melodiesoflife | Event || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

[ Minato's assessment of the situation, however accurate, did absolutely nothing to shake Ace's resolve. He almost wished, in that moment, to once again witness the same carelessness he knew his friend from instead of the words of concern that had no place on a battlefield.

The cadet could have easily deflected the question, but Minato needed his confidence far more than he did, given the situation. Wordlessly, he gave the other boy's wrist a light squeeze before releasing it from his grasp, looking somewhat more composed now, that he was no longer merely an idle observer; it had been way too close, and little did Minato seem to have taken note of that.

Just as Ace would purposely disregard the message uttered by the phantom as he readied himself for an attack, sword in hand. ]

... Keep on casting.

[ And Ace would give her the opportunity to marvel for a while longer, if only to leap sideways the very second the streak of light . It was all he could afford even if the spell flew close enough to leave him with a stinging sensation just below his right shoulder, a deep cut, no doubt, but nothing that could possibly steal his attention away from what was happening.

This was something he could endure, to become the decoy for the soldier to follow if such was her desire. With that in mind, he attempted to overtake her in one swift motion, attempted being the keyword as he wouldn't fool himself wishing that it could be that easy to divert his opponent's attention. The motivation behind his actions was different, and had its own name.

Her name, his friend and companion, left at the mercy of the awakened soldier if he as much as thought of retreating. No, it was only logical that he flings himself between the two, reaching for the sword at his side despite the pain in his dominant arm slowly spreading. While the weapon wasn't his favourite, it had its use in deflecting the hits and ensuring sufficient distance. ]

I really don't know and how the hell is that more fun!?

[She points up at the giant as it continues to swap and then fall against the castle. This doesn't look good and unless they want to be covered in marshmallow they better continue to run away.]

Haha, well, look at it! Isn't it silly? And looks like it's made of marshmallow! Maybe fire magic will roast it and make it melt, ahaha~

[Way way way less scary than zombies-turned-real.

And ...yah, turns out his thoughts became real and here comes the marshmallow. Running away now sounds good.
His steps waver from the lack of mana in him, but he runs anyway.]

Yuffie-san, ha- ha- how far do you think we'll have to run to -ha -ha- be safe? The ground is really unsteady here.

[Yuffie really wants to punch him now.]

How the hell do I know!?

[She almost trips as she runs away, her legs feeling like jello. Even with the potion she has more than just a few wounds.

As they run the large mog staggers and it appears which ever heroes are fighting it have won because it bursts sending marshmallow all over the town.]

Terra inclined her head slightly to confirm that she meant that those in stasis had moved. She didn't know them by name but it had been terrifying to watch their daunting forms limber closer. She looked up at Sephiroth only noticing the cold when he mentioned it.

She was surprised when he pulled her closer. His breath moving past her ear and along the curve of her neck as he leaned forward. The chilly air prickled at her skin causing bumps to rise over her arms. Her feet were too numb to move and she realized even her pajamas weren't enough to keep out the cold. Her thin fingers curled against Sephiroth and for a moment she just focused on the comforting hold of his arms.

"Yeah." Terra didn't want to move and she made no effort too. She was a little unsure if she could move.

"My feet are cold."

It was stating the obvious but she saw it becoming a problem if they were to walk back. Pins and needles began to prick at the bottom of her sole.

[If close combat was what he wanted, she could deliver it just as effectively. With a bladed staff as her weapon of choice it would be all too easy to parry his attempt, too easy to match his movements and break through an opening on her own. Even if the wraith were to lose it she still had the capacity to try and eliminate him for getting in her way through other means, and for one who had approached him so seemingly slow at first, she pushed her weapon toward the cadet with such ferocity that her long hair billowed out gracefully behind her as she readied the next attack.

A ball of dark energy began to form at the tip of her weapon, but before it could gather properly the sharp glint of a knife hitting its mark redirected it away from her opponent, sending the blast to unleash its power on a wall that quickly began to crumble in its wake.]

Ace! [Tear's approaching voice betrayed her concern and growing fear before she could stop herself, but as she made her way up to her friend's side she didn't really care. Silently she berated herself for allowing him to become involved, but there was nothing she could do to change that now.

Nothing, except plead with him.] You need to get out of here, it's too dangerous to stay!

Albel growled, teeth bared, to face such resistance. "That is exactly the problem!" he insisted. "What is there to say that he is not still under their control now? How can you know this isn't some act?"

Because they might claim they knew Cloud, but he sure as hell didn't. He had no experience to compare this to, and he was not about to let it go easily.

UF!

[Whatever evil force of energy that was, it hit Reno hard. The Turk was thrown the length of the room onto the cold, hospital floor, skidding slightly before he stopped. He could barely move but work his jaw, gasping for air as the wind was utterly knocked from his lungs.]

[But... Zack had fallen. For how long, who could say, but it would appear that they'd done it. Somehow. Miraculously.]

[When Reno could breathe again, he croaked,] Oww...

[ Ace acknowledged his own limits, and no penchant for heroics would have been capable of making him partake in an unwinnable fight if that had been all there was to it. No, there was a reason why he belonged in there, at that particular point in time, a fact that no amount of reasoning could possibly make him question.

He accepted Tear's successful attempt at retaliation as a cue for him to act, effecting in a dull, metallic sound echoing through the air as the blade of his sword forcefully collided with the staff that the phantom wielded. While it appeared too sturdy to allow for as much as a dent, he could still hope to knock the weapon out of her grasp if he was smart about applying his strength.

It was only when he was fighting this peculiar battle for dominance that he could finally afford a brief response. ]

And leave you with her on your own?

[ The cadet leapt away, a pained sigh leaving his lips as he listened in to the ominous rumbling sound coming from the surrounding walls, certainly not used to sustain similar damage. ]

... This is a stalling game, and it's up to us to ensure no more lives will be lost today.

[Yuffie staggers her way over to Reno's side. Her fingers trembling slightly as she pulls a potion from her back pocket. She uncorks it with her teeth before placing the lip of the bottle against his lips. She isn't giving him a choice.]

Drink it.

[Her voice is soft as she commands him and then proceeds to tip the bottle back. She doesn't even look over at Zack's body.

Her shoulder hurt and the small deep gash was slowly trailing blood down her thigh. She'd assume it'd eventually clot and she'd be fine but Reno had to be in good shape if he was getting out of here.

Yuffie can always get herself out but it'd be alone.]

[Flying marshmallow incoming!

A big chunk hits Manami on the back of the head, sending him staggering to the ground.]

Ah-! Ah, that's kinda warm- Uwaaa, how am I gonna get this out of my hair?

[Even as he complains about that, more marshmallow is falling on him.]

What a mess, what a mess... AH! MY BIKE!

[Infused with new strength (mental if not physical), Manami looks around to orient himself. Where did he leave it?

And he runs off. (Bye, Yuffie?)]

[Yuffie just watches and then sighs softly. She easily side steps the spewing marshmallow and then begins to pick her way back home. This is just too crazy for her.

She just wishes someone was at home.]

[Reno took a swallow then coughed, choking slightly as he pushed it away.]

Stop.

[He concentrated on his breathing, doing a quick internal assessment. Possibly a cracked rib, but could be nothing. Could definitely be worse. Between the two of them, he was in decent shape.]

You need it more'n I do.

[He pushed himself to sit up, looking over at Zack's prone form. He couldn't help but wonder if the other man was down for good, now. If they'd just killed another Hero, possessed though he was at the time. Reno hoped not. Especially not Zack of all people.]

[Yuffie pouts, her gaze still directed away from Zack as she pushes the bottle back towards his mouth. She isn't really taking stop to heart.]

I said 'Drink'

[If he doesn't she'll just drop the potion and let it spill to the ground. It's his choice but she isn't going to take it for herself. Besides, she can always get more... somehow.

Yuffie slowly stands, her weight mostly on her right side as she watches Reno.]

We need to move. The crystals... they might keep regenerating. [It's a long story as to why she thinks this is going to happen and it isn't really the time to tell it. She isn't strong enough to force Reno to stand but she'll step passed him and peek into the hall.

There is so much blood.]

[He snatched the potion, having a feeling she'd be so stubborn, but he still doesn't drink it. He stands and watches her for a second, scowling. She can barely stand by herself.]

Yuffie, don't make me force this down yer throat.

[He would.]

You want we should move, fine, I agree, but yer wounded. If for no other reason, drink this shit so you don't slow me down.

[Because if she won't drink it for herself, maybe that argument will work.]

[Yuffie raises an eyebrow at Reno before a light smirk plays across her lips. Yeah, they are going to end up fighting over this.]

As if you can make me. I can get out plenty fine on my own.

[Her palms come to rest on her hips and despite the exhaustion and the pain lacing through her thin frame she is the perfect picture of stubborn cockiness. It isn't that she's worried about him but he's already drank most of the potion so he might as well finish it.]

If you're gonna be so unthankful I can just leave you here.

[The truth of her statement is questionable.]

Good for you.

[He pressed the bottle against her chest, not thinking anything of it, and looked around her out the door. Damn, what a mess. It was like the Nibelheim massacre again, except the fact that it was in a hospital made it a million times worse. Thanks, moogle bastards, for giving Reno nightmare fuel for a month.]

Thing is, I ain't leavin' yet. There's someone else I gotta find.

So I'm a' be real pissed if I hafta carry you outta here first.

[Yuffie glares at him before pushing the bottle back against him. She wants to shout make me but before the words leave her lips she realizes how childish it is. Half a potion isn't going to help her suddenly feel 100x better but it'd help him. More so if he insists on staying in this death trap of a hospital.]

Take it.

[She almost growls before turning towards the Hallway and carefully setting out. She can head out the window but she doesn't think her legs have the strength to catch herself and she's tired of fighting with Reno.]

I'm going.

[No matter what the princess does everyone assumes the worst of her and at this point she's just given up trying to change anyone's minds.]

[Gods, she really was crazy.]

Dammit, Yuffie!

[He tossed back the rest of the potion and tossed the bottle into the exam room without a thought. Everything else was already broken, what was a little bit more glass?]

[He needed to find Kyo... But Yuffie was here now, in front of him, and hurt. He didn't want to think about it, but Kyo was likely in the same shape as Zack was. And he could practically hear the cat being just as stubborn, telling him to get Yuffie to safety first.]

[So that's what he'd do. Without fanfare, and certainly without permission, he caught up to the young ninja with long strides and scooped her up into his arms.]

Wha-

[Yuffie feels her feet lift from the ground as a pair of strong arms lift her into the air. A sharp pain shoots down her back and her fingers cling to the front of Reno's shirt before the sudden jolt subsides. She glares up at him only slightly noticing that she's just been scooped up like a princess.]

What the hell are you doing Reno!?

[This doesn't seem like it's going to end well though she feels a little accomplished for getting him to finish that potion.]

Put me down!

[Yuffie tries to struggle but it's too difficult for her to struggle and no hurt herself.]

Th' hell I am!

[Any struggling just gets Yuffie a stronger grip. He's healed now, after all.]

I'm not about t' let you get yerself killed 'cuz yer stubborn. That's stupid.

[There was a time and a place for pride, and Reno knew it well. But this was not that time. When had he gotten this soft, sweeping young girls off their feet and whisking them to safety? And Yuffie of all people? Nothing against her, specifically, but she was still technically AVALANCHE. Reno grimaced. He'd changed, all right. But he was expected to be a "Hero" here, or something. He supposed he should at least try to act a little like it.]

[He glanced around another corner, down another bloody hallway, looking out for any potential enemies before ducking down toward the nearest stairwell.]

Just pray Sparks hasn't barricaded the lobby before we get down there.

[Yuffie crosses her arms across her chest while a slight pout plays across her lips. She doesn't think she needs to be carried, she can at least walk but struggling is making her tired and proving to be annoying.

She stares up at Reno though her dark gaze occasionally flicks behind him just in case something were to pop up.]

That'd be just like Sheriff Butt Brains.

[Trap everyone inside, that'll solve the problem after all the crystal zombie people have already broken through the windows on the first floor and escaped into the city.

How is that man a Sheriff?]

He's doin' the best he can...

[Reno grimaced. He couldn't believe he was defending Sparks. But the other man had taken him here, without question or complaint.]

I know more people came after us. They're prob'ly just tryna' keep those... things... from gettin' out an' runnin' free. Yer the one who decided t' scale an upper-floor window.

[Not that Reno could really judge. He'd completely ignored Sparks' warnings and run off into the hospital. He hadn't really thought about getting out, but he could assume the probability of getting trapped in was high. The greater good, and all.]

[Yuffie feels a shiver run down her spine as if something has just begun to watch them. She looks around frantically trying to spot whatever caused the strange feeling but there is nothing in her sights.]

Reno.. run. I think there is something here...

[Her voice is a whisper and she hopes that he listens despite her complain about Sparks and him carrying her she wants to get out alive and right now she's useless in his arms.]

There are staff entrances just outside the stairwells. They lock from the outside but you can get out them if you are inside.

[Yuffie's had to perform a few great escapes from this hospital so she knows her way around decently well.]

Event || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

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[Closed to Sephiroth] Aftermath

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