Chapter 4

Shinra had invaded Cosmo Canyon a week later. They had been looking for missing test subjects and were inquiring about the red beast for possible testing. Hojo had led a group of SOLDIERS straight up to the Observatory, behind them way only carnage and death. Hojo had walked up all the stairs with his slight hunch in his back, his face looking very intense and almost angry. A man had walked up to Hojo.

"Please stop sir, please!!" With a flick of a finger a SOLDIER had come forward and stabbed the man through the chest. The man had gripped the sword in his chest in agony. The man was screaming in pain. The SOLDIER had ripped his sword in a upward direction, nearly cutting the man in two. Hojo had moved his glasses back on his face.

"Two of you stay with me. The rest of you… go search for and kill any person you find. Leave Bugenhagen to me."

"Sir but what about the women and children?" a SOLDIER spoke up.

" May I see your sword SOLDIER?" the questioning SOLDIER had handed over his blade. Hojo studied the blade, and with very little warning he made a quick swipe of the sword. The SOLDIER's head had fallen to the floor. Some of his blood had gotten on Hojo's shoes. "YOU IMBECILE!!!" Hojo Kicked the young SOLDIERS head across the room. "Any of you question me again I will have each of you killed!!!"

The SOLDIERS scattered, Hojo and his two guards headed up to Bugenhagen's observatory. Hojo walked in the door and took a quick glance around, and let out a devilish chuckle. "HAHAHA this man was supposed to be the greatest mind of our time!!?? This is a joke! HAHAHA!!! You two bring him to me… now." The two SOLDIERS had grabbed the old man who was on the second floor. They had brought him to Hojo's Knees. Bugenhagen had tears running down his face behind his glasses, he knew this was the end. Hojo Bent forward to take a closer look at the tiny man. Hojo seemed disgusted.

"Where is your little pet? I haven't seen him around… did he run away from his old grand pappy? Or did you send him with MY specimens!?" Hojo grabbed a SOLDIER sword and cut the poor old man across the cheek. The blood and tears made a red watery mix.

Bugenhagen had gotten himself together between his sobs. He spat on on Hojo's shoes. "those two specimens of yours are going to be the end of you… they will be the end of Shinra. Live in fear Hojo, live in…"

Hojo had stuck the blade in Bugenhagen's throat. Blood was dripping down the sides of his neck.

Hojo, turned and started walking down the stairs. He met up with the rest of the SOLDIERS that had come with him. Hojo put his hands behind his back and started to walk down the entry stairs, he turned to the SOLDIERS "burn it". The group had gotten in their helicopter. Hojo looked down on the burning canyon he let out a grin of satisfaction.

Zack had driven the buggy past Gongaga. He knew that would be a very stupid thing to do. He would put his parents at risk and he could very well walk into a trap. So he had headed to the village of Corel. Zack was just listening to the news, and a sudden news break had been announced. "Breaking news, the Cosmo canyon is in ruins after 2 men who are formally SOLDIERS had killed the people of the canyon with the help of a large red beast. Suspects have been identified as SOLDIER First class Zack Fair and Cloud Strife. The beast is of unknown origin, but is believed to be the last a vicious species. A reward of 5 million Gil has been set for the head of any of these three vigilantes. If capture Shinra will pay the sum of 1 billion Gil to whoever captures them. "

"O shit guys. This isn't going to be good at all. The army is going to be looking for us. Along with any person looking for money, we can't spend the night in any town guys. We are in a lot of deep shit." Zack looked back at Nanaki who was in tears hiding under his paws. Zack's heart ached for his loss. Bugenhagen had been a good man who had been very generous in his time of need. Zack couldn't help think that this was his fault. If He had just left the town sooner, maybe the people would still be alive.

"Zack it isn't your fault. Don't think like that. They were after me. Grandfather must have known that, that must be why he sent me out here with you to destroy Shinra. He died a hero, he saved us. "Nanaki had gotten out of the car. He looked up to the stars, and he let out a howl that would shake any creature's bones.

Zack came over to Nanaki and sat next to him. He looked up at the stars. "Big red, we will get whoever killed you grandfather. We will avenge your town. And when we get the man responsible for this, you will have the honors in killing him." Zack gave Big red a one armed hug and a rub behind his ear. "Take your time pal, we will move on when you are ready."

"Thank you Zack" Nanaki said with a smile.

Zack had run into Corel in the middle of the night. He could not risk Big reds and Clouds safety by taking them into town as well. Zack had told Nanaki to protect Cloud at any cost and to howl if anyone comes. Zack had robbed the stores. He took whatever items he could find. He found a few remedies and a handful of potions. Zack grabbed some food for everyone. On his way back to the buggy, Zack had seen a feather and a Clip. He thought Nanaki might like it, and it may cheer him up.

Zack walked up to the buggy and handed Nanaki some food and he walked over to see if Cloud was gunna be able to eat. He tapped Cloud, and Cloud let out a noise. "Ti…f..a". Zack knew what Cloud must have been dreaming about. Zack wasn't sure what had happened to the teen, he thought the worst. She had to be dead. Not many people survive the wrath of Sephiroth. Zack let out a sigh. He fluffed Cloud's hair. He had fed Cloud and walked back over to Nanaki. "Hey pal, I saw this Clip for you. I thought you might like it." "Thank you Zack" Nanaki put it on his head. The group had slept for a little bit.

A few hours later Zack had woken Nanaki and told him he could sleep more in the car. Zack jumped back behind the wheel and he noticed that Cloud had been moving. He was getting better thank goodness. Zack started the buggy and they headed toward Cosa Del Sol. They needed to steal a boat.

Zack and Nanaki ran into the town. There were 4 Shinra guards there. They were clearly there for them, they knew there was no other place for them to cross. Zack moved his head to where he wanted Nanaki to move. They drew closer to the Guards. They were completely unnoticed… until Nanaki had poked his head out a little too far. The guards blew their whistle. "IT'S THEM!!!" Fuck it was a trap. Men started pouring out of the bar and inn. Many of them were SOLDIERS and guards, and there were a few armed town folk. They all approached Zack and Nanaki.

"NANAKI!!! GO PROTECT CLOUD!!!!"

"Who needs protection now?" A familiar voice came from behind.

"Cloud!!!!" Zack had never been happier to see him. He was wielding the sword Zack had gotten him.

The two buster brothers had stood back to back, with Nanaki by their side. This was going to be a battle for their life and their freedom.