Chapter Eighteen: Prelude to the Final Battle

Tiffany and John witnessed the explosion from above, the fighter's expressions showed nothing but pure shock. John grabbed his girlfriend's hand. "Tifa, we have to keep moving. We'll get through this. AVALANCHE would want us to carry on." Tiffany nodded weakly and followed her partner to the Airport Path.

On the Bridge of the Shin-Ra Destroyer, the fat gentleman in the crimson suit grinned as he looked through the window. "That's most of AVALANCHE done with. Wait..."

His eyes widened when the smoke in the air cleared. An aircraft appeared in the air, but it didn't look like the Highwind. The propellers were missing, as well as half of the ship's hull. The 'new' Highwind looked more sleek, with wings and three Mako Afterburners firing from the rear of the craft.

Cid grinned from the Bridge, a lit cigarette perched comfortably between smug lips. "It'll take more than a fucking Anti-Air missile to kill Cid Highwind! I INVENTED THOSE WEAPONS, BITCHES!"

Thankfully, the members of AVALANCHE aboard the Highwind were unharmed, just a little shaken up by the split-second manoeuvre. Even though Cid had pulled the 'EMERGENCY' lever, he'd also gained control of two new weapons, hidden in the front of the hull. Besides the added yaw and pitch control, the added manoeuvrability and the increase in airspeed, the new tactical additions were the biggest feature.

Cid studied the tactical display and locked onto the Destroyers. He knew that his old missile payload wouldn't have come close to his new emplacements. He brought the Highwind jet down on a direct course with the warships and slammed his fist down on the 'FIRE' button.

The Destroyers didn't have a chance as they were torn to nothing but steel shards as the Mako Cannons ravaged their targets. Cid grinned and then brought the Highwind round for another pass, locking onto the last remaining Destroyer. He grinned and shouted at the tactical display. "GOODNIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT!"

All President Shin-Ra could do was scream as he was engulfed in flames. Nothing would have survived such an assault. Cid then shouted into the intercom. "AVALANCHE, I'M BRINGING YOU ALL IN CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE AIRPORT PATH FOR A SAFE LANDING! I'LL CLEAR THE WAY, FIRST! THOSE TURKS NEED DEALING WITH!"

AVALANCHE were waiting in the Cargo Bay, preparing for their deployment. Tiffany and John had reached the Air Traffic Control Room, just before the Airport Path. The pair had cut through guards, machinery and other obstacles alike. They stopped a moment to rest and consume restorative items, as well as exchange Materia. John looked at his partner with serious eyes.

"Tifa, I have a plan. You approach through this main door when I give you my signal. I'll head through this door behind us and climb up to the rafters. Being a native of Junon, I know there'll be cover for both of us. You'll be drawing Shin-Ra's fire away from the Highwind and over to our position. I'll be using Betsy. It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to use the old girl. Here, in case things get too hairy."

John handed Tiffany his prized Contain Materia. Tiffany's eyes widened. "This is...!" John nodded. "I trust only you with this Materia, my love. Don't get me wrong, I trust all of AVALANCHE, even Yuffie, but this is my first Materia that reached its MASTER level. Take it. No arguments."

While Tiffany grinned and let this surprise sink in, John tore out his rifle's old magazine and slammed in a fresh one, cocking it before reaching into his pack for his targeting visor. When he put the visor on, he smirked as he switched it on, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dark purple targeting system.

John grabbed his lover and kissed her with an eternally-burning passion before turning to walk through the door to Junon's main street. "I love you, Tifa. Never forget that." Tiffany returned the promise, but she was worried. 'It sounds like he's saying those as his last words... Don't leave me... No, I have to be strong. We'll make it through this!'.

John left the Air Traffic Control Room and turned to climb the metal pillar. There were notches embedded in the steel from a previous raid, easy for a SOLDIER 1st Class to use as handholds. Grunting as he made his way up the jagged pillar, John mulled the previous conversation with his ever-loving in his mind.

'I hope I didn't upset her. I know things aren't over, we still have the world to take on! Gaia, I sounded like a total, what would Cid call it? A total cunt. Yeah, that's what I sounded like. Tifa, I love you. I always will. It will NEVER be the end. When this is all over and we're back at the apartment, I know EXACTLY what I'll do. Yeah, that should prove to her just how much I love her. Right, time to go to work!'.

Tiffany performed her stretches and other exercises, letting the blood rush through her veins as she waited for her lover's signal.

Her earpiece crackled and Tiffany Lockhart turned around, walking out toward Junon's Airport Path.

"This is it..."

End Of Chapter Eighteen