Thank you for everyone who has reviewed my story. It makes me feel special as it isn't just my friends reviewing. Heh. I'm so evil. But as to nswer your questions.
The Random Girl I Don't Know - Oh, there will definitely be more on the way. Though, once school starts up again, I'd expect less. I got a bunch of credits next semester, so it's going to be killer. And I have 2 other stories I'm writing. So... Please stay faithful throughout this.
Pied Flycatcher - Yeah. When I get lazy, I'll randomly throw plotholes in without realizing it. Typing late at night causes me to do that. And with Dagger. The flawed characterization makes up for some of it. Like the devotion matter and the those devoted to her. It will all come together if you don't figure it out in this chapter. Actually, your review inspired that.
Julian - Yes, there will be flashbacks, mainly with Dagger. Since this is going through Final Fantasy VII, I'm following the story line closely, so the histories of most characters will be revealed all in good time.
Author Notes: This is Alternate Universe, more so farther in the story. It will have Dagger OOC, so if you find this offensive, then don't waste your time reading this. And forgive any mistakes in here. I'm not wholeheartedly keen when reading. Everyone makes mistakes!
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy. Sad day that is.
Chapter 1
Dagger dodged a fury of shots initiating from a Shinra Soldier's gun. She readied her bow and fired an arrow straight into his chest. The soldier fell over, dead.
"Nice!" a large black man replied as he shot at the 2nd invading soldier. He was very large, muscular wise. He had crewcut black hair and a scruffy goatee running along his prominent chin and big mouth. Though he was wearing combat boots, a large metal ring around his stomach region, and a brown sleeveless vest, the most intriguing thing about his outfit was the gun he had in place of his right forearm. A round of shots from the gunarm quickly slayed the second soldier. He wiped the dust from his green pants and gave Dagger a thumbs-up with his good hand, holding machine parts. "Yer a bitchin' little whore ain't ya?"
Dagger grinned in spite of her upbringing. Though the Slums were a poor excuse for towns beneath the large metal plate that the City of Midgar was built upon, Dagger throughly enjoyed every minute of it. Tifa and Barret were some of the greatest people she'd ever met. None of that snooty and noble crap. Though he did stop loving, Zidane had taught her to become loose. And Tifa and Barret had made that solid. "Darned right I am!" she grinned as the two hurried on their way from the Train Graveyard of Sector 7.
"Damn Shinra always tryin' to bring us down!" Barret cursed as Dagger and him slowed to a pleasant walk. "They think they're so big! They ain't nothin'!"
Rolling her eyes, Dagger replied, "Well, getting caught looking at blueprints of a bomb and salvaging parts of broken down trains is just a tad suspicious."
"Shut yer trap," Barret grinned as the two passed through the Train Stop. "Jessie's got to finish that bomb for tonight! She just needed one new part!"
"I know, I know," Dagger replied, rolling her eyes. "You've only said it upteenth billion times."
The two entered the housing area near Seventh Heaven, AVALANCHE's hideout. Barret walked into the bar, parts in tow. The young woman sat on the stairs. She looked up at the plate that hung menacingly above them. She'd been here 3 weeks already. Dagger had been grateful of Tifa and Barret welcoming them in so easily. Fighting against a corrupt force wasn't all that new to her. Battling Kuja, Zorn and Thorn, Garland, even her own Mother... No! Her Mother became corrupt because of Kuja. Filling her with greed and ruthlessness. Her Mother had never been like that before Kuja. She had been kind and sweet.
"She said she won't feel alive until she has everything! It breaks my heart to see such greed! The war was my fault? No, no! Your mother wanted it! All I did was give her a little push!"
Dagger shook her head as a tear welled up in her eyes. A hand came to rest of the young woman's shoulder, startling the daylights out of her. A giggle came from behind her. "You alright Dagger? Is there anything on your mind?" Tifa asked as Dagger grabbed her hand. The older girl heaved the younger one up.
"Just thinking about the past. Nothing to worry about," Dagger sighed. "I need a drink..." Tifa just nodded sympathetically as they headed inside the bar. Dagger sat at the bar as Tifa poured her a soda. It was Dagger's favorite drink. She had never heard of soda until coming to Sector 7 and she absolutely loved it. They didn't have it back on Gaia. Nobody had invented it. Tifa poured one for herself and stood across from Dagger.
"To tonight's successful mission!" Tifa toasted, holding up her glass.
"To tonight!" Dagger replied as they clinked glasses. Both girls downed their sodas as Barret came up from the basement on a platform where the pinball machine sat upon. A small girl accompanied him. "Why hello there Marlene..."
" 'Lo," the girl replied shyly. Dagger smiled at the shy girl. "Daddy said I could come up here with Tifa while him and everyone goes out!"
Biggs and Jess appeared from the basement as well, stepping behind Barret. Biggs was a tan, muscular rebel with wavy black hair. He had a red bandana tied around his head, holding up his hair. Jess was the picture of a tomboy, her chestnut hair pulled up into a ponytail. A small piece of metal was attached to her belt. Both had deep, brown eyes. "The bomb is all set and the IDs have been made. It's 8:30... We should leave," Jess alerted everyone. Dagger got down from her barstool and strapped her quiver to her back.
"You be good for Tifa now Marlene," Barret lectured before kissing Marlene goodbye. Wedge had appeared among the group. He was pudgy, fat from Tifa's cooking. The outstanding featuring of him was the bandana tied on his head and the bombs had strapped around his waist. Jess was holding the bomb they would be using tonight. "Ain't he here yet!?"
Tifa frowned. "He'll be here... Just..." Tifa was interrupted by the bar door opening. Everyone's attention was directed towards the door as a tall man walked in. Dagger looked him over cautiously. He was a built, a slim build. Skinny in comparison with Barret. He had outrageously spiked blonde hair and piecing blue eyes. He was outfitted in a purple armored jumpsuit, shoulder and chest armor placed on his torso. He had brown gloves and an enourmous sword strapped to his back. It was nearly the size of him!
"Good! Yer here! We were about to leave ya!" Barret shouted at him. The man just scoffed at Barret. Jessie shook her head in shame and summoned them all out of the bar. They headed to the train station and quickly boarded. Dagger walked over to a seat and sat down, placing her quiver beside her.
"Split up!" Barret shouted as he sat across from Dagger. She didn't bother to move from her place. The girl could easily fake Barret as her crazy husband. Her acting skills were phenomenal as she had proved time and time again over the last few weeks. Alarms blarred as the the train passed through the regulation ID checkpoint. The alarm silenced as quickly as it sounded. "Good. Nuthin' went wrong."
"Of course my dear husband," Dagger acted witfully, watching a Shinra Manager eyeing them with suspicion. "Why should we suspect anything less of Shinra Inc.? You must have not taken your pills earlier." Dagger laughed airily as Barret thrashed around.
"I'll pills you skanky ho!" Barret yelled, shaking his gunarm at Dagger. The Manager sighed and turned his back to them. Dagger only winked at Barret as the train started to slow to a stop. The young woman strapped the quiver to her back and pulled out the bow. They walked over to the exit as the Manager winced at their precense. "Now!" Barret kicked the Shinra Manager in the face, knocking him out of the train. He jumped out, Dagger following him. She watched as Jess and Biggs knocked the guards unconscious. The young woman ran as the blonde haired man flipped off the train. She ducked between two MPs running for him.
"Damn! That was close!" Dagger breathed as she stood next to Jess. The blonde haired man followed Dagger just seconds after she got there.
"Wow! You used to be in SOLDIER all right! ...Not everyday ya find one in a group like AVALANCHE," Biggs replied, amazed at the man's efficency at taking down the MPs.
"SOLDIER? Aren't they the enemy? What's he doing us in AVALANCHE?" Jess asked, confusion getting the best of her. Dagger rolled her eyes.
"Hold it Jessie. He WAS in SOLDIER. He quit them and now is one of us. Didn't catch your name…" Biggs replied, trying to be friendly.
"Cloud," the blonde haired man replied. Biggs went to introduce himself, but Cloud cut him off. "I don't care what your names are. Once this job's over... I'm outta here."
"Hey! He was just trying to be friendly! Just because you don't care about anyone or anything but your punkass self doesn't mean nobody else does! Don't even start to give me that crap!" Dagger exploded, fully aware of Barret's influence on her personality. Cloud didn't say anything. Just glared.
"The hell you're doin'!? I thought I told you never to move in a group! Our target's the North Mako Reactor. We'll meet on the bridge
in front of it!" Barret yelled as he ran up. Biggs, Wedge, and Jess gulped and ran off toward the Reactor. "EX-SOLDIER, huh? Don't trust ya!" The group of three followed the first trio and ran into the main building of the Reactor. Barret went on about the reactor, Cloud not giving him any time of day.
"It's not my problem," Cloud replied to Barret's ranting.
Dagger glared sharply at him. "Right. When the planet crumbles into a million pieces, it won't affect you at all. Everyone but you will die because apparantly you're the self-proclaimed god." Barret grinned at Dagger as Cloud gave her a heated glare.
"You're quite sassy aren't you?" he replied coldly.
"Quite," Dagger replied dryly as the door behind them opened up. The group of four ran through as Jess went to decode the second door. Wedge was keeping look at the entrance and Biggs was left to guard the main entrance to the reactor. The four hurried down the stairs of the large room of machinery and into the reactor. The machinery in the reactor was bathed in an eerie green. Jess handed Cloud the bomb and stood guard at the entrance to the inner part of the reactor. The newly formed trio descended a ladder down to the lowest bridge of the reactor. Dagger stood guard near a doorway.
"You stayin' here?" Barret asked. Dagger nodded and she watched them run over to the other side of the room. Something was very unsettling about the reactor. It was her first time in one. The place was giving off creepy vibes and she couldn't shake the feeling that someone, something was watching them. A loud quake on the bridge shook her out of her thoughts. "Don't attack while its tail's up!" Barret cried from across the room. Dagger cursed silently as she watched a large, metallic scorpion attacking Cloud and Barret. And winning.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Dagger winced as she watched Cloud fall to one knee. Quickly, she clasped her hands together and started to pray. "Thunder God Ramuh... I call to thee in this time of need. Protect mine friends and smite this metallic scorpion!" A surge of electric energy shot through Dagger's body. Ramuh had heard her. In front of her in the air, an old man appeared, brilliant white robes billowing in the unseen wind. His bald head shined in the green glow of the reactor, his long white beard flaring up in the static surrounding him. Ramuh thrust his blue staff down onto the scorpion, lightning crackling and striking the rod. The electricity surged through Guard Scorpion and it exploded into a thousand pieces. The staff and Ramuh disappeared.
"What the fuck was that?!" Cloud cried out, the attack startling him. "Who had Summon Materia?"
"Dat don't matter now! We gotta blow this joint!" Barret replied as he turned on the bomb. It started ticking loudly as the two men started to run to Dagger. She was breathing heavily from the summon she just reaped upon the scorpion. "Dagger! Let's go!"
"Right!" she huffed as she started up the ladder. Cloud eyed her suspiciously, but said nothing as he followed. Dagger dashed over to Jess and pulled her leg from between the metal where she got it stuck.
"Thanks Dagger," Jess replied. Dagger nodded and the two girls took off down the corridor, leaving the two men behind. Jess and Dagger ascended the stairs getting back to the entrance of the reactor. Biggs and Jess quickly decoded the locks to the doors and the five ran out the reactor. Wedge joined them as they fleed for their lives. They entered an abandoned area as a gigantic explosion rocked all of Midgar.
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"All right, now let's get out of here. Rendezvous at Sector 8 Station! Split up and get on the train!" Barret ordered the five others a few hours later. They had stayed hidden for the past few hours until the choas died down. There was a blackout for nearly the entire time they were there.
Everyone nodded as they split into different directions. Dagger followed Barret to the train station."Hey Dagger..." Barret said out of the blue. Dagger's ears perked up as they sat on a bench, waiting for the last train to appear. "Back there in the Reactor. That was your Summon wasn't it?" The Summoner froze in shock. "Didn't know ya had Summon Materia."
"Yeah... I do have some," she lied, not knowing in the slightest what Summon Materia was
"Thanks for savin' our asses back there. Yer alright kid." Barret said, giving the girl a rare genuine smile.
Dagger scoffed out a laugh. "Thanks Barret. C'mon now, before the train leaves." The two hopped into the boxcar behind the trio of rebels. The train rocked as it pulled out of the station. They were all silent while Barret paced around, upset.
"Cloud never came," Wedge said, breaking the ice. Everyone looked at him. Biggs looked up towards the ceiling of the boxcar in thought.
"Cloud…… Wonder if he was killed?" he replied, thinking out loud.
"No way!!" Barret snapped. Dagger cracked a smile
"Cloud……" Jess sighed in a mixture of emotions.
"Say, do you think Cloud's…… Going to fight to the end for AVALANCHE!?" Biggs asked hopefully.
"The hell would I know!? Do I look like a mind reader? Hmph!! If y'all weren't such screw-ups…" Barret said nastily. Dagger eyed him carefully. He was very upset that Cloud hadn't returned. Dagger had the same exact thoughts as him. What if Cloud betrayed them...?
"Hey, Barret! What about our money...?" Wedge asked curiously, changing the subject. Barret's reply was a slam to a large crate, the top breaking under his strength. "Uh, nuthin'... Sorry."
"Barret, calm down..." Dagger spoke up. "Cloud'll be here in 3... 2... 1..." Right as the girl finished, Cloud came ducking in from the top of the train. Barret gave Dagger an incredible look as everyone was in an uproar over Cloud's arrival. Barret, however, was not as happy. He started to chew Cloud out. Dagger rolled her eyes and moved to the next train, not wanting to hear what he had to say.
"Last train out of Sector 8 Station. Last stop is Sector 7, Train Graveyard. Expected time of arrival is 12:23 AM, Midgar Standard Time..." the Conductor's voice cried throughout the train. Dagger nodded at a well-dressed man of the car as she sat down. The other 5 quickly burst in from the boxcar. "This is why I hate the last train. Hoo-boy..." She couldn't help but smiling as everyone made themselves comfortable.
"Stop actin' like a damn kid. Siddown and shu'up!" Barret snapped at Cloud, who strutted in from the boxcar.
"May I borrow your newspaper?" Dagger asked the man beside her politely. He obliged and she took the newspaper. Good ol' Shinra was actually useful for something. They ALREADY had news about the explosion of the No. 1 Reactor. She read the article carefully and folded up the newspaper. "Thank you." The man smiled warmly as he dove back into his newspaper. She sat back and rested her head on the cushion of the seat as Barret and Cloud discussed the state of Midgar and the Slums. The train quickly descended into Sector 7 and to the Train Graveyard.
"Thank you for riding Shinra Rail. The next train leaves in the morning, 5:04 AM Midgar Standard Time," the Conductor's voice coursed through the car. Dagger stood up and stretched before exiting the train last. She quickly headed back to Seventh Heaven, avoiding Barret's end-of-the-mission speech. Dagger walked up the stairs and into the bar.
"You're back!" Tifa's voice called from behind the bar. Dagger smiled warmly at the girl. She waited until Dagger came to the bar to talk privately as not to disturb the other customers. "The mission was a success then!"
"Yeah. Everyone made it back alive and in one piece," Dagger told her quietly. Everyone else was too drunk to comprehend what they were saying. Tifa smiled as she cleaned a glass and poured Dagger a soda. "Though, I don't know if Barret's way is exactly protecting the Planet." Tifa raised an eyebrow to the girl, and she quickly responded. "Don't get me wrong, his ideals are great. But, the article in the newspaper I read said that there were rolling blackouts, hundreds of innocents killed, and nearly a billion gil in damage. What is saving the planet worth when you're hurting the ones you love?"
"I know Dagger, but there isn't much else we can do," Tifa replied softly. "I mean, we can't really just refill the Planet full of energy. We got to do what we can..."
"Yeah... I'm sorry..."
"Don't be. You aren't wrong ya know," Tifa replied, patting Dagger's hand. They had finished right on time as Barret burst through the door, crying out in anger and kicking out the customers. He ran back outside and summoned everyone else back in.
"Papa!" Marlene shouted as she ran over to Barret. Just as quickly as she did, she ran away at the sight of Cloud. Marlene jumped into Dagger's lap and became very quiet. Dagger quietly finished her soda as she watched everyone celebrate the success of the mission. They soon headed down into the basement via the lift. Cloud sat on a barstool next to Dagger, and the girl took that as her cue to leave. Tifa threw her a smile and a mouthed, "Thank you." before Dagger descended into the basement.
"...today the No 1 Reactor was bombed. The terrorist group AVALANCHE has claimed responsibility for the bombing. It is expected that AVALANCHE will continue its reign of terror. But citizens of Midgar, there is no need to fear. I have immediately mobilized SOLDIER to protect our citizenry against this senseless violence. Thank you and goodnight."
Dagger looked at television to see President Shinra finished his address to the citizens of Midgar. Dagger sat next to Jess. "Butt over Jess, I wanna use the computer now." Jess obliged as she turned to watch the news on Tifa's TV. Technology and electrcity fascinated Dagger to no end. There was none on Gaia, and it was amazing to see all of this technology and machinery in use. Electricity and daily showers were a godsend to Dagger. She absolutely loved taking hot showers every morning, much to the distaste of Barret. She played with the computer as Cloud descended into the basement. The Summoner listened to Barret and Cloud argue. Her nerves broke about the time Barret threw Biggs against the wall.
"I'm going to bed!" she cried out in aggrevation. Jess and Marlene looked a bit surprised at the outburst before Cloud got in Barret's face. Dagger stomped over to Barret and Cloud, "Move!" she barked, causing the large man and EX-SOLDIER to move quickly out of her way. Dagger entered Tifa's room and collapsed into a second bed. Before long, she was sound asleep.
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Cloud woke up to feet pounding on the ceiling above him. He jumped up and stretched, walking over to the elevator. It took him up to the main floor of the bar where everyone was congregated.
"Good morning!" Tifa replied cheerfully as Cloud approached her. Dagger smirked as she wiped the bar clean with a wet rag.
"It's hardly morning. It's almost Noon. About time you got your lazy butt out of bed," Dagger teased, causing both Tifa and Cloud to frown. Dagger handed the rag to Marlene and ruffled her hair. "Be good."
"Our target's the Sector 5 Reactor. Head for the station first. I'll fill you in on the train!" Barret barked at the group of vigilantes before they left for the train station. Barret flushed and asked Cloud how to use Materia since he had never really messed with it before. Tifa and Dagger giggled at the large man before the quartet left the bar. Cloud and Barret diverted towards to Weapons Shop as Dagger and Tifa headed toward the train station.
"You ready for the mission?" Tifa asked Dagger.
"Yeah. Last night's mission wasn't... too bad," Dagger told her, choosing her words carefully. "Though I did have to summon Ramuh to assist Cloud and Barret with a large metal scorpion."
"Really?" Tifa asled very surprised. "You own Summon Materia? I heard that it's very rare to come by!"
The girl blushed as the men caught up to them. The four of them entered the train. Dagger sat down on the seat as Barret threatened the Shinra Manager. Tifa held him back and forced him into the seat. "Alright Barret. Let's go over the mission."
"Alright... I'll tell ya! Jessie's probably already told you, but there's a security check point at the top plate. It's an ID scan system checkin' all the trains. We can't use our fake IDs anymore," Barret explained calmly.
"Which means we only have 3 minutes until the checkpoint," Tifa finished up. "Once we get through, we have to jump off the train and get to the reactor." Tifa stood up as she and Cloud went over to the map of the train pathway. The sirens blared in the car, startling the new passengers. "That's odd. The ID Checkpoint was supposed to be further down."
"Type A Security Alert!! Unidentified passengers confirmed... A search of all cars will be conducted! Repeat!! Type A Security Alert!! Unidentified passengers confirmed... A search of all cars will be conducted!" a montonous voice screeched over the PA system.
"Crap! We're busted!"Dagger cried out as she stood up, strapping her quiver to her back.
"What happening?" Tifa cried out as she looked around the car, which was bathed in a deep red light. Jess ran into the car.
"We're in trouble, I'll explain later. Hurry! Get to the next car!" she cried out desperately before disappearing.
"Fuck! Someone blew it!" Barret shouted.
"Who cares! Let's just go!" Dagger shouted over the monotonous voice boomed over the PA system, "Unidentified passengers located in Car #1! Preparing for Lock Down!" The group of 4 quickly hurried into the 2nd car, as the PA system whirled. "Car #1 locked down. Upgrading to Level 2 warning."
"Hurry!" Biggs yelled as Wedge shouted that they were about to lock down the car they were in as well.
"Just run! Changing to Plan 2!" Jess ordered, not taking particular notice to Wedge's cries. Dagger quickly made it to the front of the car, the other three behind her.
"Unidentified passengers located in Car #2. Preparing for lock down." Dagger cursed as she took out her box and readied an arrow in her hands. She quickly entered the 3rd car, the sirens still blaring. "Car #2 locked down. Upgrading to warning Level 3." The lights returned to their normal white hue as Barret sighed in relief.
"Awright! We clear!!" he said with an air of victory. Jess just shook her head.
"Not yet. They're starting another check. If we're caught, we're done for! But, don't worry. If we move up the train, car by car, we should get past it!" she cried out to them at the front of the car. The sirens started to blar again as the PA system shook. "Unidentified Passengers: Moving to front of Train! Currently tracking location." Dagger crouched down and readied her bow. She fired an arrow, it hooking through some punk's jacket and hurling him against the wall of the train, pinning him there and preventing him from sexually assualting Tifa.
"Hurry the fuck up!" Barret shouted hoarsely at Dagger. She growled at him and got into the 4th car right as the 3rd locked down.
"Car #4 locked down. Upgrading to Level 4 warning!" The group didn't hesistate to even lollygag around. Dagger watched as Jess knocked an old man unconscious, robbing him of his clothes and ID. Dagger had to dodge into the front car as it locked down. "Car #4 Locked Down Upgrading to maximum security alert!!" the PA system howled. Dagger spotted Barret's underlings, Biggs, Wedge, and Jess, dressed in disguises as to avoid getting caught.
"All right!! We made it! Yo!! This way!! Let's go!! We're gonna dive outta here!!" Barret barked at the three undisguised vigilantes. Dagger didn't hesistate and bounded out of the train, her bow cocked and ready to fire. Seconds later, Barret, Tifa, and Cloud jumped out of the train. Dagger hurried over to them, carefully checking for any Shinra Soldiers ready to stop their little escapade. "Good so far everything's going as planned. Better not let your guard down till we get to the Sector 5 reactor. Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie got everything ready for us. So MOVE it. Well, the reactor's just down this tunnel!"
The three just nodded as the followed Barret, Cloud following up in the rear position. The ran down the tunnel and were forced to stop, much to their dismay. Beams of light were guarding the entry way to the Sector 5 train station.
"Those light beams are the Shinra security sensors. We can't go any further," Cloud replied solemnly, causing Barret to fume. Dagger gazed along the wall.
"Look! A tunnel. It's narrow though... Barret will probably have to stay behind," she teased, grinning. Barret started to curse loudly and incoherently at Dagger. "Whoa! I was just teasing! You'll fit! Barely!"
The group of four headed down the tunnel and wormed their way slowly under plate. They reached a platform hanging high above the ground. Wedge was waiting for them there. He rushed them up a ladder, claiming that it was a back entrance to the reactor. They were able to climb through and meet near a large vent where Jess was standing guard. "Dang guys... I'm sorry about all that trouble."
"It's alright. I mean, we got through alright, didn't we?" Dagger said, patting the girl's shoulder. She cracked a smile and nodded. Biggs ran up to the group.
"Everything's good to go. You should be fine! We're gonna pull out now. We'll meet up at the hideout. Cloud, we're countin' on you to blow up the reactor!" Biggs explained, before him and Jess took off. Dagger turned towards the trio.
"I'm going to go wait at the front entrance of the reactor for you guys. Don't worry about me, I won't be caught!" Dagger told them, giving them all a wink. The trio nodded and headed up the vent. Dagger took the time to hurry towards the entrance of the reactor, her mind weighing with options. AVALANCHE had been so good to her, bringing her in. She was gaining their trust at a quicker rate than she had originally planned. It was surprising that Tifa had trusted a complete stranger with the secrets of AVALANCHE nearly 3 weeks ago. It was later revealed that Tifa had saw the same look she had seen in Barret's eyes. The anger and sadness of the Shinra exploiting and ruining her life. The Summoner could only agree, not knowing anything.
Why had her friends so suddenly and reluctantly betray her? The three knights were an especially hard blow. Ever since Vivi had passed away, they had the most intriguing glint in their eyes. A glint of malice. A bright, piercing green glow. She had never seen such a look by anyone in her life, not even Kuja. It was so cold and malicious, like they wanted her to suffer. Regent Cid and Hilda had the same glint in their eyes. All her friends seemed to. It made her so uncomfortable and unsafe when she was around them. Like they were watching her every move, her every breath, her entire existance. Prowling in the dark, ready to strike and spill her blood at their feet. Dagger closed her eyes and thought as she leaned again the railing of the T-Junction bridge in front of the reactor.
"Why are you acting this way!?" Queen Garnet screamed at Adelbert Steiner, her once loyal and trusting knight. The knight just gave her a dark look, his eyes shining that brilliant cold green.
"Your Majesty, my only duty is to serve the kingdom, not to you," he responded coldly. His voice was not his own. It was so malicious and disgusting that Queen Garnet fled to her chambers in fear, slamming and locking the door. She hurried to her bed and picked up the cold glistening knife. She started to sob hysterically as she brought the knife to her right wrist. She grazed her wrist softly, the skin breaking as the a throbbing pain sounded in her. How could they all do this to her? What had she done? What had happened to her friends? Zidane's admittance of his love for Blank had crushed her completely, breaking her confidence, her loyalty, her capacity for caring. That was when she first saw the cold green look given to her. Garnet blinked out tears as she cut her right wrist. Bearing all the strength through the searing pain, she had managed to cut her other wrist as well. In death would she be free. Free of this nightmare which had become her life. Her vision swam and blackened as her body grew cold.
Dagger shook her head as she massaged her wrists carefully. She had awakened, a week later in her bed. A nurse of the castle came in, telling her that she should be careful as to not become sick. Who or what had saved her was unknown to her. The nurse frightened her though. It seemed even the people had that same, green look. Sometime later, Soulcage had summoned her to this world. She couldn't get over the feeling of that someone or something watching her. It was painful to bare.
"Dagger!"
Dagger's head snapped up as she saw Barret, Cloud, and Tifa running for their lives from the reactor. She looked to her right to see Shinra Soldiers advancing in on her. "Crap!" The Summoner stumbled over to group as they became surrounded. The group backed up as they saw Shinra Soldiers from all sides.
"...A trap..." Cloud spoke as a fat man walked onto the T-Junction Bridge. A large bald spot on top of his head and a large blonde mustache, this man was the epitome of business. He was wearing a bright red business suit.
"Pres... President Shinra?" Barret stuttered, the shock trying to overcome him. Dagger saw the guns pointing at them all, as she relaxed her bow. She watched the man carefully as Tifa asked why the President of Shinra Inc. was coming to see them.
"Hmm... So you all must be... What was it?" President Shinra asked carelessly. Dagger looked at him carefully. His uncaring emotions reminded him of Amarant. She shook her head. No. She couldn't think of Amarant. Even he had the green look in his eyes.
"AVALANCHE! And don't ya forget it! So you're President Shinra, huh?" Barret cried out egotistically to the President. Cloud ignored Barret and replied to the President, "Long time no see, sir."
The President's attention fell on Cloud, bewildered slightly at the greeting. "..Long time no see? Oh... you. You're the one who quit SOLDIER and joined AVALANCHE. I knew you'd been exposed to Mako, from the look in your eyes. Tell me, traitor... What was your name?" He nodded as Cloud told him his name. The President just shrugged. "Shinra: Forgive me for asking, but I can't be expected to remember everyone's name. Unless you become another Sephiroth. Ahh, Sephiroth... he was brilliant. Perhaps too brilliant."
A wave of fear overtook Tifa as she choked out, "Sephiroth?" Dagger grabbed Tifa's hand and squeezed it in support, feeling a squeeze back. Dagger had a good idea of what she was going through. His name gave the Summoner chills. It was like Kuja...
"Don't give a damn 'bout none of that! This place's goin' up with a big BANG soon! Serves y'all right!" Barret threatened the President, still confident and tempermental.
"And such a waste of good fireworks, just to get rid of vermin like you," the President replied carelessly.
"VERMIN!? That's all you can say? VERMIN!? Shinra're the VERMIN for killing the Planet! Guess that'd make you King VERMIN! So shu'up jackass!" Barret yelled, his rage completing him.
"...You are beginning to bore me. I'm a very busy man, so if you'll excuse me... I have a dinner I must attend." the President said, looking at his watch. Barret barked that he wasn't done talking to the president in an obscene way. "But, I've made arrangements for a playmate for you all." President Shinra pulled out a small control, pressing a button. Dagger's ears perked up at a whirling sound from above her.
"What's that noise?" Tifa cried out, looking above.
"The hell is that!?" Barret spoke gruffily, his ears picking up the sound of blades as well.
"Meet 'Airbuster', a techno-soldier. Our Weapon Development Department created him. I'm sure the data he'll extract from your dead bodies will be of great use to us in future experiments," the President scoffed.
"Techno-soldier?" Cloud asked, squinting his eyes in thought and curiosity at Shinra's leader
"Now then, if you'll excuse me," the President spoke calmly as he walked over to where a helicopter was descending from the skies. Cloud shouted at the President to wait and started after him. He wasn't quick enough though as the President boarded the helicopter.
"Yo, Cloud! We've gotta do somethin' 'bout him!" Barret yelled to the EX-SOLDIER. It advanced menacingly on Tifa and Barret. Dagger tightened her bow with an arrow, not sure how effective it would pierce the armor.
"This is from SOLDIER!?" Tifa asked incredulously. The machine's torso spun around and started to advance on it.
"No! It's just a machine!" Cloud said, wielding his Buster Sword in his hand as he ran at the machine. Dagger backed up as the machine loomed over her.
"I don't care what it is!! I'm gonna bust him up!" Barret shouted, sending off a wave of shots at the Airbuster's head. It slowly turned it's torso, ready to face Barret. Realization swept over Dagger's face. She had seen things like this before. The Airbuster was going to counter attack. She crouched down for a better angle, and shot the arrow with precise aim between a slot in the Airbuster's head where two pieces of metal came together. It screeched and started to take it's turn around the other way.
"Nice shot Dagger!" Cloud cried out as he leapt up and brought his sword down heavily on the Airbuster's lower torso, shorting out one of the gears. Tifa dashed at the other side, leaping onto the Airbuster's wheels and punching a hole through the other side of the lower torso, shorting out the other side. It couldn't move anymore. Dagger was amazed at Tifa's power in her punch. But then again, looks can be decieving.
"Shit!" Dagger let slip as the machine gun arms barreled bullets at Dagger's feet. She jumped up and down, avoiding the bullets at her feet. Another round of shots from Barret's machine gun distracted it, causing a read machine gun from its back to shoot at the large man. "Tifa! Bolt me!"
"Right!" The martial artist concentrated as she pulled dwon her hands, collecting energy into them. Green waves pulsated around her, magic flowing up from the earth. Pushing her hands out, the magical energy concentrated onto the point of Dagger's arrow. The archer fired her shot, the electricity bubbling around the Airbuster as the arrow pierced. The rear machine guns sparked brightly behind the Airbuster, shorting out.
"Good thinking! Now Tifa!" Cloud complimented as he took a running jump at the Airbuster. Tifa concentrated the Bolt spell to her into her hands before launching the energy at the blade of Cloud's Buster Sword. It crackled with electricity as he slashed the head of the Airbuster, cutting through the metal and some wires. The electricity shot through the Airbuster and it rumbled ominously. Cloud bounced away from it. "It's going to explode!" The four fighters backed away cautiously as the rumbling became more frequent and violent. Finally, the Airbuster exploded violently. Today was not Dagger's day as the part of the bridge underneath her feet exploded. She grabbed onto the broken side, trying to hang on for dear life.
"Damn it! Dagger!" Barret cried out as he and Tifa dashed to the end of their broken side of the bridge, looking at the clutching Summoner.
"Cloud! Do something!" Tifa screamed at the mercenary. He leapt to the side of the bridge that Tifa and Barret were on, the gap between his side of the bridge and Dagger's being too long.
"I can't reach," Cloud replied solemnly. "She's too far away..."
Tifa looked at Dagger in fear. "Please don't fall Dagger! You're my friend and if you die on me, I'll revive you and kill you myself! Besides, I need a girlfriend around all these men!"
"Hold on Dagger!" Barret told the girl. The Summoner nodded and felt the rumble of the reactor. A few seconds later, the reactor exploded in a hot fireball, shaking Dagger's grip on the bridge. Tifa fell to her knees and reached out for Dagger as she fell from the bridge. Barret pulled Tifa back as the explosion started to subside. Tifa watched in horror as Dagger became a small pinprick, then disappeared from sight
Thanks to all who reviewed! And please review some more! I'll try to update again soon, but don't count your chickens over that. Enjoy! Oh, and sorry for the scene change thing. Fanfiction wouldn't accept equal signs.