Back at it, I apologize for being gone for so long but a lot was going on. Anyways, hope you enjoy it. I'll try and post more regularly and not leave huge gaps
Night came quickly as Tifa, Axel and Blaze began to journey to the newly constructed Shrina building. Yuffie had made herself at home in 7th Heaven, and while the old perverts and drunks were sad to see Tifa and Blaze leave, they were happy to see a happy-go-lucky Yuffie there ready to serve them drinks.
As the three of them travelled by train to the Shrina building, Tifa and Blaze sat in some seats, while Axel sat across from them, Axel and Blaze had made up to a degree. Both were sharing looks with each other while on the train; it was almost like a battle of flirting. Blaze would run fingers through her hair while Axel would just stare at her with his piercing eyes.
Even Tifa was not sure who would blink first in the battle of flirting. Weirdly, she started to miss Cloud. She would flirt with him, and like Axel, he would just stare at her. Tifa would possibly cry later, yeah, it's been about two years since Cloud left, but she was still struggling some days. Blaze nudged Tifa slightly in the ribs as Tifa looked up at Blaze, who smiled and nodded to her. Blaze knew Tifa was going through some emotions seeing Her and Axel flirt and makeup, but Blaze would be there for Tifa if she needed her. At around 8 pm, the train pulled into a station as the 3 of them got out and made their way to the Shrina building, and after signing in at the receptionist's desk, a friendly face in the form of Max came to greet them.
Max: Greetings, Welcome to the Shrina building. I am Max.
Blaze and Axel began to laugh at Max's speech. When did Max become so formal, I mean, it was surprisingly enough to see him in a suit at 7th Heaven, but what was with the speech?
Axel: Max, you know us. You know you don't need to be so formal with us.
Max: I know, But when I got assigned as Bodyguard to Reeve, it made me nervous.
Blaze: Yeah, right, you were a professional wrestler for how long? You fought in arenas and crowds all over, and you are telling us that protecting someone makes you nervous?
Max: Yes, I mean in the ring, I don't have to worry about someone trying to assassinate Reeve, umm I mean Mr. President.
Axel went and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. He knew Max for years, and he knew that he was going to be the voice of reason.
Axel: Max, what specific orders did Reeve give you when he asked you to be his bodyguard.
Max: Well; Not to be too serious and always be respectful.
Axel: and…are you being too serious?
Max nodded, Reeve was not the typical politician, and frankly, he didn't like having a bodyguard, but Rufus suggested it since people could come after Reeve. Although with a big guy like Max around, people would back off. Max noticed Tifa and realized he never made an introduction.
Max: Oh, sorry, my name is Max Hatchett.
Tifa: Pleasure to meet you, Tifa Lockhart.
The two shook hands well as much as one can shake hands with a giant of a man. Tifa and Blaze were around the 5-foot 5-mark, Axel was 6 foot, and somehow Max made all of them look like Children. He soon led them over to the 68th floor of the Shrina Building. This area had initially been Hojo's area to practice his science; however, it got revamped and turned into a training area. There was a battle simulator, workout equipment, showers, even places to sit and have a small meal and shake. They soon arrived, and there stood Reeve with an old bald doctor beside him, the two were having an intense conversation, but it also looked like Reeve was trying to lighten up. Reeve looked up and smiled at the group as Max went and stood behind Reeve.
Reeve: One-minute guys, look Dr. Zan. I am just asking how his condition is. Can he keep going or not?
Dr. Zan: He can, but Floyd needs repairs to his mechanical arms. You've been sending him out too much.
Reeve: Not me, that's Rufus. I can talk to him for you.
Dr. Zan: Please do, I swear that man is sometimes like Mr. X with his demands.
Dr. Zan looked over to see the three people led by Max and shook his head, Dr. Zan and Axel were more rivals than friends. Both had strong emotions about things and often butted heads. Unlike Blaze who Zan respected.
Dr. Zan: Well, Well, Well...Axel Stone joining Shrina. Who would have thought it?
Axel: I didn't join Shrina, doesn't surprise me you did: you did love being under the authority of others. The only reason you came with us to face Mr.X is to get revenge.
stood up and stood face to face with Axel, blows could come between these two very easily and both Tifa and Blaze were ready to act if it came to that.
: Axel, don't assume you know my motivations. That's always been your problem: You think people should have the same motivations as you and if they don't then they're wrong in your eyes. There's a reason Blaze didn't go with you to live in the woods and it's definitely not her fault
Axel didn't say anything as the comment did sting a little bit, Axel was also to blame as he did leave Blaze by herself as well. There was going to be a lot of making up in the future. turned and looked at Reeve who nodded to him and Dr. Zan soon left as Axel still could not get into that man's head. The two of them were always at odds, even during the final battle with Mr. X, but still, this was not the time or the place to worry about Zan and his obsession with Mako. Zan was in a way like Hojo as he was brilliant and a scientist, but unlike Hojo, Zan would not use unethical means to achieve success. He became a cyborg because of such methods and refused that what happened to him wouldn't happen to anyone else.
Reeve: Let's go, your 4th member will be waiting for you.
With that Said, Max, Reeve, Tifa, Axel and Blaze made their way over to the new area as they were walking there Tifa saw a few soldiers walking by with a kangaroo hopping along beside them. Tifa stopped in her tracks and watched as the rest of the group looked at her.
Tifa: I…was that…WHAT WAS THAT?
The rest of them laughed at Tifa's expression as she still was not sure what she saw, she was used to seeing strange animals but a Kangaroo with boxing gloves on?
Axel: That's Roo, we rescued him a while ago from his former owner Danch. Got to say, Reeve, I am surprised you brought him here.
Reeve: Well, we saw how you and he worked together when Rude and Reno fought you, we figured why not bring him here.
Blaze: So, he goes out into the field?
Reeve: No. He's a great fighter, but he has been abused a lot by his former owners, and we want to make sure that he is treated right, plus he can't talk, so communication is rather hard. I mean, let's be honest; he's not like Red XIII.
Tifa soon began to laugh as they looked at her again.
Tifa: I would love to see the interaction between those two can you imagine that?
Reeve: Even I would love to see that, but for now, let's get going to the battle simulator.
They walked a bit more and came across this huge dome, it was state-of-the-art new technology, and here the soldiers could train against any monster or any man. As they arrived, they looked up at the door entrance, and it said occupied.
Reeve: Hmm, he must be inside.
Tifa: Can we go in?
Reeve: No, a program is running, and when it runs, the door stays shut.
Just as Reeve finished speaking, the occupied light went off, and the door open, out walked a man with medium-length black hair, wearing a black karate gi, red wrist bands and red headband. He sighed deeply as Axel and Blaze were surprised and happy to see their old friend.
Axel: Shiva? What are you doing here?
Shiva: huh? Axel, Blaze…so you guys decided to join Shrina, huh?
Blaze: Something like that, but what are you doing? Are you the 4th member of our team?
Shiva had a confused look on his face and wasn't sure what they were saying. Shiva looked over at Reeve, who shook his head.
Reeve: No, Shiva is a new member of the Turks and is training your 4th member. I take it he's in there?
Shiva: Yep, dude is hardcore. We have been going hard all day, and he finally got the better of me.
Reeve: So your 4th member I found him the guy in Sector 3. He was starving and challenged Max to a fight and that if he beat Max, I would buy him a sandwich. Max won, but he showed a lot of promise. So we decided to offer him a job at Shrina as a soldier; however, he had minimal experience in fighting, so I tasked Shiva to train him.
Tifa: That must have taken a long time to train someone who had no fighting skills.
Shiva: He had a determination that's for sure. No matter how hard I would beat him down, he would always get up and train harder the next day. Anyways he's still inside catching his breath. He should be out in a few minutes. I'm going to hit the showers, and you guys take care of him.
That was more indirect to Axel who nodded at Shiva, Shiva bowed to Reeve and soon left, Reeve opened the Battle simulator door and walked in, followed by the other 4. They saw a tall, lean but muscular man in black jean shorts, white sneakers and gloves and a black tank top, He was leaning over with his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath. Like Axel, he had messy hair and a beard, but his hair was brown. He looked up and saw Reeve and the others walking towards him.
Reeve: how are you feeling?
?: I finally beat Shiva. He threw everything at me.
The man looked over at the 3, He could tell at first glance that Axel would be just as hard as fight as Shiva but also Axel had more viciousness in his style. He was a lot more hard-hitting where Shiva was quick. Tifa and Blaze. He put them together and knew that they were like Shiva if not a lot lighter and faster, but he also was sort of taken back by how beautiful both of them were. Still, to not be awkward he decided to play his hand at humour.
?: Boss, I just beat Shiva, and you're already giving me a three-on-one match? Boss don't take it personally, but can this wait? I need to have something to eat at least to regain my strength
Reeve: Haha, these aren't your opponents. They are your partners. Go get something to eat and have a shower and come to my office in about an hour alright?
?: Oh thank Jesus, You're the best. I could kiss you...but that's how rumours get started.
Reeve Chuckled as the man took off to eat and shower. Who was he? What was his story?
OOC: Hope you all enjoy this and I Apologize for how late it has been since I updated stuff.