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Noise was all around, but Cloud ignored it; all of it. The flames, smoke and crashing debris around him, he ignored it. Cloud could feel it; there was somebody here, maybe Aerith or Tifa?

Cloud ran through the halls, frantically searching but only saw smoke.

"Help!"

Cloud's hearing focused in on the faint voice, "Help!"

Tifa!

Cloud focused in on her voice, realizing she was in his office.

What was she doing there?

But he pushed the question to the back of his mind, a thought for later.

His entire office seemed to be swallowed by flames, Cloud covered his mouth, pushing back the urge to cough out the smoke he was breathing in.

"Tifa?"

"Cloud!"

Cloud pushed through the door way, his door was already burned to bits.

"Tifa, where are you?"

A cough and then a scream as a loud crash sounded.

Tifa!

Cloud resisted the urge to close his eyes, the smoke was making them tear up and the heat was making sweat roll down his face.

Cloud stumbled around, basically blind as his hands searched for Tifa's form.

Heated flesh met his fingers and Cloud realized that it was tifa's arm, he pulled but she wouldn't move.

"Tifa, can you hear me? We need to go."

No answer.

She's probably unconscious. I have to get her out of here fast.

Cloud felt along her back, searching for the cause of the crash.

His hands curled around a piece of dry wall, maybe from his ceiling. It had landed right on Tifa's back, the realization caused Cloud to panic. He lifted the piece of the ceiling off of Tifa and put her arm around his shoulder, dragging her towards what he thought was the exit.

The elevator wasn't working and it was dangerous to ride in it anyways so the only option was the stairs, although by now the whole building was probably on fire.

Who would do something like this? Because it was no accident.

The only name that came across was Hojo. The selfish bastard.

But why would he target this exact building? Sure he worked here more than he did all his other building but Hojo always thought everything out and there had to be another reason.

Reno was talking about doing a side project. What was it again? Something about energy…..energy….and…and…gas.

Gas. Clean energy in place of gas. Transforming gas into reusable energy.

Only one thought came to mind.

Shit.

And.

Run.

Where was the gas located. Shit he should have paid more attention to Reno's babbling. Although Reeve was supposed to be supervising the whole thing.

The basement. That was where they would have put it. How long until the fire reached it?

Maybe a couple seconds or a couple minutes but Cloud was sure as hell not going to be here when the whole fucking building exploded and God…the people.

They had to get as far away as possible, along with the surrounding buildings-they had to evacuate as soon as possible.

But wouldn't have Reno or Reeve told them about the gas already?

Unless they were hurt or unable to.

Cloud's sweaty hands slipped around Tifa's wrist and he held on tighter.

This was taking too damn long.

Cloud placed his arm underneath her legs and lifted her up bridal style, it was more weight but it would be a lot faster.

Cloud continued down the stairs, hoping that he would reach the exit in time.


Angeal, Zack and Genesis were the first to reach the burning building. Angeal had spoken to one of the policemen explaining that there was still somebody in the building. But he said that they were doing the best they could and that everybody was already out of the building.

Angeal wasn't a cursing person but when someone he cared was in the possibility of being harmed he was a force to reckon with.

The policeman had then rushed to the firemen to tell them about the situation, glad to put distance between himself and Angeal.

Sephiroth arrived a couple minutes later but nobody was allowed in the building.

Sephiroth just gave them a look that made one of the officers shiver in fear but civilians were not allowed to go in a building that was on fire. Then Angeal and Genesis had to restrain Sephiroth from pummeling the officer to death-he had forgotten his sword in the office.

"Guys! Look it's Cloud!"

Everybody turned and looked at where Zack was pointing to the entrance of the building. There Cloud was, he looked dead tired and worn but alive. He was carrying a woman-wasn't that the woman who approached them at the diner?-and as his eyes met the surrounding scene full of people. A pancked expression filled his face.

They all rushed forward, along with the medics and policemen. The medics tried taking Tifa from his arms but Cloud refused and just looked back at the building, catching his breath.

"we….we….have…to ..get out of….here….NOW."

They all shared expressions of confusion, and Cloud heaved in a big breath.
"YOU FUCKING SHIT HEADS! EVACUTE THE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY! THERE'S A SHITLOAD OF GASOLINE IN THE BASEMENT AND WHEN THE FIRE REACHES IT….."

That sprung everybody into action, but Cloud looked at Angeal, Genesis, Zack and Sephiroth in the eye.

"Take cover now." There was no time to question Cloud.

Nobody had a chance to even think but react. Sephiroth instantly flung himself into Cloud and Cloud covered Tifa's frame with his. Genesis and Angeal pushed Zack and covered their faces with their arms.

The explosion knocked everybody off their feet. Windows shattered, people screamed, and the earth shook as the building fell over onto its neighbor.

Cries were heard as dust fell over them, and nearby trees caught fire from the building. Then about five minutes later silence.


Thanks for reading!