As a starless midnight sky loomed over Cosmo Canyon, a long figure crawled past the rocks and dust, desperately trying to stay ahead of the shouts and searchlights trailing her. Bleeding and coughing, she desperately gasped for air; around her neck, she wore a tight metal collar, which was slowly beeping. As she reached the edge of the Canyon, a tall, shadowy figure stepped out from behind a pillar of stone.
       "Did you get it?" he asked the mystery ninja, in a low, baritone voice.
       "I got them." she replied, handing him a packed satchel. He grabbed the bag from her and opened it, revealing a bright, multicolored glow from within. "Now take off this bomb!"
       "There are only three here. Where's the fourth one?" The collar began beeping faster.
       "I couldn't get it! I'm sorry!"
       The dark man picked up the ninja by her hair. "I know you have it," he snarled. “Give it to me or I'll just leave you here."
       "I never got it! I'm telling the truth!"
       He dropped her back onto the ground, making sure she landed on her face. "They're getting closer, now," he said, looking off in the direction of the searchlights. “What would a bunch of bored, lonely soldiers do to a pretty young thing like you, I wonder."
       She groaned miserably and pulled a thin crystal from her arm-guard. After handing it to him, she pleaded, "Now get this thing off me!"
       He unlocked the collar and pitched it into a nearby crevasse, where it shortly detonated. "I'll put you to sleep now. Can't have you making trouble." He quickly chanted a Sleep spell, and green light encircled her for a moment, after which she promptly collapsed. He picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. Not long after running back to his waiting plane, he flew off into the midnight sky.

*****

       It was one in the morning in Nibelheim, and Reno and Reeve were in the Mansion's drawing room, discussing matters related to Wutai.
       "I mean, I told Elena that I was staying for awhile, off duty, because I didn't want to draw attention to myself," Reno said, after downing a nightcap he'd prepared for himself. "You know as well as I do that the ninja of Wutai double as spies when they're on their own turf."
       "Yes, I know," Reeve replied. "So anyway, what happened to Yuffie and the Materia of the Highwind's passengers?"
       "They have this new commander there, some gaijin that Godo must've hired. Goes by ‘Cosmos'. They're stockpiling Materia for a possible military campaign to take place sometime in the near future. Could happen next year, could happen next week. It all depends on the Materia-- how much of it they can get, and how fast they can get it."
       Reeve furrowed his brows. "AVALANCHE had a hell of a lot of Materia too… I'd say they're off to a good start."
       From their chairs in the drawing room, Reeve and Reno heard the faint sounds of someone banging on the front door. Reno looked at Reeve.
       "I'll get it. Be right back."
       Reno left the room, and returned a few minutes later, followed by Nanaki. A broad smile crossed Reeve's face as he greeted the beast, but Nanaki's tired face remained grim.
       "Sir," Reno said, "Nanaki has some urgent business to discuss with you."
       As Reno took his seat once more, Nanaki sat before the two men and spoke in his deep, gravely voice. "I have some terrible news to share with you, Reeve… a matter of grave importance that needs your attention right away."
       Reeve was troubled by the slight quaver in Nanaki's words. "What is it?"
       "The Huge Materia that were in my grandfather's study have been stolen."
       "What?"
       Nanaki bowed his head. "We had sentries out searching, our local guard regiment combed the Canyon for the thief… but we couldn't find her. There are still a few men out looking…"
       Reeve gave Nanaki a sidelong glance. "Her? You don't suspect… Yuffie, do you?"
       "I don't want to suspect Yuffie," the red beast replied. "But I saw a glimpse of a girl with short brown hair, carrying a shuriken, running away from town… shortly afterward, I entered Grandpa's house and noticed that the crystals were gone."
       "I guess some things never change," Reeve sighed.
       "I wouldn't jump to conclusions so easily… There was something strange about her. This person looked somewhat like Yuffie, but her movements were different. There was more tension in them."
       Reeve leaned forward and stared at the floor, thinking. There was a long silence. Finally, Reeve stood up.
       "Nanaki, your people have done everything they can… unfortunately, there's not much else that can be done at the moment. I'll have a message sent out to my various regiments in the Western Continent tonight. Tomorrow morning, we'll deal with this issue more thoroughly."
       "But… isn't there anything else you can do?"
       Reeve shook his head. "Not until tomorrow. Nanaki, would you like to stay here for the night? I'm sure you must be tired from your trip…"
       Nanaki nodded. "I appreciate your offer, and accept it. However, I must set off for home once the sun rises."
       "Let me know when you're ready to leave, and I'll go with you."
       Reno yawned. "Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to call it a night. See you in the morning." The Turk turned and shuffled up the staircase to his room.
       "He's got the right idea," Reeve told the red beast. "It's late, and it won't do us any good if we're exhausted tomorrow morning. I wish you didn't have to come all this way, especially considering the news you brought, but it is good to see you. I heard you'd been captured."
       As Reeve left the room, Nanaki followed, his glowing tail the only source of light in the darkened mansion. "No need to dwell on that; as I have been rescued and am in good health. We have a new crisis on our hands… one which could lead to grave consequences if it is not resolved soon…"
       "Yes… I know. And I guarantee you that something will be done."

       Early the next morning, Reeve and Nanaki set out toward Cosmo Canyon; Reeve on Chocobo-back, and Nanaki running alongside him. After a few hours of hard riding, they managed to reach the Canyon village an hour before noon. Immediately, they entered town and climbed the long staircase up to Bugenhagen's home. They entered the observatory, and the first thing Reeve noticed was the darkness of the room. He flicked on the lights, and the empty space above him only confirmed his fears.
       "Oh no… they really are gone, aren't they?"
       Nanaki's only response was a halfhearted nod. Reeve drew out his laptop computer from his satchel and set it up on a nearby table.
       "I must send out an all-points bulletin, immediately."
       The red beast sunk to the floor and murmured, "This is just a bit of advice, but I wouldn't incriminate Yuffie just yet."
       "I have no plans to incriminate anyone. I simply want to get the word out that the Materias are missing, and must be found immediately."
       Reeve typed at a frantic pace; after he was done, he used his PHS as a modem to send the following message to as many Blue Shinra officials, allies, and reporters as he could:

       My fellow Citizens,
       It is with great reluctance that I must announce that the Huge Materias have been stolen from Cosmo Canyon. Wutai ninja are suspected. I'm planning a visit to Wutai shortly to meet with Lord Godo. In the meantime, a reward of 2,000,000 gil is being offered to anyone with any information leading to the whereabouts of the Huge Materias. If you have any leads, you are urged to contact Blue Shinra Headquarters in Nibelheim. Take care and goodnight.
       Reeve
       President, Blue Shinra Utility Company

*****

       He was in the Gold Saucer, a large round stone in his hand. He heard someone come up from the Round Square chute behind him. He could see her reflection on the shiny wall he was facing; the girl had long brown hair, and wore a short jacket and a long dress. The game had begun.
       He held the stone aloft so that the girl could see it. Standing there just long enough to hear her gasp, he jumped inside the nearest chute. It took him to the Ghost Hotel. He looked up into the sky, but could only see blackness and stars. He tried another chute, and did the same thing. Then another, then another. Eventually, he found himself in Chocobo Square. Hovering in the sky above was a helicopter, with Tseng leaning out of the door. The Turk showed no emotion.
       "C'mon Reeve, toss me the Keystone!"
       He turned behind him to see that the girl, Aeris, had caught up with him.
       "Reeve, what are you doing?!"
       He said nothing, and looked back at the helicopter, then back at Aeris.

       Reeve was suddenly awakened by a loud noise. He sat up in his bed, taking in the booming sound. The thunder subsided, letting the drumming of the heavy rain dominate once more. After a moment, he plopped back down to his pillows. The clock on the dresser read 4:27 AM.
       "Yuffie's not working alone… that much I'm sure of…"

*****

       The next day, Saber awoke and started to break camp. He was on the Chocobo Fields just south of the Gold Saucer. After a brief hunt for Chocobo eggs, he started a fire and cooked breakfast. Once he had his fill, he lay on his back and gazed up at the blue sky. There were still a few rain clouds here and there, but otherwise, it was a perfectly clear morning.
       Just then, a dark spot entered his field of vision. Saber pulled out his binoculars and focused on the spot. It was a seaplane, being piloted by a person in a dark suit. In the back of the plane, Saber spotted another, smaller figure, and something shiny like glass.
       "Someone in a dark suit… might be a Turk," Saber mused, recalling his SOLDIER days. "Reno and Elena are alive…Rude also… they all work for Blue Shinra… but that looks like the seaplane from Costa Del Sol, which is a neutral town right now… So, that leaves Tseng. But… Tseng is dead…"
       Saber quickly finished his breakfast and packed the rest of his gear. He hopped on his motorcycle and began pursuing the plane.

       That same morning, in the Shinra Mansion, Reeve was overseeing the preparations for his trip to Wutai, after having arranged a meeting with Lord Godo. The Gelnika was ready to go, and Reno, Elena, and two Moogle Siths were already onboard. Reeve was still inside the Mansion, about to turn off his laptop, when the screen flickered blue.
       A Nexus EFA bulletin, Reeve thought. I'll have to read it on the plane.
       He snapped his laptop shut, then put it in his satchel and left the mansion. After the plane had taken off, he pulled the computer out again. Elena looked over from the seat behind him.
       "What's going on?"
       "Just some news from BlueJay. Would you and Reno like to see?"
       Elena nodded, and nudged the sleeping Reno awake. Reeve, with the two Turks looking on, read the following:

       Welcome to the Emergency network of the Electronic Field Agent system
       Brought to you by the BlueJay Nexus.
       Connecting to Nexus.............. .... ........ link made.
       3 items uploaded.
       URGENT POST: Former reports of Wutai's neutrality have been deemed false. General Cosmos, with the assistance of Lord Godo, has formed a small group of guerilla combatants. A lot of Materia has been piling up in Wutai. Shinra is thought to be the target, but civilian groups may also be in danger. Shinra defenses have doubled in Base 000 on Cactuar Island.
       URGENT POST UPDATE: Nexus agents have retrieved the Huge Materia. Nanaki has been requested to pick it up from outside of what used to be Corel's Ropeway Station. Nanaki, must protect it in Cosmo Canyon, or wherever he feels is safe. Any attempts to take it by force BY ANY FACTION will meet heavy Nexus resistance. Again, Nanaki is requested to pick up the Materia.

       Elena narrowed her eyes. "Curious that they'd ask that only Nanaki pick up the Huge Materia. It's a bit suspicious, don't you think?"
       Reeve looked back at the blonde Turk. "You say that as though the Huge Materia belong to us. I don't have much of a problem with it… but in a way, you are right. It is a bit suspicious that their instructions are so explicitly stated."

       A few hours later, the Gelnika came to land on a grassy field outside of Wutai Village.
       Reeve, carrying the Starlight Phone, stepped off the Gelinka escorted by Reno, Elena, and two Blue Moogles. The pilot and a small group of Blue SOLDIERs remained behind to guard the plane. The President, Turks, and Moogles started walking toward town when they were suddenly ambushed by a group of ninja.
       Reeve was startled by this attack. He addressed who appeared to be the leader of the group, a ninja wearing a red sash.
       "Will you please let us through? I have a meeting with Lord Godo."
       The ninja hissed, "We will not let you through until you give us Yuffie!"
       Reeve, Reno, and Elena exchanged glances. Reno replied, "Yuffie's not here?"
       "She was kidnapped by a man in a dark suit, like you two are wearing !" the ninja said, pointing at Reno and Elena.
       The three captors deliberated, whispering.
       "Do you have any idea what's going on?"
       "All I know is that it wasn't us. Nor could it have been Rude."
       "I wonder…"
       "Hey Reeve, I just had a crazy thought… could it have been Tseng?"
       Reeve and Elena stared at Reno. The President replied, "That's impossible! He's dead!"
       Elena silently bowed her head. Reno admonished Reeve, "Watch your mouth, Mr. President. Elena's a bit sensitive on this topic."
       Suddenly, the ninja's voice interrupted their conversation. "Well? Do you have any answers for us?"
       Reeve said, "We know nothing about Yuffie's whereabouts. Please, if we could just speak to Lord Godo…"
       "You'll have to get by me first!" boomed a voice from behind the towering stalks of bamboo. A tall man walked toward the group, dressed in black samurai armor and carrying a long katana. "I am Cosmos, General of the Wutai Army. State your business."
       "We are here to see Godo," answered Reeve.
       The general's dark eyes glistened. "So you are. Well, what if I told you that it wouldn't matter if you saw Godo or not."
       "What do you mean?"
       "You see, Godo has been far too lazy with ensuring the loyalty of his troops. Soon, with their assistance, I will reign supreme as Lord of Wutai!" the General boomed. A wry smirk suddenly crossed his face. "And now, with your… assistance, it looks like I may be able to add the Great Continent to my empire as well! Mwahahahahaha!!"
       "Over my dead body", Reeve hissed.
       Cosmos laughed. "Well Reeve, that's the whole idea… Ninja, capture them! I want them alive…" The general turned and walked back through the bamboo while the ninja advanced upon the small group. Reno whipped out his nightstick, while Elena pulled a grenade from her pocket. Reeve, in the meantime, put the Starlight Phone to his lips and started chanting an escape spell in a low voice. A bright light sprang up around one of the Moogles.
       One of the ninja lunged toward the group, but they had already vanished.

       Reeve, the Turks, and the Moogles found themselves about half a mile away from the Gelnika. They ran toward the plane, finding the SOLDIERs fighting off hordes of ninja. Reeve, Reno, and Elena joined the battle, fending off the ninja with explosives and elemental magic. Finally, they were able to retreat aboard the cargo plane, and take off, leaving the hostile land of Wutai behind. Some of the SOLDIERs had been hurt, and Reno had taken a slash to his left leg, but otherwise there were no major injuries. As the Moogles attended to the wounded, Reeve took out his laptop and established a link to the Electronic Field Agent System.

       To: BlueJay
       From: Reeve, Blue Shinra
       Subject: Re: Emergency Post

       BlueJay, I have read the latest news and am glad to hear of the Huge Materia's safety. I do, however, have another concern. I do not know what Tseng's motives are, but he must be located. We do not know whether or not he kidnapped Yuffie but we must find him nonetheless. If your agents could give me any information, it would be greatly appreciated.

       As he sent his message to BlueJay, Reno asked, "So what's the next plan, boss?"
       "We go to Cosmo Canyon and check out those Huge Materia that Nanaki brought back. We're going to have to work with the people of Cosmo Canyon to make sure that they remain secure. I don't think I'll do this mission personally this time… I've been so busy as it is."
       "I hear ya," Reno said, leaning back in his seat.
       Reeve glanced over at Elena, who appeared to be lost in thought, and wondered why she got so upset when Tseng's death was mentioned…

---

Completed March 2002 | Revised January 2003 | Copyright 2002-2003, The Blue Shinra Project.

I'd like to thank Regent Cosmos for his assistance in putting together this chapter ^_^

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