1.
Barret led the way quickly followed by Red, the Tifa and finally Aeris following behind. It was as Barret and Red reached the door that Aeris stopped dead.
"Cloud... I just thought of something." Stated.
"Well Cloud doesn't want you to be in danger." Tifa moved over to the Cetrian woman before telling her. "I'll wait here for Cloud. You three get out of the building."
"Alright but be careful." Aeris told her in reply as she Red and Barret then took off, she having taken a keycard from the secretaries' desk they headed for the lift. It was on her way that it attacked.
She evaded the Eligor's attack jumping away from it staff. Barret started to fire shower it just deflected the firepower with it's own staff twirling it around to create a protective dome. Suddenly Aeris wanted the beast's staff, her determination showed on her face as she began the mantra of spell casting.
That, the creature could not block, as the glazier of ice slammed into it sending the Eligor onto the floor, no life remaining in it's monstrous features. With This Aeris moved to the creature taking it's staff and placing her Materia into it before ditching her old one. "There!" She played around with it for a second using it to create a protective dome just its old user had, as she did he noticed it had a runic marking on it, the Rune Of Protection.
"You done?" Barret asked Aeris, amused by the show of joy that just a new weapon have got out of her.
"Yes." She started to calm down. "Come on we better get out of here." She led them into the glass elevator, putting in the keycard before pushing the first floor button. However the instant she did the glass was smashed away, leaving only the platform they stood upon as gunfire poured into the carriage.
---
Rufus pulled a shotgun out of the folds of his white raincoat, aiming at Cloud he fire. However the mercenary leaped out of the shot pulling the Executioner from its sheath, Rufus fired again only for Cloud to block the shot with his weapon, not even leaving a dint in the mysterious crystal it was made from. It was then Cloud chose to retaliate lunging forward and swinging the Executioner in a downward ark.
The blade hit the magical protection losing most of the blows power but he still connected with Rufus on the metal shoulder pad leaving a dent. "Good boy Dark Nation."
Cloud looked over the guard hound the had cast that protective spell. He watched as it began casting again.
Cloud felt the lightning attack hit him causing him to back away a touch before he turned on the defensive.
He felt the magical currents surrounding his body, healing him. Rufus fired again still not learning that that shotgun did nothing against the Executioner as Cloud blocked it again. However this time he had enough of toying with the new president and his dog, he felt the anger build up inside him before he finally submitted to it.
He lunged at the dog before delivering his sequence of devastating blows leaving the poor mutt paralysed, turned into a stone statue. Rufus looked in shock, as Dark Nation became a statue, unable to move. He looked at his opponent again obviously having no intention of becoming that way himself he lowered his shotgun. "I'd think that's enough for today." The helicopter he had came in lowered just enough so he grabbed onto the railing, allowing it to take him to safety.
'Glad that's over.' Cloud thought before he started towards the door leading off the balcony, hoping that Aeris was now out of Midgar and leaving the statue that was once the president's dog behind.
2. Thank The Planet For Her New Staff.
The energy dome deflected another round of gunfire as Aeris protected the others. Barret instantly started to return fire like he always did, hitting the mechanical menace on its body armour causing major dentage. After Barret finished his barrage red decided it was his turn to join in as he began to chant a spell.
The machine jerked backwards before turning its guns on Red and firing again.
The feline quickly dived out of the way of the stream of bullets again leaving it for Aeris and her staff to hold off again, however he wasn't as fast as he wanted to be as a bullet caught him in the foot. Aeris gasped realising their friend had been hit however she felt it was time for her to do something about it.
The magical winds of the ancients began to surround the team healing them of all the drowsiness and healing Red's foot. He growled with animal raged feeling himself reaching the limit too.
He started running ignoring the massive gap in the floor, ignoring the cries of Aeris as he ran straight at the monstrosity, the magical airs around him creating a path, as he slammed straight into and through the monster. He appeared next to his team mates a moment later. "Very nice." Barret murmured as he started to fire into the machine again. This time smashing through the hole that Red had made in the machine, hitting all it's vital systems.
"Main Artillery off line. Switching to Aux Artillery." A mechanical voice replied as another set of machine guns came out of the thing's side.
It had obviously been designed to stop riots as the plastic bullets only made Barret lose his footing and fall to the ground however he had enough of this game as he felt his limit break the pint of no return once again.
The machine didn't have a chance as the massive blast ripped away it's remaining sensor systems and processor leaving the machine to fall to the floor. "Come On!" Barret shouted in victory as the carriage came to a stop leaving AVALANCHE to head towards the front entrance. "Holy S#&t!" Barret cursed, as he looked out of the door to a large group of the Shinra military was outside the main door. He started to fire into the barricade taking down a few of the but no more.
"It's me they're after, get out while you can." Aeris told them. However Barret just laughed at this.
"Not gonna happen. A promise is a promise." He stated looking at the group outside once again.
"Thank you Mr. Wallace." Aeris replied a smile on her face.
"Who you calling Mr. Wallace. It's Barret to ma friends kiddo." Barret replied.
"This is all very touching but how are we going to get out of here?" Red asked.
It was just as he asked that well founded question they heard another voice. "Barret!" Tifa started running down the stairs from the second floor. "Follow me." She started to head towards the back of the floor.
"Tif' what's going on? Where's Cloud?" Barret asked.
"He's coming. Come on!" Barret shrugged at this and the other three followed Tifa to the Shinra Transport Van behind the Shinra logo.
2. He Likes Em Fast!
He moved through the military garage on Shinra's third floor before stopping in front of a SOLDIER IMBX-300 motorcycle. 'Perfect.' He smiled as he pushed himself into the saddle of the well motorbike, before he set the gears and throttled up, felling in control he led it away from the exit ramp and towards the stairs.
'Just like old times.' He thought as he remembered his training on these machines and the stunts he used to. He flipped on his PHS before he began talking. "Tif' you ready?"
"This is Tifa. We're ready here." Tifa replied over the communications instrument.
"Good. I'll meet you on the second floor." Cloud told her before he spoke into the device again. "You there, Jessie?"
"Hearing you loud and clear Cloud." She replied.
"I want you to get our travelling packs out to the Sector five exit, we'll meet you outside. Oh and I need you to make up a pack for a four legged mammal." Cloud told her.
"What?"
"I'll explain when we met you. Cloud out." He saw the other four inside the van, proving that Tifa did know what she was talking about. He turned the bike in the same direction as the van towards the window. It was then that he began to chant.
The Lightning blast took out the window; he instantly pulled on the clutch and pushed the clutch taking into hi before he started to jump out of the window onto the road below.
They both cleared it, the Shinra troops now behind the rather than blocking their way. Cloud throttled back getting in line with the van. Before talking into his PHS. "We have some followers. You concentrate on keeping on the road, I'll get rid of them."
He slammed on the breaks, drawing his weapon and swinging it. The blow instantly demolished on of the pursuers bikes sending the biker flying. He throttled up swinging his blade at another one taking him off the saddle a as well; he moved after another, pressing a button on his bike extending the left scythe and watching it take out the tire.
He throttled up catching up with the van and keeping with it as it reached the exit to outside Midgar, as they left he watched Tifa slow down as Jessie threw their packs into the back of the van, then jump in the back.
It was when they reached the outskirts of the Midgar area and had ditched the vehicles that conversation began again.
3. New Mission
"So what do we do now?" Jessie asked as she placed the case that held her laptop in position.
"Sephiroth is alive. That can't be good for this planet. I think it's time to settle the score." Cloud stated.
"Will that save the planet?" Barret asked.
"I'm not sure. There's a high chance it might." Cloud replied.
"Then I'm coming with ya."
"I'm coming too." Tifa piped in. "That b~#%&^d has caused so much hurt. It's time to finish it."
"Me too." Aeris suddenly moved forward. "There are things I need to know. Need to find out."
'The things you must discover too.'
"About the Ancients?" Cloud asked.
She nodded before adding. "Many things."
"You are interesting creatures. I'll come with you as far as Cosmos Canyon." Red said.
"And don't forget me." Jessie replied. "I'll give you all the technical knowledge you'll need."
"Well now that's settled." Barret Spoke "We need a leader for this journey and that can only be me!" Barret stated.
"You really thing so?" Red asked.
"I think it should be Cloud." Aeris suggested.
"Wha..." Barret started before Tifa cut him off.
"I agree with her Barret." Tifa replied.
"Looks like you've lost this one then boss." Jessie finished.
"Fine! In that case you're in charge Spike. I suggest we all meet in Kalm." Barret said with defeat.
"Alright. We split into two groups. Aeris and Red are with me. Barret you have the others." He nodded in reply. "Maintain PHS contact and tell us when we reach Kalm."
"Right Cloud. See ya." Tifa said as she reluctantly watched the others say their farewells and then leave in their groups.
Cloud looked up into the air knowing that he was the only one who could stop Sephiroth... Or at least he hoped so.
End Of Chapter 11