"Open the damn door, you moron!"
Cloud groaned as he woke up for the second time that day. Wearily wiping his eyes, he pushed the covers off himself and sat up on the bed, swinging his legs off the side. He stood, and stumbled towards the door.
The sounds of banging echoed through the villa. Cloud grasped the door handle and opened the door, sighing as he saw the man standing outside. Over six feet tall, black, and burly, Barret Wallace crossed his arms as he looked toward the other. "'Bout time you got your lazy ass out of bed." He uncrossed his arms, and placed his right arm, which ended in a large gun surgically attached in place of the hand, against the wall of the house and leaned.
"Can it, Barret," Cloud mumbled, swiping a lock of spiky blonde hair out of his eyes. "Why are you here so early in the morning?" He brushed a bit of lint off his favorite purple shirt as he waited for an answer.
"Can't a guy visit his pals without gettin' interrogated?" Barret said indignantly, brushing past Cloud and into the villa. Cloud sighed, closing the door. Barret yanked a chair away from the table and fell into it, ignoring the squeal of protest from the chair's legs.
"Who is it, Cloud?" mumbled Tifa Lockheart, leaning against the doorframe that led into the room where both slept. She wore a nightgown, and her dark hair fell over the light material, far past her waist. Her eyes were clouded with sleep, and she covered a yawn.
"Well, ain't this cozy!" Barret roared.
"Different beds, Barret," Cloud mumbled, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
Tifa nodded, although her expression was one that conveyed her disappointment toward that situation. She crossed the room and sat in a third chair. She propped her head on her hands, and looked to Barret. "So, what brings you here?"
A smile came across the man's face, and he stroked his facial hair. "That's the surprise."
"Oh?" Tifa questioned, smiling. "What kind of surprise?"
"Heh. You'll see, soon. They should already be here, but no doubt someone held them up while she finished emptying her stomach," Barret chuckled.
Both Cloud and Tifa smiled. They knew at least part of the surprise.
"Jus' like them to be late. Hell, if it wasn't for those new modifications they made, which I ain't supposed to tell you about, they would never get nowhere on time," the large man grumbled.
Just then, there was another knock on the door. Cloud slid out of the chair and opened the door, then was nearly bowled over by a wave of people as they streamed into the villa.
"Cloud, hey!"
"Greetings, Cloud-"
"About damn time-"
"Hey, watch the tail-"
"Urp!"
Cloud was knocked against the wall as a teenage girl, covering her mouth as she ran, dashed frantically for the bathroom. Sounds of retching echoed through the house.
Cid Highwind scratched his head as he walked farther into the house, staring in the direction the girl had gone. "Never understood why she puked like that every time we fly."
Cloud laughed self-consciously and scratched the back of his head. "You wouldn't."
Cid laughed loudly, running a hand through his own short blonde hair. "Wuss." He flicked what remained of his cigarette out the door, narrowly missing the head of Cait Sith, who protested loudly, and pulled another from the pack strapped to the side of his head by his pilot goggles. "So, did Barret get here, or do we have to wait on that pile of-"
Barret, who had risen from his seat and had walked over to the two, laughed and smacked Cid on the back of the head. Cid's eyes bugged as the cigarette was knocked from his mouth by the force of the blow.
Cloud chuckled, and walked past the two, welcoming the others. Cait, an odd little cat, megaphone in hand and a crown perched jauntily on his head, leaned on the head of the giant stuffed Moggle he always rode. In truth, Cait was merely a toy, controlled by another man, Reeve. However, it was obvious the other hadn't been able to come, so he had sent the next best thing.
"So, is Tifa here too?" the cat queried, smiling broadly. Cloud nodded, and he smirked. "I'm not surprised."
Red XIII walked past, sniffing the air. He was a 3'9" feline, with red fur, flaming tail, and intelligent eyes…well, eye, a scar went across the other. "Hmm…what is that smell?"
Cloud grimaced, and motioned toward the garbage can. "Tifa had to work late last night, so I made dinner."
Red sniffed again, then wrinkled his nose. "Tried to, you mean."
"Yeah, well…"
Red smirked, then made his way on past the chairs, which weren't quite comfortable for quadrupeds. Cloud turned to the next member of the group, Vincent Valentine. As usual, Vincent was dressed in black, with flowing red cape. His black hair fell past his shoulders, and bangs fell over his eyes. His left arm ended in a metal claw, and a gun was holstered at his side. He nodded to Cloud, and followed the others. Cloud turned, watching him go. Vincent never was much of a talker.
The group made their way to the lounge, where couches and chairs dragged from the living room could accommodate everyone. All sat down, but conversation didn't begin until Yuffie entered the room. She had left her weapon, the large throwing star named Conformer, and her arm guard on the airship. Seventeen and with short black hair and tight clothes, she was usually quite energetic and spunky, but was rather subdued from her time spent over the toilet, regurgitating whatever she had eaten for the past while. As she passed, Red XIII covered his nose with his paw, trying to avoid the atrocious smell of her breath.
"So, what brings you all here?" Cloud asked curiously, looking from one member of the group to the next.
It was Cait Sith that answered. "Well, we haven't really seen each other since…y'know…" He fell silent, wincing. "It's been a year, to the day…"
Cloud flinched. Cait was right. A year ago…their final clash with Sephiroth and Jenova, the destruction of Meteor…the day the world had nearly died, and it had been Cloud who had finished the one that had tired to murder it.
"It was Reeve that came up with the idea of our own little reunion," Red said, hurrying on as he noticed Cloud flinch once again. "We came to discuss everything that has gone on in our lives, to hang out for a while."
Tifa smiled. "Great!"
Red XIII nodded. "And, there's another surprise we wanted to show you, at the Highwind."
Cloud nodded, and started to say something, but Barret violently coughed and sent him a glance to keep silent. Cloud smiled, and motioned for Red to continue.
However, it was Vincent that spoke next. "We all have been quite busy, it seems." He made a gesture to Cloud. "What have you been doing for the past year?"
Cloud sighed. "Very little. There isn't much to do anymore. I've helped fight off a few monster attacks, did odd jobs…nothing stable."
Tifa smiled from her seat on the couch next to Cloud, and ran her hand up his back, letting it rest on his shoulder. "I've got a job at the bar next door. It pays well enough, with all the tourists."
Cait, the next in line, smiled brightly. "Well, since ShinRa is out of the picture, I've gotten involved in a new corporation, as one of the heads. However, this one is trying to clean up the mess ShinRa made. The Avalanche Foundation has already put several Mako reactors out of commission, including scrapping what was left of Fort Condor's, and we've begun work on the underwater one at Junon Harbor. We've also helped the governments of several towns along, since ShinRa ruled practically everything, and we've started an army, paid for by donations from the various governments."
"And that's where I come in," Barret boomed. "I'm one of the guys responsible for whipping the A.V.A. into shape."
"A.V.A.?" Tifa questioned.
"Avalanche Volunteer Army," Barret proclaimed proudly. "When those guys started the organization, they remembered how we fought ShinRa in the old days, and named it after us. Now, we've got an army started up, to help out against all those monsters ShinRa's Mako reactors spawned. Most of those professional soldiers ShinRa had have enlisted, and they're on our side now."
Cait chuckled. "Barret's been walking around, bossing everyone he sees that's in a uniform. I think it agrees with him, myself."
Barret nodded solemnly. "Damn straight."
"How's Marlene?" Tifa inquired. Marlene was Barret's daughter, or at least he was the man that had raised her. Dyne, her father and Barret's old best friend, had been killed by ShinRa, or so Barret had believed. In truth, Dyne had survived, although he, like Barret, had lost a hand and had had it replaced by a gun-arm. Dyne had gone crazy over the years, and had attacked Barret, who had been forced to kill him.
At the mention of Marlene, Barret broke out into a smile. "She's doin' well in school…that kid's got a good head on her shoulders." He seemed to swell with pride.
Cid took it from there. "I've been in Rocket Town, cleaning up what's left from ShinRa Number 26. After that rocket launched, there was no need for the launch pad, so we dismantled it. We've started on a small airstrip near the town, too."
"How's Shera?" Tifa inquired.
Cid snorted. "Why the hell would I care? I don't pay any attention to her anyways…"
Most of the group smirked. Shera was the woman that lived with Cid, and took care of him. She was hopelessly devoted to him, even though he verbally abused her every few seconds. However, certain moments had given the others reason to believe Cid cared more about Shera than he would ever allow himself to show.
"Red?" Cloud questioned.
The feline nodded to him, looking at the man with his one good eye. "I have stayed in Cosmo Canyon, learning how to protect the planet. The Elders there have taught me much, since Grandfather…left on his journey."
The others nodded. Red XIII had never been able to bring himself to admit the fact the man he had always looked up to as a grandfather had died. Bugenhagen had warned Red, but Red had denied the fact the old man was ready to pass on. Now, though, they had said their goodbyes, and Bugenhagen was gone.
"How about you, Vincent?" Red questioned, a catch in his throat.
The dark man bowed his head. "I…have been…occupied…"
It was enough for the group. Vincent had had a hard life, as they all had, and was almost always silent, his mere presence saying enough. He seemed cold on the outside, but those close to him knew of his inner torment. Vincent was haunted by guilt and personal demons, and he spent his life trying to atone for those crimes that had caused him such pain.
Yuffie, smiling, went next. "Since ShinRa fell, Wutai has risen to its previous glory. We no longer depend on tourism. No more sitting around defeated for us!"
Cloud groaned. He and the others had visited Yuffie's home village, Wutai, several times. ShinRa had defeated the conquering town, and they had chosen to submit. However, Yuffie had objected, crying that they must rise up again. It had been her role in the battle against Sephiroth that had helped Wutai regain its fighting pride.
Cait's smile grew. "Well, it's great to be able to see you all again! I'm glad we could finally get together."
Everyone nodded. Cid stood, and motioned to Cloud. "Well, enough of this. Come on, I've got something important to show you."
The group fell in behind Cid. As they walked out of the villa, Cloud turned; taking a long hard look at the house he had spent the past year in. Something nagged at the edge of his senses as he looked at it, but he ignored the premonition. He had more important things to attend to now.
He turned, and walked away.
******
"Will you look at that!" boomed Barret, chuckling as he looked at the new, improved, heavily modified Highwind. The massive airship floated in the air above their heads, shining in the sunlight. It had gone through quite a few changes since Cloud and Tifa had last seen it. After the final battle with Sephiroth, it had been nearly destroyed, with what little remained in very bad shape. Cid, however, along with Shera, master mechanic as well as maker of a great cup of tea, had been able to whip the airship back into shape.
The crew waved to the group from the small platform below the ship. Former pilots and crew from when ShinRa owned and operated the Highwind, these men were now quite loyal to Cid and the others. They had all been lucky to have been near the cockpit when the Highwind had exploded out of the Northern Crater, saving their lives. They gave a final wave, and hurried back inside, preparing the Highwind to depart.
Cloud stared up at the ship. It was indeed very different than the ship that had been nearly demolished that day. Rocket engines thrummed with power. Sharply curved wings swept away and back from the nose. The ship was much more streamlined and aerodynamic than before, looking more like an organic sea creature than a man-made creation.
Cloud whistled low as he stared. "Niiice."
Tifa nodded her approval. "You sure have done a lot of work on it."
Cid swelled with pride. "You better believe it! Now she's faster than ever! Sweet handling…incredible power…more room…"
He then launched into a technical description of almost every change they had made, most of which Cloud and Tifa ignored.
"…And of course she screwed it up, but I was able to straighten out…took me hours…but-"
"That's very nice, Cid. Shall we board?" Cait Sith asked, clamping his hand over the mouth of an indignant Cid.
"Do we have to?" moaned Yuffie, who already was holding her stomach.
"Let's get this show on the road!" bellowed Barret.
"Come on Cloud, let's get this over with," said Tifa, grinning broadly.
"Sigh…do you all know how hard it is to climb a rope ladder with four legs?" Red complained.
The Highwind lowered, dropping down till the bottom of the observation platform was nearly to their heads. One of the crew threw down the rope ladder, and one by one, some with more difficulty than others, climbed aboard.
Cloud smiled at the familiar interior of the Highwind as he walked toward the cockpit. Even though it had nearly been destroyed, it all seemed the same. Sure, here and there were shiny new parts, and the crew ran around performing tests, but it was all as it had been before. The memories the ship brought back in Cloud prompted him to give a sigh of nostalgia.
"She never changes, does she?" whispered Tifa.
"Never, thankfully," Cloud replied, inspecting each familiar corner as he stood at the bottom of a flight of stairs.
"I wouldn't go that far," Cid remarked, taking heed of the silencing glares several gave him and not elaborating on how the Highwind had changed.
"Who cares? As long as I can get out of this bucket of bolts soon, I'll be happy!" Yuffie exclaimed, taking her usual position near a railing. Obviously, the crew had taken her into account, because below that railing was a bucket welded to the side.
The others followed Cid into the cockpit, which was a blur of activity. The loyal crew dashed from shining console to beeping control panel, pressing buttons and turning knobs. Cloud held a hand out to steady himself as he felt the Highwind lift high into the air, feeling as if his stomach had decided to stay on the ground. From the rather loud cry of protest/hurling sound Yuffie had made, it seemed she felt the same way.
"Where to, Captain?" asked the pilot, a rather young man with an enthusiastic grin.
"Cait?" Cid asked, glancing at the feline.
"I-…one second, something's happening at the base." Cait said, and slumped over, his controller occupied at the moment.
Red yawned. "Places, everyone." He walked toward his usual corner, and then curled up, snoozing within seconds.
Vincent, without a word, performed a magnificent backflip over a railing and landed on his usual platform. "I hate it when he does that," Barret mumbled, taking his place with Tifa near the main console.
Cid leaned on the main console, right next to the pilot. "Take her toward the base, real slow," he instructed, and got a crisp salute in return.
Suddenly, Cait snapped back to life. "Hey! Great news!"
"What?" said the others simultaneously.
"We've got some…surprise guests at the compound. Some people I know at least one of you would…heh heh…die to see." An almost evil grin crossed the cat's face.
Barret scratched his head. "What the heck are you jabberin' about?"
"You'll find out, soon enough. But, let's hurry on!" Cait said, beaming.
Everyone turned to Cloud, who grinned. Just like the old days, he thought bemusedly. Pumping a fist into the air, he shouted, "Move out!"
He nearly fell as the pilot shoved a lever, taking the Highwind's speed to maximum. He blushed slightly as everyone snickered, excluding Yuffie, who was occupied at the moment. Yep, thought he, just like the old days.