Disclaimer: Same as before
Chap. 3
The crew drove on through the grassy plains in the buggy. Normally Barret would have been the one to drive, but he let Cloud do it. Cloud still has a case of motion sickness and can only hold it if he is the one driving. Last time, Barret drove with Cloud in the rear and several times, Cloud had a queasy look on his face. He did his best not to let it affect him and for the most part, it worked. But Barret began to mess around with him further, driving the buggy through rough terrain and Cloud, well....gave Barret his response. From then on, it was preferred safer if Cloud drove. They drove all the way to past the Chocobo Ranch and stop by the swamp waters nearby. They had to reach the cavern on the other side, but they would have get past the Midgar Zoloms, the giant serpent creatures that lurked underneath.
Red XIII inquired, "We'll have to kill one to keep the others away."
Cloud nodded, "Right. You and Cid can come with me on this one. Barret, you stay here with Tifa."
Barret merely shrugged, but Tifa pouted, "Why should I stay here?"
"Because, Cid's leaping abilities are effective against it and my sword is the best thing to get through its scales."
"And what about Red XIII?"
"It was his idea. Besides, I'm the leader here, so there's no point in complaining."
Tifa folded her arms, her face still angry and Cloud sighed, "Alright, you can come. But one of you will have to stay here."
Cid walked back to the buggy, "I guess that's me."
Tifa thanked him and went with Cloud, who moaned inwardly. He didn't want her coming because he didn't want her to get hurt. True, she was one of the best martial artists in the world and was certainly capable of defeating a Zolom, but Cloud was worried nonetheless. Why am I worried? She can take care of herself. She'd be the first one to say so. With that in mind, the trio trudged through the swamp and walked into a clearing. They waited there briefly. Suddenly, a distant roar was heard and sure enough the Zolom arose from out of the ground and eyed the three potential meals. Both Tifa and Red XIII stood in fighting stance while Cloud reached back for his Buster Sword. The creature lunged at Red XIII and the canine dodged away and struck back. The serpent quickly moved out of the way of the attack and lashed out its tail at Cloud. Cloud rolled aside and Tifa lunged in and struck the monster. The creature noticed her and lunged, but she moved just as soon as its head reached the ground. Red XIII instantly hit its head, dazing the creature for a brief moment.
"Cloud, now!"
Cloud leapt high into the air, his sword raised above him in his Braver technique. Cloud struck down hard and the creature's head was severed. Its lifeless body trashed about for a while before finally stopping. Cloud wiped the sweat off his brow.
"Whew. That took longer than I thought."
Tifa bent down for a breath too, unaware that the ground behind her began to rise. Suddenly, another Zolom reared out to attack her and Tifa was wide open. Cloud ran to reach her, but he saw he was going to be too late. The creature was just about to chomp down when the sound of bullets flew through the air and the Zolom roared in pain. As Tifa rolled aside, Cloud leaped up and quickly finished the second Zolom another Braver.
"Tifa!"
Tifa was on the ground and she promptly got up, "Don't worry, I'm fine." Turning to the side, "Thanks Barret."
Barret called out, "That wasn't me!"
"What?!"
Everyone looked around for whoever it was that helped them, but no one was seen anywhere. As they walked to the buggy, they began wondering who the mysterious rescuer was. Then Red XIII sniffed the air.
"Familar...I know this scent."
"It's been awhile."
Everyone jumped at the new voice and turned to it and saw that it was...
"Vincent!"
Indeed it was him, cloaked in his usual red Turk attire and metal claw. He was just putting away his rifle, which was still smoking from the shots he had taken.
"Hey, what are you doing out here, Vince?" Cloud inquired.
Vincent quirked an eyebrow, "Please don't call me that. And as for the reason I'm here, you should come with me."
Barret stepped up, "You should tell us now. We're on a mission now."
"Where to?"
"Nibelhium."
Vincent nodded, "Well then you know."
"Know what?"
"Hmm. The number of monster attacks in the Nibel area has increased. Why that is, I don't know, but it's become a little difficult for me to handle."
"We where on our way there to shut down and destroy the reactor there. It must be what is responsible for these creatures. But something is wrong. Surely you wouldn't come to us just for that."
"Well, the truth is that I've noticed some activity near the reactor. But when I went to investigate, I was attacked by an overwhelming amount of monsters." Lifting up his arm, he showed a slight scar. "I barely escaped. From the look of it, it was as though they were guarding something." Putting his arm down, "I would have called, but my PHS was damaged."
"I don't like this. We should get there as fast as possible."
The group walked to the buggy, but then stopped. The buggy couldn't hold all of them. Vincent waved his hand.
"Don't worry. I brought a chocobo with me.", he said as a black chocobo walked up to him. Vincent saddled on it and as he did, Tifa called out.
"Oh and thanks, Vincent." she smiled.
Vincent nodded and rode off. The others drove off in the buggy after him through the swamp. As they did, Cloud repeated in his head.
I have a bad feeling about this.
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