Frantic Fantasy
Chapter 2
By Ramen Junkie

<The evil figure appears back in his throne room.  There are several others 
there awaiting his arrival.  One is very large, dressed in dark black armor, 
no part of his body is visible. His helmet has a pair of horns and his 
shoulder pads end in spikes.  This is Golbez, dark knight and powerful 
necromancer.  To Golbez's right stands an odd looking man, this man looks 
like he was rejected from some sort of group of circus clowns, however
 he has a sinister look about him.  This is Cefca, a mad man who will stop 
at nothing to gain ultimate power.  To Golbez's left is a tall man, he wears 
no armor, instead he has on a long black sort of overcoat, black pants, and 
a pair of light shoulder pads.  His hair is long and silver colored, and if 
one were not looking close one might mistake him for a woman at first.  He 
is Sephiroth, who wields the long blade called Masamune.>

Golbez <Kneeling before the returning master>: My Lord, I hope your mission 
has been a successful one.

Dark Shadow: Hmmm, Yes, Garland failed to defeat them, I expected as much.  
I shall have to find a replacement for him I suppose.

Golbez: I'm sorry to hear that sir.

Dark Shadow: Do not concern yourself too much with it, I never expected him 
to win.  I see our other guests have arrived.

Golbez <standing up and gesturing to the other two in turn>: Yes sir, 
General Cefca, and Soldier warrior Sephiroth.

Cefca: What the fuck if all this anyway?  Who are you kidnap me?

Dark Shadow: Oh I wouldn't call it kidnapping really, besides, I'm sure you 
will like what I have to offer.

Cefca: And what would that be?

Dark Shadow: The opportunity to defeat your enemies.  You see they have 
something you don't. Useful allies.  If you three work for me I promise the 
defeat of all your adversaries.

Sephiroth: I need no allies other then mother Jenova.

Dark Shadow: Oh please, she's not even your mother.

Sephiroth <drawing the Masamune>: I should kill you for such a blasphemous 
remark.

Dark Shadow: Ho ho ho! You couldn't hurt me if I were tied down naked to the 
floor, and I suggest you not try.

Sephiroth: Mother Jenova will protect me, now I demand you return me to my 
world! <Waves his sword menacingly at the Dark Shadow>.

Dark Shadow: Very well, we'll do it your way.  <Hold out hand towards 
Sephiroth>  METEOR!

<Huge balls of rock materialize above Dark Shadow and shoot across the room 
towards Sephiroth.  Cefca and Golbez scramble for cover at the incoming 
meteors.  Sephiroth almost effortlessly begins to slice through the rocks, 
not one is able to break through.>

Sephiroth: Is that all?

<Sephiroth leaps at Dark Shadow, slicing with the Masamune.  Dark Shadow 
reaches out and grabs the blade in mid swing, then in one motion swings it 
and Sephiroth, who is hanging on to the handle, around into the wall.>

Dark Shadow: Care to try again?  You seem to be trying quite hard at such a 
weak attack.

<Sephiroth gets to his feet clutching his side.>

Sephiroth: Perhaps I will try your plan.  It seems I have no other choice.

Cefca: MWA HA HA HA, that was fucking great.  You sure showed him who's 
boss.

Dark Shadow: If you value your life you will never use THAT laugh in my 
presence again...

Cefca: ... uh... yes sir.

Dark Shadow: Good, so you all agree to work with me on this.

Others: YES!

Dark Shadow: Good, I will begin making plans and searching for a fourth to 
replace Garland.

*	*	*	*

<Vincent Valentine feels dizzy from being transported against his will into 
a strange shimmering room.  The walls are covered in reflective glass, 
Vincent has trouble focusing his eyes.   Finally he is able to bring the 
room into focus.  Several soldiers are roughing some mages and an old man.  
One of the soldiers turns to Vincent and is taken back for a moment.>

Soldier: Where.. where is Captain Cecil?  Who are you?

Vincent: I know nothing of any Cecil, who I am is none of your concern.

Soldier: No, no, you must have done something with him.  GUARDS!  Capture 
this man as well!

<The soldier gestures to Vincent, who is grabbed by two of the soldiers 
before he can react.>

Soldier: Get the crystal, we'll take him back to Baron for interrogation.

<Vincent is dragged off and the soldiers all leave the room.>

*	*	*	*

<Cecil awakens in complete darkness.  He struggles to move only to find he 
is trapped in some sort of box.  After a bit of work he manages to push the 
lid off and he sits up.>

Cecil: Where am I?  What's going on here?

<The Dark Knight looks around the room.  The walls are mostly dirt, with 
beams supporting the ceiling.  The only source of light is a single torch.  
He then realizes he is sitting in a coffin.>

Cecil: What manner of trickery is this?  Why am I in this coffin?  Am I 
dead?

<Cecil climbs out of the box and approaches the only door in the room, a 
large solid wood door.  He tries the handle only to find it is locked.>

Cecil: It seems I am trapped here wherever I am.

<Cecil sits down on the edge of the coffin to contemplate his situation.>

*	*	*	*

<Vincent is now standing before the King of Baron.  There is a large man in 
dark armor consulting with the king.  The man and the King turn towards 
Vincent.>

King Baron: So you say you have no idea what happened to my General?

Vincent: No, I don't.  I don't even know how I got here or where I am.

King Baron: I see.  This is most strange. <The King turns to the man in the 
armor.>  Golbez, what do you think?

Golbez: I think we can still proceed with the original plan.  Send this man 
in Cecil's place.

King Baron: The plan for Mist you mean?  Yes, that is quite urgent isn't it?

Vincent: Why should I do anything for you?  I don't have any business here.

Golbez <steps forward>: If you do not do as we command, we will kill you.

Vincent: I am not afraid of death, that makes no difference to me either 
way.

Golbez: Oh don't worry, we could MAKE it make a difference.  Besides, we may 
be able to assist you in your return home.

<Vincent thinks this over for a moment.>

Vincent: Very well, I will work for you in exchange for assistance in my 
return home.

Golbez: Very good.  <Golbez hands Vincent a small box.>  Take this to the 
town of Mist. I will send the Dragoon Kain with you, he knows the way.

Vincent: What do I do with it when I get there?

Golbez: Don't worry, you won't have to do anything.  Now go!

Vincent: Very well, I expect some progress on my situation when I return.

<Vincent leaves>

King Baron: Are you sure this man can be trusted?

Golbez: No, but I think it suits our plans to send him anyway.  Besides, if 
we are lucky he won't survive.