FINAL FANTASY : FATED
Chapter 4 : Golden Voices
by Sasha Harlow (Ccoa)

Started by Samantha Rodgers


     Voices whispered in Inno's ears.  Some part of her was aware of movement, of
the smell of smoke, people packed together, untreated sewage, and the curious scent
of mako power.  That part of her dimly heard the conversation around her, the human
voices discussing the future.

     But the inhuman voices overpowered them.  The gibbered incomprehensively at
high speed in her mind.   Words floated among the gibberish. *Weapon ... Calamity
... Sephiroth ... FATE ...*  Inno wondered if this was what it was like to be mad.

     She struggled to put her hands over her ears, but once again her body would
not obey her.  The voices increased in volume and urgency.  She got the feeling
that if only she
could listen, they would tell her something vitally important.

     "STOP IT!!!"

     Voices, both external and internal, abruptly stopped.

     Her vision returned with agonizing slowness.  Around her, nine worried faces
peered at her.

     "It's all right, kid.  We're nearly there." Came a voice she recognized as
Gabriel.

     *Nearly where?* She wanted to ask, but she was already slipping back into the
darkness.

                                  *    *    *

     Gabriel scooped Inno back up and gazed uneasily at the people around him.  He
had always been uncomfortable around people, thus his chosen profession.  A group
this large, and so obviously close-knit, had him feeling confused and very much
"alone in a crowd."  He still wasn't sure why he was following them to an unknown
destination.  His queries had only resulted in "Somewhere safe" or grunts from the
big man called Barrett.  Although the pretty barmaid (*Tifa* his mind supplied) had
assured him that they were close now.

     He was surprised by how little the girl in his arms weighed.  Less, perhaps,
than when he had found her alone in that church.  It was like something was burning
her up from the inside.  Although he could find no injuries, she had remained
unconscious long after her companions had awoken, and, other than her recent
outburst, showed no signs of stirring.  He was surprised at how protective he felt.
 She reminded him of... no.  He wouldn't think of that.

     So lost in thought was he that he didn't notice the danger until they all
walked into it.

                                  *    *    *

     Cait Sith was troubled.  He hadn't heard any directives from the Boss in the
past few hours, and he wasn't quite sure what to do.  Finding a handful of people
in a city the size of Midgar was nearly impossible, doubly so when they didn't want
to be found.  Never mind that they might all be dead.  There was no guarantee that
they'd gotten out of sector 7 in time.  Even with sectors 3 and 7 out of the
running, that still left 8 sectors of slum to search.  And there was
always the possibility they'd made it up top, or even found a way to leave the
city.  With each passing hour it became less likely that he'd find them.

     Reeve had his own fiercely loyal servant in Cait Sith.  Built by his hand and
given life through magic, he would serve him unto death.  For he was more than a
spy or messenger.  He was Reeve's child.  Perhaps even his only friend.  Over the
scant years of his life he had developed his own personality, fun-loving and
irreverent.  But the core remained.  He would serve the Boss with everything at his
disposal.  Thus, faced with a task that might take years to complete and would make
a human searcher throw up his hands, he merely plunged into it.  He
pulled out his lucky dice, and tossed them to the ground.

     "Sector 4 it is."

                                        *    *    *

     Because Gabriel had been walking behind the others, he was the only one not
caught when the net came crashing down.  Instinctively, he ducked behind one of the
dilapidated shacks that dotted the slums.  He set Inno down in one of the softer
piles of garbage and glanced around the corner.

     *They must be using magic to stealth the helicopter* he thought, for even now
he could not hear it.  Shinra troopers were literally spilling out of the woodwork,
as false shack fronts were dropped.  They'd been waiting for them.

     Barrett had already fought his way to his feet, while the others still
struggled against the weight of the thick ropes.  There was murder in his eyes.

     "Gwahahahahaha!  Go ahead!  Fight!  My men could use the target practice!" 
Came a voice from a video screen carried by one of the troops.  Although Gabriel
could not see the face from his position, he was certain it must by the infamous
Heidegger.  "You should all see your faces!  Gwahahaha!  Ha!  What?  But... Oh, all
right.  Since you're wanted alive, I guess I'll just have to settle for this... Gas
them!"

     The Shinra regulars poured round after round of their sleep gas into the
street. *Damn!* thought Gabriel as he reached frantically into his bag as the gas
oozed towards his position.  Although he could no longer see the others, he could
hear their shouts and the patter of gunfire.  Finally, his fingers brushed across
what he was searching for.  He pulled out an ornate mask which fit perfectly over
the lower half of his features. *Sorry I don't have one for you, kid, but it
wouldn't make much of a difference anyway, you're already out.*

     Gradually the noises from the street faded, then died out.  Likewise, the
heavy mist  began to dissipate.  Gabriel warily peeked out in time to see the
helicopter coming down to  street level with eerie silence.  The pilot shouted to
the video monitor.  "I saw one get away from the air, sir!"

     "What!?  That's impossible!  If even one gets away, President Shinra'll have
my head!  He can't be far!  Tear apart the slums and bring him back here!"

     Gabriel cursed subvocally, using words that would make a hardened sailor
blush.  The way Gabriel saw it he had three choices.  He could slip away, leaving
Inno to be caught.  He could stay put and get them both captured.  Or...  He pushed
a couple of errant strands of hair out of Inno's face.  "Good luck, kid."

     Resolutely, Gabriel stood up and calmly walked into the street, arms held out
from his  sides to signify his surrender.  In front of him the Shinra troopers
stared, aghast at the man who surrendered so easily.  

     "Looking for me?" 

     Heidegger, his face now visible, was the first to recover.  "Don't just stand
there!   Grab him!"

     "Careful now, you're not young or fit anymore.  Wouldn't do to strain
yourself."  He jibed, keeping an eye on the approaching troops, which were circling
him warily.  

     "Get him, you fools!"  Heidegger sputtered, enraged.  All at once they rushed
him.  Despite the fact that he didn't fight back, they were far rougher than
strictly necessary when disarming him and slapping restraints on.

     He felt his body leave terra firma for a quick flight onto a hard, metallic
surface, and a load *clang* from behind him. 

     Gabriel surveyed the limp forms of his fellow captives as the Shinra Prisoner
Transport Unit rumbled it's way to the train station, where it would mate with a
train headed for the surface.  He'd had plenty of time to count his fellow victims.
 Only one had gotten away besides Inno.  The little girl, Marlene.
  
     "Good luck to us all.  We'll need it."

     
                                   *    *    *

     The voices had been replaced by the sound of sobbing.  Inno blinked and
glanced around. 

She was next to a broken down wall, with water dripping on her prone body and the
stench of garbage around her.  Somewhere above her one of the storm drains for
upper Midgar had rusted 
through, causing a sort of rain on the slums below.

     "Wh... Where am I?  What happened?" she asked aloud, not really expecting an
answer.

     "Oh, you're awake!  They took Daddy!  And Tifa!  And the nice flower lady!"  
Sniffled a voice.  Rolling onto her side she saw Marlene kneeling beside her,
smudged with dirt and eyes red with crying.

     "Who took them?  Gabriel, too?"

     "Sh... Shinra! *All* of them!  And... and they squished the bar.  The whole
sector!"

     Despair shook Inno to her roots.  They were gone, beyond her reach.  First Mom
and Les, then the innocents in Sector 7, and now her only friends.  She was alone,
with no way to help them and no where to go.  She might as well surrender to Shinra
now.  Why did she deserve life and freedom when those she cared about did not?  And
she'd been helpless to save them.

     "Miss Kinsley?  What are we going to do?  Miss Kinsley?"

     She glanced up at the girl gazing at her with wide, frightened eyes.  Those
eyes held a large measure of trust as well.  This girl depended on her.  She must
be strong, for this child, at least.

     "We've got to get dry and think things out."  Was the best she could offer. 
She peered around.  This seemed to be a fairly deserted stretch of shacks, but she
could see a glimmer of light off to her right. *Sunlight?  Here?*

     "This way."  She said, trying to appear confident and sure she was failing
spectacularly. Nonetheless, she grabbed the tiny hand and began marching towards
that elusive ray of light.  They walked past several vendors and no few homes made
of rusting iron and bits of aluminum, scavenged from the rejects of the upper city.
*This is the true price of power.  That innocents must suffer* she mused, seeing
children clothed in rags and fed on scraps. *This is the hidden
cost Shinra refuses to see.*

     All at once the buildings opened up to reveal a cozy looking home, built of
wood, not junk.  Sunlight streamed down, for this was just beyond the edge of the
plate.  And, beyond the house in the full light of the sun, was a flower garden. 
Although this time the blooms were all in season, they were still beautiful, adding
color and fragrance to the grey world of the Midgar slums.  A middle aged woman
toiled in the dirt among them, lovingly caring for each plant.  Feeling as though
she was intruding on a sacred place, Inno began to back towards the way she came.

     "Aeris?  Is that you?"  The woman asked, without looking up.  "Are you all
right, dear?"
     *Aeris?*  "No...I mean, I'm not Aeris."

     The woman glanced up, a frown darkening her features.  "I thought... she's
been gone too long..."

     "Well... I... that is... she's..."  She stammered, wondering how to tell this
woman that Aeris (*her daughter?*) was a prisoner of Shinra.

     "My word, child, what has happened to you?"  Inno became aware that she must
look like she'd just been through a major war.  Her clothes, once white, were now
stained a uniform beige with splotches of best unidentified colors, torn in nearly
a dozen places, and soaking wet.  There was garbage stuck in her matted hair and
bruises discoloring the flesh that was showing.  She was sure she reeked, as well 
Shamed, she bowed her head.

     "It's a long story."

     "Well, you'll just have to tell it to me over a bath and meal.  Both hot, of
course.  And the little one, as well."  She walked down from the garden to the door
and reached for the handle, half turning as she did so.  "Well?  What are you
waiting for?"

     Thoroughly overwhelmed by motherly charms, Inno and Marlene could only follow
the woman into the house.

                                                            *    *    *
          
          *There is something about a hot bath.*  Inno though lazily, as she soaked
in steaming water up to her neck.  It had taken three full baths to remove the
accumulation of filth from her body.  Her clothing lay in a ragged pile in a nearby
bucket "to be burned," as Aeris's mother had said.  As if thoughts of her had
conjured her up, she bustled in the door, holding a pile of clothing.

     "These are some old things of Aeris'.  She hardly wears them anymore, I'm sure
she won't mind.  Supper's ready when you are, dear.  Then you can tell me
everything."

     As much as Inno wanted to linger, her growling belly informed her under no
uncertain terms that she hadn't eaten for some time.  Sighing, she lifted herself
from the lovely porcelain tub and set about dressing.  There was a lovely dress in
a deep indigo shade, which long sleeves and bodice clung like a second skin until
it reached her hips, where it flared out, hanging to mid-calf.  Scarlet embroidery
decorated the ends of sleeves and skirt.   A belt of scarlet leather
circled over that, with plain a golden buckle and small golden loops to attach her
sword and belt pouch.  Matching scarlet calf height boots and a hair clip completed
the outfit.  She noticed the clip had a small round hole in it. *For materia, no
doubt.*  Feeling refreshed, Inno stepped out to dinner.

     She sat down to a warm oak table loaded to the breaking point with food of
every description.  Savory smells came from several of the bowls.  "Help yourself."
 Said Ms. Gainsborough.  Neither Inno nor Marlene needed any further prompting. 
The kindly woman sat back and let them eat their fill before she began her
questions.

     "Do you know Aeris?  Is she all right?"

     "Well, sort of.  I just met her.  She..."  Inno was granted a reprieve when a
load knock came from the door.

     "Who can that be at this hour?"  She got up and walked over to the door, fists
clenched and back straight, obviously intending to have a serious 'talk' with the
offender.  She threw the door open wide, took a deep breath, and... stared.   

     For there in the doorway was a giant white creature that looked absurdly like
a giant teddy bear.  With fangs.  And wings.  With a cat in a cape and crown,
holding a megaphone perched on its head.  "Hello there!  Can any of you help me?"

     "Uh..."  Inno replied wittily.

      "Have any of *you* seen these people?" He presented some grainy photos taken
from security cameras of two young men, one thin with spiky blond hair, and a huge
black man.  The men that had appeared in her visions.  Then he flipped up a second
picture, this time of Aeris, although she was younger in the picture.

     "Why?"  She said, suddenly on her guard, just as Marlene yelped "Daddy!" and
Ms. Gainsborough firmly stated "No."

     The cat hung his head, looking ashamed and said  "I'm supposed to find them
and help  them, but I haven't found anything yet."  Followed by a rather comic
double take.  "Did you say 'Daddy?'"

                                  *    *    *

     Several long and convoluted explanations later, Inno and Cait Sith faced each
other at the table.  Marlene had long since retired upstairs and Ms. Gainsborough
sat off to one side, face thoughtful.

     "So you see, I truly just want to help them, Miss Kinsley."

     "You can call me Inno, Cait."

     "So you'll trust me then?"

     "What choice do I have?"

     Cait Sith puffed up his furry chest.  "With my help, we can rescue your
friends and  follow the Bosses orders!"

     "No offense, but what are one girl and a stuffed toy going to do against the
entire  Shinra Corporation?  We're not exactly the best suited for a frontal
assault."

     "Trust me!  I know a secret way in!"

     "And what about Marlene?"

     "Marlene can stay here."  Aeris' mother piped in.  "I certainly won't have you
putting that child in danger."

     Inno sighed deeply.  She'd wished for a way to help her new (*and only* her
traitorous mind whispered ) friends, but this seemed to be little more than
suicide.

     "Thank you.  Let me sleep on it, ok, Cait?"

     "Certainly.  Believe me, we'll be fine!  With me by your side you don't have
to worry about a thing!"

                                  *    *    *

     Inno stood before the young man with blond hair.  There was some danger,
something she needed to tell him, but she couldn't even whisper his name.   She
could only stare into those brilliant blue eyes.  Then, with a certain finality, he
turned and walked away. *No...* she tried to say, but no sound came out.  And then
the world fell apart.  She fell through an unending night.  And there were voices
in the darkness, great golden voices, more beautiful than anything she'd
ever heard.  But she couldn't understand what they said, and if she didn't, she'd
die.  She didn't want to die - not yet.  She had to find out what the voices were
saying to her...

     Sitting up, panting. Daylight streaming through a window in an unfamiliar
location. *Midgar...*

     "Mom?  Les?"  She whispered, hoping that the past couple of days had been
nothing but a nightmare.  But she already knew there would be no answer.  She was
alone.

     "Cait Sith?"  She said to the softly purring bundle near her feet.  " I want
to go."

                                  *    *    *

    Gabriel surveyed his fellow cell mates, the men who had introduced themselves
as Cloud and Barrett.  Cloud was pressed up against the wall, speaking in soft
tones to Tifa and Jessie, next door, reassuring them that he would find a way out. 
Barrett simply sat in a corner, speaking to no one. *This man is dangerous.  He
lets his temper control his actions.*

     President Shinra's welcoming speech had left them all with something to think
about.  He was going to use Aeris to find the 'Promised Land' a half-mythical place
believed to be full of mako energy.  If they found it, Gabriel had no doubts that
they'd turn it into a wasteland to rival Midgar.  All in the name of greed. *How
did I get involved in this?  I'm just a treasure
hunter...*

     "Cloud?"  The young man looked up from his conversation, absently pushing a
strand of hair out of his eyes, to meet Gabriel's gaze.  "How did Shinra know where
we were?"

     All conversation ceased after that.

                                  *    *    *

     Inno never wanted to see another set of stairs again.  Every muscle in her
legs and back felt the abuse.  She was panting harshly and drenched in sweat.  They
finally stood before the door marked '59.'  "Are... are we there?"

     "Certainly!" said Cait Sith, looking obscenely perky for having climbed
fifty-nine flights of stairs.  Being artificial had its advantages.  "We'll just
hop on over to the elevator."

     "Why couldn't we take the elevator from the first floor?"

     "Then it wouldn't be a secret entrance, would it?  Come on, at least one of
them must be in the science lab!"

                                                            *    *    *

     Jenova's sleep was growing restless, her dreams disjointed.  Her son was here,
approaching.  Soon she would be free once more, free to ravage and destroy.  Free
to rule this world.  She tracked his progress as he murdered the guards and made
his way ever closer.  Soon.

     And then Jenova brushed against something troubling.  It was as alien to this
world as she was, but it had a curious connection to this world that not even the
strongest of the Cetra had accomplished.  It was near, she could reach out and
touch it if she were not imprisoned.  She doubled the intensity of her Call to her
son.  Not even this insect would stop them. Jenova slipped back into dreams.
                              
                                  *    *    *

     Inno was inspecting the creature in clear cage.  It combined the best aspects
of wolf and lion, with a wide cranium, suggesting intelligence.  It was lying,
despondent, in the center, not stirring.

     "Inno, Aeris will be upstairs."

     "I know.  Just a moment."  Freehimbreakthecagefreenanaki.  Lights flashed
before her eyes and her hands rose of their own will.  She heard her voice say
"Bolt2."  She watched in amazement as lightening flashed from her fingers to strike
the glass with the force of a battering ram.  It resisted, blackening, and then
gave, imploding and melting to slag.  The animal within leapt through the hole just
as the elevator began to rise.
     
     "Thank you."  It said gravely, but Inno was already running towards the
elevator.  HescominghescominghescomingRUN.  "Run!" she screamed, not sure what was
happening but positive she didn't want to find out.  She entered the old fashioned
elevator and jammed the button repeatedly.  Cait Sith and the newly freed captive
just made it in as it began to rise.  And as the room began to drop out of sight, a
man dressed entirely in black with long silver hair strode in.  He held a sword
soaked in blood and his icy expression froze her heart.  She
recognized him as Aeris' killer from her visions.  The golden voices fell silent.  

     Inno knew she was going to die.





     Okay, here it is: not only my first improfanfic, not only my first fanfic, but
my absolute first piece of fiction ever.  Please be gentle.  Sorry about it being
short and delayed, but I had to rewrite it all at the last minute due to the fact
that 2/3 of my prereaders disliked a certain character/situation.  Oh, well.

     Special thanks to John Evans for volunteering and his oh-so-helpful advice,
Chris Nichols and Rift for the advice and preread, and Omi No Miko for making me
laugh and generally feel good about my part, not to mention fixing a couple of
pesky grammatical errors. 

     Any technical errors are due to the fact that no one preread the "new and
improved" version.