The Materia Within.

Chapter 3

Cloud was on his knee with a small, ring shaped box in his hand. He stared at Tifa as a thread of sweet poured down his face. Tifa was amazed with the question, but in way knew it was coming. Cloud stood up thinking it wasn't a good time to bring this up, but Tifa grabbed his hand and hugged him. She stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"I can't wait to say the three words my whole life has built up to."

"And what are these words," Cloud whispered back.

"Cloud, I do"

-Midgar, Under the Plates-

"Rude, could you hand me that materia I told you to hold earlier." said a dark, scruffy voice.

"But you told me to ke-"

"I don't care what I told you, hand me that materia!" Hojo was starting to sound frustrated.

"Listen, you told me to keep it, so I pawned it. I got this cool-"

"YOU WHAT!?"

Just then a nurse walked in, looked around, and went ecstatic. Hojo was sitting down writing in his notebook when Rude walked in, but now cursing himself. The pencil he was holding suddenly snapped in two from the force of his grip. The nurse then went over to Hojo.

"Professor, please. You know you still haven't fully recovered yet after your battle with those terrorists. Please go to bed and do yourself a favor by sleeping."

The nurse, complaining she should have taken over her mother's shop, quickly walked out of the room. Hojo mumbled and crawled back into bed still shuffling through his notes, angry as every.

"You still a little roughed up from the battle with Cloud," Rude snickered.

"At least I didn't run away like someone I know."

Rude quickly shut up.

"Where did you sell the materia." It was more of a command than a question.

"Sector Three, the old jeweler shop. You know, that specializes in wedding rings."

"Where are we located now."

"Sector Four Underground Facilities."

"How fast can we get-"

Hojo we can't leave."

"Why not?"

"Meteor is causing a ruckus on the surface. We would probably die trying to get there, and many of the train tunnels have collapsed and been closed off."

"Damn it, we have to get there."

"What is so important about that materia anyway?"

"Only time will tell. Rude, please leave me. I need my rest."

With that, Rude walked out of the room. He rested his eyes and dreamt of his new discovery. "Only time will tell," the words repeated in his head.

So, what do you think? What does this new discovery that involves the gang? Only time will tell. If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at TheNeo3@hotmail.com