Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ THE PUNISHMENT ❯ The Past and the Presant ( Chapter 4 )

* Yes! Chapter four! I know there haven't been many readers out there enjoying the fic, but since I have some spare time I might as well finish this. R/R ^-^*

Chapter 4

The Past and the Present

Nova awoke the next morning with her black staff placed against the white stucco walls. She yawned with satisfaction while rubbing her sleepy eyes with her hands. As she sat up, her memories came rushing back at her and she remembered the night before. They were going to judge her…until the end of her days. With a sigh she stood up and walked over to a smaller room known as the bathroom. She slipped into the shower and soon after she emerged all clean. She heard a knock at her door and hurried to open it, but not before grabbing a towel.

"Come in!" Nova yelled. Professor Dell walked in, not wearing his usual attire.

"I have come to take you out of Mideel. Not to mention that I have brought some better clothes for you." He smiled and threw a pair of jeans and a blue blouse on top of the bed.

"Where are we going? Why?" Nova quickly grabbed the clothes and began to dress in front of the man. The professor on the other hand blushed furiously and turned around.

"Well…um…" Dell began still blushing furiously as Nova changed, "Because I want you to see the world. To get out more…you don't want to live here forever, right?"

"I guess not…why are you turned around?" Dell looked at the already dressed Cetra and sighed with relief. She wore a blue V-neck shirt, blue jeans and black sandals. Her body had slid perfectly into the jeans, he thought.

"Well, you were dressing and I didn't want to invade your privacy." Dell explained.

"What's so wrong with me dressing in front of you?"

"Never mind. Let's go." Dell cut short and walked out with Nova following a bit confused. But not before she grabbed her staff.

* * *

Nova was beyond excited when she flew in the big gray bird across the big blue ocean. Dell sat next to her engaged in a conversation about their plans. It was then that Nova noticed how intriguing the scientist looked and fascinating. He was a man of great knowledge and wisdom, well maybe a bit short on the wisdom, but getting there. She didn't know what brought her eyes to him, but she felt...what was the word? Happy, that's it, happy.

When they arrived at Neo-Midgar, Dell explained to her that much had changed since the crisis. Homes and towns were rebuilt, Mako factories and chemical plants destroyed, restoring the planets balance of life and health.

"You see that tall building in the center of the city? That was once called the ShinRa building, until it was destroyed by meteor." Dell explicated.

"What is it now called?" Nova inquired curiously. There was so much for her to learn and she was a good listener when professor Dell was talking.

"They call it AerG Inc. (air-G) After the last Cetra, who sacrificed herself to save the world. Now there is another Cetra, and that's you." He said with a grin. Nova blushed lightly and once again Dell began telling the city's history. She learned that the blonde man who she was afraid of before was the president of the whole planet. The red feline a great planet historian and warrior and the burgundy-eyed woman with black illustrious hair, was known as High General of AerG Armies.

Mako was no longer in use; the people of the planet now used solar energy and coal. Therefore Corel became prosperous once more and was governed by one of the members of AVALANCHE, named Barret. The Turks from ShinRa were hired once again by Cloud. Instead of assassins, they taught yearling soldiers in the gun criteria and several sly methods of stealth and silence. Some of the soldiers infected with Mako were rehired to the new company, and some left to live out normal lives.

"Sir? We are ready to land." The pilot announced. Dell nodded and turned to Nova.

"We will land in a few minutes and get you suited into new quarters." Nova only nodded as her thirsty eyes drank up the view before her. It was beautiful…trees among buildings and much more greenness then she had remembered.

Nova stopped her thoughts suddenly as a quick flash passed through her mind. She saw darkness and metal beyond metal. Foul air full of sickness and death. She was enclosed to the world and angry…desiring to be out there with the urge to destroy.

She gasped as she came back into reality. Dell must have noticed and asked if she was all right, but she shook his question off and nodded as to say she was fine. They jumped out of the helicopter and ran to a group of people waiting for them near the AerG transport doors. They were on the highest rooftop of the building and the gusts of wind made a whirlwind out of Nova's pale hair. They were escorted inside and president Cloud arrived. He wore white suit with a blue shirt beneath.

"I expect your trip was comfortable?" he asked both of his newly arrived guests.

"Yes, Mr. President." Answered Dell for both of them. Nova was too busy studying the paintings on the walls and the decorations. They walked down one set of stairs to enter a large faculty room. Desks of secretary's and executives were busy working away with papers and phone calls. They turned away from the mass of working people to grand doors. That must have been the President's quarters and office, thought Nova.

Cloud walked in first to sit behind his oak escritoire while his guests settled themselves in their seats.

"Ms. Nova, as the only Ancient alive, I have given orders to bring you here. Why, might you ask? Well, there are still many people out there crazy enough to think that an Ancient can bring them to the Promised Land. So as a precaution, we want you here, where you can be safe. Is that all right with you?" Cloud asked.

"I think so," stammered Nova and then she asked the one question that haunted her, "Will you lock me away? In a metal box?" Cloud obviously shocked shook his head, "Of course not! We wouldn't dream of such a thing. Why would you think of something like that?" Nova averted her eyes with insecurity.

"Nova?" Dell asked with worry.

"Nothing, it's just a stupid question." Nova replied quietly. Cloud was a bit suspicious but he shrugged his notion away.

"Very well then, Dell shall escort you to your own home in Neo-Midgar." Cloud concluded, "You may leave and if there are any other questions regarding anything. Just come to me and I'll help you out in any way."

"Thank you." Nova answered. Dell stood up with Nova and they said their goodbyes. Outside they were met by one of the former Turks, Reno.

"Good afternoon professor. Nice souvenir you got there." He snickered.

"If you weren't stupid, you would be able see that Ms. Nova is an Ancient. Respect her as if she was a goddess." An angry Dell retorted.

"Remember what happened to the last person who said he was a god." Reno countered and left.

"Who was that?" Nova asked.

"That was one of the Turks, but never mind him. We should get going." Dell quipped and grabbed Nova's wrist gently and pulled her towards the elevator.

* * *

They walked out of the building to streets below. Dell had his car, a Subaru WRX already waiting for him. The valet worker handed him his keys and he got in waiting for Nova to open the door. Nova stood outside without a clue in the world until Dell got out of the car and grinned.

"I suppose that you have never been in a car before?" he asked with amusement.

"Never…are they dangerous?"

"No, this here car won't bite you, I promise." Dell replied. Nova ambled over to the car and with some minor help, she opened the door and got in. They drove through several streets and avenues before driving up to park next to a white painted house.

"Is this where I'll live?" asked Nova?

"Yes. Come on, I'll give you a tour." Said Dell merrily. He walked over to the kitchen door instead of the front, because it was just freshly painted. Nova jumped out of the car, her hand still glued to the staff. Dell fumbled with the keys before opening the door. As they went in, Nova was amazed at the different furniture and the style of lighting. Instead of a ceiling for the kitchen room there was a skylight. The suns rays enveloped the high marble table with stools around. The floor was tiled and everything within was white. Vibrant colored flowers and plants decorated corners and windowsills accompanied with exquisite vases.

The living room wasn't much different either. There was a leather couch set in one corner of the room and a big T.V. on the other side of the wall. The floors were covered with carpets and a black fur rug near the fireplace. Upstairs there were two bathrooms and three rooms.

"This is a home?" Nova asked in wonder, "It's so large!" Dell chuckled and walked into the kitchen to get some drinks while Nova played with the T.V. system.

Dell watched from the corner of his eye as Nova discovered new things. He was glad that an Ancient was discovered and that he was that explorer who had saw her first. He seemed to wonder at the way she looked; pale blue eyes, periwinkle hair, a beautiful body, a beautiful face…he found himself lightly blushing when he entered the living room again.

"Thirsty?" Dell asked as he handed her a glass of lemonade.

"Thank you. What will I do? I mean I don't know this type of culture or life style. It's so hard to understand this new beauty, but I feel as I have been here before…in another time." Nova began and saw the professor looking at her, "Confusing isn't it?"

"Don't worry. You'll have plenty to do and tomorrow we will go sightseeing. How about that?"

"That would be nice." Nova replied.

As the sun began to set, Nova climbed up the staircase to her room, exhausted. As she walked in she saw a comfy looking bed in the middle, a balcony to her left, a closet to her right along with a dresser. She placed her staff upon the dresser and flopped down onto the bed to fall asleep instantly. It had been an intresting day.

* * *

: She seems to be doing fine.: Aerith said.

: I have seen and I am not happy about it. : Sephiroth pouted.

:Oh do hush. She's sleeping and we don't want to wake her up. Isn't that right, Zac?:

: I agree. I don't want her asking questions now. :

: You do know that her true spirit will awaken sooner or later. This is just her clueless moral fiber still searching for her past. :

:Your right Sephiroth, but we are here to judge her when that time does arrive. Till then we wait and watch. : Aerith answered.

* That is my fourth chapter and sorry about the wait. I had no ideas and right now I'm at a dead end. But I'll think of something…if any of you have any ideas, please do tell. ^^ R/R*