Stay Strong V2 (Invite)

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

What have I gotten into? Vanille thought, while hanging her head. I tried and I still lost. She touched her cheek from where she remembered being hit constantly. Jihl's baton hurt and Vanille had given her the pleasure of tears. Through all the tears and whimpers that had escaped Vanille, she had not given Jihl the satisfaction of begging. Most of her will had been broken, but not enough to beg for mercy. Jihl must have known that Vanille did not know where any of her friends were, Jihl probably just liked being able to hurt her. Interrogation was the perfect excuse to hurt someone. Vanille touched her arm and winced at the pain. A bruise was there without a doubt. She had even bled from the "interrogation". At the moment, once again, she felt completely alone. Fang, where are you? Vanille thought looking down. Wincing a bit, Vanille pulled her legs up on the bench she was sitting on and leaned on her side on the wall. A medic had come in to tend to her a little bit ago. Not thinking much on it, but the PSICOM soldiers escorting the medic thought it was amusing to see Vanille like how she was. Even though she had love for Cocoon and saved it, they were still against them. One of them told her Jihl had wanted her in better shape, just so it would be painful next time. The other soldier had snickered and said that L'Cie did not even deserve the mercy she was getting so far. The other then mentioned that once Jihl had her fill, Vanille would be executed. What use was a broken toy?

At that moment Vanille had not sad anything, just allowed the medic to do his work. Bandaged where her skin was broken and put soothing cream on her bruises. Through everything, she did know she needed to get out of here. How? Sazh was not here to help again. Her weapon was, somewhere on the airship. Possibly with Jihl. Taking in a deep breath, wincing in doing so, she tried to keep her hopes up. Fang is...is searching for me, Vanille thought. The others... Oh what's the use. Sighing she rested her head on her knees. All she could do was hope everything would happen in her favor. At that moment she heard the doors to her cell open. "Well well, guess who just can't wait to see you. Already sent in the medic to see how your injuries are." one of the soldiers spoke. Vanille decided to simply ignore him. The two that were assigned to watch over her, were the two most mean PSICOM soldiers she had seen and fought. What's the point in arguing with them? Did it bother her what they said? Yes, but why give them the satisfaction. They get enough by seeing her like this. She felt the touch of the medic checking her injures. "Aw is the raging L'Cie done?" the same soldier asked. "Her injuries will take two days to heal. the medic said standing up. In her line of sight she saw the soldier that enjoyed mocking her. "No one is coming for you. No one cares about a broken L'Cie" the soldier spoke.

"What more do you want from me?" Vanille spoke and sent a glare at the soldier. "I'm injured and cried. Just leave me alone." Vanille said and looked at her knees. Hearing a snicker she saw the soldier take out her weapon. "Guess who got assigned to watch your weapon. I could throw this off the ship if I wanted. he said snickering. Vanille, be strong and get out of there! Words that Fang would say. This is no place or treatment for a kid. Words Sazh would say. Standing up Vanille looked at him. "Whoa oh ho, look who feels high and mighty. Tell you what if you can throw a decent punch, I'll let you have your weapon." he spoke. "You know, where I got this fur from?" Vanille asked while glaring at him. The other soldier wasn't in here and the medic was waiting by the door. The soldier had his gun in one hand, probably ready to shoot. "I killed a bear without any help. And you need to be quiet and leave me alone!" Vanille said in a firm voice. In frustration Vanille kneed the man in the gut. At that moment the soldier dropped her weapon and his own. Taking the gun Vanille hit him in the face with the gun before dropping it. Before she knew it, the medic had already taken off. Luckily he was still in her line of sight and used her rod's cables to swing them at him. Watching them wrap around him, Vanille made a quick yank and the medic fell hitting his head and knocking him out. She then heard a cough. Vanille looked down and saw the PSICOM soldier trying to get up. "I'm not all smiles and sunshine." Vanille said and kicked him in the head. Whether he was dead or knocked out, she was going to take the chance to make a run for it.

I did it, Vanille thought with a smile. Jogging out of the cell, she winced in pain. Her knees were still sore from being thrown down on them so much. With a swift of her hand, she cast Cure on herself. Feeling a little better, Vanille was able to break into a run along the empty prisoner cell section. If she could remember correctly the loading bay was not far from where she was. Looking down the long corridor, Vanille broke into a jog. I really did it, Vanille thought happily. I'm not broken. Slowing down as she heard footsteps, Vanille stopped at the corner of the corridor. The footsteps sounded like it was coming towards her. Holding her Binding Rod close, Vanille backed up as far as she could against the wall. Stay strong Vanille, echoed in her mind. Right, Vanille thought and nodded. Breathing in a deep breath as if the PSICOM soldier would hear her, Vanille waited for him. Judging by the sounds of the footsteps, Vanille raised her Binding Rod as if to swing it. By intuition, Vanille swung her weapon as hard as she could at the open space. Like she predicted, a PSICOM soldier fell to the floor with a thud. He groaned and moved his head around. Getting back into a stern battle stance, she noticed his head stop moving. Once again, alive or knocked out it was the okay to keep running. With that thought Vanille kept running.

"FREEZE!" A voice echoed through the hall. Vanille automatically froze, eyes wide open, and her teeth clamped together. "Keep your hands where we can see them." Turning around she saw another PSICOM soldier. Oh, I should have known this would be complicated. Vanille thought. Vanille moved her head to look down and bit lightly on her cut lip. "I said FREEZE!" the soldier repeated. "Like this?" Vanille asked and moved her arm in a swift motion and cast blizzard. Vanille then swung her binding rod and let the cables hit him a few times. With the blizzard and being physically hit, the soldier collapsed. After this Vanille broke into another run.

Beating the soldiers she had beaten had brought a new courage into her. Made her forget about her previous feelings of feeling broken and alone. I should be more careful however, Vanille thought. Breaking to a halt hearing a small group of soldiers pass by the intersection of corridors, Vanille noticed three of them. Just let them pass, Vanille thought. Doing her best to stay hidden, she let them walk by. Slowly creeping around the corner she walked and tried not to make any noises. I can do this, Vanille thought. Sure enough at the end of the corridor she had turned on, Vanille saw an elevator of sorts. Looking behind her to make sure the trio of soldiers were far away enough. Vanille ran to the elevator and stopped. What if she was caught off guard while riding on the elevator? I'll have to take the stairs, Vanille thought Looking around she saw a sign and a door. So conveniently enough to say stairwell. Running to the door, she opened it and started. The loading bay was a two floors down. The silver, white, and blue stairwell did not echo of footsteps. Seemed all the soldiers preferred the elevator. No problem for Vanille what so ever. Breaking into a skip/jog down the steps, Vanille felt overjoyed at what she was doing. Escaping Jihl's forces with no help.

At the second floor Vanille put her ear to the door. She didn't her any footsteps. Quietly opening the door, Vanille only saw two soldiers far down the opposite side of the corridor. Luckily not in the direction she had to go. Slowly jogging down the corridor she made it to the end. The two big gray doors automatically opened and showed the hanger. Which was crawling with pilots, technicians, and soldiers. Hiding behind large boxs and crates when the time called to, Vanille saw a small ship with it's door open. Making a small squeal of hope, Vanille rushed into the ship. "A voice rang through the hanger." a voice rang out. Uh-oh, gotta go. Vanille thought. After pushing the button it lit up, Vanille then heard the voice telling people that the prisoner was stealing a ship. Okay gotta think fast. Looking at the controls, it seemed like a complete mess. Oh no, how do I fly this thing? Vanille thought. Pushing a random big button, she heard an automatic voice in the ship. "Weapons ready" Grabbing the stick she saw, Vanille pressed another big button and heard a noise. Which would probably sound like the ship starting. Hearing a loud creaking noise she saw the hanger doors closing. Learn fast Vanille! The same motivational voice echoed inside her head.

"Ehh." Vanille said and pulled back a bit on the stick. The ship began to move as she did so. Moved up which was a good start. Without much more thought, because the hanger bay doors were almost shut, Vanille pushed the stick forward. The ship began to move towards the closing doors. "Come on!" Vanille cried in a panic. Scrunching her face in a nervous state. Vanille closed her eyes and opened them. She was out! "I did it, I made it out! Vanille said happily. Looking back at the ship she saw guns pointed at her. Big cannon like guns. Oh, Vanille thought and grimaced. Blinking she saw a cannon rushing towards the ship. Panicing Vanille jerked the stick to the side and narrowly missing the cannon. However, she did not see the second cannon that was fired at the same time. Fortunately when she had moved, it's aim was off. Sadly though, it hit the wing and the door tearing it off. Sudden realization, her seatbelt was not buckled. Next thing she knew, she was gripping onto the stick while her legs were flailing out the torn open hole. Which was causing the ship to spin in spirals. Not doing well for her worry, Vanille began to scream in fear. Seeing her weapon still by the seat where she had put it. Vanille looked down and saw water, with land not to far from it. Trying to reach for her weapon, Vanille got a gasp on it. This made her lose her grip on the ship however. Spiraling colors filled her eyes as she plummeted to the water, while screaming the entire way. Trying to turn her body so the impact would not hurt so much. With a hard thrust of her head, Vanille managed to start falling feet first instead of head first. She soon felt the impact of the water. Painful but warm. Pain coursing through her body, Vanille tried swimming for the surface. Every muscle and part of her body ached. The torture she endured and the impact of the water all were to thank for it. Feeling like her lungs were about to explode, Vanille felt air hit her face. As she began to cough, she looked for the shore. Not to far. Seems the airship had exploded also. Parts of the ship had fallen into the water. Slowly she began to sidestroke towards the shore. With every stroke she pushed a shooting pain went through her muscles. Wincing after the first handful, she began to think of Oerba. Flowers, the people, fields, and meeting Fang at the orphanage. Wanting to close her eyes and just lose herself in those times. Vanille continued swimming and closed her eyes. The pain was still there, but was more bearable. Before she knew it, Vanille hit her feet on sand. Walking turned to crawling and by the time she was out of the water, Vanille collapsed on the sand. The water still hit her legs as she laid there. Closing her fist, she wished for everything to be over. However, Vanille didn't realize that Jihl had already sent out soldiers to retrieve her "toy". Without another thought, Vanille closed her eyes and passed out.


----

Blizzard: Deals moderate ice damage to one enemy. (Cooldown: One post.)

[Hope Estheim]

Back in Pulse, but in a time before Bhunivelze and the chaos from Valhalla. It was here that Hope had returned, though temporary or not was unknown. He was in front of Academy HQ, with people walking around as if his appearance there was nothing. Walking into the HQ, he was greeted and asked about his work with New Cocoon by a couple of scientists. He had really returned to Pulse as he had been trying to do. But how did he get here? What about those he met while exploring the other worlds? There were things he was doing that he had not finished yet. So many confusing details, and Hope had no idea where to start. The first thing Hope did was inquire on what was happening on Pulse currently to the scientists that came to him. Getting an idea of what is happening would let him know what he should do and where he should start.

However, the answer he had gotten was not what he wanted. The Academy has slowed down their developments and work due to PSICOM rising up again under the command of Jihl Nabaat. "What a minute? Jihl Nabaat is running PSICOM right now? Are you sure about this?" PSICOM was supposed to not be functioning anymore, and Jihl was supposed to be dead. Similar instances to what had been going on in other worlds. "Get me to whoever can give me some answers. I need to know if PSICOM is active, and where they are right now." Hope was brought to a different section of the Academy. There, they were watching on a screen a large PSICOM ship was in the sky. The Academy was planning on intercepting them due to the danger they have been imposing on the general public. "I'll head out there too then. Jihl's dangerous and not to be taken lightly. I've dealt with her before."

Just then, on the screen, it would be seen that a small ship would be seen leaving the aircraft. Though it would only get so far before being shot, opening a hole in the ship. "...They are shooting at one of their own? Must be a civilian that tried escaping...Alright, I'll go check out where the ship is and make sure whoever is on board is safe. PSICOM will probably try and pursue, so make sure they are handled." Hope would then go and board an airship that was nearly finished with preparations to head out that way. His duty for Academy and the people of Pulse came first on Pulse. He was a part of the Academy, so he needed to make sure everything was safe now before figuring out what to do about the other worlds.

Heading out to the area where PSICOM and the crashed ship was, Hope would take a small ship down to the crash site. There was a lake where the ship was, as well as some floating parts. On land, he could kiss a figure near the shore, heading over to check on the person. However, he stopped in shock and confusion when the person he saw turned out to be Vanille. "How....?" Vanille was crystal last time he know, in 500 AF. He was certain this was before that time, and now she was here before him. She seemed to be in terrible condition. Just what had happened in the time he was gone? Hope knelt down beside her, checking to make sure she was still alive. "....She's breathing. She's passed out, but alive." With a quick sigh of relief, he would quickly notice her severe condition. "Jihl hasn't lost her brutal methods towards her enemies."

Hope would pick up Vanille and carry her over to his small airship. Up in the sky, Academy had started shooting at the PSICOM ship and trying to get soldiers on board. Once at his ship, he would bring her on board and lay her down, casting Cura on her to try and help her recovery. Something told Hope that today was not going to be an easy one for him. Though if his days were easy, then there would be no need for him to be in his position. After he casted Cura on Vanille, he went to the cockpit of his ship and started it up. He was aiming to join the rest of the crew wit the confrontation of PSICOM. There was a medic team on board, which would be better suited to treating Vanille than he was. Besides, with Jihl leading PSICOM, they would need someone who was mor acquainted with her tactics.

[Jihl Nabaat]

Jihl returned back to the command bridge of her airship after her "interrogation" of Vanille. It was amusing to watch the young girl's will break before her eyes and she knew that soon she would be beyond repair and then Jilhl would dispose of her. She had to have her fun first of couse so she took breaks in between "interrogations" just long enough for Vanille's injuries to heal then the process would begin over again. Jihl took her seat in the commanders chair and went to work dealing with various paperwork and other general things like that. The incredibly boring stuff. However, as boring as paperwork might be Jihl did it without complaint as it was part of her duties. It was business as usual until alarms started going off all around the command bridge.

Jihl shot up from her seat and ordered an immediate situation report. A nearby soldier responded to her order. "Colonel! The l'Cie female has escaped her cell and she is armed." Jihl took the new rather well but she still didn't like it at all. [red]"Then I suggest you and your men get out there and capture her at once."[/red] The captain with which Jihl was speaking to saluted her then rushed off to organize his squad and persue the fugitive. The PSICOM officer cursed the incompetence of those who were guarding Vanillle then she picked up a comm device and tapped it into the ship's public address system.

[red]"Attention all PSICOM personnel. This is Colonel Jihl Nabaat. The l'Cie fugitive that was being held in cell block C has escaped custody and is currently loose on the ship. Her immediate recapture and detainment is top priority!"[/red] Jihl the removed the comm device from her ear and exited the command bridge. She would look for Vanille herself and she knew that if there was once place the l'Cie would go it was the hanger. It was the only place that one could leave the ship with out falling to their death. The PSICOM officer proceeded directly to the hanger but she did not make it in time.

The entrance admitted Jihl into the hanger just in time to see a ship moving around the hanger erratically and then she saw her l'Cie prisoner in the cockpit of that ship. A squad of soldiers that had entered the hanger behind Jihl opened fire on the ship but the it had managed to escape the ship by squeezing through the hanger doors as they were about to close. [red]"Damn."[/red] Jihl said cursing under her breath. Then she stared the the now closed hanger doors a moment before addressing a nearby flight captain. [red]"Get your men into their ships now. Get that l'Cie vermin back on this ship.[/red] The flight captain saluted her and then quickly hurried off to carry out his orders.

Twenty minutes later a squad of PSICOM fighters screamed out of the hanger and spread out to scower the plains below for Jihl's escaped prisoner. It didn't take long to spot the wreakage of the ship Vanille had escaped on and the image from the pilot's onboard camera appeared on a holo screen infront of Jihl back on the command bridge. [red]"There you are."[/red] Vanille's passed out body could be clearly seen on the beach of a lack with the ship wreckage not too far off shore. But then Jihl noticed another person standing over Vanille. [red]"Now who could that be?"[/red] Jihl zoomed in and got a clear look at the unknown man's face. [red]"Well would you look at that. Not only will I get Vanille back but I'll capture another of her terrorist friends."[/red]

Jihl had already sent out a squadron of fighters to retrieve Vanille and was about to depart for her personal shuttle to intercept the two l'Cie herself when a soldier suddenly shouted out. "Enemy Airship is engaging us ma'am! Jihl checked her screens and sure enough an Academy airship was firing at them and the PSICOM ship had returned fire. Reports of enemy troops boarding the ship began pouring into the command bridge and Jihl became furious. PSICOM soldiers and officers began counterattack procedures and was pushing the enemy troops back.

With a few battles of her own fought and won, Jihl made it to the hanger where the fighting was thickest and after some more fighting she was on her way to the surface herself. Her personal shuttle landed with some damage near the spot where Hope and Vannile were and she exited the shuttle with ten soldiers following behind her. The soldiers surrounded the pair and Jihl stepped forward. [red]"Ah if it isn't the little brat all grown up. I'll be taking the girl back if you don't mind."[/red] The tone of her voice clearly indicated that what she said was not a request and to punctuate her statement the solders all switched the safeties off on their guns and aimed them at Hope. [red]"Oh, and you will be coming back as my prisoner as well."[/red] The solders began moving in to arrest the two.