Summary:
The Planet had been saved-Some how! And Life carries on. Rufus, sick with Geostigma, contemplated his and his company's blame for the tragedies that have befallen their world, but he refused to give up! With the help of a few remaining Turks, they begin the slow, painful process of rebuilding Shinra in the wake of its downfall. Tseng uses the media and the contacts he still has with the now 'retired' Turks to send a package to be laid to rest. Damon once relied on others to do his dirty work to get the perfect scoop. But this journey of discovery enlightens him about the relation of becoming a real reporter. Veld and his daughter make a new life for themselves. In contrast, Legend kicks back into a life of luxury. And Cissnei learns what it is to have a family.
Chapter 2: To Dodge a Bullet
Cissnei had come to Sector Zero with the rest of the disbanded Turks at Veld's behest to help evacuate the wounded and the city residents. It was the most emotionally turbulent mission she had taken to date. And to be honest, the most humane!
To see the place she had called home reduced to a pile of twisted, burning steel and glass was heart-wrenching. The damage left by the Weapon's attack was mind-boggling, and knowing that Rufus Shinra, Shinra's newly self-appointed President, had been in his office at the time of the attack. Cissnei had no words, but getting these people to safety was necessary as Meteor loomed menacingly in the sky. A giant fiery red orb hurtling towards the Planet
The atmosphere surrounding the Tower held an edge of desperate chaos. The smell of Mako hung so heavily in the air that it was nauseating. And the winds howled in an eerily haunting voice as the air crackled with electricity. The rains poured down out of the heavens in a torrential deluge. Combined with the wailing of a thousand confused or wounded people, all these hamper the evacuation efforts.
After what seemed like hours, there was a call that everyone was out, and all the injured had been medivac to safety. Cissnei looked up to realize she was now standing near the Tower's front entrance. She could see Rude and Reno and wanted desperately to go to them. But she had a promise to keep. And even though the world could end in a matter of moments, Cissnei was bound to her word. So, turning, she walked away from Midgar, Shinra and the Turks and headed to Gongaga.
Damon was utterly flustered and scared out of his wits. His boss from The Daily Buzz had just handed him his next assignment and the order not to return until Damon had completed it. 'Find out what has happened to the rest of the Administrative and Research Department members, A.K.A. The Turks!"
How in the Nine-Hells was Damon supposed to do this? Not only were they the most feared people on Gaia, but rumour had it that they had dispersed across the globe. They were integrating themselves into their chosen areas in a retirement-like situation. And Deamon had no clue where to begin! But Raulf, the company's chief editor, had made it very clear that he wanted this story and had chosen Damon for his unique ability to uncover the truth behind the rumours. Unfortunately for Damon, his knack for using and manipulating other people exposed these stories. And right now, there was no one he could use to uncover this information for him!
Damon sighed gustily, "Quit whining and start at the beginning!" He scolded himself. So he began to record, setting up his tripod and camera, angling it so that the ruins of the Shinra tower were in the background.
"This is Damon Kirby reporting for The Daily Buzz. And I am about to embark on a dangerous mission! To uncover the truth behind what has happened to the Administrative and Research Department members. Also known as the Turks!"
"It has been four months since that fateful day when The Lifestream rose forth and shattered the planet-destroying Meteor. And even though this catastrophe has left Midgar and many parts of the slums in ruin. The people rose and began to build anew."
"President Rufus Shinra is alive and now resides at Mountain Side Resort which he has renamed Healin Lodge, illustrating his new resolve to 'heal the world.' His four most loyal Turks surround him. Tseng, Reno, Rude and Elena."
Becoming mysterious and leaning into the camera as if imparting a secret, "And if the rumours are to be believed, A family member of Tseng's who was once a SOLDIER and reported M.I.A. is now counted among the small group of people who stand to defend and protect the young President."
Standing straight and resuming his professional voice, "But for now, I will leave that rabbit hole unexplored as I set off. To investigate why the Turks, so loyal to each other, have disbanded, Where they are and what they are doing with their lives! But which Turk shall I find? And which truths shall I uncover? Has Rufus forbidden them to return, or perhaps they have refused to serve under an untried youth? Or perhaps their previous selves no longer suit who they are and have now chosen to 'retire' into obscurity? Follow me on my journey to find out?"
Damon sighed as he shut off his equipment. He was about to put it away when he heard a voice, "I may be of some assistance!" speak out softly from the shadows. Hope blossoming, Demon turns only to see who it is that detaches himself from the shadows, only to fall back into the pit of terror. "Tseng!" He gasps.
Tseng stepped towards him, carrying a small metal lock box and handed it to Demon. "Head to Gongaga and seek out the operative known as Cissnei and give her this; she will know what to do with it! And perhaps she may concede to an interview." And before walking away, Tseng took out an envelope and handed it over. "To compensate you!" And Tseng walked away.
Confused by the encounter, Damon looks at the items Tseng had handed over. The box he would never be able to get into without a key or stick of dynamite. But opening the envelope, Damon spies a large sum of Shinra-issued banknotes. "Compensation? Bribery is more like it!" he huffs in exasperation. Well, there was no turning back now. So once packed, Damon purchased passage on the next Chocobo train leaving Midgar and heading to Junon.
Cissnei had arrived in Gongaga a few weeks after Meteor Fall. She had been surprised by how easy it had been to get transportation. But with so many people leaving Midgar and the Eastern Continent. There had been plenty of opportunities arise. One entrepreneurial soul had even rented passage on his large speed boat. And for a modest fee, had ferried refugees from Junon to Costa Del Sol, shaving off close to a week of travelling time for Cissnei.
Upon arriving in Costa, Cissnei had searched for Legend. Through him, she was able to purchase a small motorcycle. And after a pleasant supper and a decent night's sleep, Cissnei bid him farewell and headed South.
Entering the small village, Cissnei was impressed to see that there had been little to no physical damage within the village proper. So she headed to the lodge of William and Amelia Fare. Once, the hugs, kisses, and exclamations of delight at being alive had subsided. Cissnei, having been adopted, sat the Fares down and gave them the official news of their son's heroic death.
The comforting hugs ended when the tears dried on their faces. Amelia patted Cissnei on the head, "We had come to that conclusion, my dear. But bless your heart for coming all this way to tell us officially! Will you be staying awhile?"
Cissnei gulps back the tears she had been holding inside for nearly five months and nods, "I would like that very much." She replied softly.
And so, Cissnei now becomes a permanent resident of the Fare household. She was also a motivational figure for the towns' people, as she helped organize the dismantling of the old reactor and helped to rebuild the village to its former self.
Whether by luck or fate, Damon's travels went off without a hitch. The five-day trip from Midgar to Junon was a relaxing surprise. And once in Junon, he could book immediate passage on the next liner heading to Costa Del Sol. But once at the tiny seaside resort, Damon decided to stay the night and enjoy a few drinks at the beach bar after the two-week journey across the sea.
Here he got the most pleasant surprise. After changing into something a little more appropriate, Damon headed to the beach, and a cute little Tiki Bar sat on one of the stools, sipping a cold fruity cocktail. Again, Damon becomes aware that he is being stared at.
A few feet away from him at one of the tables sat a very ruggedly handsome man, who looked at him with a knowing gaze and a slight smirk lifting the corner of his lips. He had neatly cut orange-brown hair, the top and sides feathered back. His lean but muscular form was clad in tight-fitting black denim cut-off shorts, and he was wearing a white cut-off T-shirt; his legs were crossed at the ankles, and he was barefoot. The man was lounging comfortably in his chair and smoking a sweet-scented cigarillo. The effect was quite pleasing, even the scar that marred the side of his cheek.
It had been a long time for Damon, and the invitation appeared genuine, so he stood and walked over to join this man at the table. After a few drinks and a light supper, the pair retired to Damon's room and had a very delightful night.
Cissnei had never realized the real meaning of living until she had moved in with the Fares. It meant waking up early every morning, starting with chores, meal preparations, opening businesses, working in the fields, deforestation of the jungle surrounding the village and the constant upkeep of the houses due to the warm moist climate. But Cissnei had never felt more alive or appreciated. Of course, she would always be grateful for the skills she had learned as a Turk, as they allowed her to help defend the village from the random monster attacks that would occur from time to time. But now, Cissnei truly felt she had finally come into her own as a person.
Damon travelled the last leg of his journey, once again on the back of a Chocobo. But this time, he was travelling alone. Surprisingly the fear of danger seemed to have faded away in front of the excitement of a new adventure. Finally, he was going to get this story and complete the request from Tseng alone! And strangely, this was very satisfying for Damon.
It was evening by the time Damon arrived at the village. He was now dressed respectably in his suit, dress shoes and hat, having taken the time to quickly wash and change his clothes at a stream about a mile from the village. As he entered, Damon witnessed people going about their daily lives. But anyone who looked up to see the newcomer quickly turned their backs and returned to their tasks. Making it quite obvious they were ignoring him.
Sighing, Damon walks to an area with a hitch and trough designed for Chocobos and tethers his mount to it, giving the animal some fresh greens and water from the pump. Once he completed this task, he straightened and stretched only to feel the cold press of metal against the back of his neck. Glancing sideways, he spies the tongs of a razor-sharp shuriken and judging by the size, it could only belong to one person, "Cissnei?" he quired softly.
"And, who's asking?" Came her curt reply.
"My name is Damon Kirby. I am a reporter for the Daily Buzz. I have been assigned to find out what has happened to the majority of the Turks." He paused as he carefully reached for the saddlebag and withdrew the metal, safe box. "I was also asked to deliver this to you!" He finished, holding out the box for her to see.
"Turn around slowly, and no funny business!" Cissnei commanded.
Damon complied and was shocked to see the former Turk. Her hair had grown and was now tied back in a high ponytail. Her skin, now tanned, was splattered with freckles across her nose and cheeks, and she was dressed in a loose blue-coloured blouse, black jeans and a sturdy pair of work boots. And even though her expression was fierce, Cissnei no longer looked the part of a Turk.
"What's in the box, and who is it from?" She asked, holding her hand out. "And why would a Midgarian reporter care about finding out what happened to the Turks?" She added with some venom.
"I don't know! But it is from Tseng!" He stated as he handed her the box. "And I want to know why a family, as tight as the Turks, wouldn't come back together and support each other and the New President?" Damon honestly replied.
Taking it with trembling hands and tears shining in her eyes, Cissnei nods. "You can ask one question!" Cissnei firmly stated as she did not want to revisit old wounds.
Taking a moment to think of the best question, Damon finally speaks. "Why did you leave?"
Cissnei looks at this reporter in confusion, but she clutches the box to herself and replies with a sad smile. "A promise I made to a friend." And she turns and walks back into the village.