He shot up, blood pumping his ears as he rose from his cushions. The silence permeating the Wutai pagoda did nothing to help, magnifying the terrible thudding behind his eyes. The four corners of his room suddenly grew far too small for him, his bare feet padding to the sliding door before him. But before he could act, it slid open. In the gap stood another figure: lithe, short-haired and stony faced.

"Time to go," growled Yuffie, the life with which she normally wore her thirty one years missing. Around him, it always was, their last real conversation having occurred over a decade ago. All thanks to the hardest decision he had ever made.

"Right." Cloud nodded, willing away the old memories. He quickly pulled on his boots and slung the First Sword across his back. The blade wielder then followed his estranged friend, her petite form leading him to the courtyard of palatial estate in her homeland. There, he found a few dozen shinobi like her, all ready and willing to follow the Head of Intelligence for the World Regenesis Organization.

"Cloud," called a raspy voice. The blonde turned to the side, the sight of a sour shinobi replaced by a tall, darkly clad shape.

"Vincent," replied Cloud, stepping forward to meet with his fellow operator, their gazes meeting even though his eyes were hidden underneath tinted goggles . Just like him, Vincent had become one of the WRO's best kept and most dangerous secrets. And behind the gunslinger stood more danger: a small army of the best troops the WRO had to offer, all clad in the armor they wore for battle. "We're ready?"

Vincent only nodded in return as Cloud motioned the troopers to stand, loading into armored transports alongside Yuffie's subordinates. As the swordsman made his way over to his own ride, he felt someone bump him in the shoulder. Whirling to find the culprit, he only found Yuffie jogging over to a nearby truck, her shuriken gleaming in the moonlight. They then set off, leaving behind the quiet village for the small mountain range that made up most of Wutai.

As his comrades sat enclosed in metal, Cloud was left by himself in the one place he hated the most: his own mind. The haze of memory loss had cleared up long ago, leaving behind cutting regret from old choices. All alone with nothing but his own thoughts, he drifted off to a little backstreet in a city halfway across the world. To him, the time difference was not hindrance but a gateway to a metropolis lit by the rising sun.

And she would meet it, quietly making her way down to the bar.

And she would check the fridge, a low hum of disappointment escaping her if anything was out of place.

And she would set the chairs down, not even waiting for him to help her.

All because he'd come home late from his deliveries, his exhaustion having prevented him from rising just a bit earlier to come to her aid. An impish half smile would cross his face as he crept up behind her, pinching the small of her back as she laughed and-

"We've arrived," rasped Vincent, drawing Cloud from his reverie with a shake of blonde spikes. It wasn't the time for daydreaming and reminiscing. It was time for war, a war that he had signed up as soon as he had stepped over the threshold of his old home, leaving the lady from his memories in tears.

Cloud and his companions quietly disembarked, ascending the stony cliffside where a familiar face greeted them all. "Oh, you're finally here," said Rufus Shinra, garbed in immaculate white.

The WRO's secret benefactor walked over to them, a slight limp in his step offset by the black cane in his hand, carved angel wings shining on it's darkened surface. "Strife. Valentine. And finally our very own Head of Intelligence. Something tells me you're wondering why we're even out here."

"Oh, you bet, Shinra." Yuffie crossed her arms. "What's so important you had to have a little impromptu party. Reeve know about this?"

The former president smiled. "Who do you think gave me the thumbs up? And besides, one would think you'd be excited to finally catch those rogues of yours."

"What?" gasped the shinobi, taking a step forward only for Vincent to place a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I'm not gonna hit him, Vincent."

The gunslinger then nodded, earning an understanding smirk from Yuffie. "You mean it, Shinra?"

Rufus nodded, smiling as he placed a hand on his signature shotgun hanging from his side. "I am. And wouldn't you know it? They had something that belongs to the WRO too. They've used it to set up a nice place over yonder," he revealed, one hand gesturing to a neighboring cliffside.

"Damn," huffed Yuffie as soon as one of her ninjas gave her a thumbs up, a pair of binoculars in hand. "We'll take 'em out. No problem."

"I know. But that leaves you two." The man in white gestured to Cloud and Vincent. "That place isn't just some hideout. It's a lab. And it has everything to do with a certain part for a certain special project we've been working on as you know. That thing that belongs to us."

"You want us to get it," concluded Vincent.

"Quietly. Discreetly," added Cloud.

A nod from their old foe. "Your specialty. Or go in loud for all I care. Just not too loud."

And they followed Rufus' words exactly, scaling the cliffside quietly alongside their companions. The only entry points to the base were small tunnels carved into the mountainside, completely inconspicuous unless one knew where to look. Making their way through rock and stone, their path opened up into a large room.

"Looks familiar," noted Cloud, his Fusion Sword drawn. The massive space before him was of metal and pipes lining stone, somewhat similar to the structures around Midgar that he had helped destroy a lifetime ago.

"Looks like a reactor," said Vincent, their thoughts synchronized as Yuffie and her ninjas spread out among the various halls branching off from their current position.

"We'll check for anyone. Place seems deserted though," mumbled the kunoichi.

"You do that," said Vincent with a nod as he and Cloud walked off, ready to complete their own mission.

"Hey," said Yuffie. "Be careful."

"We will," said Vincent.

Cloud didn't deign to say anything, receiving only a stony-faced nod from Yuffie. As soon as the ninja cohort left, he spoke up. "Where to?"

Vincent paused, taking in their immediate environment. "Straight forward."

"Why?"

The claw wearer shrugged. "Just a feeling."

Cloud followed, trusting his old friend's intuition. It was intuition that proved to be right for as soon as they made their way past abandoned living quarters and an abandoned commissary, their path taking them lower and lower until they reached an old storage area. The duo worked together to pry apart the massive and rusted metal doors. The grinding of old gears came to halt as they finished their task, rewarding them with the sight of a single glowing light at the end of what was a massive storage area.

"Door looks salvaged," said Cloud, his voice low as they eyed a light at the far end of the room.

Vincent drew his gun with a twirl as the lights suddenly came on. "Everything here does. And we're not alone."

The gunman's partner nodded, both having seen the form of a long-haired man crouched before what seemed to be a large metal box, a sword slung across his back as he faced away from them. "Hey, stand up. What're you doing here?"

The individual rose to meet them, drawing his blade while he did. Clad in old leathers with a hint of Mako in his eye, he spoke. "How long has it been, old friend? I told you we'd meet again."

Vincent took aim, training Cerberus on the other sword wielder. "You know him?"

Cloud took his stance, hands steady as he held the full length of his weapon before him. "Yeah. He was a SOLDIER. Midgar. I fought him a few times. Roche, right? What're you doing here?"

"So glad you remember me," said Roche, his glee unmistakable. "I've been waiting for you, brother. You see, you've got a mission to fulfill."

Cloud's grip on his Fusion Sword tightened. "Only mission I've got is taking that thing behind you back. Step out of the way. Now."

Roche just clicked his tongue. "You're being so disobedient. She'd be so disappointed."

Cloud cocked his head to the side, curious. "Who?"

"Well, Mother!" exclaimed the old SOLDIER. "You just don't get it! I didn't either, living my days all quiet out in some corner of the world. Then someone approached me and told me about our destiny."

"Jenova's gone. You're crazy," accused the spiky haired warrior, his voice sharp but even.

"No, no, I'm not. You just need to come around! Here, let me help you!" Then Roche clapped his hands and the comm at Vincent's side crackled to life.

"Vincent!" came Yuffie's voice, shocked. 'We got jumped! Those ninjas we were looking for just came outta nowhere!"

"On my way," confirmed Vincent. "Cloud-"

And before the older operator could even utter a word, his younger ally had already lunged forward. Swift slashes missed Roche by millimeters, earning guffaws from their enemy. "Ha, I told you that one day, one of our flames would be extinguished! So come on then, brother! Let's find out who lives and who dies!"

Cloud wordlessly continued his assault as Vincent left to aid their allies. One cut followed by a stab, each strike flowed into the next, every one a deadly blow that would have felled any foe save for another SOLDIER.

"Ha!" yelled Roche as he finally drew his blade, parrying his foe offhandedly, "You've gotten better. But you're not the only one who's gotten an upgrade!"

Immediately, energy began to envelope the former SHINRA certified human weapon, a green miasma that flowed as he leapt forward to strike at the younger superhuman. Cloud blocked his strike but not easily, Roche's abilities now boosted by whatever flowed from him.

"My gift from our Mother!" declared Roche. But as he tried to step forward, he doubled over in pain. Blackness engulfed his visage for but a second as if a shadow had attempted to swallow him. "She's not happy with me. But you're one of her favorites!"

The only response Roche got was a cut across the chest, leaving him stumbling as he recovered to counter. Their battle then began in earnest, both trained and deadly. But as their right continued, Cloud's movements only became more precise, allowing him to peel apart his opponent while Roche floundered. More spasms sapped his strength, lending him power with every bout of pain even as it sapped his life force. Finally, the long haired man could take no more, falling to his knees in agony as the darkness enveloped him again. Cloud had no pity for him, launching him into a wall with a kick before levelling the point of his sword with Roche's throat.

"I'm taking you in."

"No," croaked Roche. "No, you won't. My part is over. But yours? Yours is just starting."

Cloud's lips then parted in shock as Roche melted into nothingness, leaving behind nothing but a pile of black ooze that reminded him of an old affliction. But even as the memories of his suffering swung to the forefront of his thoughts, he kept his composure. With a heavy breath, Cloud jogged over to the box Roche had knelt before, popping open the lid. Inside it was simply another smaller box, again made of metal. With a rise and fall of his shoulders, the remaining bladesman stuffed it into one of his pockets before going back the way he came. Retracing his steps, Cloud himself back at the entrance, greeted by the sights and sounds of combat.

"Glad you're here,' growled Vincent, felling two glowing shinobi with a duo of quick shots from his firearm. "There's a lot of them."

A shuriken flew over head, tracing a wide arc as it returned to the hand of its user. "Come on!" hissed Yuffie as she ushered the last of her fellows through the exit. "We rigged this place to blow! Time to head out!"

And the operators did, following behind as Cloud made short work of more unlucky rogues standing in their way. Vincent simply assumed his mist form, gliding past anyone who wished him harm. They then fought their way back to the cliffside, a harrowing battle in the confines of tunnels ended with their troop safe on the neighboring cliffside as an explosion rocked the night sky.

As soon as they were safe, Cloud stepped forward, his jaw tight as he approached Yuffie and Rufus. 'Both of you. You knew, didn't you?" About Roche. And you didn't tell me. Why?"

Yuffie simply rolled her eyes. "Hey, need to know basis, remember?"

"What I believe our Head of Intelligence is saying," emphasized Rufus. "Is that we told you whatever we needed to tell to ensure your cooperation."

"I don't like it either," Vincent had taken his place at Cloud's side. "You want us around, you tell us everything."

"Well, sorry," said Yuffie, her tone apologetic as her eyes fell. "But we weren't exactly sure if one of you was gonna pull another stunt."

Now it was Cloud's eyes that traced stone, knowing what Yuffie meant. His driveby of Seventh Heaven had meant that an operator had been seen by a civilian, a violation of the secrecy they were meant to maintain. He could offer no response, his mouth drawn into a thin line.

Rufus, noticing Cloud's unease, spoke up. "Well, that's not all. Tonight was a test of trust as well. We wanted to see if you could still keep secrets, Cloud. After all, we've got one for you."

"Meaning?"

'Well, I believe they'll explain that." And as soon as Rufus finished his sentence, the sound of airship engines grew as the aircraft passed overhead, touching down a minute later. The ramp lowered and out stepped two figures.

The first was clad in a long dark blue coat, his jet black hair and beard now streaked with gray. Nevertheless, he offered a friendly smirk in response to Cloud and Vincent's steely gazes, highlighting the wrinkles around his eyes. "Well, I can't say you two look happy to see us," said Reeve Tuesti.

"No, they do not," said the second, his elaborate red coat trailing behind him as he brandished his long sword. "But I believe we can allay some of their fears. Perhaps even answer a few of their questions."

And as his boots touched solid ground, Genesis Rhapsodos offered only a respectful nod to his fellow operators as he and Reeve revealed all.

Got over myself and decided to turn Tied into a full blown story. I struggled on whether or not I should write this since it'd basically be a sequel to the legendary FFVII and I was scared I wouldn't honor it. I decided to go for it anyway. Please enjoy and I hope you comment! =)