Chapter Forty-Four: Retribution

 

Thunderchild's POV

I watched Kuja's departure with no small measure of sorrow, I felt that it should have been me on that platform and not him, that it was up to me to make that sacrifice for the blood of so many was on my hands. In my minds eye I saw Treno obliterated over and again, saw Lindblum and Alexandria ravaged by the same hand that they had shown such kindness. Is this how I repayed them? Regent Cid, who had given me command of the Hildagarde III over dozens of other hopeful captains, Zidane Tribal, who had helped me survive my first few eventful days on Gaia...I had betrayed them all. How could they ever forgive me?

How could I ever forgive myself?

"Thunderchild!"

I looked up from the control panel and across the red glow of the energy cannon, Mikoto had just run into the room.

"Have you seen Kuja?" she asked.

I nodded and pointed to the teleporter.

"He's gone Mikoto...gone to do what he has to do." I said simply, with hardly a trace of emotion in my voice, I felt like a robot, trying to remain as emotionless as possible, for I knew that if I were to give in to the feelings of grief and guilt within me, that they would overwhelm me completely.

"What?"

I ran around the cannon and past her, up to the bridge, I couldn't let Kuja's opportunity be ruined, I had heard the conversation on the bridge whilst dwelling in the weapons room, and I knew what Kuja was planning.

 

Domino's POV

"I'm reading a teleport across to the Invincible!" warned Rhiana.

"Who is it?" I asked

"I don't know."

Zidane tapped a button on his console.

"Bridge to weapons room, report."

When there was no reply the tension on the bridge went up several notches and I saw Rhiana look nervously at Ilvian.

"The Invincible is starting her engines, she's coming about...heading for the proto-universe!!" she yelled as her console emitted a series of bleeps.

"Power all weapons! Raise shields and prepare to fire!" called an authoritarian voice behind us, and I was somewhat shocked to find it was Thunderchild. He had shown no sign of wanting to do anything but sit and think when we were beamed on board the Illustrious, but now he seemed different.

"It's Kuja." said a sullen Mikoto and I started in shock. My brother!

"What the hell is he doing over there!!" yelled Zidane.

"He's fulfilling his destiny...he's putting right the wrongs he did....just like Jara did." said Thunderchild softly as he took control of the helm away from Zidane and spread his hands out over the important buttons.

"He's what?!" yelled Zidane as he turned and looked out of the viewscreen, as he did the Invincible shot past us, heading at full speed straight for the proto-universe, it was then I realised what was happening, then I realised just what Kuja was doing. I staggered back slightly in shock, torn between my love for my brother and my knowledge that it would be what he wanted.

"He can't seriously be thinking of flying into that thing?!" cried Zidane, his expression a mixture of anger and horror.

"There's an energy build-up in the Invincible's reactor, I think it's going to overload..." said Rhiana, her voice trailing off as she realised what Kuja was doing.

"He's sacrificing his life for us..." said Mikoto.

"He can't! I mean..." Zidane began, but Thunderchild turned and scowled at him.

"Kuja's doing what he wanted to do...believe me, I wish I was in his place! Now shut up while I make sure that his sacrifice isn't in vain!"

Zidane closed his mouth and backed away from Thunderchild, more than a little taken aback by his outburst. I understood what my husband was saying though and I walked across to him, to be by his side.

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked softly.

He turned, smiled softly to see me, but then the emotion was gone again.

"Just hold onto something...this might let a little bumpy."

 

The Invincible reached the outermost edges of the proto-universe, the gravity fields surrounding the dark sphere tearing the wings off the Terran ship and with the wings the engines. As the Invincible, battered, bruised but still intact, drifted into the sphere there was a bright white flash from the rear portion of the ship which was quickly followed by a blinding flash of destruction as the reactor overloaded and breached its safety field. The shockwave reached the Illustrious less than a fifth of a second later, knocking the ship around in a complete semi-circle and plunging the bridge into darkness. Thunderchild and the others fought to keep upright, Ilvian and Rhiana fell to the deck but Ilvian protected his companion by falling underneath her.

Thunderchild fought against the whirling eddies caused by the Invincibles destruction to bring the Illustrious back around to face the proto-universe which had suffered some damage from Kuja's sacrifice, and he knew what he had to do, powering up the forward cannons he opened fire at the proto-universe.

Ordinarily the shots from the particle cannons arrayed on the front of the Illustrious would have done nothing to prevent the growth of the sphere...but coupled with the reactor overload, the damaged proved fatal. Slowly, but gathering momentum swiftly, the proto-universe began to fall back in on itself.

 

Zidane's POV

"He did it!" called Thunderchild from the helm as the rocking from the shockwaves ceased. I scrambled to my feet and looked out of the viewscreen. Sure enough I could see the edges of the circle receding. Kuja had done it, his sacrifice hadn't been in vain like I feared it would be.

"What's that?" asked Domino, pointing at a white light within the collapsing black sphere. I stiffened, was it another of Lawrence's vile creations?

"Rhiana?" asked Thunderchild.

The silver haired genome, tore her gaze away from the viewscreen, I thought I saw a glimmer in her eyes, as though she was crying.

"It's a gateway..." she said.

"Any idea where it goes?" asked Thunderchild, his face impassive.

I leant back against the cold metal wall and thought of Kuja and his sacrifice, I couldn't grieve yet, I felt in shock.

The deck shook as the white light grew stronger in intensity.

"This may be our only chance..." said Thunderchild as he threw the ships throttle forward, the deck shook again as the Illustrious surged forward.

"Everyone hold onto something!" yelled Domino as she threw her arms around Thunderchilds waist, who flinched but said nothing.

The white light grew closer, I could barely look at the viewscreen, such was the intensity.

"Here goes!"

 

Nagy's POV

The fleet milled about the Iifa tree rather pathetically, useless to do anything to help those who had followed Lawrence in.

"Take us closer to the tree," I ordered "Maximum speed."

The Red Rose began to slowly climb and approach the Iifa tree.

"Do you think they'll come back?" asked Xola, who had arrived on the bridge only moments after the two Terran ships had chased each other into the vortex.

"Of course they will." replied Garnet, her voice firm and confident.

There was a loud rumble of thunder, I blinked and looked around the sky, the nearest clouds were miles away and yet the thunder had sounded directly overhead.

"Dead ahead!!" yelled a crew-woman from the helm area and I turned to look out of the front windows.

There was a bright flash of white light and a familiar blue airship shot out of the sky above the giant tree.

"It's the Illustrious!!" yelled Xola as the white light quickly collapsed in on itself.

"Arm forward cannons, come about and be ready to fire!" I ordered quickly as the Illustrious slid past us and began to slow down.

 

Thunderchild's POV

My gamble had paid off, we were back on Gaia, safe and sound.

There was a loud clang from somewhere in the back of the ship and then something small shot past the main viewer.

"Oh no!" I yelled, quickly putting the shields up.

"What's the matter?!"

"We're in the wrong airship! They think we're Lawrence! Zidane! Get on the communications channels to them!!"

"Red Rose, Red Rose, this ship is under allied control! Cease your attack immediately!" yelled Zidane into a microphone at the side of the bridge.

I swung the airship around and pointed it at the Illustrious.

"C'mon Beatrix, stand down." I muttered.

 

Nagy's POV

"Incoming communication from the Illustrious, they claim to be under allied control." said the communications officer.

I turned and looked at her, and then back out the front of the bridge at the Illustrious which was turning around to face us, her weapons ports were closing I could see.

"Keep the cannons focused on the Illustrious but cease fire." I ordered after a moments thought.

"Tell the Illustrious to lower her shields and prepare to be boarded."

The communications officer nodded while the weapons officer gave the orders to the gunnery crews below the deck.

"How the hell do we board that ship?" asked Xola as she rubbed her shoulder distractedly.

"Helm, move us in closer. There should be an entry portal at the front, on the forward 'nose'." said Garnet.

The Red Rose shuddered as she increased speed.

"It's a miracle this thing's still going." muttered Xola as she looked at the patchwork repair which had been hastily done at Alexandria after the Red Rose had collided with the Vigilance, shortly after Garnet's abduction.

"They make them well in Alexandria." said Garnet with a smile.

There was a knock at the door and Mizrah and Snikity entered.

"We heard the cannon fire, what's happening?" asked Mizrah while Snikity gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"The Illustrious came back out of the portal...just the Illustrious."

"Lawrence?" asked Snikity, her face graven with worry.

"Apparently not, the ship has just surrendered, claiming it is under allied control."

The Illustrious dwarved the Red Rose as we drew alongside, everyone on the bridge looking for the entryway that Garnet had mentioned.

"It's possible it's different on this ship..." said Garnet after a minute.

"No! Look, there it is!" called the Helmswoman, pointing at a particular gold and blue painted part at the front.

"Take us alongside that, prepare for boarding." I said, before turning and looking at the rest of the people on the bridge.

"Xola, Mizrah, Snikity, you're with me, bring weapons...just in case this is a trap."

"Signal from the Vigilance, sir. The Lindblum fleet is standing by within weapons range." reported the communications officer as we began to walk from the bridge.

"Good...tell them to fire only if I give them the signal."

On our way to the deck we were met by a familiar face.

"Kitiara." I said somewhat curtly.

She blushed and bowed deeply to me.

"Nagy...I am truly sorry."

"Apoligies can wait until later. Right now we've got a ship to board."

"Can I come along?" she asked.

I looked at the raven haired vampyre for a moment, I could see severe humility in her eyes, I slowly nodded.

"Ok...but if you even think about betraying us, so help me I will throw you off the side of this ship." I warned her.

She bowed again and joined the back of the small procession, saying nothing more.

A plank had been strung between us and the Illustrious, the entryway on which had been opened, only darkness showing within.

"If this is a trap..." said Snikity slowly.

"Then we're all dead," I concluded with a nod "It's a risk I'm willing to take."

"I do not think it is a trap." said a voice behind us, we turned and saw Reiganna standing next to Kitiara.

"What makes you so sure of that?" I asked the forest genome.

"It's not like Lawrence to be so covert..."

"He was while Fury was alive."

"He had to be." countered Reiganna.

"Are we all armed?" I asked as we reached the gangplank.

There were a selection of nods from the group as they drew their weapons, I clutched the hilt of my borrowed katana and started across the gangplank, keeping a wary eye on the doorway of the Illustrious. For a moment though, I did look down, to see the landscape far below us, the roots of the giant Iifa tree stretching out across the desert and canyons. The wind whistled forlornly between the two vessels, a particularly strong gust threatened to send me off the plank. I stopped to gather my bearings and took in a deep breath, focusing all of my attention on that doorway, not looking down.

Damn heights. I thought to myself.

"Nagy, are you ok?" asked Garnet from the Red Rose.

"Yeah...I'm good,  follow across when I'm at the doorway."

I reached the doorway after another couple of minutes careful walking and with my sword drawn I checked out the surrounding area. There was no-one in sight, no visible traps either.

"Ok...next person across!" I yelled.

 

Mizrah's POV

We all shuffled across that plank, until it was only Kitiara and I left to cross, I indicated that she should go first with a wave of my sword. She stared stonily at me but said nothing, I could sense her resentment at being treated like a prisoner, but until her allegiance could be proved that was exactly what she was. I kept a careful eye on her as she shuffled across, she didn't seem cowed by the sheer drop below and walked with a quiet confidence of someone whose agility had never been in question.

She was almost at the door when there was a sudden lurch on the Red Rose, I almost fell off the side of the ship as the deck tilted sideways, I could see out of the corner of my eye the Illustrious moving closer as the Red Rose drifted.

"Kitiara!!" I yelled as over the din of the sudden gust of wind I heard a sharp crack.

The vampyre was clinging to the plank, having been knocked off it when the Red Rose had moved. She was swinging from left to right, trying to gather enough momentum to swing herself back onto the wood, but with a splintering noise, the plank tore free of the Red Rose and snapped in two. With a shriek Kitiara plummeted out of sight.

"NO!"

There was a movement within the crowd on the other side of the divide, someone threw themselves out of the door and plummeted after Kitiara, with a start I realised who it was.

"Domino?"

 

 

Domino's POV

The wind whistled past me as I plummeted towards Kitiara, keeping myself as streamlined as possible to close the distance between us. I couldn't bear to see someone else die, not today when so many people close to myself and my friends had perished.

I closed the distance to Kitiara quickly, she turned to face me, the wind blowing her black hair around her. I reached forward with my right hand and grabbed her left arm.

"Hold tight." I yelled, the wind snatching my words away almost as quickly as I had said them, Kitiara must have guessed what I said however as she nodded.

I focused on my Phoenix powers and felt my wings unfold. The difference to our velocity was immediate and Kitiara almost fell out of my grasp as we slowed down rapidly.

Then I began the hard work of maintaning that altitude as the Illustrious pulled away from the Red Rose had dived after us to get into teleporter range.

"Why did you rescue me?" asked Kitiara, a question which shocked me.

I thought for a moment, thought of all that had happened today, and all that still had to come.

"Because I didn't want to see any more of my friends die."

"But...all that I did...I mean...all the wrong things I did to you, and to Gaia."

"Kitiara...everyone deserves a second chance."

"You mean you've forgiven me?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes...for if I were to hold a grudge against you, I would be no better than Lawrence..."

Kitiara looked up at me, opened her mouth to say something, but before she could there was a chiming sound and we were embraced by a bright white light.

 

Nagy's POV

Kitiara's sudden drop and Domino following her had shocked us all. Suddenly the door had closed and judging by the brief sensation of lightness we had all felt, the Illustrious had followed the two women in a bid to rescue them. I thought of Dominos Phoenix powers, of her wings, if anyone could save Kitiara it was Domino. I grabbed Xola who was just standing, staring at the door, and ran down the corridor.

"But Kitiara...!" she yelled.

"Is in safe hands...now let's go and finish this!"

We ran up a small series of spiral stairs and onto the bridge, at the helm I could see Thunderchild, his clothing somewhat battered and torn, but still the dark clothing he had worn as Fury, he was staring at something on the viewscreen and muttering under his breath. Beside him was Zidane, and the two silver haired genomes, Ilvian and Rhiana. Mikoto was near the viewscreen, her hands bunched into fists, her face grim.

"Come on Domino!" yelled Thunderchild as the Illustrious shook slightly.

I looked at the viewscreen, I could see Kitiara falling, Domino following her as quickly as she could, closing the distance fast. Then I saw Domino reach out and grab Kitiara before unfolding her red wings. There was a cheer on the bridge as Thunderchild quickly pressed a series of buttons.

"Coming into teleporter range." he said quietly.

"Can we help?" I asked, clearing my throat just before putting forward my question.

"Nagy? No...just hang on one moment and we can talk...it's good to see you." replied Thunderchild with a small smile.

"Got them!" yelled Zidane.

There was a flash of white light at the back of the bridge and the two skydivers fell onto the floor.

"Thank God." said Thunderchild, running across to Domino and picking her up with a great bear hug. Then he helped Kitiara up and hugged her as well.

"Don't ever give me a scare like that again!" he said, tears falling from his eyes.

Then Garnet asked the fateful question.

"Where's Kuja and Jara?"

I could see the genomes stiffen and even Thunderchild paused for a moment before turning back to us.

"There's a lot to tell you..." he said quietly, his face suddenly clouded with grief.