Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or items, Square Enix does.


Worth It All

Chapter 1: Ghasyl Greens and Chocobos

"There she is folks! The Ancient Forest." Their blonde pilot shouted over the roar of the chopper. His four passengers were all dressed in navy blue suit; two men and two women. The red head's suit was messily put together and he didn't seem to care. His male counterpart was the complete opposite; sharp and crisp with dark shades, bald head shining in the light. The two women that sat across from them were engaged in animated conversation, one a blonde, with short cropped hair and a brunette, whose locks toppled down her back, coming into a fish tail at the end. 'Turks,' the pilot grumbled. 'Can't wait 'til this job is done with.'

The pilot steered the chopper to a clearing a ways away from the forest. The two men slid open the door and glanced at the ladies who gave them a confirmation nod. All exited with an easy jump, the brunette who was last to leave turned and smiled kindly at the pilot. "Thanks Mr. Highwind. We'll see you in a week's time!" She waved and jumped out of the helicopter.

"No problem Ms. Lockheart!" he replied unable to stop the returning smile. 'God, whatever got a sweet young girl like that stuck with the Turks is beyond me.' He thought to himself as he lifted off to return to his hotel in the neighboring town. 'I just hope that whatever is out there is worth them trekking through that cursed forest.' With one last look at the group he sped off into the distance.

Tifa waved at the retreating helicopter unable to contain her delight from the short aerial adventure. "Oi! Tifa, let's get a move on!" called the red head. Tifa turned to roll her eyes in his direction as she walked toward the three Turks. She was a personal secretary to Rufus Shinra of the Shin-Ra Electric Power Company. She was sent as a sort of envoy for the President and his interests in the Ancient Forest, rumored to have a rich amount of Mako which could be harvested for a wide range of profitable materials.

"Keep your pants on, Reno!" she replied as she jogged up to the group. Unlike her female friend, Elena, Tifa sported a work skirt instead of pants, per President Shinra's orders. At the time she was a new employee and didn't want to step on any toes that would get her fired. She needed this job much to her dismay. Working in a bar just didn't cut the newly raised cost of living expenses. So after a year or so with the Shin-Ra Company she was able to afford the little luxuries she could only dream of as a little girl; which included owning an exclusive set of Premium Heart Dragon hide gloves, studded with the hardest known material to man black diamond. Those gloves were her pride and joy, which were now tucked safely into a little pouch at her waist.

Much to her delight early yesterday Rufus Shinra had explained that she would be accompanying Reno, Rude, and Elena of their survey of the Ancient Forest. Where they were the muscle to make sure any negotiations with locals went smoothly, she was to act the diplomat before any damage was to be dealt. Not that she really needed the back-up of the Turks, she had been practicing hand-to-hand combat since she was young and could now successfully knock out any poor sap who thought they could overcome her.

"Don't know why boss sent Sweet Cheeks with us. Not like we can't handle negotiations on our own." Reno stated nonchalantly as they passed through the field towards the forest ahead.

At the mention of Reno's nickname for her a vein popped up in Tifa's forehead. Trying to resist the urge to hammer the guy in the back of the head, but alas Tifa's resolve didn't hold up and a few seconds later Reno was squatting down holding the back of his head with two hands. Tifa huffing away, head held to the sky. Elena glanced down at Reno and gave a long sigh, before she continued after the brunette.

"And that…Is why Boss sent Tifa with us." Rude replied before he followed the two women. Reno stood up and chased after his three companions just before they entered the forest.

As soon as they entered the forest they were washed with an eerie calm and peace. There was no sound of wildlife or any indication of human activity. The group looked around, trees almost seemed to be aligned in rows; creepily so. Light filtered to the ground through the gaps in the trees letting the group pass through unobstructed.

"Eh, see nothing to worry about!" Reno called out to the woman who stood a further distance from him and Rude. "No one around for miles, let's blow this joint and head back for the evening specials. First round on me!" Elena shot him a glare after he finished causing him to drop his cheerful disposition in exchange for the pouting face of a child. Hands now in his pockets he strolled up to the two women who were now in deep thought over Tifa's smart phone.

"I don't understand, it says here that there should be a town or a city a mile in." Tifa said, brow furrowed.

"Perhaps it is an old map, if anything we can just head straight through." Elena replied, "We're bound to see it eventually." Tifa nodded in confirmation and pocketed the phone.

"No use burning daylight let's get this over with." Reno stated glumly pushing past the women who just sighed at Reno.


Two Hours Later

"Hate to break it to you ladies, but there's nothing out here." Reno said, jumping down from a boulder to land neatly beside the two women.

"It doesn't make any sense, this is a satellite reading!" Tifa exclaimed.

"Perhaps you should invest in a new one?"

Tifa shot Reno a glare, which he attentively backed away from. "No disrespect," he replied hands up in peace.

"Maybe we should split up?" Rude suggested. "We'd be able to cover more ground; if the satellite says that it's out here it has to be."

"Hmm, I don't know." Elena said contemplatively. This forest is like a maze; we could easily get lost and never get out. There have been numerous reports of missing peoples in this area."

"Probably should've brought a golden chocobo then." Reno said leaning against a tree. His three companions just looked at him as if he were a headless chocobo. "Now, now hear me out!" The women crossed their arms, waiting whatever ridiculous story he'd throw up. "I met an old guy up in the Northern Continent, called himself the Chocobo Sage. Old man seemed a bit loony to me but it was something he said in the midst of meditating that made me remember it." He leaned forward before he continued. "If ever you are lost, search for the golden chocobo…He shall lead you to where you desire without fail." Reno wiggled his fingers toward the woman as he finished his story.

At this Elena slammed her own fist into Reno's head. "That is the stupidest load of crap I've ever heard! Lay off the Ghasyhl Greens for a while!" The two continued their bickering as Rude looked on, glad he wasn't in Reno's shoes. Tifa stood glancing down at the image on her phone, trying to make heads or tails of its authenticity.

Out of the corner of her eye Tifa saw a golden flash. Turning her head to the side she caught the tail end of golden feathers. "Did you guys see that just now?" The bickering couple stopped for a moment and glanced at Tifa disbelievingly.

"See what Teef?" Elena asked, lowering her arm which was about to whack Reno for a third time.

"Golden….feathers…."

"Huh? Don't tell me Reno's given you some Greens as well?" Elena exclaimed flustered.

The brunette turned to her and shook her head. "No seriously! I could've sworn I saw a Golden…Chocobo…."

"Teef, I just think we've been wandering around too long. This forest doesn't seem natural to begin with. Let's get out of her and call the Boss. Tell'm that there's nothing out here and to send in the cavalry." Reno said as he dodged another fist from Elena.

Shrugging her shoulders Tifa sighed and pocketed her phone again. "I suppose you're right." Her companions headed back the way they came, Tifa staring dejectedly at the forest floor. 'I know I saw something golden….'

Placing one foot in front of the other she made to catch up with her companions but again out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of gold. The faint sound of Kwee in the distance. Ok now she knew she wasn't going to crazy. She definitely heard a chocobo. Not really understanding why, she broke out into a run in the opposite direction.

The forest flew by in a blur, images of green, brown, and tan mixing together like a watercolor painting. Her muscles were burning from the exertion, her breath coming out in ragged pants, but she kept running. Glints of gold flashing ahead of her through the trees, taunting her. 'I've got you now.' She thought as she raced after it. Further ahead the forest broke out into a clearing, white light blinding her as Tifa made it to the edge of the forest. She stopped in her tracks and raised her hand up to block out the offending rays.

Once her eyes adjusted to the light she slowly lowered her arm to gaze upon a beautiful field of flowers. Entranced by the splendid sight Tifa walked further into the field; closing her eyes she reveled in the smell of the flowers and the crisp coolness of the breeze that enveloped her. She did a turn, hands held out at either side of her as she exposed her face to the warm sun above. The Ancient Forest was as close to the Northern Continent as one could get before actually feeling the frigid terrain. So the sun provided a beautiful balance of warmth to the cool breeze of the north. A smile formed on her lips as Tifa continued to twirl in the field of flowers when all of a sudden the sharp sound of Kwee startled her.

She stopped in her tracks eyes shooting open looking for the offending chocobo. Insistent the chocobo kept up his awkward call as Tifa made her way through the flowers. Spotting a hill Tifa scrambled up its side and looked down to see a brilliant Golden Chocobo. Amidst his obnoxious kwee'ing Tifa heard humming. Curious she looked around and spotted a basket full of flowers a few feet from the majestic bird.

"Hello?" Tifa called out toward the chocobo. Carefully she made her way down the other side of the hill, looking about for the source of the music. The golden chocobo turned and looked her, not the least bit frightened by her presence. 'He must belong to someone; otherwise he'd have run away from me by now.' Now at arm's length away the chocobo craned his neck to meet Tifa's outstretched hand. Tifa then gently patted its beak, slowly patting the golden feathers of its neck.

"That's a good boy." She cooed to the bird now making gentle kwee'ing noises in return.

"Lightning!" a feminine voice called from the forest on the opposite side of them. At the sound of his name he picked up his head and gave a loud resounding KWEEE. A tender laugh was his reply, as he moved past Tifa to pick up the basket of flowers, but refused to move out of Tifa's gentle stroking hand.

"Lightning! Come here boy!" came the voice again, again the bird only keened in reply. "Alright, I'll bite, what have you found this – " Tifa found the source of the voice. A woman no older looking than herself stared back her with gentle green eyes. Light chestnut hair was tied into a braid behind her by a bright pink ribbon that swayed in the breeze. She wore a pick dress and had another basket of flowers in one hand.

Alarmed the girl stood there just staring at Tifa. A little unnerved by this reaction Tifa removed her hand from the chocobo and stepped away from it. "I'm sorry," she said swallowing the bile in her throat. "I didn't know he belonged to anyone. I seemed to have gotten lost while following your chocobo."

At the sound of her voice the girl was knocked from her shock, a light tinge of pink rising to her cheeks. "No! Not at all, don't be sorry! Lighting has a way of attracting strangers around here." The girl replied coming closer to Tifa. "You look flushed are you alright? Perhaps you should come with me to the town. You can rest there before you back."

"Town?" Tifa perked up at the girl's statement.

"Yes, Ajito. Please, follow me." The girl said taking the basket of flowers from Lighting's mouth she made her way back the way she had come. Lightning followed his master. Tifa stood in shock, there was no way a town could be this far off the map. "Oh! I'm completely forgot!" The girl exclaimed ahead of her, she turned a flashed a brilliant white smile. "My name is Aeris Gainsbourgh."

"Tifa, Tifa Lockheart."

Aeris giggled as Tifa started dumbfounded. "Well come on Tifa, it'll be dark soon we should get back before sun down and the fiends come out to play."

At that Tifa snapped back to reality, satellite be damned, she wouldn't be caught dead out in the middle of the night in a fiend infested forest. 'Although,' Tifa thought to herself, 'there was no sign of any living creature when we first entered the forest. I hope the others get out alright.' Without another word Tifa followed Aeris and the golden chocobo into the forest.


A/N: Please Review! This is a new spin on a story that I started years ago and I want to know how it's received! Thank you!