Chapter Thirty: Fighting Dreamer
"Judging from the circumstances, it's clear that the U-TIC Organization's target is on Miltia,'' Gaignun said to Helmer on his communications monitor. He stood near his desk in his office and looked out the window. "Ah, Miltia…" "There's a vortex of temptation…and obsession that still remains. That's what continues to draw them in. And Albedo… He's being drawn in just the same.''
"Albedo?! You mean, the U.R.T.V. Albedo? …He's still alive?" Helmer asked in disbelief. The dark-haired man shook his head slowly. "He will not die… Not until that time arrives…" But still... He narrowed his eyes some and saw the image of a red-haired girl about 12 years of age. There's her...
--
In the deep reaches of outer space, E.S Simeon flew through the stars. Inside, Albedo chuckled to himself. "Now, that was entertaining…All that remains is for ma pêche to link up with the U.M.N., and my objective will be complete,'' he said evilly. He closed his eyes as he started to activate the boosters. "Do heed my message, Rubedo…and I sense that our ''sister'' will be coming back!'' He laughed maniacally, taking off with his A.W.M.S. into deep-space.
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"We've confirmed a gate-jump by Albedo's craft,'' a man wearing a red hood said. "This is acceptable?" He turned to a silver-haired man with pale skin and red eyes as he sat at a semi-circular desk with his chin on his hands. "Yes, that's fine,'' he told him. "The door that leads to Abel's Ark…He is the only one who can open it."
"There's a possibility that he may link with U-DO again…" The red hooded man watched the other man shake his head. "That won't happen. He doesn't have that much power. He's only a key. Of course, we must accept the possibility that he can affect space-time anomalies to some extent… But that's what all of you are for. Still… His will shines with such wondrous light. It's a shame to relegate him to such a minor role…" The silver-haired man smiled softly.
"Don't you think…?"
--
''Come on, this way!''
''Shane, we know where the elevator is! Calm down!'' The group (save chaos) ran to the elevator, nearly pushing each other off it. Shion started the elevator as the group rode up to where KOS-MOS was, the light nearly blinding them. Shane looked at the blue-haired android and could have sworn that she saw Rukia. KOS-MOS turned her head to look back at everyone. Her sensors focused on Shion.
"Mission complete, Shion,'' she said in her monotone voice. The Vector employee gripped the railing then smiled softly. She was glad to see KOS-MOS okay. "Welcome back...'' The silver-haired girl moved through everyone and jumped over the railing. ''Guess that's my cue.''
''Wait, Shane, what are you--'' Shion looked to the girl's gloved hand to see it had become transparent. ''Shane...'' She turned around and began walking backwards. ''I told you...I was gonna disappear. I'm going back home.''
''But, Shane...'' She looked to MOMO, smiling. ''You be good, okay?'' She stopped, standing next to KOS-MOS. ''Thanks for everything, you guys,'' she told them. ''And I'm sorry for not telling you the truth at first...'' Shane looked to the android and placed her hand on her shoulder. ''Take care of Shion, will ya?'' ''Understood,'' KOS-MOS told her. ''Oi, Shane!'' The silver-haired girl looked to Jr. ''You...you better come back! You hear?!'' MOMO looked to him and nodded. ''Come back, okay?'' The girl smiled then turned around.
''I'll try to...and take care...'' She broke out into a run as she jumped off the ship. The wind hit her face, the water coming towards her fast. Rukia...you better do something! A small laugh echoed in Shane's mind. Don't worry... The next thing Shane knew, she slammed head first into the water.
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''OH GOD, I'M GONNA FUCKING DROWN!!'' Shane shot up from her hospital bed, breathing heavily. She looked around the room to see it was the same room from the Encephalon. She took out the I.V.s from her arms and the oxygen mask from her face. I'm back...? She climbed out of bed then walked over to a mirror on the wall. Her black hair and brown eyes were back to normal. ''Oh man...''
''Shane?!'' She looked to the doorway to see her mother with short black hair and glasses wearing a white shirt and blue jeans standing there. ''...Momma?'' Her mother walked over to her slowly then hugged her tightly. ''Oh my god...my baby, you're alright!'' She wrapped her arms around her mother, crying softly. ''I'm sorry, Momma...I'm sorry for everything...'' ''It's alright...at least you're okay...'' Mother and daughter didn't notice the other relatives walking into the room and gasping to see Shane awake after 6 weeks being in a coma.
2 weeks after Shane was released and went through therapy, she got back to her life in her ''normal'' way. She went to school and dreaded it. She drew in her notebook constantly while listening to Evanescence in the process. She talked with friends on her cell phone and slept whenever she saw the chance. She even spent more time with her mother, father, and hellish little sister. For a gift after recovering and therapy, her mother bought her Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose.
''Mom, I love you so much!'' She hugged her mother tightly, which shocked her and ran to her room. She sat down on her bed then looked at the cover. Shane turned it over onto the back as a small smirk came across her face. She looked up at her dresser to show Rukia in the mirror in her place.
''Ready to kick some Gnosis ass?'' The red-head asked.
''You know it.''
Chapter 30: End -- To Be Continued...