[from the perspective of Denzel...]
It was the day of December 31st, 2012. New Years Eve.
Denzel, one of Tifa's boys, walked through the ruins of Sector 7. Midgar was empty now, a forgotten pile of metal, stone, and rubble. Despite working at the 7th Heaven, Denzel still helped out by going back to his old job, scrounging scrap to sell for Edge's construction. The city had a long ways to go before it'd get to the mass Midgar used to be, and even then he hoped it wouldn't be the same.
At least in Edge everyone was equal. One thing about Meteorfall, it didn't matter how rich you were. Everyone was going to die. If you think about it from a morbid point of view, the possibility of Gaia's wipeout instilled the concept of equality.
Near the old playground, not too far from where the original 7th Heaven stood, Denzel dug into the dirt. He felt a strange combination of numbness and nostalgia, as memories of his family seeped into his mind. After the epidemic with geostigma, he did his best to forget them and focus on his new life with Tifa at the bar.
"Hm?" His gloved finger hit something hard, but delicate. Raising an eyebrow, the boy, now thirteen years old since the crisis started, pulled out a severely scratched up plastic jewel case from the crust of the earth. Inside was a metallic silver CD – ROM.
Back at the 7th Heaven, Denzel went over to Tifa's computer. Marlene was out with Barrett and Tifa and Cloud were off in Wutai for some WRO event or something. He was alone.
Denzel opened the case and looked down at the disk curiously. He didn't think twice before popping it into the drive.
Pressing a couple keys, the CD began to upload, prompting a window to pop up on the screen with various folders of files, data log entries and videos…He raised an eyebrow and clicked on one of the videos entitled with the number 101010775 – November 9th, 2007
Interesting, an exact month until the bombing of the first Mako Reacter. The event that started this whole thing.
Blink – a new window popped up with a video. A man in a bandana with brown hair…In a room with computers…Denzel didn't know who he was, most likely a soul lost from Sector 7's destruction. He just watched and listened.
Video Entry: 101010772 – November 9th, 2007
"This is Biggs, we are finally live!" The youth clapped his hands excitedly.
"The whole crew broke into one of AVALANCHE"s old hideouts close to Cosmo Canyon. Let me tell ya, these guys are smart." Biggs ran an excited hand through his hair.
"They already had advanced plans for bombs they intend to use on the Shinra Building. This shit is really powerful stuff."
"It'll take a while for us to actually make the bomb, but good thing I got Jessie and Wedge to help me out with that." he stated with a cheesy thumbs up.
"I didn't think we could make much of a difference in the world until today. Remember, I'm just some two bit hacker from the slums. Sure, I can steal passwords, decipher security codes, enter bank accounts.." Biggs wiggled his eyebrows childishly. "But in the end, I just…I just want to make Midgar a better place ya know? The people in Sector 7 are struggling every day, they deserve a chance."
"Biggs, Rafi's here!" called a female voice from above. "Oh crap, it's his birthday! I thought I'd have more time, gotta keep the baby happy." he laughed with a wink.
"Biggs, out!" Transmission end.
Denzel's eyes widened a bit, he couldn't believe this Biggs guy was involved with AVALANCHE… Did that mean he knew Tifa and Barrett?
This time the boy opened a data log.
Data Log: 101010773 – November 20th, 2007
It's been eleven days since we found the blueprints on the bomb. Jessie's already been well underway in its construction. Damn, I didn't think she was that fast!
But that's always been Jessie. It's hard to admit, I think she's even better than me.
We finally agreed on a day, December 9th, and it's going to be glorious, but…I've been getting nervous. Rafi and I got into a huge fight the other day when I finally decided to tell him. Trust me it wasn't pretty.
"Are you guys insane? I was all for this AVALANCHE business until you decided to make things violet. I thought you guys were going to do silent protests and sit ins and shit!" Rafi yelled, red in the face. It was a tense situation, but god, I loved it when he got like this. He shed all that Sector 4 prim and properness and became raw and real. That's the boy I fell in love with.
I knew I had to diffuse things quickly. We were in a cheap motel down the street from the 7th Heaven. When Rafi spent the night we would go there. I couldn't fuck him at the bar for everyone to hear now, I have some manner of respect for my comrades, hehe.
"Hey don't worry about it, everything's going to be fine. Barrett will be with us and we even hired this guy that used to be in EX-SOLDIER to help us out." I tried putting my arm around him, but Rafi shrugged away. He was really upset now.
"Wow, an Ex-SOLDIER. And you trust him? God, you guys are reckless." he crossed his arms and looked nervously out the window. I insisted and wrapped my arms around his waist, mouth pressed on the nape of his neck. Rafi sighed from the anxiety.
"I'm going to be careful, I'm not going to make any stupid mistakes. You already know me." I whispered into his ear.
"Why do you have to take this to the extreme?" he asked, his voice sounding defeated. He still didn't understand. He was a kid from the upper class, how could he possibly get it?
"You haven't lived to see how much damage these mako reactors have done to the planet. People are getting sick from the radiation. Shinra won't extend jobs to the poor or improve the slums by fueling money into them. No, every dirty cent they make goes right to the mako reactors. We can't live like this anymore." My voice was gentle, I didn't want to sound like I was standing on my soapbox.
"I'm just scared. People live in Sector 1 too. What's going to happen to them? Homes will be destroyed…" I quickly had to cut him off. Last thing I needed was a guilt trip.
"How else are we going to get President Shinra's attention? Baby, come on." I turned Rafi around to face me and comforted his saddened expression with a big goofy grin. No response, his eyes avoided mind.
"Come on, I love you.." I leaned over and kissed him, he kissed back.
I couldn't talk about AVALANCHE with him anymore. I just wanted him to have peace of mind, and some fucking amazing sex was just the thing the doctor ordered…
Data Log: 101010774 – December 1st, 2007
Everyone in AVALANCHE was cool with my relationship with Rafi. At first, not so much...
They didn't feel comfortable with someone a) from an upper class sector and b) whose parents worked for Shinra in their personal space, but I managed to convince Barrett and the others that he was a good guy.
We all gathered one night at the BBQ diner at the Wall Market so that I could introduce Rafi to the gang. Surprise! He warmed up to everyone quickly, Tifa especially. Barrett thought he was cool too, but pulled me aside while everyone slurped their noodles and got acquainted.
"Yo, I ain't sayin I got a problem with this. But the minute your boy gets outta line he's cut." I couldn't help but laugh, Barrett was so overprotective it was ridiculous. "You better not tell him shit about anything we discuss AVALANCHE related."
"Don't worry about it, I wouldn't be seeing him if I didn't think he was legit." Barrett raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And my lips are sealed boss." I made a zipping motion over my mouth, of course, all if it was a lie. I wanted to share the great changes coming to Midgar with my guy. After all, I think hearing about it will inspire him to do something to help the community. His families rich after all, having someone up there could be a useful resource in the long run when this thing goes down.
"Since when were you into dudes anyway? Not that I have a problem with it or nuthin.." I could tell the big guy was..uncertain about it. Pssh, sexuality was fluid man. At least for me.
"I dunno, it's just preference at the end of the day." He narrowed his eyes at me, I guess he just didn't find the appeal. He was straight after all. A hetero-sexual, dubbed by the psychs.
"Whatever, I dun give a fuck what you do in your free time. But he ain't spending the night at the bar. Not when Marlene's around, not when I'm around." he growled. I couldn't help but burst into laughter. He knew me too well.
"Okay, okay fair enough!" I put my hands up in surrender. I bet I get laid way better than this bozo right here. Bet he could learn a thing or two about it from me. After all, Barrett wasn't the 'romantic' type, not in the very least.
Enough with the reminiscing though, I guess as the days creep on by I get more and more anxious about it…
In about a week's time, we'll be initiating the revolution of our planet.
Unfortunately, tonight brought on another fight with Rafi.
"You think I'm some privileged spoiled brat, don't you? Like I don't know shit about suffering! Do you know the hardships we go through, huh? The expectations?" I've never seen Rafi so upset before. We were just having a simple conversation about wealth and class and things got out of control. I may have mentioned he had it a bit easy, coming from a wealthy family and all…Sigh, he's been on edge lately, trying to cope with the 'big plan'. I could see how nervous it made him, the fear in his face…
"I didn't mean anything by it ba-" "No, of course you didn't." He crossed his arms and faced the window, the same way he did ten days prior in the motel room. A bout of deja vu hit my head.
"Don't you remember how we met?" His voice was clipped. The memory was already routing itself through my brain, a memory I'd rather forget. I could feel my hands ball into fists out of anger. I hated thinking about it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Come on…" Wow, I felt like shit now. I guess I get wrapped up too much into my own problems to realize that I'm not the only victim here…
"I understand what your trying to do here, but your going about it the wrong way." he snapped. Rafi turned to face me. "You all are just a bunch of terrorists! Get it? Terrorists! That's what AVALANCHE is…" I grunted. He was right. The original AVALANCHE was nothing but just that. Then again, they were trying to spark change. They were trying to make the world a better place by starting a rebellion. They couldn't wait around until things got better, no fuckin way! I could feel the passion already churning in my stomach.
"Shinra is destroying the planet. The previous AVALANCHE was just trying to help. Shinra wants to control everything, they want to control you! Sometimes a peace talk isn't going to cut it! We have to take things to the next level so they finally get the message!" Rafi growled. "Fuck you and your environmentalist world peace bullshit." he spat, bolting for the door. I didn't chase after him. I could tell he needed to cool off.
God, why did he have to be so hot when he was angry?
Data Log: 101010775 – December 8th, 2007
Today we all got together at the 7th Heaven for a final dinner before the big day.
All of AVALANCHE would be there, Tifa, Barrett, Marlene, Jessie, Wedge…Rafi.
As Barrett drank a bottle of beer with Wedge, and Jessie played with Marlene, Tifa served bowls of her specialty Final Heaven Ramen to everyone. You could travel to the finest restaurant in Sector 0, your not gonna find ramen as good as this. I grabbed my chopsticks and looked towards the entrance. No sign of Rafi yet.
"Is Rafi still coming Biggs?" asked Jessie. She stopped playing with Marlene and prepared to take in a slurp of noodles.
"Yea, where's he at tonight?" enforced Wedge. Barrett just gave me a suspicious look, honestly it was nobody's damn business.
"He's just running late." I mumbled, before slurping on some noodles myself. Tifa looked a bit worried.
"Can't believe tomorrows the big day! Did you invite your friend Tifa? The EX-SOLDIER who'll be joining us for the mission?" Jessie was a huge flirt, especially when a cute new boy came around. When she heard he was an EX-SOLDIER, she practically lost her shit. Jessie couldn't help but get excited. I guess she believes former military personnel are an attractive lot. Nobody's met the mysterious guy yet though, apparently he's been 'sick'. What good is a sick EX-SOLDIER?
Tifa sat down with a cup of tea, she would rather stay sober just in case everyone else got piss drunk. Somebody had to be that Mother Hen of the group and that was Tifa. "He's still resting from his journey here. He's over the flu though, he said he'll be good to go tomorrow." I could always tell when Tifa was hiding something. I decided not to pry into it though, Jessie would already take care of that for me.
"Oh, I can't wait!" she exclaimed. "With his help it's gonna go off without a hitch. I even made sure to program an extra ID car-" "Rafael, come join us." greeted Tifa.
My face immediately snapped to the door. Rafi stood there, in his academy uniform, looking a bit sullen. He still managed to feign a smile though when the rest of the crew said hi. "Sit! I'll get you a bowl of ramen." Tifa went off to the kitchen.
Rafi sat next to Jessie, on the opposite side of the table at the end, conveniently away from me. Great, are we really going to act like children?
"How was school today? Learn anything new?" Jessie leaned over while Wedge hollered at Tifa. "Get me another bowl of ramen yeah? It's just…soo good!" Barrett shook his head; "You better keep up tomorrow yo, or I'm leaving your ass behind." Wedge gulped. Marlene giggled as she played with her chopsticks.
"Kind of…" replied Rafi meekly. "We were on the chapter about Wutai in world geography today." Jessie swooned; "Wow, I always wanted to go to Wutai. It's such a beautiful place."
"It is. Every time I learn about it in class it's always been interesting. I don't get tired of it." I didn't say a thing. I kept to my ramen bowl and decided to opt out of the conversation. I didn't want anyone to start a scene now, so best shut my mouth. Rafi stared at me as Jessie and Wedge began a discussion on travel, waiting for me to say something, but I didn't.
"After all this, I guess this means we'll be able to finally leave Midgar. There are Mako Reactors everywhere, you know." mentioned Wedge. "We'll be outlaws branded by Shinra. We can't stay in one place for too long."
I could feel Rafi's stomach flip over from here. "I'm going to see if Tifa needs help." he smiled weakly. He excused himself to the kitchen.
As soon as he was out of ear shot, both Jessie and Wedge leaned in; "What's going on between you guys?" "Is everything okay? He seems upset.."
"You guys are nosey bastards." I remarked, slurping on another pile of noodles with my tongue.
"He's doesn't like what were doing." Barrett spoke up now, he knew all along that this was going to happen. The bastard. I growled, Barrett gave me a warning stare.
Wedge's eyes widened. "You think so? He's not gonna snitch on us right?" Jessie on the other hand shook her head. "No, I don't think it's like that. I think he's scared for you Biggs."
"Well, yeah. Aren't we all scared? This is going to change history as we kn-" "No, dummy." Jessie cut me off.
"He's scared something bad is going to happen to you. Rafi doesn't care the revolution, Shinra, changing the world, he just cares about you." I felt stupid and floored. Really?
"Wow, even an idiot could tell you that." she laughed, I could feel my face blooming a shade of crimson. "Shut the fuck up."
Jessie giggled; "Boys are so dumb."
After Rafi and Tifa came back to the table we all enjoyed some merry conversation, albeit side skirting the tension brewing between Rafi and I. We talked about our dreams, hopes, and fears, until everyone passed out from the alcohol. Marlene fell asleep on the floor while Barret, Jessie, and Wedge slumped into a peaceful slumber onto the table. The only ones awake now were Tifa, Rafi, and myself.
Nobody said anything. Rafi kept quiet while Tifa began to clean up the table. As she picked up several beer bottles and ramen bowls, she gave me an encouraging glare. I knew I had to make my move. Smooth this over before things before it was too late. "Come outside with me for a bit, will ya?" Rafi looked up at me silently.
Outside he crossed his arms; "What is it?" he asked. Ugh, I hated hearing him sound so hopeless.
"I'm sorry. I kept going on and on and on about AVALANCHE and the future, but….I didn't go on about you." I took his hands into mine, Rafi's eyes glazed over,
"I love you Rafael." Just saying his name fully caused tears to slip from Rafi's ducts. He bowed his head and roughly embraced me, his touch was so comforting. Relaxing. It was everything I needed right now before tomorrow. "I do." I whispered. "Even though this is something I have to do, your the only one that matters in all of this. I want to live a happy and free life with you. On this planet, for years and years."
Rafi began to silently sob; "Then why do I feel like I'm never going to see you again?" His sentence was muffled by the fact his head was buried into my chest, but I still understood him.
"Hey, hey…" I pulled him away, lifted his chin with my hand. We both locked eyes. "It'll only be for a short while. As soon as were in the clear I'm coming to you." I playfully slapped his ass (he had such a nice ass); "And you better have it ready for me when I get there." Rafi chuckled, he encircled his arms around my neck. "I love you more than you know. Your my soul mate."
Soul mate…I haven't heard that word from him yet. My mouth stretched into a grin. Wow, it's a weird feeling, feeling happy. I'm so used to the anger and disappointment…I think people in general feel that way. Everyone should strive for some slice of happiness in their lives. I know I have mine.
In the back of the 7th Heaven Bar, underneath a short circuiting light post, I bucked my hips into his. His fair skinned back, the angles of the bone…I loved admiring his physique. He'd always get embarrassed, claim that he's being violated. I just think it's sexy.
I grunted as I hooked my gloved hands onto his shoulders, pushing deeper into him. I growled as I slammed into his ass harder and harder. Rafi whimpered and tried to keep quiet, before a moan escaped him.
"Turn around." I released myself from Rafi's inside as he turned over, laying down on a patch of grass. "Out here? But its dirty and col-" But I didn't give him time to finish his sentence, I pushed my dick into his hole, causing Rafi's body to spasm. I squeeze my eyes shut as beads of sweat ran down my face. One thrust, two thrust, three… "Fuck…" I mumbled.
I pressed myself against Rafi harder, entering him farther than before, our chests pressed together as I used my thighs to push forward into him. Just having Rafi like this, it was everything. It wasn't just sex either, it was…Something that transcended just two physical bodies going at it. It was a universal experience. It was spiritual.
"Rafael…" I huffed and growled as I neared my climax. "I…. love you…Arghhh…" I stared into his eyes, he looked so vulnerable. His cheeks flushed red, mouth slightly open, bangs plastered to his face. I leaned down and kissed him roughly as I filled his insides with my love, my force, my passion….
My ideal future.
Denzel blinked. It was rather explicit…and intriguing. He wanted to know more. The boy clicked on another video log.
Video Entry: 101010775 – December 9th, 2007
A new window popped into the screen. Bigg's face, charred with ash and sweat, his head nearly occupying the entire window. It looked like he was taking the video on his PHS.
"We did it…We just finished hacking the security codes for the Sector 5 reactor….Phew!" Biggs wiped his forehead and turned the camera to a girl and a big guy in bandanas, red like the one Biggs wore. AVALANCHE's color. They were both sitting down on a couch next to several computer screens. "That security breach on the train almost got us!" he laughed. "Guess your not the best programmer in Midgar Jessie."
"This isn't a time….for your personal video blog!" she huffed. The other boy groaned in pain. "Oh come on, don't tell me your all out of energy? We gotta be ready just in case something happens with Barrett and the others." Biggs seemed to be the only one unfazed by the action.
"I hope Cloud's okay." wondered Jessie. "You really like him, huh?" chided Biggs. The girl's face flushed red; "What's wrong with that?! He's talented! And nice!"
"We have….to…..wait….for the…. call…" The fat one heaved. Denzel could hear Biggs sigh. "I hope it goes well. The minute I get the green light I'm going to meet up with Rafi tonight."
"You really believe that's something you should be thinking about right now? We just blew up two mako reactors in the span of a couple hours." scolded the girl. "Come on Jessie, you and Wedge need to understand. The guy's worried about me. You said so yourself."
"Man, those disguises were so hot…." Wedge wheezed some more and keeled to the floor. "You need to get it together, stop being so dramatic!" Jessie snapped. Biggs turned the camera back to himself.
"I told you Rafi. Everything turned out A-okay!" he gave the lens a cheesy smile and a thumbs up.
RING RING! It sounded like a PHS ringing. "Turn that off Biggs! Barrett's calling!" yelled Jessie from the back. "See you soon baby." he grinned before the screen went black. Transmission end.
Denzel clicked onto the next one. This one didn't have a date.
Video Entry: 101010776 – DATA CORRUPTED, DATE UNKNOWN
Biggs again, holding the camera to his face. The image constantly shook, it looked like he was running.
"I don't know what's going to happen. Tifa called us, apparently Shinra plans to destroy the support pillar for Sector 7 and drop the plate on the slums. You know what that means?" he panted.
The image went to the ground, static browns, a dull green light, Denzel couldn't make of the constantly shifting video.
"Turn that fucking camera off!" boomed Barrett's voice in the background.
"Were meeting up with the rest of the crew….We have to stop them." BRRRRTTTT – The sounds of a flurrying machine gun echoed through the monitor speaker.
The video went back to Biggs' face, blurry and constantly moving. "Rafi, I don't know when were…going to see each other again…Or if we'll even make it out of this thing alive…" he huffed.
"But I love you. Your my soul mate too…Please be safe…" Biggs smile was warm. BRRRRRRTTTTT – The bullet sounds thundered.
"I suggest you turn the other way, if you value your lives." The irritating blare of a megaphone can be heard now. "Anyone comes even one step closer kill 'em!" It was the voice of a sleazy man, cocky and over confident. Denzel could hear the wisp of helicopter blades as the camera turned down to the ground, all he could see now was the side of a boot.
"Just try it you Shinra muthafuckas!" Barrett again, more bullets, a blast of fire somewhere, and then black…. Transmission end.
Denzel was floored. It was clear that last video was hours…No, most likely mere minutes before the plate fell. The boy felt a dull ache in his heart. Five years may have passed, but the memory could never remained buried. Not after all the tragedy.
His hand tightened into a fist. He wished he was old enough to help AVALANCHE do something about what happened. Maybe if they had more man power at that exact moment…
No, no use fighting the what if's and but's and could haves. If Cloud wasn't enough to stop it then nothing could have. Denzel inhaled sharply, he clicked the mouse a few times and backed up the files onto the computer. Looking through the folders, the disk appeared to have far more content; Maps, strategies, advanced coding, hacking programs, and blueprints for explosives…The bombs that took out the mako reactors?
Denzel hid the files and ejected the disc, hiding it underneath a loose floorboard in his room. He decided he wouldn't tell Barrett or Tifa or even Cloud about what he found. He wanted to study everything this Biggs guy had to offer him, even though he might not be around anymore to teach or explain things. Denzel knew he was capable of learning on his own.
Maybe this way he could help somehow. Make the world a better place and prevent anything like the plate falling from happening ever again.
"Rest in peace Biggs." CLUNK – was the sound as he pushed the floorboard back into place.