Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or FF13.


The city streets of Edge was something Tifa had long grown used to. After all, she had lived there for three years. Academia was now a distant memory but she would never forget the awe she had first felt when she had stepped into that new world. The construction for the city of Edge had started three years ago and she watched it grow and expand at an alarming pace. It was like a little bit of Midgar mixed in with Academia. The buildings had retained the historical look that resembled what she saw in Midgar, but the streets were clean and bright much like Academia. In the city center was a monument resembling that of the comet they had seen before the Sister Ray had exploded and behind it was the AVALANCHE base of operations. It was a large building, built right in the commercial center of the city. Everything was there, from the transports Tifa was hoping to borrow to the new AVALANCHE members that protected and patrolled the city.

"We're here." Tifa said underneath her breath as she stepped through the sliding glass doors of the AVALANCHE base. If she could help it, she liked avoiding this place if possible. Most people there treat her like some sort of celebrity because she was one of the founding members. Little did they know that the true people they should be thanking were the ones that were dead. Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge had died fighting for their cause. Their deaths had given them strength and resolve to fight again. How she wished for them to see how far they have gone.

"Well, well, well," a familiar voice called out to them, "if it isn't Cloud and Ms. Lockhart." Suppressing a desire to roll her eyes as she turned to face the approaching man, she could only muster one of her well-mannered smiles. He though, had snatched up and placed a quick peck on her hand before she could pull away.

"Rygdea." Tifa greeted while Cloud nodded at the man. Rygdea was an Academian, specifically Raines' new right hand man ever since Lightning, Fang, Sazh, and Vanille deaths and Hope's disappearance. He was a casual man; simple, lax and easy-going. Charming in his own way, but Tifa hated how he would often flirt with her despite the fact that she had made it clear multiple times that she was not interested. His eyes were light blue, like the color of the sky, and framed by his long brown hair. He had a slight stubble too.

"This is a rare visit." Rygdea chuckled, "Barret's not here and neither is Raines, so I'm willing to bet my money that you have a little favor to ask of me." Although they were in an AVALANCHE base, this base was currently ran by a GC. Rygdea had been stationed here by Raines three years ago, hoping to keep a close eye on what was happening on Edge and until Barret could find a suitable impromptu leader since he was always traveling.

"We want to borrow a transport." Cloud said, "We need to drop off Marlene and Denzel with Barret in Rocket Town before we go to the Forgotten Capital."

"The Forgotten Capital? Whatcha doing there?"

"We're looking for a friend." Tifa answered, "Can we please borrow a transport? It's urgent."

A charming smile appeared on the brunette's face before he winked at Tifa, "Well, if Tifa's asking me then I might have a spare transport for her. Though... lending it to people who aren't officially AVALANCHE operatives anymore... I don't know how that'll sit with the boss."

"It'll sit well enough." Cloud interrupted, "We've contact Barret already and he says we can borrow a transport."

"Sure thing, but we don't have any extra pilots around."

This time, Tifa rolled her eyes for all to see and sighed deeply, "What do you want?"

"Well, maybe a kiss-"

"Or how about you just give us what we want?" Cloud nearly growled and stepped in front of Tifa, "We don't have time to waste."

"Woah, alright, alright!" Rygdea said, holding his hands up in mock surrender but he still had that playful smile on his face, "Sheesh, I was just trying to lighten the air. You've got the ship, and I have the perfect pilot in mind for ya. Happy? Come on, follow me." Waving at them, Rygdea headed towards the hangar leaving Cloud and Tifa to follow quietly behind.

"You didn't have to do that." Tifa whispered.

"Do what?"

"I can handle myself." The fighter giggled softly, "You have no idea how many men make passes on me whenever I open the bar for business."

"It's just... not right. When I see it, I have to stop it. I mean, what would Lightning do?"

"H-Huh?" Her eyes widened and Cloud's casual mention of the pinkette when she had least expected it.

"Whatever. Anyways, where are the kids?"

"Marleen? R-right." Clearing her throat, Tifa shook her head as if she could just erase the fact that she had stammered and stuttered after hearing Lightning's name only. What had gotten into her? "I'll go look for them." Leaving the blond man, Tifa jogged back out of the hangar and began her search for the three kids that had gone MIA.

He followed Rygdea diligently. The sounds of the mechanics toiled away. Pneumatic hisses, the loud cracks of steel clanking against steel, and the many voices of the engineers, pilots, and personnel echoed in the large hangar. To think that this was all AVALANCHE, that Barret was the leader of all of this, was sometimes unbelievable. The old Barret would never be able to do this, but time and circumstance had forced him to change. Luckily, Cloud and Tifa were able to escape a life bound to politics and away from the public's attention. "How about this beauty?" Rygdea called out to him as he patted the front tip of a transport. "It's an ancient model frankly, and if you want, I can get you one of the GC ships. The pilot's from Rocket Town though so he should know the area the best."

As they rounded the ship, Cloud eyed the airship that definitely seemed below his expectations before they stopped shortly at the rear. Tucked underneath were two legs sticking out from the bottom hub."Cid!" Rygdea yelled, hooking his feet with the sliding board the other man was lying on and yanked him out without another word of warning. There was a loud bang, enough to make Cloud wince slightly from where he stood before his eyebrows raised at the endless onslaught of profanities that spewed forth. He had never seen anyone master that skill with such proficiency although he had no doubt that Barret could probably match it once he had let loose. Or Fang for that matter.

"What the fuck was that for?" The man known as Cid hollered, rubbing the scarlet bruise on his forehead. Clearly, he had slammed his head against the metal bearings of the airship when Rygdea had suddenly pulled him out from beneath.

"This is Cloud Strife." Rygdea announced after he seemingly grinned in response to Cid's anger. "This here will be your pilot. Cid Highwind." The only pilot Cloud had been familiar with was Sazh, but the fatherly aura the said man gave obviously didn't rub off on the people in the same line of work. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Cid was temperamental given the scowl on his face. He dressed simple enough, wearing trousers and a blue t-shirt, but what stood out the most was the cigar that hung from the corner of his mouth.

"So... Mr. Highwind?"

"What the hell? Mr. Highwind?" The older blond snorted, "You've gotta be kiddin' me. I didn't sign up to take care of some kids-"

"There you guys are." Tifa's voice suddenly interrupted. All attention turned to the black-haired woman approaching with Yuffie tagging closely along. "The kids are at the front desk." There was a nice and long wolf-whistle that was carried throughout the hangar. The fighter's eyes flickered over to Cid, flashing with discomfort before it was perfectly masked by her pleasant smile. "This is...?"

"Give me your name and I'll give ya mine." Cid huffed, crossing his arms challengingly.

"Who's the perverted old man?" Yuffie consequently asked elegantly.

"O-Old man?!"

"This is Cid Highwind." Cloud answered before Yuffie's naturally inquisitive and honest, or preferably rude, nature could do anymore damage. Motioning to the respective females, "This is Tifa and Yuffie."

"The Great Yuffie-" The ninja wanted to correct.

"Yeah, yeah, you little runt." Cid swiftly cut in, smirking at the glare the younger tossed at him.

"He's going to be our pilot-"

"I didn't promise anything." Cid grunted, giving the group a dismissing wave before Rygdea's hand clamped down on his shoulder.

"You're taking them or we're pulling all funding you're getting from us. Deal with it." The brunette said with a chuckle while motioning to Tifa graciously, "Gotta give what the Miss asks."

Cid merely scoffed. Shoving his hand into his pockets, he leaned back against the airship, "Damn waste of time if you ask me."

"You don't even know where we want to go." Tifa breathed, but he simply narrowed his eyes slightly at her.

"Didn't change a thing. Whatever it is, it's a waste of my time."

"Old man," Yuffie retorted, "we can just get another pilot."

"Why you-"

"We're not here to fight." Tifa said, tugging Yuffie back behind her, "I'm sorry to bother you, but we really need to get to Rocket Town."

"Rocket Town?" Cid repeated, raising his eyebrow in a surprise show of interest.

"The guy's from Rocket Town." Rygdea spoke up, poking a thumb in the older man's direction, "That's why I suggested that he should take you."

"We'll even pay you." The black-haired woman continued.

"Nah, give it up Boobs." Yuffie said as she threw both of her hands up and held them behind her head, "It's better this way." The younger made an action that mimicked what a smoker would do, "He'd be stinking up the transport too."

"Yuffie." Tifa hissed lowly, "You're not helping."

"His heart's gotta be all ash and soot now."

"Yuffie-"

"Marlene won't be able to go to Rocket Town to see her daddy!" The ninja suddenly yelled with watery eyes, "He's been gone for so long... She's only six! After losing her real dad, now she can't even-"

"Damn it! I'll take ya alright so shut the hell up!" Cid hollered as he tossed his cigar to the ground and stomped angrily on it, "Rocket Town right?"

"Well, actually the Forgotten Capital too."

"The Forgotten Capital?! I ain't flying god knows where!"

Taking a deep breath, Tifa tried to massage the headache pounding in her temple away. She snuck a look at Cloud who simply stared blankly back at her before she cast a glance at Rydgea. Whatever it was, it seemed as if the brunette was waiting for Tifa to look at him before he gave her a wide grin. Clearing his throat, he puffed out his chest and rested his hands on his hips, "It's fine, I'll get ya guys another pilot. I bet this old ship wouldn't even make it to the Forgotten Capital without going up in smoke-"

"What?" Cid hissed, turning his glare from Yuffie to Rydgea.

The young ninja caught on fast enough though, "Yeah! We'd be worse off if this old piece of metal crashed."

"Don't you dare insult my Shera!" The blond yelled, face as red as a beat, "She can fly farther than any of your damn transports! I'll take you to Rocket Town, the Forgotten Capital, and then back!"

"You will?!" Suddenly, Yuffie perked up considerably with her eyes wide and shining, "Thanks!"

"Wha-" Cid started but he was quickly interrupted with an onslaught of other voices.

"Boobs! Time to get the kiddies!" Yuffie cheered.

"It's best we head out as soon as possible." Cloud finally spoke up immediately afterwards.

"Great! I'll clear you guys for take off." Rydgea said, winking at Tifa before he stalked off whistling a little tune.

Everything had happened so fast. "Right..." Tifa whispered to herself. Sneaking a look at the disgruntled Cid who had realized the trap he had fallen into, Tifa turned and left to find Denzel and Marlene. Maybe it was a good idea to bring Yuffie along.