Chapter X

Hojo and the two guards made their way up the Sector 8 support pillar. Below them, people were running back and forth completing errands, doing chores. None of them knew that soon, their lives would be cut short. Hojo stopped upon reaching the top of the stairs. He looked over the railing, his face showing regret.

"Something wrong sir?" One of the men asked.

Hojo let out a sad sigh. "I really does seem like a rash action. I mean it's such a waste."

"Of human life?" The man asked.

Hojo looked at him for a moment, and then threw his head back laughing. "Of food you imbecile. I swear that some times you lack sense of your new being. Get it together."

Hojo led the two men over to the central of the terminal. "We're blowing up the support pillar, get to work." He ordered the two men. The men moved to the terminal without question, and began inputing the codes to activate the Pillar release. Hojo walked over toe the railing, looking down into the crowds below. He scanned the faces lazily, trying to pass the time until the pillar would be activated, and he could go home and enjoy a nice warm meal. He had kidnapped the girl just this morning. Her young heart had a steady beat, you could practically hear it across the room. He found himself drooling slightly over his thoughts when he saw a familiar face below. He couldn't believe his luck.

"Get that ready, but do not detonate it!" Hojo ordered the two men, and then turned back to the railing.

"Hey, you!" He yelled down to a boy near the foot of the tower. "Start spreading word that we're going to destroy the pillar!" He laughed as the boy let out a squeak and ran off towards the crowds of people. If the cattle that his lord were in the slums, they would soon hear about his actions. Then, hopefully, they'd come to stop him. "And I will killed them for our lord, and save us some good meals in the process." A few minutes later, he heard the clattering of footsteps coming up the stairs. He waited anxiously for them to reach the top, but when they did, he found himself sorely disappointed.

"You!" Hojo screamed those who emerged from the stairs. "No! It was supposed to be Avalanche!"

"What, did we ruin your plans?" The cocky redhead asked. He and the other three had their weapons at the ready.

"You damn Turks!" Hojo said through his teeth. "I have to make a very hard decision now. Do I kill you, and wait for Avalanche to come, or do I blow the Pillar now, and just finish this."

"We're not going to let you do that." Tseng said, taking a step forward.
"Oh, come on, you're Turks. You're part of the bad guys too."

"Regardless, Midgar is our home. We won't let you destroy it."

"Are you two finished yet?" Hojo asked his two men.
"Just a little more time sir." One said, as they worked to finish the preparation.

"Fine, whatever!" Hojo said, tearing his coat away. "Things never go the way they're are supposed to. I should of learn this by now. None the less, you four, all of you. Come at me!"

Reno was the first to charge in, swinging his EMR. Hojo caught it in his hand, absorbing the whole charge.

"Wow, Electrifying." Hojo mocked, catching Reno attempt to knee him in the gut. Tseng and Rude charge Hojo as well, but Elena attempted to go past him, and stop the two men working to activate the pillar release. Hojo quickly caught all three men's attempt to strike him, and reached out with his free hand, grabbing Elena's hair.
"Where do you think you're going bitch!" He roared, pulling hard. He pulled with such force, the Elena's feet lifted off the ground. He swung her as a flail, using her as a weapon against her three allies. All four of them fell to the ground.

"How about now!" Hojo asked the two men.

"Ready sir!"

"Then activate it!"

There was a beep, followed by a loud explosion above them. Hojo looked up, watching for a moment as the plate fell towards them. Then he looked back at the Turks.

"I suggest your run." Hojo said, a sick smile spreading across his face.

"Go!" Reno yelled at his friend, before charging at Hojo.