Sorry for the delay, but I had some computer problems. Anyways here's the next chapter, It's Denzel's story and Cloud has a little something to say. I hope you like it please review.

Chapter 9: The Show Must Go On

Denzel lay on the floor of his office, feeling the life slowly slip from his body. The bullet pierced his torso lodging it some where near his heart. Denzel felt the pain in his chest as a pool of blood started to surround him. His head started to spin as everything went black. The last thing Denzel saw before his slipped into unconsciousness was his own father standing over him.

"Don't worry son….I'm here." Whispered Cloud as Denzel closed his eyes

One day Later

Denzel eyes slowly started to open, everything was blurry for a few seconds before his sight finally came back to him. Denzel looked around to find his father asleep in the chair next to Denzel's hospital bed. The medical ward was empty except for Denzel, he tried to sit up in the bed, but felt a sharp pain in his chest. Denzel groaned in pain waking his father. Cloud sat up quickly and helped his son sit up then handed him a glass of water.

"How long have I been out/" sighed Denzel as he took a drink

"About a day." Replied Cloud as he sat back down in his chair

"I can't believe he shot me. I guess I failed…..what kind of a leader is so bad that one of his most trusted generals not only goes behind his back, but also attempts to assassinate him." Sighed Denzel

"It's not your fault." Assured Cloud

"I know it's just………I'm not mad at you. But, do you know who I am mad at?" asked Denzel

"Who?" replied Cloud

"Myself. I'm mad at Myself. I sit here thinking: A madman's got my brother, Someone I trusted just shot me, and my Dad spent most of the other day lying to me and stealing something from me. And you know what I think about when all that goes through my head……..where did I go wrong?"

"Denzel, what are you talking about?"

"Dad…ever since I got this job I've been questioning every move that I made. The WRO is near ruin, My most trusted General didn't even have enough faith in me to trust that the decision I made was right. At every turn…I've failed. That's what I'm the most angry at….My own failure. And now do you now who's gonna pay for my failure…..my own family."

"Denzel when I made the decision to steal the Black Materia along with Vincent and Red, do you think I thought it was the right choice?"

"Probably not."

"You're right….Long ago I was made the leader of a group against my own wishes and I had to make a lot of tough choices. One of my friends died…. I had to live with that. I was in charge and some one close died. For a long time I blamed it on myself. Why wasn't I there….there was so much I could have done…I could have changed things….All these things kept popping in and out of my head. Do you know what made me stop blaming myself?"

"What?"

"I took a look at all the things that were important in my life. There was your mother and you. Then I thought all these decisions I have to make, how are they for? Then I finally realized it…..there are people who need me out there. So I could either blame myself for everything that goes wrong, or I could admit that I'm human and that shit happens and that I need to be strong and continue on in order to be there for the people that need me."

Cloud then stood up and slowly walked out the door as Denzel sat there in bed. On the nightstand next to Denzel was Darkwater's message. Denzel checked the nearby calendar and clock. He didn't have much time before Darkwater went to work. Denzel got out of bed to feel a sharp pain in his chest. Denzel quickly got dressed and headed out the door to his office. Denzel quickly geared up for battle then went to his desk and issued an activated the WRO emergency communication system. Denzel grabbed the microphone and prepared to speak to the entire WRO.

"Attention members of the World Regenesis Organization, this is Denzel Strife speaking. I must admit that things haven't been looking too good lately, but I just want to state that I'm still here. Even in the face of all the over whelming darkness that seems to be surrounding us lately, I wanna say that I'm still here. I gonna continue to fight on and no matter what I'm not gonna give up. So anybody who still thinks that there is hope for our cause….that we can still do something then meet me armed and ready in the transport area and let's go kick some ass!" announced Denzel

Denzel sighed deeply, he was still nervous about all this. Mainly because he was about to head into battle with no idea where the enemy was or what was in store for him. Denzel was about to head out his door when the phone rang on his desk. Denzel hesitated a bit before finally answering the phone.

"Denzel, Man is that you? I've been trying to call some one for hours what the hell is going on I heard everything was chaos over there." exclaimed Cid Jr. as he was getting ready to leave

"Cid is that you? Listen it's great to hear from you, but I got a lot of problems to deal with over here." Stated Denzel

"Listen Man I just talked to Alex and….."

"Wait you talked to Alex, where is he, how's he doing..."

"Calm down….Alex is fine, I'm on my way to pick him up in the fastest airship I've got."

"That's great you can bring him here then we can figure out where to find Darkwater!"

"No he told me some things: 1.) Darkwater's in Midgar 2.) They got John and 3.) they got some sort of device that makes gone go demon and allows Darkwater to control him. So Alex wants you to bring a little something extra incase you need to take him down…..long enough to knock some sense into him of course."

"I know what you mean. Don't worry about anything I'll bring the gear you just get Alex and we'll meet you in Midgar."

"Consider me all ready airborne."

Cid hung up the phone and headed out his door toward the Highwind family airport. Meanwhile, Denzel took a deep breathe and started walking toward the vehicle bay. He was unsure if anybody would be there, but regardless he was going to go take on Darkwater.

Denzel opened the bay doors to find nearly the entire WRO assembled before him.

"Sir we're ready." Stated one of the nearby commanding soldiers

"Very well then, We got some work to do! Guys we're going to Midgar!" commanded Denzel

As Denzel started to climb into one of the nearby trucks Denzel noticed an unused mobile cannon in the corner of the bay. He looked in the back of the truck to find a couple of crates of explosives.

"I got an idea. Let's bring that cannon, load it with these explosives and hand me the trigger device!" commanded Denzel

The soldiers complied and soon the WRO army was on their way to Midgar. As they began to travel down the road, Denzel took a deep breathe.

"I have a feeling that this next part is about to suck." Sighed Denzel

To be continued……….,

I hope you liked this chapter. Keep reviewing then and tell me what chapter you want to see next.