Radiant Garden – the City of Light; where dreams were endless.
At least, that's what the billboard outside her apartment said.
If dreams were endless, she would have succeeded in becoming a well-known pianist in the Elite Circle.
Instead, she had worked multiple jobs in order to pay the rent on time and still couldn't afford to move out of the Lower-City.
On her eighteen birthday, she decided to forgo her dream of being a famous pianist; how long had that score sat unfinished on her desk? She pulled all her savings together and bought a once-popular bar on the main street from its' elderly owners.
She didn't have time for her dreams, not if she wanted to pay her bills on time.
Throwing all her attention at the bar, she managed to turn the bar into the place-to-be in the Lower-City. Everyone knew of the Seventh Heaven. It was the place everyone seemed to migrate to as the workday finished, meeting up with their friends to have a bite to eat.
At least until the recession hit and folks had to mind their pennies.
Taxes went up as construction started in the City Circle, rerouting the foot traffic that past the Seventh Heaven. The grid system was strained due to the current construction zone, often leading to hours of burnouts.
The lights in the Seventh Heaven Bar blinked, making Tifa raise an eyebrow.
She noticed the slight sway of the light overhead, casting moving shadows on the counter, making her raise an eyebrow.
Frowning, she glanced at the drink she'd just made, the ice clinking against the glass.
Hadn't she felt a tremor earlier when she'd stopped to talk to Aeris at her flower shop?
"You alright, Teef?"
Tifa nodded, a knee-jerk reaction as she glanced up at Barrett, the burly man a regular at the bar.
"Yeah, I'm fine . . . just thinking –"
And that's when the lights went out.
The bar was suddenly shrouded in darkness, the karaoke machine in the corner cutting off mid-song, the hum of the mini-fridge behind her silent.
"You forget to pay your hydro bill?" Barrett asked, his glass clinking down on the countertop. "I know it's been rough for you lately –"
Tifa couldn't explain it, but she felt a shiver run up her spine, her hands curling into fists. Narrowing her eyes, her instincts telling her to run, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves, stepping out from behind the counter. "It's been a while since Radiant Garden had a burn out . . ."
It had been a month since the last one; the rumor was something had gone wrong up at the Castle.
"Looks like that's your last call," Tifa laughed, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. "Drinks on the house – just this once," Tifa added, taking the glass out of Barrett's grasp.
"Fine, fine, you drive a hard bargain, Teef," Barrett laughed, shuffling off the bar stool.
Tifa laughed, shaking her head, ushering the burly man out of the bar, flipping the sign from 'Open' to 'Closed' at the same time. Subconsciously, she glanced upwards – her piano and her unfinished musical score calling out to her – when she saw it out of the corner of her eye.
Two glowing, yellow orbs.
Yet again, Tifa felt the shiver run up her spine.
Narrowing her eyes, her stance tense, she jumped back as the yellow orbs moved, narrowly avoiding the swipe of sharpened claws.
"What?!" Her hands balled into fists, her eyes taking in the yellow orbs – noticing there were now more than one, their movements jittery. "What – what is this?"
Despite the fact that she hadn't practiced marital arts in a few years, instincts took over. The brunette moved towards the door ten feet away from her; which seemed to send the yellow orbs into a frenzy as they surged towards her – sharpened claws reaching out for her, scraping her arms, her legs as she pulled back her arm, sending a punch at the window proclaiming "The Seventh Heaven", knowing she didn't have time to fumble with the multiple locks on the bar door.
Jumping through the window with the momentum, Tifa landed lightly on the cobbled street, the stinging pain from the broken glass pushed away to the back of her mind. She would deal with that later.
The streets were chaos.
The streetlights were off, the setting sun casting eerie shadows across the street.
Storefronts were closed, their doors locked.
Shopping bags were forgotten in the middle of the road.
There was a din of noise around her – feet hurriedly hitting the pavement, a scream, a guttural cry as the glowing, yellow orbs found their prey.
And everywhere she looked – the creatures with the glowing, yellow orbs were emerging from the shadows.
It was . . . chaos.
Shaking her head, Tifa spared a glance back at her bar – the window shattered, the creatures spilling out of the space; standing on hind legs, their antennae's twitching in anticipation. Taking a deep breath, Tifa steeled herself, and left her bar – her pride and joy – behind.
She saw the creatures out of the corner of her eye as she ran.
She didn't pause when she outran someone, hearing them cry out in surprise moments later as claws raked down their back.
She knew she couldn't fight the strange creatures – her fist having just gone through them. As if the creatures were made out of smoke.
She didn't stop as she reached the end the intersection – she knew no car would be coming – making a quick turn, her mind racing for an answer.
It was obvious Radiant Garden was under attack.
It didn't make any sense though – who would attack and for what reason? What were those creatures?
She glanced up as the Castle loomed over the city, casting this section of the city into the shadows.
There was a rumor that something had been going on at the Castle lately – hadn't Cloud mentioned something in passing?
Her mind whirled – would the defenses of the Castle be down, the guards trying to protect their citizens? As she thought that though, she realized one thing – she had yet to pass anyone from the Castle.
"Are they behind –"
"TIFA!"
Unprepared, Tifa's eyes widened as she whirled around on her heel, pulling her fist back, and –
"Calm down," Squall's gruff voice cut through her focus, trapping Tifa's fist in his hand. "We're getting out of here – get to Cid's."
Cid's? She nodded though, remembering the retired pilot on the outskirts of the city. "What are these things?" Tifa spit out, noticing the creatures were being drawn to them – stationary targets – their antennae's twitching in anticipation.
"No idea –"
"Hey, where's my dad?" Tifa raised an eyebrow at the quiet voice. She cast a quick glance behind Squall, noticing that Aeris stood there, her dress ripped in a couple places, a squirming Yuffie in her arms. "I want my dad!"
"We're trying, Yuffie," Aeris mumbled, running a hand over Yuffie's hair. "I was babysitting at the shop when Squall phoned – our district's completely overrun now . . . "
Tifa cast a glance back at the looming Castle – Aeris and Yuffie lived near the Castle Gates; as did all families who had relatives working there.
"I know," Squall said, catching Tifa's gaze. "Highwind's leaving in ten minutes. I need to find Rinoa."
Tifa nodded, dodging as she saw a flicker of movement to her left, one of the creatures lunging at her, claws outstretched.
Even Squall's Gunblade ran through it, leaving not a single scratch.
Yuffie let out a strangled cry, burying her face in Aeris's shoulder. "It's going to be okay," Aeris mumbled, running a hand through the girl's hair. "Don't be late, Squall – you know he won't wait."
Squall nodded, distracted as his Gunblade ran through another creature. "Take care of the kid," he said, dodging another swipe from the sharpened claws, heading in the direction of the Market Square.
"Where's Cloud?" Tifa asked as they ran, ignoring the cries of fallen civilians as she stared straight ahead.
"I haven't seen him," Aeris said, adjusting Yuffie's weight in her arms, her free hand gripping a metal rod. Tifa didn't even bother asking about the rod she held; it was a desperate attempt to stay alive. "I'm sure he's alright . . ."
Tifa didn't reply, skidding to a stop as she noticed a burly creature ahead; his glowing eyes noticing them. It swung its bulky arms back, the chains adorning its chest rattling together as it turned, charging.
"Get the kid to Cid's," Tifa said, digging her running shoes into the pavement, curling her hands into fists. "I know the way – seven minutes."
"But –"
"Just GO!" Tifa shouted, surging forward, her eyes intent on the burly creature charging for her.
Could the creature sense she was a fighter?
That she wouldn't die easily?
Tifa was used to surviving – she'd had to fight for everything she had. Her parents had passed away when she was seven, leaving her to grow up in an orphanage. Prior to being in the orphanage, she had been a piano prodigy, even being invited to perform at the high-class parties up at the Castle. However, she shied away from the piano after the accident, focusing her anger into martial arts; which was where she met Cloud Strife, the sullen blonde having been chosen as her tag-team partner.
They couldn't stand each other at first, barely communicating beyond a sigh of annoyance. She supposed it changed when they heard about the fabled Coliseum and the trials opponents faced in the ring.
"Where are you, Cloud?" she muttered, dodging another charge from the Large Body, her kick sailing right through the creature. "You've never not shown up . . ." she mumbled, ducking a punch sent in her direction.
She bit out a curse as she noticed a couple pairs of yellow orbs seeping out from the cracks in the pavement, briefly noticing she'd been cornered between the alley walls and the oncoming creatures. She sighed, glancing up at the sky – fire-red from the setting sun. "I'm not giving up," Tifa said, squaring her shoulders, pushing her hair back. "I'm not dying –"
Her thoughts died off, hearing a familiar sound – an engine.
". . . I'm a survivor," Tifa finished, shaking her head, ignoring the glowing yellow eyes, the twitching antennas, and the clanging of the chains adorning the Large Body. "And I'm not dying here!"
As she surged toward, fist drawn back to meet the creature head on, the rev of the engine became louder, a headlight veering around the corner, heading straight towards them. Tifa grinned despite the fact that her fist flew through the creature – it was no different than him picking her up any other night.
"Cloud!" She shouted over the din, casting the vehicle a quick glance.
She grinned as she heard the slight change as Cloud changed gears, holding out her hand as he approached. And like every other time he picked her up, she felt his gloved hand close around her wrist, and with little effort she stepped up onto the foot plate, jumping onto the seat behind him.
"It's about time!" she said, settling in behind him. "We've got to get to –"
"Highwind's, I know," Cloud said, veering around another corner. Tifa noticed the hilt of his Buster Sword, the weapon hidden within the side of Fenrir. "Aeris said you were near the bar."
"Had to draw them away," Tifa said, staring straight ahead. She didn't want to see the destruction surrounding them, the ravished bodies on the street. "She had Yuffie with her, what was I supposed to do? Aeris couldn't stay –"
"Where's Leonheart?"
"Looking for Rinoa," Tifa shook her head. "He's not going to find her in five minutes . . . do you think he'd leave without her?"
"If she was at home . . . he's already too late," Cloud said, changing gears as they turned another corner, the street widening around them. "The beachfront's too close to the Castle – the darkness is coming from there."
"Another experiment?" Tifa said, the wind carrying her voice away as they sped up, the outskirts of Radiant Garden eight blocks away.
"Perhaps," Cloud shrugged, veering to avoid a Wyvern swooping down from the rooftops. "They rarely tell us Soldiers anything."
Tifa sighed, leaning her forehead against his back. "Radiant Garden is finished . . ." It was something they'd read about in school, worlds vanishing as the light was snuffed out – it was supposed to be a myth though. "Squall better show up . . ."
She had known the brunette for a few years – she had been watching Aeris' flower shop when he'd shown up, looking for something to impress Rinoa. Having little knowledge of flowers, and Squall's nonchalance about flowers, they had hit it off, forming a friendship over the years.
Three blocks to go – three minutes left.
"We're not going to make it," Tifa muttered, digging her fingers into Cloud's shoulder, Cid's make-shift hangar a pinprick in the distance.
"We'll make it," Cloud said, revving the engine. "It's still in the hangar – Aeris will try to convince him to wait as long as he can."
Tifa grinned slightly, Aeris could be rather persistent. Her grin faded as she noticed the final rays of the sunset glinting off the Hangar's roof – a roof that was opening. "CLOUD!"
"I see it," Cloud said, ignoring Tifa's tightening grip. "There's still time."
They had just passed the last block, leaving the high-rise buildings behind; the houses further apart on the outskirts, the yards larger.
Eight properties to go.
"Cid would choose the farthest house," Tifa rolled her eyes. The light reflecting off the hangar roof blinded them as they approached, causing Tifa to duck her head into Cloud's shadow, the blonde reaching for his sunglasses. Tifa's stomach dropped as a white hull appeared in the hangar's opened roof, painted red by the final rays of the sunset. "After all this . . . we're not going to make it."
Four properties to go.
A figure appeared in the hangar door, glancing over their shoulder.
"It's Aeris," Tifa breathed, not realizing she had been holding her breath.
Cloud nodded, not bothering to reply.
"Tifa! Cloud!" Aeris shouted, Fenrir one property away, the sound from the Highwind's propellers drowning her out. "Cid – they're here. Everyone who's coming . . . they're here."
Cid stood at the top of the ramp, a cigarette between his fingers, obviously agitated at waiting. Yuffie was inside the Highwind – naturally, Cid had named it after himself – being occupied by the Duck Brothers. Leon was at the bottom of the ramp, a gash caused from a run-in with these creatures' sharpened claws across the bridge of his nose. Aeris didn't even think he'd noticed, his inability to find Rinoa in the chaos weighing on his mind.
"I'm sorry Squall . . ." Aeris said, resting a hand on his arm, ignoring his scowl. "Rinoa isn't with . . ."
Her words died off, as Squall wrenched his arm away from her, turning his back on her as he ascended the ramp. "It's Leon."
Aeris sighed, casting a glance at Cid, who frowned before taking another drag on his cigarette. Squall wasn't the only one who was losing people – Cid couldn't find Shera in town, and his nieces Rikku and Yuna had gone to the beach for the day.
"I ain't waiting much longer, Aeris," he said, flicking his cigarette away. It didn't matter if the cigarette lit something on fire – they weren't returning. "Shoulda' already left."
"I know," Aeris mumbled, unconsciously wringing her hands together.
She grinned faintly when Fenrir appeared on the front lawn, Tifa hopping off the bike as it slowed. Aeris saw her say something to Cloud over her shoulder, the blonde nodded as he discarded the motorcycle on the lawn without a backward glance – not something he usually did, but Aeris didn't miss the grimace appear momentarily on his face as it connected solidly with the ground.
"Hurry up!" Aeris shouted, stepping back onto the metal ramp. She knew Squall was behind her, ready to close the hatch the moment Cid gave the all-clear. "Just another –"
She stopped mid-sentence as she felt a tremor, shaking her balance, wincing as her knee connected with the ramp. "We're leaving – the Castle just fell." Leon stated, having pressed the ascension button for the ramp. "Any longer and we're finished."
"But they're right –" Aeris jumped as something solid connected with the metallic ramp, making her eyes widen. On instinct, her hand curled around the metal rod – a curtain rod – as she whirled around, expecting to see one of those shadowed creatures. Would Cloud and Tifa be looking up at them from the hangar? "CLOUD!"
The blonde Soldier had his Buster Sword slung across his back, his hair ruffled in the wind, his expression unreadable. Aeris let out a sigh of relief, he was okay. She shook her head, scattering her thoughts as Cloud reached down, Tifa digging her elbows into the rising ramp in an effort to lift herself up.
"Tifa!" Aeris shouted, surprise and relief in her voice as she scrambled forward, reaching out for the bartender.
"We survived . . ." Tifa mumbled, disbelief on her face as she tumbled to the ground in relief, Cloud having released her arm. Behind her, the ramp ascended, falling into place with a final thud, the airlock releasing the hatch doors of the hull. "I've never felt my heart beat that fast," she said, placing a hand on her still-pounding heart.
"Luck was on your side," Aeris said, dropping the curtain rod as she approached Tifa, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We waited as long as we could . . ."
"Couldn't wait another . . . minute, Squall?" Tifa grumbled, shrugging off Aeris' hand as she glared up at Squall, the brunette watching them from across the corridor. "We were right there!" she yelled, standing up, curling her hands into fists. "We saw the hangar roof opening when we left the city limits – we saw our final escape leaving without us! I heard Aeris say we were there – we were ten feet away."
"Tifa . . ." Aeris said, holding her hands up. "We've all lost –"
"You couldn't find Rinoa," Tifa said, frowning momentarily. "But, that doesn't give you the right to leave your friends to die!" she exclaimed, aggravated.
"The Castle fell," Aeris said, stepping in between Tifa and Squall. "Radiant Garden was finished – Cid was leaving effective immediately."
"Whoever made it on board," Cid's voice boomed over the speakers. "Get yerselves up here immediately."
Glancing at each other, the four nodded – they could continue this conversation later. Their feet pounded down the metallic corridor, the hydrologic doors opening for them, bursting onto the bridge moments later, freezing in place.
Radiant Garden stretched out below them, looking vastly different from how they remembered.
The well-renowned beach was gone, sparkling-black grit replacing the waves, eerie shadows converging on the white sand.
The Castle had taken extensive damage; some of the walls were completely blown away, leaving the interior visible. Winged creatures flew around the turrets, similar to the Wyvern that had swooped down on Cloud and Tifa.
The streets were no better, darkness was pooling through the streets, snuffing out the streetlights, enveloping the houses. A few minutes more and all of the Lower-City would be engulfed.
"This is awful," Aeris said after a few minutes, breaking the silence. "Looking down on it makes it look worse . . ."
"We're the only survivors," Tifa mumbled, gripping the railing. "No one's going to survive that onslaught." She thought briefly of Barrett, the burly man visiting her bar often – he was gone, consumed by those things.
Cloud sighed, turning his back on the scene. "It was a fight or flight situation," he said lowly to Tifa, dropping a hand on her shoulder. "You had no choice."
"What am I going to tell Yuffie?" Aeris mumbled, frowning. "She's only seven, she's not going to –"
"Tell her the truth," Squall said over his shoulder as he left the bridge. "She'll understand someday."
Aeris sighed, watching Squall walk away, knowing he was thinking of Rinoa. "But, what are we going to do? We can't hover over Radiant Garden . . . it's going to become a black hole once it's devoured."
"We're finding a new World," Cid said, looking away from the destruction. "They're out there."
"That's impossible," Tifa said, closing her eyes. "Even if they exist out there, there's barriers – we're not going to be able to fly through it."
"Barriers are down," Cid said gruffly, steering the Highwind away from the remains of Radiant Garden. "Being high-up in the Military . . . you learn things, things you wish you were oblivious too. That's why I left – I knew this was a possible ending to their experiments," he shook his head, staring straight ahead. "This was a back-up plan I hoped I wouldn't need," he mumbled to himself.
"You knew this might happen?" Tifa repeated, narrowing her eyes. "You knew Radiant Garden might – let go of me, Cloud!" She tried to jerk her arm out of his grasp with little avail, opting to glare at him in annoyance.
"If you think someone like Sephiroth would listen to him? That the great Ansem would care what a mechanic thought?" Cloud shook his head, letting go of Tifa's arm. "Leaving the military was probably his only choice. Although, I'm surprised they let you walk away with that information."
"They didn't know," Cid shrugged, steering the Highwind away from the remains of Radiant Garden. "That's the beauty of bein' a mechanic – no matter how great you may be, they don't see you."
Aeris frowned, glancing around at everyone, various expressions on their faces.
Cid was staring straight ahead, intent on steering the Highwind through the alleys between the Worlds.
Tifa's arms were crossed in front of her, frowning as she warily watched Cloud; the blonde Soldier quietly trying to reason with her.
Squall leaned against the railing, lost in thought.
Aeris shook her head, the silence pressing in on her. "I'm going to check on Yuffie . . ." she mumbled, turning to leave the silent bridge. No doubt the Duck Brothers would be getting tired of Yuffie, who had probably disrupted their inventory organization by now. "Just let me know when we're approaching a World, okay? Yuffie might like to see it . . . maybe it will cheer everyone up . . ." she added as an undertone as the bridge door closed behind her.
"I hope we'll return one day too . . ." she mumbled, her smile faltering momentarily.
However, she knew she'd have to be the light for them.
Someone had to try to remain cheerful in the many dark days ahead.
# # #
A/N – I'm intrigued by the idea of life before the fall of Radiant Garden and the lives of the Final Fantasy cast before they meet up with Sora.
Originally, I was working on a different story (which will end up being Chapter 2 here!) which I kept editing things out as I was getting off track and adding too many characters and thoughts into it. All my deleted thoughts ended up in a dump word file of mine and I ended up deciding to run with it and write this as a companion piece . . . which ended up becoming the main piece in the end.
The ending isn't exactly how I wanted it, but I found the ending hard as I have a couple other ideas in my dump word file about life between Radiant Garden and Traverse Town.