Tifa dragged Sophia out of bed at 5:30 a.m. the next morning. Insisting that they change into the matching black leopard print shorts and cropped active muscle tanks that she bought recently, Tifa agreed just to get out the door.
Since she didn't approve of Tifa's only pair of low top black sneakers either, she also was forced to put on a new pair of grey and red athletic shoes that supposedly matched their outfits better.
Conner had already been out jogging by the time the two Lockharts met him outside the dojo.
"Sorry, we were a little late getting up this morning. Hope you weren't waiting too long."
He shrugged his shoulders and with a smile replied "No, I figured Sophia would dragging you down. She's not really a morning person. I just got here from finishing my run."
"You know me so well, don't you? Let's see how well you can anticipate my next move sparring." Sophia threw a playful jab at his shoulder.
"Ok, you two! Let's do a little less flirting and get to work." She gave her sister a smirk that caused the usually bold Lockhart to turn red in embarrassment.
After warming up, Conner headed to the free weight section to start on his usual routine. Sophia and Tifa took turns doing punching mitt drills. Her speed and power have improved in the last few weeks, Tifa noted. Sophia stole glances at Conner which Tifa couldn't help but tease her for. "You know, I couldn't possibly take you both on this mission. Seems like one of you would be too distracted."
The comment immediately caused Sophia to become embarrassed again. Tifa giggled as her sister recovered by throwing a furry of rapid, power-packed punches. "Not bad, little sis. You might have a future as a boxer."
"You got jokes this early." She threw an elbow and knee combination into the mitts to a surprised Tifa. "But you know I'm a better fighter than most of your Avalanche squad." Hitting a left jab, right elbow, then a sweep kick which Tifa dodged by a hair, she continued "And what I lack in ability, I make up for in…" she clinched her sister then suplexed her to the ground, "other ways." Sophia held back the power in her move even though she was correct in her assumption that Tifa be fast enough to pull away before any damage could be done.
So unconventional. It's possible she could take out someone much stronger because of her unpredictability. "Impressive. You almost got me." They smiled at each other.
"I should be with you on this mission, Teef. You saw the schematics, it's going to be a tough getting in and out of that place."
"It's not your ability I doubt. I can't be sure that I would be able to protect you if things go wrong."
"You wouldn't have to worry about me." They stared at each other for a moment. "Let's have a real match. One point for knocking the other down. Winner is the first to seven."
Tifa sighed. She didn't want to totally break her sister's spirit by showing her the difference between their abilities. But winning would end the conversation about joining the mission.
Removing the targets, Tifa pointed at the boxing ring. "Alright, but after this I don't want to hear anything else about the mission from you." Sophia nodded then threw the gloves back into a nearby basket before climbing into the ring.
Several onlookers and Connie stopped their workouts to watch the two. They danced around the ring, exchanging a few practice blows, sizing each other up. Despite agreeing to have a real match, Tifa wasn't about to use her full power. She let Sophia score the first two points. Realizing what Tifa was doing, Sophia immediately became angry.
That set her off into a deadly flurry of combos which could not been lethal if they connected. Eventually Tifa fell for one of Sophia's baits and connected a left jab that sent her down. Another point. Getting up, Tifa decided to go on the offensive, still pulling her punches. Taking advantage, Sophia parried a straight right then threw her to the ground. Four points.
Tifa started to become more serious from this point.. I've got to just go all out. Her body was aching from the blows which Sophia would have landed with just as much ruthlessness to a Shinra troop. "Quit fucking with me!" , Sophia yelled at her sister's unwillingness to go all out.
Tifa blocked and parried Sophia's next attack combination, then retaliated with her own that all landed on its intended destinations. One point. The next time Sophia was able to land another point, she ended Tifa's five point streak. When Sophia was landed her next The difference in skills became more apparent as Tifa won the next two points.
This got out of hand fast. I shouldn't have agreed to do this. Tifa had begun to regret this match soon after it started. Sophia was lying on her knees and forearms looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, Sophia. Does it hurt? Let me get some ointment."
She knew her sister was just worried, but the comment put her over the edge. Still, after all this training. I'm still no good. I can't protect anyone. "I don't need any." Getting up, Sophia's red eyes were lit like fires. "I'm done with this." Jumping out of the ring, she ran towards the front door of the dojo.
"Wait! Sophia stop! Please let's talk!" She hopped out of the ring to run after her, but Conner blocked her way.
"Don't. Let her cool down. You can't talk to her when she's like this, believe me."
"But I don't - -"
"She's upset because she doesn't think she's strong enough to protect you too ok? She's always felt powerless to stop bad things from happening. Just give her space to deal with her emotions and she'll come talk to you."
"What? How do you know that? I thought she's upset because of the mission or maybe I embarrassed her."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Because we've talked about it before. Sophia may put up a strong, confident front, but she's never felt good enough. Especially being your sister. "
"You know why she's been angry the past few months don't you." Tifa looked at him questioningly.
Looking down, it was obviously he didn't want to directly answer. Conner then looked back up into Tifa's eyes. "When she's ready, she'll tell you everything. You're coming back to Seoul after this. The two of you will have time to have those talks."
She clasped his hand, giving it a squeeze. "You're right. She's not going to suddenly tell me everything after all these years we've lived apart. Let's tail her though. I just want to make sure she's ok."
Conner nodded as they walked out of the dojo.
Kai followed Sophia as she ran out of the dojo and kept running until she wasn't sure where she was. What am I even good for? Her friend Stassi should have been in the slums by now. They were planning to spend the day together in Sector 7. Sending her location, she sent a message telling her to meet, hoping her friend had a better sense of direction than she did.
Just then she spotted the Shinra soldiers that were at the bar the other day. They were with another six soldiers, headed in her direction. "It's the brat." One of them sneered. "Your probably not so tough without your friends huh?" Said another solider.
Ten on one? She saw Kai approaching from the corner of her eye. Good boy, we can take them. Especially with the cards I have up my sleeve. "Keep walking jackass. I'm not in mood to deal with your shit . So move along."
"Is this girl for real?" Asked one of them. "She's feisty. Wish she was a little bit older. Another solider agreed. "Definitely would be a looker if she makes it to 18." They started to take out their batons.
That was enough to send Sophia over the edge. Igniting her shield she pulled out her blade, and thrusted the shield sharply, throwing it into three of the men. Kai took down two at one time, sinking his teeth deep into their bodies before lunging at another one.
Having pulled out her sword from the shield, she defended against the remaining soldiers who were attempting to surround her. Casting a lighting spell, she whipped her sword around in a circle to hit them with bolts. As she wondered why her shield hadn't returned to her as normal, the answer was apparent when she looked back.
Her friend Stassi had grabbed it before it could boomerang back. She hit one of the men again, returning the shield to its owner. "You always know where the fun is my friend!" Pulling out her twin blades, she disarmed and knocked another two unconscious. The fight only lasted another minute before all the Shinra soldiers were either knocked out or ran away.
The two friends looked at each smiling. "These guys are total weak sauce. The freshman in our school put up a better fight in drills."
Nodding, Sophia agreed. "Yeah for sure. " After exchanging pleasantries, they continued walking with no particular direction in mind. Stassi could read her friend's mood, deciding to just accompany her for the time being.
Before long they spotted two Neighborhood watchmen in front of a gate. Walking up, Sophia asked "What's going on in there?"
"Monsters have been spotted inside the empty warehouses. We're waiting for a team from Shinra to come and get rid of them."
"Hmm, I wonder if it was guys we just beat the shit out of. Well whatever." Sophia's mood was still sour. "You can let us go in. We can handle this just fine."
The watch members looked at each other puzzled. Two teenage girls and huge wolf-like dog stared back at them. Just as one of them was about to speak, Sophia ignited her shield and pulled out two handgun. Getting the hint, Stassi pulled her twin blades and Kai growled softly. "Open it. The alternative is going to be painful."
"Wait. You're Tifa's sister aren't you? We heard about how you helped clean out that monster infestation the other day." They opened the gate.
"Thanks." Waving her gun in acknowledgement, the trio headed in.
"Um, so you know I'm totally ride or die, Sophia. But what are we doing?"
"I need to blow off some steam. There's monsters in here that need to be taken care of. Seems like a win-win situation."
Her friend shrugged. "Alright then. You know we could also up to the top and go on a shopping spree like normal teenage girls."
"Don't forgot how many times I had to ride in one of your race cars, uTV, motorcycle or whatever else while you did the same thing after some drama. " As much as her friend was into the glitz and the glamour, she also had a thing for sports, racing, and all things danger. Those were some of the things that bonded the two.
"Point taken, I suppose." They spent the next hour tracking and killing off monsters before having a real conversation.
"Let's take a break real quick." - Stassi
"Alright fine. Getting tired of shooting these things anyway." Generating her shield, she put them back away.
"So let's talk. What's got you all worked up?"
Sophia leaned against the wall. "I'm no good, Stassi. No matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to protect anyone. I'm just always in the way. "
Laughing, Stassi responded "Like hell you aren't. You're the best female fighter in school. And you're smart to boot. Not to mention, if you wanted to could have any guy that you want! If we weren't friends, I would make you my rival."
Shrugging in response, Sophia folded her arms in front of her.
" Look, I can't even begin to understand how losing your home, parents, and then having your only sister send you away to protect you is like. All I know, having two older sisters of my own is that she loves you. Just talk to her and stop hiding your feelings. You don't always have to pretend to be the tough one."
It took a few moments but Sophia finally responded. "Yeah, you're right I know. Should we finish this up and head back?"
Nodding in response, she added "Yeah for sure. But I'm going to go back with Conner. There's still a few monsters that need to be taken care of that I'm sure you and Tifa can handle. " Stassi turned to look to her left where Conner and Tifa were walking from.
"You trickster!" She smiled.
"I learned it from the best….you." They smiled at each other.
"Am I tagging you out?" Tifa said looking at Stassi.
"Yup! We got to make sure these hoverboards are up and running for this mission. I'll leave the rest of the monsters to you."
"Don't come back till you got every last one of them." Conner said to the two. As Stassi and Conner left, they looked uncomfortably at each other. Suddenly, Tifa grabbed her sister's hands and grasped them to her heart.
"You know we're both doing the same thing. Trying to protect the ones we love by getting stronger. And you're strong, Sophia. I wouldn't ever downplay that."
She continued. "Since we lost the village and papa, I have been worried sick that I'd lose you too. That's why I didn't want you near me. I thought that was how I could protect you. But we're stronger together than we are apart aren't we? I didn't see that then or up until a few weeks ago. Can you forgive me, Sophia?"
Tears were starting to form which Sophia hated to see. She knew how hard it was for her sister to open up and be truly vulnerable. Pulling her hands away then wrapping Tifa in a hug, Sophia replied "You don't have anything to be forgiven for. It's all my fault. But all I've ever wanted in the last five years is to be with you."
"Let's just make up for that time going forward ok?"
Nodding in agreement, Sophia let go to wipe away her own tears. "Yeah. Definitely." Tifa gave her a quick hug in response to then which she added, "Let's get the rest of these monsters taken care of then. I'm starting to get hungry."
The pair made it back to 7th Heaven to find Conner finishing up making brunch for the rest of the gang. Wedge and Biggs were looking uneasy as Jessie and Stassi had hit it off talking about motorcycle stunts. "Ok, but seriously we're not bringing any motorcycles on this mission. They are way too loud." Said an exasperated Biggs.
"That's ok, Sophia told me to bring these hoverboards. They're super quiet, have guns, and a ton of fun to ride!"
"I've never ridden one before! How many did you bring?" Jessie looked overly excited.
"There's three. So one for you, maybe Conner, and"
"Sophia. She should take the third one." Tifa said to everyone's surprise.
Sophia looked at her questioningly. "What? I thought you wanted me to be on standby with the hoverboard."
As much as she didn't want to put Sophia in harm's way, Tifa knew she had let go of her personal fears. Her sister's skills and abilities would be valuable for this mission and she was more than capable of being included. "Just make sure you stick with me. I don't want you going off on your own, ok?"
"Alright, I promise." She squeezed her sister's arm before joining the others. Tifa smiled and was surprised to find that she was feeling a little better about the mission now.