Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy Seven: Shadows of the Light ❯ Arc One: Rebirth of ShinRa ( Chapter 4 )

Arc I: Rebirth of ShinRa

Part IV:

Mura Rosen-Kien watched the ship dock itself. He waited silently for his superior to come off the boat. After Sierra had gotten off, he turned to walk beside him. "Most of them are here, Sir." he said not looking at him. "One called Izlude is their Leader. There's other's here as well. They were at a bar. I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting description of them all for the other people who were there. There was one though that was fighting them. He might be of some use. I believe his name was Fenris Northgale. Or Nothgalea. That wasn't made clear. There was also a man claiming to be President Rufus ShinRa. He did look like him. And-"

Sierra stopped causing Mura to stop as well. "Look at me. " Sierra said. Mura looked up and focused on the spot beside his left ear. " You said Rufus ShinRa? Yes?" he was glaring at him.

Mura swallowed and nodded. "Yes Sir."

"I want him. I want him alive."

Mura nodded again. "There is also a Cetra with them sir. I believe her name was Raven." This news made Sierra smile slightly which sent shivers down Mura back.

"I want her too...alive. Bring her and ShinRa." With that he walked away from Mura.

Mura watched him go and brought up his phone to call a *friend* of his. "Hello...Yes I would like to speak with Reno Marrin please."

****

Raven's green eyes flashed as she swung the black cape off of her back, handing it to Rufus. "Put this on." she said quickly. "Sierra wouldn't hesitate to have you shot. You are more obvious than I am."

Rufus nodded and took the cloak from her. "Your more than likely right." he said putting it on. His ocean blue eyes seemed to glow softly in the dark alley for a minute, then faded back to normal. "Sierra..." he sighed, then turned to Raven. " I don't really care for sulking in alleys like I'm a common thief. Though I do see your point. Note though I will only do this for your sake." With that he turned away kneeling beside Nation to pick her up again, hiding her under the cloak. He then watched the mouth of the alley for any sign of trouble.

Raven smiled brightly at his words and watched as he glanced back silently at her. His eyes lowered to her hips and she looked down to see what he was looking at. Her gaze followed his to the daggers that were resting against her thighs. "That can be fixed." she muttered taking off her loose white shirt that she wore hanging open over her other darker one. She wrapped the sleeves around her waist and the shirt managed to just barely cover up the knife sheathes. She looked back up at Rufus and smiled softly. "I... uh wanna thank you for... for..." she sighed. " Aww.. never mind we should just get out of here." Her cheeks turned red with her blush and she turned her eyes away from his blue ones.

*

Silvara lowered her eyes away from Raven, her glance darting to Ferris as a slow flush climbed her cheeks. There was a simple explanation for her strange gifts, but now wasn't the time to go into it, not with Ferris's light banter with Riya echoing in her ears. Anger flooded her as she noticed Riya's happy smile and was quickly replaced by shame. 'She doesn't know about him..'

She gasped as Raven fell back against the table, and felt her mouth drop open at her warning. 'Sierra! here!' She ignored Ferris and crouched by Riya. "We need to get out of here. I'll try to find the rest. You lead them to your place." She glared at Ferris as she reached into her pouch. "He's heard to much, take him with you." With that, she threw a pinch of dream powder into his face and grinned as his yelp turned into a yawn before he fell asleep. 'nighty-night'.

She stood and called to Siydi. "Obey Riya, carry the man." She glanced down at the strange beast prancing around her chocobo and shrugged. `Whatever' Soon after she sped out of the tavern. Silvara saw Izlude and Raven with the man from the bar and ducked into the alley. "Raven, the redhead with the sword has a small house here, you ought to be safe there. Her name is Riya, she's agreed to join us and you can trust her. She'll be riding by on a black chocobo in a few moments, follow her." She turned and then whirled back. "The man I fought is with her too." she frowned "he'll have to be dealt with...but leave that to me." With that she took of at a steady lope, she'd find Clyde and warn him...then she'd see what she could do to help her friends...

*

After a fair amount of cursing, Riya managed to hoist Ferris over Siydi's back and sighed as the black chocobo glared at her. She'd be made to pay for this indignity later, but for now, he seemed willing to obey Silvara's orders. The bartender came out and she smiled as he cautiously approached. "Miss Riya? What's goin on?"

She tossed him a small pouch of Gils . "I need your help..." A few moments later as she led Siydi down the street, the tavern owner and his serving girls were busy righting tables and chairs, throw rugs scattered about to cover any signs of blood. Riya slowly led Siydi down the street, calling out cheery greetings to people looking out of houses and stores.

"Well, Miss Riya.."

" ...looks like your friend couldn't hold his liquor, Miss Ri.."

" good to see you home again Riyathena.."

Riya grinned, most of these people had known her since she was a child and after some hasty whispering to a few trusted souls, Riya spread the word. "Just a minor bar fight...friend couldn't hold his liquor...picked the wrong girl to flirt with." People chuckled and went about their business. Riya noticed a small group of people in an alley, and paused Siydi just in front. Staring down the road, she pitched her voice to reach their ears. "I'm Riya, follow me. Don't worry about being seen, everyone will assume you are part of my squadron. If you get stopped or someone asks, say you fight with the Lily.

*

Sid arrived at Junon, with the new airship, which he had named the Fury wing. He wanted to show the ship off to his partners, but first he'd have to find them.

*

Raven, Rufus and Izlude strode after the red haired woman nervously. Raven fidgeted with the sleeve of the shirt tied around her waist as she glanced around, aware of the danger that surrounded them. "Look there's Sid." Raven replied. She broke off from the group so she could go warn him of the danger. Rufus stopped and watched where she was going, before continuing to follow the others. Raven looked out at the harbor as she walked and her green eyes widened when she noticed the large ship anchored in. "He's here...."

Sid noticed her and she pointed to the Harbor. He turned and followed her gaze at the ship. Raven didn't wait to see his reaction, she moved aside to a nearby building so she could get an observation of the enemy. She knew they would be better off if they knew who or what they were facing if they were caught. She stopped and thought for a moment. Was she willing to risk her life for the mercenaries? "They took me in when I was all alone..." she nodded her head and continued on.

Raven knelt behind a stack of crates and peered through a crack at the group of men standing on the docks. "Sierra..." she whispered to herself. Her eyes widened and she felt the rage burn inside of her. "You killed my entire squadron with your little hologram trick." she growled lifting her crossbow to point it at the man's heart. "This is my chance to get rid of you once and for all." Her finger twitched on the trigger as she

aimed, she worked desperately to keep the weapon still long enough, the sweat began to bead on her forehead and her body shook with anticipation. Freedom was within her grasp. With that thought her body stilled and her eyes glazed over as her weapon locked on target. "Prepare to die Sierra...."

Raven began to gently squeeze the trigger, she had eyes only for Sierra. The arrow would pierce straight through his heart and kill him instantly. A loud bang rang in her ears as the crossbow flew from her grasp. She turned to look up at a man holding a smoking gun pointed directly at her chest. He was tall, with white hair fluttering in the slight breeze. His eyes were cold and unfeeling. She had found Sierra's spy, or rather, he had found her. Her body shook as the feeling of failure washed over her. She was so close...

Silvara darted in and out of the stores and alleys, but she couldn't find Clyde or the young boy that had been tagging along with Izlude. Where were they!? The docks were the only place she hadn't checked and she frowned as she turned and ran towards the harbor. When she reached the docks, her eyes widened as she saw the standards flying over the huge ship. "Sierra.."

Silently climbing a pile of crates, Silvara grasped the overhang of a warehouse roof and pulled herself up. 'Need to see how many..' She wormed forward until she was peering over the edge and frowned as a subtle movement drew her attention. There behind a tall stack of crates was Raven, her crossbow aimed at Sierra. Another figure moved between them and Silvara snarled notching an arrow to her bow, there wasn't time to shout a warning. Raven whirled as the crossbow was knocked from her hands and Silvara cursed softly at the sharp report. 'If he isn't taken out with the first shot, he might kill her..' Silvara reached for a special arrow, she was fairly sure Raven could see her over the man's shoulder as she notched the arrow and took aim. While the sleep arrows weren't lethal, the small cloud of dream powder they released on impact would knock the thug out before he could raise the alarm. 'besides that, it should sting like hell...' She sighted her target. 'there in the back of the lungs, knock the air out and make him take a good, deep breath.' She closed her eyes briefly. 'Raven, hope you've got enough sense to hold your breath...' With that, Silvara sent the arrow speeding towards the man's back.

The man hadn't been a spy all of his life for nothing. He whirled out of the way the second before the arrow could hit him in the back. It landed directly in between Raven's legs catching the shirt that was tied around her waist and pinning it to the dock. She looked up at the spy's bloody sleeve and then up at Silvara who had been the one to shoot the arrow. She waved her arms in a warning to get out of the way before the spy could aim his gun at her. Raven could see that she ducked and the bullet wedged into the wall behind her. "Damn it." the spy muttered. Her turned and narrowed his eyes at Raven. "There is no need to fight me, Sierra wants you alive Cetra."

Raven's eyes widened and she fought to remove the arrow that was pinning her to the dock. The noise had created a disturbance before Silvara could take another shot at the white haired man. He removed another gun from his belt and pointed it at Raven. The last thing he seen before pulling the trigger was the widening of her fabulous green eyes. The dart hit her in the shoulder. Raven's small form took in the poisons quickly and she fell into a deep sleep. Mura scowled as he lifted the limp girl over his shoulder. "Find the girl with the bow!" he ordered. "Take her alive. I want a word with her." The soldiers rushed away to carry out his orders as Mura moved towards the ship where Sierra was waiting. He would be happy to meet the little ancient girl who almost put a bolt through his chest.

*

Silvara tore off across the rooftops of Junon, tears trailing down her face as she hurled herself across the countless chasms of narrow alleys. The sounds of her pursuers echoing from the streets below. 'Couldn't have gotten a good look at me. I'll be fine as long as I stay ahead, reach Riya and the others.'

Accustomed to running long distances at high speeds, Silvara felt herself slip into the trance-like state of measured strides and steady breathing, her thoughts drifting and replaying the scene she'd left behind. 'I missed!' She saw again the blood on his sleeve as he'd whirled to fire on her. 'no he MOVED, gods he's fast!' She saw Raven pinned to the ground by her own arrow. 'Raven I'm sorry, please be all right! Gotta find the others and tell them, shouldn't have tried to save her on my own.' She leapt over another alley, and dared a look down at the streets below, no sign of her pursuers.

*

A crowd had gathered around the tavern. Pushing past a few people, Clyde struggled to get a better view. "Excuse me..." He managed to catch a quick glimpse of the scene. He didn't recognize anyone there. 'Well...I didn't expect this...' Finding his way back through the cluster of people, he walked a small distance away from them, stopping only to glance around. 'So....We were supposed to meet here...What do y'know, I'm late.' A flash of pain shot through his blood for a moment, causing him to jerk forward into a half-crouch. "Ahg..." He slowly straightened himself, 'Not now...'

Frowning, Clyde found his way over to a rusty old bench, and leaned against it, closing his eyes as he thought out Silvara's last words to him. 'Take it slow...Maybe she mentioned some other place...'

*

Silvara grabbed hold of the roof's edge and flipped down onto the fire escape, in a moment she was sprinting down the street. She passed by the bar, a seated figure catching her eyes, she darted up to the bench and hauled Clyde to his feet, pulling him along with her.

"Sierra has Raven...c'mon!" He was limping, slowing them down and she handed him a leaf from her pouch without breaking her stride. "Chew it...for your leg and MOVE!!." With Clyde following, she turned and ran after the others, her heart aching with concern for the young woman she'd left behind...

Without hesitation Clyde followed Silvara's orders, shoving the leaf in his mouth and chewing down on it... It definitely helped, but what was it? It was obvious he didn't have time to ask such questions, just to concentrate on her lead. He did not want to get lost again. 'Raven.... Sierra has Raven?' Clyde sped up as the *leaf* pulled into action. Glancing over his shoulder as he ran, the thought of going back and helping her crossed his mind. 'No! That's insane Clyde... If Silvara is running... then you'd probably die trying...' His face was pulled down to an even deeper frown

*

A guard grabbed Kidd's arm, placing a pair of cuffs around his hands. "Come with me, until your parents come pick you up."

"Pablo's gonna kill me!!!" Kidd swore and then noticed his bird, Choco, was still tied to the post. "Wait, my chocobo."

"I'll get it." The guard said as he walked over to the large bird, dragging Kidd behind him.

Inside the cell of the Junon prison, Kidd sat down on the cot. His stomach started aching again and he yelled. "I'm hungry!!! Man, Izlude and the others are going to hate me and kill me for this...."

***

After her parents died, Riya had returned to Junon and claimed their two-story city estate for her private headquarters and training grounds for those wishing entrance into her elite guard. While her family crest inspired the name of the Wyvern Guard, the lush flower gardens left by her mother had earned Riya an annoying nickname. What started out as a joke among her friends soon swept through the ranks and the battle cry of "For The Lily" became synonymous with the Wyvern Guard. Riya shook her head as a handful of new recruits began chanting the name as she led her companions inside. "You should be safe enough here, just dress as members of my guard and you.."

"IZLUDE. RIYA!!!" A furious Silvara and a panting Clyde shouldered their way through the arching gates of the entrance. "Sierra and his goons are at the docks, they've got Raven!" With military precision she spat out the miserable chain of events and her count of the enemy's forces. "There could be more waiting on the ship." Tears of anger welled in her eyes as she glanced up at her companions. "And I left her there!!" She closed her eyes and trembled as she clenched her fists in frustration. She glanced at Riya. "They're looking for me, I lost them back in the city, but I'm gonna put on your guard's colors just in case they actually saw what I looked like." With that, Silvara darted off down a hallway and actually managed to hold back her sobs until she was sure the others wouldn't hear.

Riya shook her head sadly after her friend and glanced at Rufus and Izlude. "I hope you guys have a plan, all of my guard are off on private assignments...things HAD been fairly peaceful until recent events." She frowned at them. " All I have left are a handful of green recruits and they won't be much good in a real battle. We need a strategy..." She broke off as Ferris moaned softly, beginning to wake up and Siydi kicked at the Ku who'd nipped his legs. Riya felt the beginning of a killer headache blossom behind her eyes

Izlude turned and glanced at the sky. "ShinRa....." he looked at Silvara and the others. "Rufus ShinRa said we could use his place. We get everyone there, find the missing members and Raven, and then get Sid to airlift us out."

He turned and looked directly at Riya. "You say Sierra's here? Lets set up an ambush. How about we break into the prison and offer the prisoners their freedom if they help us?" Before any of them could protest, he ran down to the elevator that led to the prison.

*

Rufus heard the news of Raven's capture and started to think of a plan for himself. Ignoring the others for now including Izlude. He started walking away towards the nearest phone he could find. After finding one he dialed a number he remembered and prayed they still lived there. The phone was answered after two rings and a quiet "Who is this?" greeted him.

"Elena?" he questioned.

" Yes. What do you want?"

"You may not believe me.. But listen to me. I want you to find Rude and Reno, and meet me at the Junon Dock. "

"And why should I do this?" the voice said with an edge of anger coming into it. Rufus glared at the phone.

" Because I ordered you to...You're still Turks right? Or did I dial up a nursery by mistake." He almost snarled into the phone.

"Mr.. President???"

"Yes.. Now do what I said before.. never mind. Just get the other two and get your Asses down there. "

"Yes, sir. We'll be there." the other line went dead as she hung up. Rufus stared at the phone for a minute before looking down at Dark Nation.

'First things, first...' he thought as he ran through the streets toward his mansion. He took an old route that was shorter, but also required that you had to underground for a few yards. As he exited the tunnel he took off at a sprint towards his house and barely stopped himself from slamming into his door.

Getting inside he picked up his .375 Magnum Rifle. Then picked up some extra ammo for it shoving it in his pockets he left the house and sprinted back towards the tunnel that led back to Junon. He left the tunnel again, sprint down the alleys towards the dock. He prayed he was in time. If he had hurt her... He shoved himself off that train of thought. She would be all right. A large hand reached out when as he was passing one of the alleys pulling him inside it. He almost yelled for Nation; who had been running beside him the whole way there and back. "It's me sir." said a voice. He recognized it.

"Rude..?" He turned to get a better look at the man. Indeed it was Rude. He was dressed in his old Blue suit, as was Elena. He looked around. "Where's Reno?" he asked.

"He went a different way. He said he'd meet us there." Elena said. Rufus nodded and faced the mouth of the alley again.

"Lets go then." Both nodded and they set out of the docks again at a slightly slower pace this time watching for guards or other dangers. Getting to the docks, Rude had already taken out several guards quickly and quietly. They were watching the others behind some of the crates there, when there was a low hiss heard from above them. They looked up and Rufus saw Reno drop down beside

them. "What took you so long?" he asked him.

"I had to finish a little business with someone first." he said. "So.. Mr. President. What we doing out here anyway?" Reno asked.

Rufus looked out along the dock and saw her. He turned to the Turks. "You see the woman over there?" They nodded. "That's the reason we're here. I want her, they have her.."

Reno finished his sentence. "And we are to take her back right.. no sweat." They looked back out at the ship and the guards walking around. "Now all we need is a plan."

****

Just as Izlude reached the elevator, Sid caught up to him and the rest of the group. "Hey. I'm back!"

" So I saw." Izlude replied. "Raven's been imprisoned. We're going down to the prison to rescue her."

" Breaking into prison instead of breaking out of it? Doesn't quite make sense, but we gotta save Raven..."

"Then come on! We're already wasting too much time!" The group took the elevator into the lower levels of Junon...and into the unknown.

****

Raven groaned when she opened her eyes. She was beginning to have a head rush from hanging upside down over the white haired man's shoulder. "Put me down!" she cried.

Struggling to get out of his grip. He made a soft snarling sound and threw her down onto the wooden dock. She cried out in pain as her hip bone connected with the dock. She closed her eyes and the world felt like it was spinning around her, she opened her eyes and the world LOOKED like it was spinning around. She grabbed her head and knelt down, her long dark hair dropping down to cover her face. She could make out bits and pieces of the conversation around her.

"What are we going to do with her?"

"Take her to the prison of course.... Sierra will... to talk... her..." the words began to fade out. What kind of drugs had been in that dart anyways?!

" Sierra will be pleased when he finds out that she... immune... materia poisoning... in the dart..." Raven gasped. They had put materia poison inside the dart. They knew now that it would not kill her, that her ancient bloodline fought against it. Whatever they had used was very strong. She started to crawl away when she thought that no one was paying attention.

" Where do you think you're going?" A guard snarled putting his foot on her back. She dropped down and tried to look into the streets.

" Rufus...." she whispered before blacking out a second time.

*

Rufus wasn't very far away from Mura and the others. Rude was with him. Reno and Elena went another way and soon.. there was an explosion. They did it.. their part was almost over anyway, now for his. His readied his rifle and looked back at Rude, nodding once he came out from behind the crates they had been behind.

Rufus took out one of the men with his first shot of his rifle while heading towards Mura who had turned to face him. He saw an eyebrow rise at him. He aimed the rifle at the man's chest. "Give her back to me and you just might get to see the sun rise tomorrow." he said slowly not taking his eyes of the man or Raven behind him. He heard several thuds of falling bodies behind and around him, Rude was doing his job. He waited for Mura to make the next move.

Seeing his hand go for his pocket, Rufus raised his aim a little, and fired. A rifle slug tore through the air where Mura's head had been seconds before. Rufus swore then heard another fired shot, turning quickly to face the sound he saw Elena standing inside the doorway with the Quicksilver he had given to her to use. He looked over her shoulder and saw Reno grinning.

"Good shooting." Reno said. Rufus looked over to where the Turk had been looking and saw Mura sitting on the ground holding his shoulder. He growled something and tried to get to his feet. Rude stepped up and shoved him back down. Rufus walked over to Raven.

Feeling for a pulse; he found it and though it wasn't weak, it wasn't really strong either. He picked her up in his arms gently, then turned to look at Mura and the Turks. Reno was standing in front of Mura now. "So.. what do you think of threats now.. hotshot?" he heard Reno snarl. Reno took his Nightstick out of his sleeve and flipped it on. The buzz of electricity filled the room. Reno grinned like a cat that had just ate a canary. Rufus nodded at Rude who walked over to him.

"Do what you want with him. But I want all of you after your finished to meet me at the mansion." he said. Rude nodded again. Rufus turned away and began first walking away from the dock then running with Dark Nation at his side. 'Now the only thing left is to get us back home safely.' He didn't notice the shadow off to his right as he ran though.

When Ferris came to, he was lying on a plush sofa in a large study. "Where?" Standing he saw a few guards milling about in the hallway wearing black and green body armor. 'Tsaleroth colors...is this Riyathena's house?' It didn't matter, he had to get out of here. He glanced around, last thing he remembered was a dark haired lady ranting about Sierra being here in Junon, Silvara had blown a sleeping powder into his face. Ferris clenched his jaw in anger. 'I owe you for that too bounty hunter.' Something else swirled in his memory as he thought of the bounty hunter.

Her standing in this room, misery radiating from her body as she spoke to the others Sierra had Raven. While he didn't know or care about anyone named Raven, the grief in Silvara's voice and the tears shimmering in her eyes bothered Ferris. He hadn't ever thought of her as a human being before, someone capable of feeling. He shrugged. It didn't really matter, she still had to die. 'This might be a golden opportunity, if she's going to try to save her friend she won't be prepared for, or expecting me. A slow smile stretched his lips as he slipped out the open window, and landed in front of Silvara's chocobo who seemed to smile at him. It was not a pleasant expression. "Holy shi..

*

Siydi had been napping beside a small fountain, when he sensed a presence nearby. It was similar to that of his woman's just as strong, but without direction. A calling without purpose, in curiosity, the large chocobo had followed the sense to it source, a man slipping out of a window. Siydi waited until the man noticed him before moving forward and sniffing audibly. The scent was a dusky crimson streaked through with the purity of gold with undertones to subtle to be defined. It was the man from before. Siydi cocked his head in thought, his woman had ordered him to carry this man even though she had tried to kill him. Interesting. Was he threat? Enemy? Friend? or prey? He cocked his head and leaned in close, turning one large eye to stare deep into the man's. Interesting.

As Ferris stared into the chocobo's eye, he had the distinct impression that he was being laughed at. Anger rose up in him as he reached out and grasped the chocobo's throat in one large hand. "Listen here birdie boy, I need a ride and you just volunteered." He squeezed a bit to prove his point. "Now, we're going to go find your mistress and have a nice, friendly chat." He let go and calmly walked to the chocobo's side and he actually managed to swing up into the saddle before his hands started shaking. 'gods, the bird was creepy!'

Siydi turned his serpentine neck and hissed as he took off down the path. The scent of his woman still lingered, her soft swirl of crystal bright pastels marking the way she and the others had gone. Even though Siydi seethed with indignation at the man's treatment, he was still under his woman's command to carry the vile human. The sooner he could find his woman, the sooner he could get permission to attack...

****

Cloaked in the severe black and emerald green of Riya's elite Wyvern Guard, Silvara stood mute and aloof as the group rode the platform down into the city's lower levels. Though none of the others had said anything about it, she blamed herself for Raven's capture, the anger at her helplessness and failure causing her eyes to glitter within the dark folds of the cloak's hood. In adaptation to the suit of skin-tight armor, Silvara had pilfered a pair of mythril claws. She flexed her hands within the gauntlets attached to the curving talons and sighed with satisfaction. Unlike a sword, they would allow her to take advantage of her speed and agility, but that wasn't the only reason she favored the claws in close combat. With a cold laugh, Silvara drew a dark vial from her pouch and carefully dipped the eight mythril talons into the poison, now all she had to do was deliver the faintest scratch...

Silvara caught Riya's frown and snarled at her friend, flinging back the cape allowing everyone a clear view as she methodically poisoned every blade she carried. Standing defiantly in the body hugging armor, she sneered eloquently at her friend. "They are our enemy Riya." She glanced down at the bluish sheen of the talons her lips twisting in a wry smile. "I can assure you they won't be so squeamish preparing to kill us." She lifted emotionless eyes in a pale face. "You certainly have grown soft Riya." She stretched and allowed a feral grin to curl her lips before turning and staring into the distance. 'hang on Raven, we're coming...'

*

Kidd sat down on the hard bed wondering if Izlude would leave without knowing he was missing. Turning around he looked back at the guard. "Hey.. uh.. my dad and I are from out of town he'll be looking for me but .. not in the jail cell."

"Whatever kid! That's what all the troubles maker's say!" The guard responded leaning back against the wall.

"Where's my chocobo?" he asked.

" I shipped it out to the chocobo ranch."

" WHAT! You can't do that! its my chocobo!" Kidd shouted standing up off the bed.

" I don't care. You can get him if your parents say it's really yours. Kids are known for stealing chocobos"

"Hmph. Like I would do such a damn thing like that." ' will I ever get out of this ugly prison?'

****

Raven winced as she felt the movement. Someone was carrying her off. Her first instinct was to fight. She struggled slightly, and whoever it was stopped running. Raven's green eyes opened slowly and she was surprised to see that it was Rufus who was holding her in his arms. She smiled weakly and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I knew you would come..." she whispered then closed her eyes to stop the world from swirling around her.

*

'Why are they heading into the lower levels?' Ferris stopped Siydi and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, Sierra wouldn't be using Junon's antiquated prison to house his captives. 'Surely they realize that the woman will be held on Sierra's ship...' His musings were cut short by the faint sounds of explosions and gunfire coming from the distant waterfront. "Damn!" Evidently the team heading into the prison had

been a diversionary tactic of some sort. Ferris wheeled the chocobo around towards the docks, kicking the bird into a fast sprint.

To fast...Ferris nearly trampled a man and a woman as the chocobo came hurtling out of an alley. "Rufus!?" He pulled back on the reins, bringing the chocobo to a shuddering halt a few feet away. For a moment, he stared at the lady in his friend's arms and then chuckled. 'so the lovely Blade turns out to be Raven. Is Rufus with the mercenaries now?' His thoughts were cut short as the sound of the rising alarms and confusion reached them from the docks. Amusement faded from his eyes, as Ferris swung off of Siydi's back. "Raven, can you ride?" He turned to Rufus. "I wouldn't trust that bird to carry double, so we'll be on foot." An eyebrow rose. "I'm assuming that you have a plan aside from trotting around Junon all night."

****

Riya sighed as Silvara turned her back to her. It wasn't really any of her business how Silvara chose to live her life, but she was saddened by the change in her friend. She frowned thoughtfully, what had happened to Silvara to make her so cold? It wasn't her profession, Silvy had been a bounty hunter for nearly two years now but she'd never acted like this before. Whatever it was had to have happened in the four months they'd been separated by their jobs. 'I should have stayed with her, I could have helped her, protected her. I owed Fien that much...' She reached down and scratched the little Ku behind her six ears, but couldn't find the will to summon a smile to her face. Standing she sighed and followed after the others. 'perhaps I am getting soft, Silvy.' Riya felt a shiver dance down her spine at Silvara's words. '...they won't be so squeamish preparing to kill us' It wasn't so much the words themselves as it was the ring of quiet conviction behind them. That and the look of cold experience shinning in her friend's eyes. 'Silvara, what happened to you...'

****

A dim white light surrounded Raven's body for a moment and then disappeared. She opened her eyes and smiled softly at Rufus. " I had to get rid of the poisons." she said weakly, knowing that it would take awhile to recover from the use of her Cetra abilities. "I can manage to ride if I must."

Rufus set Raven down on her feet so she could mount the chocobo. He turned to face Fenris. "Yes, I have a plan. I was going towards my mansion. I was trying to hurry though before those people back there sent people after us. So if you don't mind Fenris. Can we go now?" He turned to Raven. "I will have Nation stay close. That way if anything should happen she can lead you to the mansion."

He looked down at Dark Nation who was watching their surroundings. He snapped his fingers and she walked over to him looking up at him with her golden eyes. "Nation. I want you to stay by Raven's side. You understand girl?" She closed her eyes. Then looked over at Raven on the chocobo. Walking over to her she showed she did. "Good girl. Now stay with her no matter what. If I leave I want you to lead her home." Dark Nation looked at him and seemed to nod. He nodded and turned back to Fenris. "You ready Fenris? Raven?" he asked.

****

Silvara fled wraith-like down the darkened corridor of the prison. Under the cover of night, the mercenaries had little difficulty sneaking into the antiquated structure...it would be escaping with their prisoner-recruits that could prove tricky. 'Of course, that's assuming that any of these cowards will agree to join us against Sierra!' Already she had left seven men to rot in their dank cells after they'd bluntly refused to join their cause. One of them had screamed for the guards when he recognized the woman responsible for his imprisonment and she'd lost one of her beloved throwing daggers silencing him. The poison had been quick, but she was still unsettled by the noise, had any guards heard the brief commotion? She frowned thoughtfully. 'only two more cells, hope the others had better luck...'

There was a guard at the end of the hallway staring into a cell, apparently watching a prisoner. 'No problem'. slipping up behind him Silvara grasped his neck and slammed his head into the bars. As he crumpled unconscious to the ground, she got a good look at the prisoner. 'A kid!? Wait a sec..' She chuckled as she recognized him. "So there you are, and didn't Izlude tell you to behave yourself?" After a moment of fiddling with the lock, Silvara swept inside the cramped cell frowning at the damp chill and the shivering boy. A few small cuts with her dagger, and she'd trimmed enough material from her cloak that it wouldn't trip him as he walked. As she fastened it around his shoulders as she explained the group's situation. "...anyway, we're all trying to recruit prisoners so we'll have a large enough force to get Raven back." She pulled a dagger from her boot and pressed it into his hands. "It's balanced for throwing, but it'll have to do." She glanced down the hallway and pulled the boy along with her as she left the cell. "Let's go find the others."