The Red Horse dove downwards towards the palace, all the while trying its best to dodge incoming shots from the war mechs. When it was close enough, it shot two harpoons out of its cannons that pierced the big bridge connecting the two main towers of the palace.
Ranma and the guardians got ready to rumble. Ranma, Nabiki, Ukyo, Wakka, Kimahri, Shampoo, Rikku and Aura all jumped onto the chains that were still attached to the harpoons and skillfully glided down to where the warrior monks were awaiting them with loaded guns. Kimahri was carrying Kasumi safely within his strong arms.
Ranma dodged one shot by jumping from one chain to the other and smirked. "They forbid machina weapons but use them themselves? Some holy cult they are!"
Then they reached the bridge, and the battle was on. The monks fired guns and flamethrowers at them, and the two versions of war mechs supported them. Two cannon shots hit the harpoon chains, and the Red Horse was free to escape... for now.
Aura slashed down one of the mechs that had long, powerful legs (they use them to attack with powerful kicks), while Rikku and Nabiki threw various mixed bombs and elemental attack items at the other mechs that were provided with two big cannons.
Meanwhile, Ranma was careful to just knock the human enemies down, instead of wounding them seriously, or even killing them.
"I'll make us a path to Yuna," he shouted. He cupped his hands. "MOKO TAKABISHA!" The Ki bullet flew threw the crowd of monks that jumped away in confusion as they saw the unfamiliar attack coming their way.
Ranma waved to his friends. "Let's go!"
They just stormed ahead, punting and slashing at enemies that tried to get into their way. The podium where Mika, Seymour and Yuna were standing was just a small distance away...
When suddenly, Kinoc and some other monks came out of a door. One of the monks pushed forward a girl that was bound by manacles at her hands... it was Akane.
Seymour quickly grabbed her and hold up a knife to her neck.
"Stop that foolishness at once," he shouted. "Or your friend will die."
Akane gritted her teeth, but didn't want to make Seymour realize how terrified she was.
Ranma stopped instantly. "Dammit," he cursed, but he didn't want to endanger Akane. He hold back Tidus, who wanted to continue to run.
"No. They have Akane. We can't help them if she's dead."
"But... but we have to save Yuna," Tidus stuttered.
Ranma turned him around and looked into his friend's eyes. "Look, buddy: I know how important she is to you, and I mean it. Akane means at least the same to me as she means to you, so that's just another reason not to go. Understood?"
Tidus sighed. "Y-yes... I understand..."
Kinoc raised his rifle. "Drop your weapons, slowly."
They all were going to obey his order, when suddenly Yuna's voice called out: "Stop!"
They turned around and saw her standing on a balustrade. And behind her... a gaping abyss! She looked... like she was going ready to jump.
"Let them go," she said with a forceful voice. "All of them, including Akane! Or else..." She took one tiny step back to show Seymour she was serious.
Kinoc seemed to think about it and finally lowered his rifle. He made a small gesture with his hand, and the other monks did the same.
Seymour threw his bride a careful look, but he took away the knife from Akane's neck. Akane quickly pushed him backwards, used her berserker strength to snap her manacles and ran to her friends.
"Yuna," Tidus cried and wanted to go to her.
"Don't worry about me," she quickly shouted. "Just run."
"This is foolish," Seymour said. "If you fall down there, you'll die."
Tidus seemed to think the same, as he didn't move one bit. Yuna smiled at him.
"Don't worry! I can fly!"
And with these words, she took another step back... and fell down.
Seymour and Mika ran towards the balustrade and looked down.
Yuna was falling headfirst and had her eyes closed. Then, she spread her arms and let the summoner's light shine from her body.
Above in the skies, a big cloud responded by shining in the same light. A large form dove down from the sky and spread its wings. It was Valefor!
The large bird swooped down, turned around in the air and caught Yuna with her stomach. She was safe!
While the Maesters were watching Yuna intently, Nabiki stepped forward and pulled something from her belt. "Everyone, cover your eyes!"
And with a bright flash, the thrown item exploded.
While the monks were trying to see anything, the heroes were running away.
"What was that?" Ranma asked.
"An Al Bhed flash bomb," Nabiki replied while running.
"A sneaky girl, indeed," Aura smirked.
Tidus struggled wildly within Kimahri's arms. "Lemme go! I'm gonna kill that Seymour!"
"Yuna said run! We run!" the Ronso simply exclaimed.
----
They managed to escape from the bridge and entered a building.
"Where is this?" Ranma asked curiously.
"Bevelle's temple," Kimahri explained. "Yuna must be there."
"Well, then let's find her," Ukyo shouted and got ready to go inside.
Until she peered down into an seemingly bottomless shaft. "W-wow! How are we going to get down there?"
Aura gestured towards a small console that was sitting next to her. "This will take the platform down towards the Cloister of Trials."
"A machina?" Wakka blurted out. "In a temple?"
"I guess it comes in handy," Rikku shrugged and activated the switch. The platform began going down in a circular motion.
"That's not what I mean," Wakka said in an upset voice. "The teachings! What about the teachings?"
"Hey, don't look at me," Rikku responded.
"I guess that's Yevon's true face," Akane said. "They betray their own teachings."
Ranma took a careful look at his fiancee. "Akane, are you okay? Did that creep hurt you?"
She smiled. "No, Ranma, I'm fine. But thank you all for coming for us. And Ranma..." she grabbed his head and gave him a quick kiss. "Thanks for caring about me," she whispered.
Ukyo and Shampoo sighed when they saw the love between the two. But they already accepted it.
Besides, Ukyo... was already thinking about another boy, a boy with a fondness for chocobos...
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:36)
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