a corner. Neither fighter can spot him. It is clear Squall is the better fighter still. Cloud comes in and picks Rinoa up. Seifer notices this, since Squall was the one with his back to Rinoa.

Seifer, “I’m outta here, Cloud.”

Seifer leaves with a smirk on his face. Squall turn to see Cloud also quickly exiting. He chases Cloud into the city. Cloud wasn’t too hampered by her weight and gained in distance. Then one of the armored unit came flying close, a line dangled within reach. Cloud grabs it with a free hand and is lifted into the sky. On the way out of town, he almost got banged into some buildings. Squall was forced to admit that Cloud got away. Tifa then reports that the invading men have retreated. The only problem is there is no sign of Zell. Squall definitely wasn’t in a good mood.

Cloud had Zell and Rinoa put in Laguna’s cell. They both woke up, chained to the wall. Their weapons have been removed. Rinoa had something around her throat that prevented her from using her powers.

Zell, “President Laguna? Then who is controlling Esthar?”

Laguna, “An impostor probably. Are you two okay?”

Zell, “Sure. . . “

Rinoa, “What is going on? Why were we captured?”

Laguna, “My captor hasn’t said much.... though I have been treated well for a prisoner.”

Zell, “Does he have blond hair that spikes and strange glowing eyes?”

Laguna, “Yeah, that’s him.”

Zell, “His name is Cloud. “

They hear a voice outside the door, “That’s Cloud Strife.”

Cloud opens the door and walks into the cell.

Cloud, “Lets see, we have the president, the chicken wuss, and the chick.”

Zell, “My name isn’t chicken wuss! His name is Laguna, her name is Rinoa, and my name is Zell. Say otherwise and I’ll shove my foot up your a$$!”

Cloud chuckled, “Pardon me. . . “

Some people come in with food. Cloud places the plates with their reach.

Cloud, “Please, enjoy the food. I don’t want you to lose you’re strength.”

Laguna notices the sores around Cloud’s arm band.

Laguna, “You need someone to look at that arm.”

Cloud, “Oh? I have been scratching my arm too much. Anything you kids need?”

Laguna, “I’m fine. Though I think my toilet is broken.”

Rinoa winces, “I need a bath room trip.”

Cloud, “Okay. . . just don’t try to escape or I will kill Zell.”

He talks to someone and they arrange for Rinoa to be taken by guard to a bathroom.

Cloud to Laguna, “I’ll get you a better cell after your meal. One with a working toilet.”

Laguna, “Thank you.”

Cloud, “Very soon... you will be helping me in my grand plan... don’t worry, I don’t let those men take over this world. They are not worthy of it.”

Zell, “What about Rinoa and me?”

Cloud, “Well, you two also fit in my plans....”

They fail to get anymore out of him.

Rinoa is escorted back into the cell. She is chained back to the wall. Cloud leaves so they can have their meal in peace. The food isn’t too bad.

Laguna sighs, “I wish I know what he was planning...”

Zell, mumbles, “ I doubt it is going to be good... ”

Laguna adds, “At least my meals have improved.”

They talk and exchange information. Eventually Cloud comes back.

Cloud, “Got that room ready. Good news, too! No chains on the walls.”

He has men escort Laguna to the new cell.

Cloud pulls out a gun and two arm bands, “Okay, now for you two. . . “

Later Cloud found Cid checking up his mecha suit out.

Cloud, “We will be going after Balamb garden next. I don’t like this one.”

Cid, “Balamb Garden. . . . that places sound familiar.”

Cloud, “A huge flying school that trains people to fight. Their defenses will be tough.”

Cid, “Why are we attacking that next? Sounds *@#$% stupid... “

Cloud, “It is pointless and reckless! I have had it up to here!“ Waves a hand over his head. “ It is almost time for us to pull of our plan.”

Cid, “You really think it will work?”

Cloud, “Who would you wao foo follow? Keith or the true leader?”