Final Fantasy VII: Another Side
By:
Mystwalker
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.
A/N: *points at new file name* FINALLY! I was getting really tired of Midgar, haha! After this file we get a set of three interludes, one for each shipping in this story! AND ZACK AND AERITH TALK!
For those of you who remember that scene in Chapter 18 where Seph makes a passing mention to "the last time he was drunk", that story exists now. It's called A Tale of Two SOLDIERs, and can be found by looking at my profile page.
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: So, I have a bit of a contest/challenge for you, dear readers. Consider it the first of several chances I'll be giving you guys to influence the story. Answer the question: What is Kunsel's last name, and where is his hometown? Send suggestions in your reviews or as a PM, and I'll take the one that most sparks my inspiration.
In a rush, so I don't have time to respond to all your reviews. But I appreciate them, and thanks so much for your support! I'll respond next chapter!
XxXxX
File 012: Escape from Midgar
Wind skirted around the Shinra Building, bringing with it the biting cold associated with midwinter. The wind whipped at her skin, the tips of her fingers feeling almost numb outside of her fingerless gloves as they gripped onto the cold metal of her shuriken. She ignored the cold, bracing herself as Auriel rushed at her and started with several elegant thrusts. Cissnei raised Rekka to block the first, gritting her teeth and stifling a shout as the impact sent a tingling sensation from her hand to her elbow. She took a step back as he struck again, bringing her arm up close to herself as defense and twisting to the side for protection. The third strike came at her head. She took a small dancer's step back, tilting her head slightly so the blade sailed over her shoulder.
He stepped back, finishing off with a thrust at her shoulder. Cissnei didn't attempt to meet the weapon head-on, instead catching it with one of the shuriken's points and pushing off of it as she slid underneath it. It didn't waver—Auriel was stronger than that—but she was counting on that fact, using her opponent's strength as something she could push off of. She stepped into his range, letting Rekka slide along the length of his blade before pulling it back and rotating it with a flick of her wrist. The spinning blades tore into the skin of his arm, and he cursed, pulling back just enough to attempt to slash at her. She ducked, pulling Rekka in and rolling to the side to avoid his strike. Cissnei sprang to her feet, spinning the shuriken quickly to clear it of blood as she turned towards Auriel, catching her breath.
She was bleeding from a cut down the length of her arm where the tip of his sword had managed to score her, along with a second shallower cut on her cheek. Gold light surrounded Auriel's blade, motes of light trailing in the air behind it. He was bleeding too, from a gash on his arm where her shuriken had managed to make contact. She clenched her free hand into a fist, wishing she still had her materia or any of the other equipment Tseng had confiscated. SOLDIERs were hard to kill, but a bullet to the brain killed the mako-enhanced just as well as it killed a regular human.
As it was, if she didn't think of something fast, this was a fight she was doomed to lose. Auriel seemed to realize it too, because he raised his head and sneered at her, picking up his sword in his hand and rushing towards her again.
"What's wrong?" he asked, swiping his sword quickly at her chest. "You were so feisty at the Reactor." He attacked with fast, efficient strikes and thursts, the light trailing from his blade tracing delicate patterns in the air as he moved. She blocked his attack with Rekka, moving the shuriken along with the blade in an attempt to deflect the force instead of stopping it head-on. She shifted Rekka from her right to her left hand effortlessly as he struck at the other side, employing the same tactic. "Cat got your tongue?" He struck again, and she took another step back, passing the shuriken between hands and deflecting the blow. Cissnei glanced behind her as she felt another rush of wind. They were getting dangerously close to the edge of the roof.
She bent her knees as he slashed at her again, putting a foot behind her and attempting to hold her ground as she deflected the blow. As she did, she raised her head up, meeting his eyes. "I don't have anything to say to you," she said.
"So cold," he commented. "But I guess that's not unusual. The Turks have to be that way, don't they?"
He turned, slashing downwards diagonally in one grand sweeping motion. The light surrounding his sword grew brighter. Cissnei's eyes narrowed and she quickly stepped in instead of away, getting inside his range before the sword could reach her. She grabbed onto the wrist of his sword arm, pushing off on that and launching herself into the air. She kicked at the side of his head, using his momentum to turn him so that he had his back to the edge of the roof and she was now closer to the side of the building.
Cissnei snapped back as she felt her foot connect, pushing off of him and throwing herself to the ground. She ducked underneath his sword, raising her arms up to shield her face as her back hit the ground and she slid away from him. She sprang up as Auriel took a step back, placing a hand over his face. Cissnei took advantage of the moment to rush at him, angling Rekka so that it was pointed straight at his neck.
He took a step back again, raising his sword to block her strike. He seemed unconcerned about the sheer drop behind him. As a SOLDIER, he would probably survive it, she realized, looking over at him as she tightened her grip on Rekka. Her arms were bleeding, she realized—long shallow scratches snaking across her forearms. She didn't have time to worry about where they had come from.
He met her eyes, a genial smile appearing on his face. "Cissnei's a pretty name," he commented. "Did you choose it yourself or did the Turks assign it to you?"
"I chose it myself," said Cissnei, narrowing her eyes. She whirled around, slipping Rekka underneath his blade and slashing out at his chest. He blocked it, then countered with a slash of his own, his blade passing dangerously close to her neck. Her eyes widened and she jumped back, avoiding the tip of it just barely. A single mote of light drifted up from his sword as it passed her, brushing across her cheek and leaving a line of blood in its wake. Cissnei's eyes flicked towards it as she noticed it, and she quickly flipped backwards again, gaining distance.
He slashed his sword through the air in front of him in a mock salute, holding it lightly in his hands as he watched her. Her own hands tightened their grip on her weapon, remaining steady. She glared at him. He was baiting her, toying with her in a game of cat and mouse, and she knew it.
She didn't dare throw Rekka. It was her only weapon, and considering where they were, there was a distinct possibility that if it ever left her hand, she would never get it back. That left her with only a handful of options. She looked up at him, her eyes hardening in determination as she leaped forward, swinging the shuriken at him in several rapid strikes. He grinned, blocking each one. Light flared up as the shuriken connected with the sword, waves of light flying in different directions.
"You can relax," said Auriel, smiling as he blocked another one of her strikes. "I told you, didn't I? I wasn't going to kill you until you remembered me."
"Unfortunately for you," said Cissnei, turning around and striking again. Sparks flew as her weapon connected with his. "I don't have those compunctions."
"Of course you don't," said Auriel, nodding. "You're a Turk." He caught her next strike, pulling his sword close to himself to absorb the blow. He met his eyes, his smile quickly becoming a smirk. "But what are you going to do about it?"
"Like you said, I'm a Turk," said Cissnei, meeting his eyes. Her lip quirked in a smile. "And we get creative."
She immediately collapsed herself, crouching down and lashing out at his knees.
He stumbled back, his eyes widening as the heel of his boot caught the edge of the rooftop. Cissnei didn't waste a second, immediately turning again and kicking him in the chest.
He caught her foot before it could connect, his eyes seeming to light up as he regained his posture. Her eyes widened, and he grinned at her.
"Nice try."
She glared at him, tightening her grip on Rekka.
XxXxX
Kunsel took a step back as the young girl moved forward, blocking her sabers with his sword. He grit his teeth, sliding his sword out from between them as he whirled around, slashing out at her middle. She jumped back, springing lightly into the air and holding her sabers into a defensive position.
He stared at her. She looked like a child, but she certainly didn't fight like one, and her mako eyes told him all he needed to know about her fighting capabilities. Was there really a child among the Deepground SOLDIERs? Or was there something else going on here? Something different. She looked up at him, her eyes focused on him and only him, and no trace of emotion on her face.
"Name: Kunsel. Designation: SOLDIER, First Class," she recited, reading it off as if she was reading directly from his file. "Length of service: nine years." She frowned at him. "You have no reason to fight me. Your orders were to detain the insurgents."
Kunsel held his sword out in front of him, pointing it at her. "One of those insurgents is my friend," he said. "That's enough of a reason."
"That is irrational," she said, her tone completely flat. "You cannot defeat me."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Hm." She held her sabers out in front of her, rushing at him suddenly. Kunsel's eyes widened, and he took a step back, raising his sword up. He blocked her first strike, turning quickly and managing to dodge her second. His eyes widened at her speed. She was fast. Much faster than any SOLDIER he had seen, save perhaps Sephiroth. And she made use of her small size, making herself into a small target.
"Who are you?" he asked, raising his sword to block her next blow. Her saber clashed into his blade, humming with orange light.
"They call me Shelke the Transparent," she responded, her eyes meeting his, over their crossed blades.
XxXxX
Cloud grit his teeth as Dark Nation crashed into his sword, the creature's teeth clamping onto the flat of the blade as its claws scrambled for purchase. He leaned back slightly from the force of the attack, trying to find a way to throw the creature off. A sharp crack echoed through the air, a painful burning sensation spreading across his right shoulder as Cloud stumbled back again. Rufus lowered his shotgun, readying it again.
Cloud scowled, letting out an angered shout as he summoned up his strength, taking a step forward and slashing his sword to the right. Dark Nation went flying, landing on the ground on its side with a yelp. He gripped the blade tightly in both hands, leaping forward towards Rufus. Orange light trailed behind his sword as he moved, his mako eyes glowing as he slashed at Rufus three times. The third slash pushed him back, and Rufus let out a grunt of pain as he hit the ground, the light fading.
He pushed himself back to his feet with his free arm, raising his shotgun again and taking aim. Cloud's eyes widened, and he took a step back, raising his sword to defend himself as Zack had taught him. The bullet struck the blade squarely, the impact causing him to shudder, but he managed to hold his ground. He lowered the blade, preparing to strike at Rufus again.
The whirring of a helicopter stopped him mid-rush, and he raised his arm to shield his face from the wind. Rufus pressed his hand to the wound that Cloud had inflicted, glaring at Cloud for a moment before grabbing onto one of the helicopter's runners. "That's enough for now," he said as the helicopter flew off, his glare turning into a smirk.
Cloud moved, trying to catch Rufus, but the helicopter quickly rose into the sky, taking him just out of reach.
Auriel pulled away from Cissnei as the helicopter flew over them, making a running jump. He caught the runner with one hand, swinging himself up and into the helicopter with a small wave at the rest of them. On his other side, Shelke finished off with another set of blows, knocking Kunsel back before running up to the helicopter as well. She made it just as they left the roof, pulling Rufus into the chopper and closing the door.
Cissnei ran up to Cloud, her shuriken still in her hand. She was breathless and bleeding from several cuts and scrapes up her arms. Her eyes fell on his shoulder for a moment, but she reached out with a hand, pushing his uninjured shoulder lightly. "Come on," she said. "We have to hurry."
Cloud nodded, replacing his sword at his back and following her into the building. Kunsel swiped his blade through the air, replacing it at his back as well and following the two of them.
"Cloud!"
He looked up as they neared the elevator, his eyes widening as Tifa ran over to him. "Tifa? What are you doing here? Where are Zack and the others?"
"Downstairs," she said. "I waited for you." She stared at him, her own eyes falling on his shoulder. Her expression quickly grew alarmed. "Cloud, you're hurt!" she said.
"It's not that bad. Don't worry about it," he said. He was surprised to find that that was true. Being shot would have hurt him a lot more before the enhancements. And back then on the rooftop...his sword had definitely glowed...He closed his hand into a fist. Was this the power of SOLDIER?
Tifa didn't seem quite so sure. "But—," she began, taking a step forward to examine it more closely.
"We don't have time for that," said Cissnei, running up to the elevator and pressing the down button. She raised her arm, waving them over to it. "Come on!"
Cloud nodded, quickly running forward to catch up with her. Tifa followed as well.
XxXxX
Zack exited the elevator with Aerith to find Barret hunkered down by the front of the building, shooting through the shattered glass doors. Bullets flew everywhere, pinging off the walls and pillars of the lobby as the forces outside returned fire. He quickly checked to make sure Aerith was behind him, before running over to the stairs.
"Barret! Red!" he yelled from the landing. "What's wrong?"
"It appears they have us cornered," said Red from his position behind one of the desks.
"We're surrounded!" growled Barret, glancing back at Zack.
Zack scowled, taking a step back. He reached up, grabbing onto his sword. Aerith put a hand lightly on his arm, turning him to face her.
"Zack, get out while you can," she said, her green eyes wide. "It's not you they're after. It's me."
"No way in hell," said Zack, stepping in front of Aerith. "I'm not leaving you here!"
"But, Zack—!" began Aerith as he ran forward, running down the stairs towards Barret. She followed him, her staff in her hand. Barret scowled, firing off another round into the crowd outside before looking back up at Aerith.
"That ain't happening, you here?" he yelled. "You got caught up in this over Marlene! So now it's my turn to help you. You with me, Zack?"
"You bet," said Zack, pulling up beside him and drawing the Buster Sword from his back. He bounced once on his heels, gripping it tightly in both hands.
"Playtime's over," said Barret, pulling his gun arm close to himself.
Aerith stared at the two of them as they closed ranks in front of her, Zack holding the Buster Sword in front of himself protectively. "Thank you..." she said. "Zack. Mr. Barret."
"Who you callin' Mr. Barret?" asked Barret, looking over his shoulder. "That don't sound right!"
Zack turned towards her as well, tilting his head in her direction and giving her a grin. "Thank me later," he said.
"If you are through talking, may I suggest that we think of a way to get out of here?" asked Red, turning towards them.
"Huh?" asked Barret. He glanced at Red. "Oh. Oh, yeah. You a cold man...just like someone else 'round here I know."
Red's ears perked up, and he lifted his head. "Did you say something?" he asked.
Barret shook his head. "Notta thing," he said. "So, what're we gonna do?"
"Hmm..." Zack frowned, cupping his chin with one hand as he thought about it. Between himself, Cloud, Kunsel, and Sephiroth, they could fight their way through the crowd, but two out of four of them were still on the rooftop, and Sephiroth was definitely occupied. He didn't much like his chances on his own.
"Barret! Zack!" yelled Tifa, running down the stairs and causing him to look up.
"Tifa!" shouted Zack.
"Where's Cloud?" asked Barret.
"Everyone, over here!" she said, running up the second set of stairs. She raised her arm, waving them urgently over to her. Zack frowned at her.
"What's up?" he asked.
"I'll tell you later! Just hurry!" she said, taking the stairs at a run.
Zack glanced back at the door, before nodding at Tifa, replacing the Buster Sword at his back and running with her. Aerith, Barret, and Red followed, jogging up the steps. Zack followed Tifa as she turned, heading through a set of doors. His eyes widened as he realized where she was going.
The exhibit room.
The sound of an engine running made him look up. Cloud rode a dark motorcycle down the stairs, pulling into a stop in front of them as he reached the bottom. Zack grinned. "Cloud! Great idea, buddy!" he said, quickly heading upstairs as well.
"Zack!" shouted Cissnei, causing him to look up. She tossed something towards him underhand, and he caught it. It was a set of keys. He nodded in thanks, shooting her a grin before running over to a second motorcycle. Zack swung his leg over the side, sticking the key into the ignition and turning.
It came alive with a throaty growl. Zack's grin widened, and he gripped the handlebars. "Oh yeah," he said, kicking down the stand and following Cloud down the stairs.
Tifa had found the keys to a truck, and was now getting into the driver seat, Aerith making to get into the front. He pulled up beside the front door, a smile on his face as he tilted his head in Aerith's direction. "Need a lift?" he asked, pulling the Buster Sword from his back. He fixed it to a magnetic sheath along the motorcycle's side, grinning at her.
Aerith blinked, her eyes traveling from his face to the motorcycle he was riding. A smile spread onto her face, and she tucked her staff into the crook of her arm. "Thought you'd never ask," she said. She gathered up the skirt of her dress, swinging one leg over the side and holding onto his waist from behind.
"Show off," he heard Kunsel say as he swung into the front seat of the truck, slamming the door shut. Cissnei quickly clambered into the back, carrying with her a rifle that she had probably stolen from one of the nearby storage rooms. Barret hopped into the back as well, sitting down with his back to the glass window and resting his gun arm across his knee. As the truck pulled away, Red took a running jump into the back, settling down beside Cissnei, who was now crouched down, the rifle propped up on the tailgate.
Zack zipped around the Shinra sign just moments before the truck barreled through it, pulling up beside Cloud. He had stopped just a few feet away from the window, revving his motorcycle's engine.
"You ready?" asked Zack, looking up at him.
Cloud nodded. "Yep," he said.
"Alright," said Zack. He settled back into his seat, glancing over at Aerith. "Hold on tight."
Aerith nodded, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and pressing her face into his back.
Cloud took off, his motorcycle shooting forward and ramming straight into the glass. The window shattered, Cloud flying through the air and landing on the highway below. Zack took a deep breath, revving his engine as well. He took off, following him. Aerith didn't make a sound as the motorcycle flew through the gap Cloud had left, but he felt her hold tighter, grabbing onto him for dear life as the motorcycle drove straight into empty air.
Zack grinned, leaning forward and feeling the wind blow through his hair as they flew directly over the heads of a group of stunned Shinra troops, heading straight for the highway. The motorcycle hit the asphalt with a thud, and Zack quickly righted himself, zooming off after Cloud with the truck following behind them.
TO BE CONTINUED