Chapter one
The reactor
The young blonde man looked down at the city of Midgar from where he stood on the railway. The city was in decay, everywhere he looked he saw nothing but trash and graffiti. The stench of the city was horrible, in smelled of decaying flesh, air pollution, and drugs. The city was supposed to be great ,a salvation. For some it was, but for most it was not, it was hell. If you didn't make in the upper plate, like most people did, then you had to live in the slums. The slums were disgusting, the trash and sewer from the upper plate was thrown down their, as if the people that lived below were nothing more than animals. Cloud was happy that he was on the upper plate now if only for a moment.
He was up here to, he sensed him, he couldn't pin point it, but he knew he was there. The ki of the man was enormous even when he was trying to keep it down.
Cloud Strife was snapped back into reality by the stern voice of Barret Wallace. Barret Wallace was an enormous man, about 6'7'' with a very intimidating build. One that would make any man cower. He was black, and once you got to know him you would see that he was very nice in his own ways, and very caring, especially for his daughter Marlene. ,"Cloud what are you doing hurry up we have to meet at the gate by the reactor in 15 minutes" Stated the huge man. Cloud strife nodded his head as Barret ran down the dark shadowed corridor on his way to the mako reactor. Cloud walked down the corridor slowly watching everything with peripheral vision. He could feel two kis some where in the room, just as that thought passed two men in shinra guard uniforms jumped out from behind the train. Cloud dispatched one with a sword through the stomach. Blood shot high in to the air, spraying in all directions. The man let out a loud blood curdling scream then lay limp on the ground. The other guard, not being as foolish, backed away and fired a round of bullets at Cloud from his high powered automatic assault rifle. Cloud easily blocked all the shots with his sword, and shot a ki enticed lighting bolt at the man. The guard was fried instantly and Cloud turned to run after Barret.
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The young woman Tifa Lockhart was running her bar in the slums with no one, besides the little girl's, help today. "I hope there alright", thought Tifa to herself when she heard and argument coming from one of the tables at the bar. "Shit", she thought, "here we go again".
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Barret was slowly making his way down the darkened streets of sector 1. It was a whole lot nicer looking than the slums where he was used to, but he knew it would soon look different. "Maybe I shouldn't have left Cloud out there alone I don't know if I should trust him or not", thought Barret to himself. He heard low muffled voices from around the corner he noticed Cloud, Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse were all there waiting for his orders. " I thought I told yall to always stay separated ", commented Barret in a low stern voice. "Well we have to wait for your orders don't we",retorted Cloud in a calm voice. Barret growled at that, " fine" he stated ,"we have to hurry, We all meet at the bridge before the reactor, then I will give you the rest of your orders there". The team then split up each going there different directions.
Barret was walking down one of the side tunnels that leads to the bridge of reactor one. When he saw a shadowed figure that looked like it was in the shape of a dog. Barret aimed his gun arm at the dog like creature and fired a few rounds. He struck the beast a few times but not on any serious areas of its body, the dog quickly recovered from Barrets attack, and charged at him. The beast lunged at the towering black man with all its might, but at the last second Barret's hand came up, grabbed the dog out of the air like he was light as a piece of paper, and threw him into the concrete wall with a sickening crunch. The dog like creature then lay sprawled up against the side of tunnel with it s head turned in a direction it couldn't have gone naturally, and blood dripping out of its mouth. Barret hated places like theses, dirty, smelly, and with tons of mutated guard dogs. This place was worse than a sewer. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face, and every thing you touched was nasty and slimy.
Barret made it the rest of the way to the bridge with no more interruptions. He reached the long metal walkway to see the rest of the team standing cautiously nearby.
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Cloud was walking across the pipes toward the bridge thinking of things that concerned the mission, when he heard a gun shot from close range. Cloud turned and moving with such speeds that you could barely see the movement, swiped with his sword and knocked the bullet straight out of the air. The guard that fired then took a clumsy swing at Cloud, which he easily blocked and sent a kick to the side of the mans head that snapped his neck. Cloud then continued his way toward the bridge. He got there at about the same time Barret did.
The bridge was no more than a walk way with a metal screen to stand on and metal railings at its sides. The metal was nicely cleaned and polished by the Shinra, and actually looked quiet new. He knew that the mission had to be hurried, cause if he took to long then the Shinra would dispatch a group of SOLDIER to dispose of them. He knew this team was strong, but there was no way that Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse could beat a group of 1st class SOLDIER's. He didn't know about Barret though, he seemed to be incredibly strong compared to the rest of his team.
He looked at the team and saw that they looked in good shape, but they all had a few minor cuts and scrapes. After Cloud was done evaluating the team Barret shouted his orders over the humm of machines in the reactor," Biggs set the small bomb to blow open the door that we escape from, Wedge go open the doors with the codes then stay on this side and cover Biggs, Jesse stay on the other side of the doors and open them when I come back, Cloud your coming with me". The team did as they were told and Barret and Cloud started there short but hazardous journey to the core of the reactor.
The two warriors walked side by side waiting for any thing to jump out of the dense shadows at them. They made there way down a few flights of metal stairs and down an elevator without any problems. Once the elevator landed Cloud and Barret got off still in silence. Out of the corner of his eye Barret saw two guards came out from behind a nearby stair case. one kicked at Barret, he blocked it with ease and hit the man over the side of the head with his gun arm cracking his skull, and sending blood squirting into the air turning everything around different shades of red. Cloud on the other hand was locked in combat with the other guard, who used a sword for combat. The man sliced at him twice. cloud dodged one and blocked the other in one single motion. Cloud then chopped the mans head off with one quick slice staining his sword a deep crimson color, and causing awkward looks from Barret.
"That was easy", stated Barret looking at cloud in a confused way, he couldn't shake the fact at how strong Cloud was. " I know", said Cloud with his eyes locked into Barret's. " So all we have to do now is set the bomb in the reactor's core", said Barret. " Well lets hurry " said Cloud in a cold voice.
Cloud and Barret then made there way quickly to the reactor core. The reactor stood at the far end of a metal platform, underneath the platform was boiling hot green blue mako. The reactor itself was a big oval like sphere, with a generator in the middle, the generator was only visible through the small window in the front. Cloud set the bomb on the window of the core and turned leave, right when he did an alarm rang out and he sensed a huge ki approaching.
"Watch out", said Barret quickly as a huge robotic scorpion stepped onto the bridge.
Clouds eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed in haste getting prepared for the awaiting battle. Barret to was already sizing up the robot searching for weak points. the enemy was a robotic scorpion with machine guns on its 2 arms, it was covered in a red metal armor, with a huge tail that had a very sharp blade on the end, the tail also seemed to have two large lasers on each side of it. The guard scorpion started firing bullets at Barret who quickly dodged the onslaught of bullets and fired back with his own gun. Cloud let loose a huge bolt attack that nearly knocked the monster off its feet and shook the metal plat form causing huge cracks to run through the metal. The monster recovered after a few seconds and sent his tail sweeping at Cloud. Cloud pulled up his massive sword at the last second to block the attack, but was flung back several feet and hit the ground. However just as quickly as he had hit the ground he was back on his feet and ready to battle. Barret still pumped round after round of bullets at the monster until he hit something that was un protected by the scorpions huge metal shield. The robot searched in a fit of pain and shot a huge blast from its tail engulfing Cloud and Barret with the searing hot beam and sending them reeling against the rails of the platform. Cloud recovered quickly and charged the scorpion, his sword was glowing a bright red full of ki, and he launched in the air bring his sword down violently on the creature sending a huge shockwave which caused the whole room to shake. The creature started to spark and flames shot out from all parts of its body. It started to walk clumsily sideways till it fell off the end of the platform and into the boiling mako below. The two men watched as the Guard Scorpion was sent to its ultimate death in the depths of the reactors mako.
"WOW !", said Barret ,"What a rush". " I didn't suspect anything like that down here" said Cloud in a low voice. "FUCK", said Barret in a shout of rage, "we only have 15 minutes left to get the hell out of here!!"
With that the two warriors made there way back to the elevator, and to the first floor in about 7 minutes. They started up the stair case in a hurry dispatching any creature that got in there way with great ease. Thy ran and found Jesse trying to pull her leg out of the metal of the bridge, it was caught between to pieces of screen.
"HELP!!", yelled Jesse loudly to the two men. Cloud made his way over to Jesse and helped her get her foot out of the metal coiling rapped around it." Thanks" said Jesse quietly. "your very welcome but we have to hurry" retorted Cloud quickly, " this place is about to blow".
The trio started off in a dead sprint, Jesse in the lead opening any door that came in there path. The three ran outside in time to see Biggs blow open there escape route. Everyone ran outside right when the reactor exploded in a fury of flames and shrapnel. Jesse fell down on the way out, and Cloud quickly scooped her in his arms and ran out, with flames lapping at his heels.
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Tifa couldn't take it much more she was worried sick, they were late. Right when that thought passed through her mind her PHS rang. She answered it, "Hello" she said in a worry stricken voice. "Tifa", it was Barret," were ok the reactor number one mission was a success, I have to go now Tifa, bye", and with that the PHS went dead. "I am happy there ok" ,thought Tifa quietly to herself," That also means that Cloud will be back here. We have so much to catch up on, I wonder if he still remembers what he promised me as a child"
Marlene then stuck her head from around the corner of the doorway and said, "aunt Tif when is my daddy goin to be home. "Very soon my dear", stated Tifa happily," very soon.'
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Cloud couldn't help but wonder about Tifa. "Aw, the beautiful Tifa Lockhart", He thought, "How long will it take before I can confess to you how I feel". Cloud was so wrapped in his thoughts that he didn't see the girl in front of him until it was to late. The girl ran smack in to him and collapsed in a heap.
"I'm sorry", said the young honey haired women who was laying on the ground. " Its all my fault" stated Cloud feeling his cheeks grow red and hot with embarrassment. "How about we just say it was both of our faults and forgive each other", stated the young lady who was now up and brushing the dirt off of her red colored dress. "WOW!!!, he's handsome", she thought to herself.
She looking at his blond spiky hair, and beautiful face with its incredibly delicate yet strong features. She then looked at the two deep blue pools on his face. His eyes glowed with raw power ,and mako. The man was wearing a white turtle neck that showed all of his muscles, and the massive sword on the his back told her how they came to be that way. "I bet that sword weighs three times as much as me", she thought to herself. Her eyes kept scanning down as she saw he was wearing a pair of dark denim pants with a crease and pair of kaki colored suede boots, also in his left ear was a small gold looped earring that seemed to show off his rebellious side. He looked very stunning, he seemed to be very dangerous though. The young lady had seen many good looking guys before, but this one had far surpassed any of them.
"Wow" thought Cloud silently, "she looks amazing" he was looking at her long honey colored hair that was pulled back into a pony tail with bangs in front that framed her face. She had the most perfect face with a beautiful smile. She had shocking sea green eyes that looked so innocent, by looking into them you could see into the depths of her soul. She was wearing a long red dress that seemed to hug her hips showing off a little of her figure. The dress buttoned down the front, and underneath the top part was a tight white tank top shirt which was barley visibly, and it hugged her chest tightly. She was wearing a white materia orb wrapped in a ribbon holding her hair up, and a bracelet on her wrist. She had long gorgeous legs, and golden skin.
They both realized they were staring at each other and looked away quickly, they were both blushing intensely.
"So" said the young lady breaking the silence. " Do you want to buy a flower, there only one gill". "Sure", said Cloud, "can I have two"
He paid the girl two gill, she giggled handed him the flowers and walked off quietly. The flowers were beautiful, they were both yellow with a sweet honey smell. Long stems ran out the bottom of each one, and each stem had two green leaves coming off of them. He hadn't seen the color of flowers in years. Flowers didn't seem to grow in Midgar, the city had to much air and soil pollution, and besides not very much can grow with the plate above blocking the sun. The flowers in his hand smelled very sweet, Tifa would love one.
Cloud was walking down the street toward the train station where he was supposed to meet Barret, when he heard a male voice behind him ."Hey you stop where you are" . Cloud glanced behind him and saw two Shinra guards approaching him with guns drawn. That didn't worry Cloud at all, cause he knew two guards wouldn't be hard for him to deal with. What worried him now was that when he looked around he saw that there were guards on all sides of him making there way toward him from the dark alleys. He was trapped on all there were troopers on every side but to his right was the side of the bridge he was walking across, and underneath it was the railway. Cloud decided then that he would have to chance it, as he could here a train quietly coming towards them. He would have to time this right. "1.….2.….3 NOW" Cloud turned a sprinted toward the side of stone paneled bridge he was standing on. He looked back and laughed at the guards that were nearing him, then he leapt into the air with a back flip, and landed on top of the rust covered train that was passing beneath him.
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"I wonder where Cloud could be", asked Jesse in a concerned voice, "do you think he's ok?". "Cloud is strong he can take care of himself", answered Barret.
There was a slight pounding against the top of the train. Nobody paid much attention to it, they were all worried about Cloud Strife. The same noise floated through the train cart again, but this time it was on the door. Everyone was curious and looking at the door. Then right when they all looked away the door flew open and Cloud jumped into the cart.
The cart was about as big as a normal train cart, with a big enough space for the team to stand in comfortably. On three sides of them were huge crates, caring cargo all around Midgar. To the right of the door and of Cloud was the path to the next cart that held the passengers. The cargo area of the train looked like the rest of Midgar, it was rusted and worn out. These were the cars that nobody ever cleaned, and it was falling apart.
"You miss me." said Cloud in a calm voice. "CLOUD", said everyone else in the cart simultaneously. The expressions on there faces were of pure shock and joy, but Barret's was quickly turned to anger. "You had us all worried sick", shouted Barret. "Aw",spoke Cloud, "you were worried about me". Barrets face then turned red with fury, but he tried to calm himself. "This is coming out of your pay check mister hot stuff", roared Barret angrily, " Everyone lets move out".
Barret then turned around and walked into the next car.
"Wow Cloud that was amazing", said Wedge as he walked out of the train car. "Your something else", said Biggs while he fallowed shaking his head. "Hear let me shut this", said Jesse walking over to close the door Cloud jumped through, "your face is pitch black" said Jesse in a caring voice. She then stepped over to Cloud and wiped his face off with her handkerchief. Her face was like that of a sister that Cloud had never had. "Thank you",stated Cloud plainly. "No thank you for saving me back there",replied Jesse while she stared at her feet. "That's what friends do" said Cloud, "think nothing of it". Jesse giggled and walked off into the next train car. After a few moments of pondering Cloud did the same.
Once in the cart he sat down next to Barret and talked with him for a while. Barret talked about midgar and How evil Shinra was with there Mako machines, but after a few moments Cloud just sat there thinking about the things Barret had said to him in silence. After about 5 minutes the small train they were in came to a slow stop, and the team Avalanche got off . Once off the train Barret called them all over to him underneath a light pole of sector seven train station. ///////////////////////
"Alright" said Barret," lets go meet back at the bar". everyone headed off separate ways toward the bar in the sector 7 slums.
Sector 7 was one of the better looking slums in Midgar, but still wasn't a place that people would choose to live in. It was still dirty, but the trash that was deposited there was moved to sides of the sector and piled. It actually had a dirt road that ran through it.
The bar was at the far end of the tiny sector also called 7th heaven. The bar was nicer than most other buildings around. It was made of wood, that was a little on the old side, and had a wood porch on the front. It also had a sign on top that had 7th heaven bar written on it.
Cloud walked onto the street the bar was on just in time to see Barret kicking all of the customers out of the bar. When Cloud made it up to the wooden steps of the bar Barret told him to go inside while he was arguing with a few of the angry people he threw out.
The inside of the bar was nice and well kept. It had a few wood tables, and a wooden bar at the far end. On the other side of the bar was a cabinet full of different drinks. There was also a pinball machine on the far right.
When Cloud walked into the small well kept bar a little girl ran up to him and said, "papa". The girl realized it wasn't her papa and ran over to the corner blushing. A young female ran after her. " Its ok Marlene", said the young woman," its just Cloud". The young lady walked up to Cloud with Marlene fallowing close behind her and said in a warm welcoming tone " Welcome back Cloud" and threw her arms around him. " Hi Tifa", said Cloud, "miss me". "Yes" she said happily, " Cloud whose flowers are those"."Yalls" stated Cloud as he handed one to Marlene and one to Tifa. "They smell great", said Tifa smelling the golden flower that she now possessed in her hands.
Right after that Barret Wallace came barging through the old wood door. "Papa" yelped the little girl as she ran to great her dad. It was obvious to any one that saw the two of them that they were not related by blood. Barret is black, and huge, like 6'7", with a massive build, and Marlene on the other hand is milky white and very skinny. Barret gave his daughter a gentle hug and sat her down on his shoulder while yelling out his next order.
"Everyone downstairs now, we have a meetin",said Barret a little loud. Everyone got up and went down stairs through the elevator platform, which was disguised as the pinball machine. The only two people that stayed were Cloud and Tifa.
"Cloud", said Tifa in a loving voice, "Are you feeling well". "I'm fine" he answered softly. " "I was scared to death when yall left for this mission", admitted Tifa. "Tifa this wasn't even a tough mission", stated Cloud a little to coldly," We should probably go down for Barrets meeting", " Your right", replied Tifa, "lets go".
Cloud and Tifa climbed on the elevator platform together and went down. The basement floor was as big as the upstairs room but this one was made of concrete. There was a table, a TV, a computer, a few maps of the city, and a few supplies. It also had a metal bench lining the wall, there was a well worn punching bag on one wall for Barret. When the two people got down there Barret had just finished talking and was hitting his punching bag.
Cloud had just touched the concrete floor when he remembered he had to tell Barret something. Cloud walked over to Barret and said," Barret I am staying here tonight but I wont be going on the next mission with yall, I have a few things I need to find out. "Ok, fine with me", said Barret, "though we could really use the help.
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After a few moments Everyone left to go to sleep. Tifa went to her bedroom in the back of the bar and Cloud laid down on the metal bench this basement. A few minutes later after the Barret had left the bar with Marlene, Cloud heard the elevator come down.
"Cloud", said Tifa ,"are you still awake". "Ya Tif" answered Cloud in a groggy voice. Tifa went and sat beside where Cloud was laying. "This can't be comfortable" ,stated Tifa in a friendly tone, " why don't you come and lay with me"? At that Cloud sat up slowly on the cold hard bench and looked at Tifa," are you sure", he said. "Yes", she said. "The truth is I'm a little scared and shaken about tonight and want you there with me". "Ok", Cloud stated in a thankful voice.
Tifa Led Cloud up the elevator platform. Through the bar room, through the back room, and into a small bedroom which held pictures of the whole gang. To Cloud's astonishment there was even a picture of him when he was a child. In the corner of the room against the wall was a double wide bed with the sheet and covers pulled down. In the room was also a night stand by the bed, a hair brush was placed in the middle, and a glass of water was right beside it.
Tifa looked up at Cloud smiled and pulled him onto the soft bed with her. Cloud was in heaven. He had not slept in a bed in so long he had forgotten what it felt like. After Cloud finally got over at how comfortable the bed was he got ready to sleep. Cloud took off his shirt, shoes, socks, and pants slowly and quietly, while Tifa laid down in a big T-shirt on the bed. When Cloud had gotten done taking off his pants Tifa pulled him into the bed beside her, and after a while they both fell asleep dreaming.
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Cloud a woke in the middle of the night. He looked over and saw that Tifa was shaking uncontrollable, she was covered and sweat and had a very disturbed look on her face. Cloud was startled by this reaction in Tifa. She was having a nightmare.
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Tifa was looking around there was fire everywhere ,it looked as if everything had been engulfed in hell and was frying for the devils delight. Shrill screams filled the air around her, screams that she had heard before, screams she tried so hard to forget. She was back at Nibelheim, her hometown. all around lay bodies of fire and ash. She saw her house covered in dancing flames, flames of death. Tifa looked to the smaller house next door. "Cloud", Tifa screamed at the top of her voice.
She darted into the house. Smoke clouded her view she ran through the house and into a bedroom, she saw the body that lay before her covered in blood and burned in many places. "NO", Tifa yelled as she ran over to the body. Tifa curled up the young blond into her arms. The man was breathing, yet very lightly. "Cloud" she whispered to the man. "..........", there was no response. "CLOUD", she screamed, still nothing. She then bent over and ran her hand through Cloud's hair. "no" she said in a low voice. " uh... Tifa" whispered the young blond in response. "Cloud", Tifa whispered again. "Tifa..... goodbye" said Cloud in a low whisper. "NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO" screamed Tifa at the top of her voice.
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"Tifa wake up" said a worried voice. Tifa opened her eyes to the worried face of Cloud Strife. "Cloud", said Tifa while she wrapped him in tender hug. "It was just a dream", said Cloud in a soothing voice.
Tifa lay in Cloud's arms crying while Cloud held her close and stroked her beautiful brown hair. Cloud had loved Tifa for as long as he had known her, and that had been a very long time. He already knew what she had dreamed about, he had dreamt of many times before, but he had to ask. "Tifa what were you dreaming", said Cloud in a voice barley audible. " Cloud it was horrible Nibelheim was in flames and...and I lost you", she said in between sobs. "Tifa I'm right here there is nothing to be afraid of", said Cloud reassuringly. He couldn't help but think about that night to, the night his home town was burned to the ground by the Shinra, that was the day that he had been captured, but that was all over now and he didn't want to remember it.. " I know, I know" Tifa replied in a low whisper.
After that she fell asleep again in Clouds arms. Cloud didn't go back to sleep for along time that night, he was to unnerved. "I wish I knew if Zack and Seph are alright," he thought.
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Tifa awoke the next morning in the strong arms of Cloud. "Cloud", she thought," why can't it always be like this. Tifa tried to slowly slide her self out of Clouds arms, which is very hard to do to a trained solider. Cloud woke up from Tifa's movement. "mmmmmmm Tif", said the sleepy young solider. "sshh Cloud go back to sleep I am going to make breakfast" said Tifa in Cloud's ear.
Tifa got up and went into the bars kitchen. After a few moments you could hear the sounds of pots and pans.
Cloud reluctantly got out of bed a few minutes later as Tifa called him to breakfast. Cloud slipped on his pants and walked out of the room. Tifa was waiting with breakfast at one of the tables.
"mm smells good", said Cloud as he made his way to the table where Tifa was taking a seat. Cloud and Tifa started to eat breakfast.
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The Hooded figure walked through the gates of Midgar, and through the shadows of the slums around him. The soil he walked upon was barren and lifeless. Everywhere he looked was trash and scrap metal. The city under the great plate had become nothing more than a waste land. He could not forget his mission. He was almost there, he could feel her energy. She was so pure and innocent, he did not understand what she could do for the planet. However the planet had told him to protect this innocent girl at all costs.
The figure found what he was looking for, a church. The church was old and worn. There was a whole in the top of where light , actual sunlight was shining through. As he approached the broad doors he saw the girl. She was stunningly beautiful, she was the most perfect being he had ever seen before. Everything about her was amazing, the way she walked the way she stood, even the way she breathed. "She would be perfect for him", thought the figure. "This girl might actually be the one that opened him up and broke through his barriers. ""If only I can find him then everything would be right. He is in this city, I can feel him."
The young girl turned around it a startle to see who was at the door. "Could it be them" she thought. No it wasn't , it was a young man in a dark black hood and robe. The girls eyes stayed on him as she said," who are you?" . The man pulled down his hood. " I am Zack"
The girls eyes widened with Shock, this young man looked just like the other one she had seen today. Except this one had dark black hair, and dark black eyes instead. He even had a huge sword like the other one.
The reactor
The young blonde man looked down at the city of Midgar from where he stood on the railway. The city was in decay, everywhere he looked he saw nothing but trash and graffiti. The stench of the city was horrible, in smelled of decaying flesh, air pollution, and drugs. The city was supposed to be great ,a salvation. For some it was, but for most it was not, it was hell. If you didn't make in the upper plate, like most people did, then you had to live in the slums. The slums were disgusting, the trash and sewer from the upper plate was thrown down their, as if the people that lived below were nothing more than animals. Cloud was happy that he was on the upper plate now if only for a moment.
He was up here to, he sensed him, he couldn't pin point it, but he knew he was there. The ki of the man was enormous even when he was trying to keep it down.
Cloud Strife was snapped back into reality by the stern voice of Barret Wallace. Barret Wallace was an enormous man, about 6'7'' with a very intimidating build. One that would make any man cower. He was black, and once you got to know him you would see that he was very nice in his own ways, and very caring, especially for his daughter Marlene. ,"Cloud what are you doing hurry up we have to meet at the gate by the reactor in 15 minutes" Stated the huge man. Cloud strife nodded his head as Barret ran down the dark shadowed corridor on his way to the mako reactor. Cloud walked down the corridor slowly watching everything with peripheral vision. He could feel two kis some where in the room, just as that thought passed two men in shinra guard uniforms jumped out from behind the train. Cloud dispatched one with a sword through the stomach. Blood shot high in to the air, spraying in all directions. The man let out a loud blood curdling scream then lay limp on the ground. The other guard, not being as foolish, backed away and fired a round of bullets at Cloud from his high powered automatic assault rifle. Cloud easily blocked all the shots with his sword, and shot a ki enticed lighting bolt at the man. The guard was fried instantly and Cloud turned to run after Barret.
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The young woman Tifa Lockhart was running her bar in the slums with no one, besides the little girl's, help today. "I hope there alright", thought Tifa to herself when she heard and argument coming from one of the tables at the bar. "Shit", she thought, "here we go again".
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Barret was slowly making his way down the darkened streets of sector 1. It was a whole lot nicer looking than the slums where he was used to, but he knew it would soon look different. "Maybe I shouldn't have left Cloud out there alone I don't know if I should trust him or not", thought Barret to himself. He heard low muffled voices from around the corner he noticed Cloud, Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse were all there waiting for his orders. " I thought I told yall to always stay separated ", commented Barret in a low stern voice. "Well we have to wait for your orders don't we",retorted Cloud in a calm voice. Barret growled at that, " fine" he stated ,"we have to hurry, We all meet at the bridge before the reactor, then I will give you the rest of your orders there". The team then split up each going there different directions.
Barret was walking down one of the side tunnels that leads to the bridge of reactor one. When he saw a shadowed figure that looked like it was in the shape of a dog. Barret aimed his gun arm at the dog like creature and fired a few rounds. He struck the beast a few times but not on any serious areas of its body, the dog quickly recovered from Barrets attack, and charged at him. The beast lunged at the towering black man with all its might, but at the last second Barret's hand came up, grabbed the dog out of the air like he was light as a piece of paper, and threw him into the concrete wall with a sickening crunch. The dog like creature then lay sprawled up against the side of tunnel with it s head turned in a direction it couldn't have gone naturally, and blood dripping out of its mouth. Barret hated places like theses, dirty, smelly, and with tons of mutated guard dogs. This place was worse than a sewer. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face, and every thing you touched was nasty and slimy.
Barret made it the rest of the way to the bridge with no more interruptions. He reached the long metal walkway to see the rest of the team standing cautiously nearby.
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Cloud was walking across the pipes toward the bridge thinking of things that concerned the mission, when he heard a gun shot from close range. Cloud turned and moving with such speeds that you could barely see the movement, swiped with his sword and knocked the bullet straight out of the air. The guard that fired then took a clumsy swing at Cloud, which he easily blocked and sent a kick to the side of the mans head that snapped his neck. Cloud then continued his way toward the bridge. He got there at about the same time Barret did.
The bridge was no more than a walk way with a metal screen to stand on and metal railings at its sides. The metal was nicely cleaned and polished by the Shinra, and actually looked quiet new. He knew that the mission had to be hurried, cause if he took to long then the Shinra would dispatch a group of SOLDIER to dispose of them. He knew this team was strong, but there was no way that Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse could beat a group of 1st class SOLDIER's. He didn't know about Barret though, he seemed to be incredibly strong compared to the rest of his team.
He looked at the team and saw that they looked in good shape, but they all had a few minor cuts and scrapes. After Cloud was done evaluating the team Barret shouted his orders over the humm of machines in the reactor," Biggs set the small bomb to blow open the door that we escape from, Wedge go open the doors with the codes then stay on this side and cover Biggs, Jesse stay on the other side of the doors and open them when I come back, Cloud your coming with me". The team did as they were told and Barret and Cloud started there short but hazardous journey to the core of the reactor.
The two warriors walked side by side waiting for any thing to jump out of the dense shadows at them. They made there way down a few flights of metal stairs and down an elevator without any problems. Once the elevator landed Cloud and Barret got off still in silence. Out of the corner of his eye Barret saw two guards came out from behind a nearby stair case. one kicked at Barret, he blocked it with ease and hit the man over the side of the head with his gun arm cracking his skull, and sending blood squirting into the air turning everything around different shades of red. Cloud on the other hand was locked in combat with the other guard, who used a sword for combat. The man sliced at him twice. cloud dodged one and blocked the other in one single motion. Cloud then chopped the mans head off with one quick slice staining his sword a deep crimson color, and causing awkward looks from Barret.
"That was easy", stated Barret looking at cloud in a confused way, he couldn't shake the fact at how strong Cloud was. " I know", said Cloud with his eyes locked into Barret's. " So all we have to do now is set the bomb in the reactor's core", said Barret. " Well lets hurry " said Cloud in a cold voice.
Cloud and Barret then made there way quickly to the reactor core. The reactor stood at the far end of a metal platform, underneath the platform was boiling hot green blue mako. The reactor itself was a big oval like sphere, with a generator in the middle, the generator was only visible through the small window in the front. Cloud set the bomb on the window of the core and turned leave, right when he did an alarm rang out and he sensed a huge ki approaching.
"Watch out", said Barret quickly as a huge robotic scorpion stepped onto the bridge.
Clouds eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed in haste getting prepared for the awaiting battle. Barret to was already sizing up the robot searching for weak points. the enemy was a robotic scorpion with machine guns on its 2 arms, it was covered in a red metal armor, with a huge tail that had a very sharp blade on the end, the tail also seemed to have two large lasers on each side of it. The guard scorpion started firing bullets at Barret who quickly dodged the onslaught of bullets and fired back with his own gun. Cloud let loose a huge bolt attack that nearly knocked the monster off its feet and shook the metal plat form causing huge cracks to run through the metal. The monster recovered after a few seconds and sent his tail sweeping at Cloud. Cloud pulled up his massive sword at the last second to block the attack, but was flung back several feet and hit the ground. However just as quickly as he had hit the ground he was back on his feet and ready to battle. Barret still pumped round after round of bullets at the monster until he hit something that was un protected by the scorpions huge metal shield. The robot searched in a fit of pain and shot a huge blast from its tail engulfing Cloud and Barret with the searing hot beam and sending them reeling against the rails of the platform. Cloud recovered quickly and charged the scorpion, his sword was glowing a bright red full of ki, and he launched in the air bring his sword down violently on the creature sending a huge shockwave which caused the whole room to shake. The creature started to spark and flames shot out from all parts of its body. It started to walk clumsily sideways till it fell off the end of the platform and into the boiling mako below. The two men watched as the Guard Scorpion was sent to its ultimate death in the depths of the reactors mako.
"WOW !", said Barret ,"What a rush". " I didn't suspect anything like that down here" said Cloud in a low voice. "FUCK", said Barret in a shout of rage, "we only have 15 minutes left to get the hell out of here!!"
With that the two warriors made there way back to the elevator, and to the first floor in about 7 minutes. They started up the stair case in a hurry dispatching any creature that got in there way with great ease. Thy ran and found Jesse trying to pull her leg out of the metal of the bridge, it was caught between to pieces of screen.
"HELP!!", yelled Jesse loudly to the two men. Cloud made his way over to Jesse and helped her get her foot out of the metal coiling rapped around it." Thanks" said Jesse quietly. "your very welcome but we have to hurry" retorted Cloud quickly, " this place is about to blow".
The trio started off in a dead sprint, Jesse in the lead opening any door that came in there path. The three ran outside in time to see Biggs blow open there escape route. Everyone ran outside right when the reactor exploded in a fury of flames and shrapnel. Jesse fell down on the way out, and Cloud quickly scooped her in his arms and ran out, with flames lapping at his heels.
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Tifa couldn't take it much more she was worried sick, they were late. Right when that thought passed through her mind her PHS rang. She answered it, "Hello" she said in a worry stricken voice. "Tifa", it was Barret," were ok the reactor number one mission was a success, I have to go now Tifa, bye", and with that the PHS went dead. "I am happy there ok" ,thought Tifa quietly to herself," That also means that Cloud will be back here. We have so much to catch up on, I wonder if he still remembers what he promised me as a child"
Marlene then stuck her head from around the corner of the doorway and said, "aunt Tif when is my daddy goin to be home. "Very soon my dear", stated Tifa happily," very soon.'
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Cloud couldn't help but wonder about Tifa. "Aw, the beautiful Tifa Lockhart", He thought, "How long will it take before I can confess to you how I feel". Cloud was so wrapped in his thoughts that he didn't see the girl in front of him until it was to late. The girl ran smack in to him and collapsed in a heap.
"I'm sorry", said the young honey haired women who was laying on the ground. " Its all my fault" stated Cloud feeling his cheeks grow red and hot with embarrassment. "How about we just say it was both of our faults and forgive each other", stated the young lady who was now up and brushing the dirt off of her red colored dress. "WOW!!!, he's handsome", she thought to herself.
She looking at his blond spiky hair, and beautiful face with its incredibly delicate yet strong features. She then looked at the two deep blue pools on his face. His eyes glowed with raw power ,and mako. The man was wearing a white turtle neck that showed all of his muscles, and the massive sword on the his back told her how they came to be that way. "I bet that sword weighs three times as much as me", she thought to herself. Her eyes kept scanning down as she saw he was wearing a pair of dark denim pants with a crease and pair of kaki colored suede boots, also in his left ear was a small gold looped earring that seemed to show off his rebellious side. He looked very stunning, he seemed to be very dangerous though. The young lady had seen many good looking guys before, but this one had far surpassed any of them.
"Wow" thought Cloud silently, "she looks amazing" he was looking at her long honey colored hair that was pulled back into a pony tail with bangs in front that framed her face. She had the most perfect face with a beautiful smile. She had shocking sea green eyes that looked so innocent, by looking into them you could see into the depths of her soul. She was wearing a long red dress that seemed to hug her hips showing off a little of her figure. The dress buttoned down the front, and underneath the top part was a tight white tank top shirt which was barley visibly, and it hugged her chest tightly. She was wearing a white materia orb wrapped in a ribbon holding her hair up, and a bracelet on her wrist. She had long gorgeous legs, and golden skin.
They both realized they were staring at each other and looked away quickly, they were both blushing intensely.
"So" said the young lady breaking the silence. " Do you want to buy a flower, there only one gill". "Sure", said Cloud, "can I have two"
He paid the girl two gill, she giggled handed him the flowers and walked off quietly. The flowers were beautiful, they were both yellow with a sweet honey smell. Long stems ran out the bottom of each one, and each stem had two green leaves coming off of them. He hadn't seen the color of flowers in years. Flowers didn't seem to grow in Midgar, the city had to much air and soil pollution, and besides not very much can grow with the plate above blocking the sun. The flowers in his hand smelled very sweet, Tifa would love one.
Cloud was walking down the street toward the train station where he was supposed to meet Barret, when he heard a male voice behind him ."Hey you stop where you are" . Cloud glanced behind him and saw two Shinra guards approaching him with guns drawn. That didn't worry Cloud at all, cause he knew two guards wouldn't be hard for him to deal with. What worried him now was that when he looked around he saw that there were guards on all sides of him making there way toward him from the dark alleys. He was trapped on all there were troopers on every side but to his right was the side of the bridge he was walking across, and underneath it was the railway. Cloud decided then that he would have to chance it, as he could here a train quietly coming towards them. He would have to time this right. "1.….2.….3 NOW" Cloud turned a sprinted toward the side of stone paneled bridge he was standing on. He looked back and laughed at the guards that were nearing him, then he leapt into the air with a back flip, and landed on top of the rust covered train that was passing beneath him.
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"I wonder where Cloud could be", asked Jesse in a concerned voice, "do you think he's ok?". "Cloud is strong he can take care of himself", answered Barret.
There was a slight pounding against the top of the train. Nobody paid much attention to it, they were all worried about Cloud Strife. The same noise floated through the train cart again, but this time it was on the door. Everyone was curious and looking at the door. Then right when they all looked away the door flew open and Cloud jumped into the cart.
The cart was about as big as a normal train cart, with a big enough space for the team to stand in comfortably. On three sides of them were huge crates, caring cargo all around Midgar. To the right of the door and of Cloud was the path to the next cart that held the passengers. The cargo area of the train looked like the rest of Midgar, it was rusted and worn out. These were the cars that nobody ever cleaned, and it was falling apart.
"You miss me." said Cloud in a calm voice. "CLOUD", said everyone else in the cart simultaneously. The expressions on there faces were of pure shock and joy, but Barret's was quickly turned to anger. "You had us all worried sick", shouted Barret. "Aw",spoke Cloud, "you were worried about me". Barrets face then turned red with fury, but he tried to calm himself. "This is coming out of your pay check mister hot stuff", roared Barret angrily, " Everyone lets move out".
Barret then turned around and walked into the next car.
"Wow Cloud that was amazing", said Wedge as he walked out of the train car. "Your something else", said Biggs while he fallowed shaking his head. "Hear let me shut this", said Jesse walking over to close the door Cloud jumped through, "your face is pitch black" said Jesse in a caring voice. She then stepped over to Cloud and wiped his face off with her handkerchief. Her face was like that of a sister that Cloud had never had. "Thank you",stated Cloud plainly. "No thank you for saving me back there",replied Jesse while she stared at her feet. "That's what friends do" said Cloud, "think nothing of it". Jesse giggled and walked off into the next train car. After a few moments of pondering Cloud did the same.
Once in the cart he sat down next to Barret and talked with him for a while. Barret talked about midgar and How evil Shinra was with there Mako machines, but after a few moments Cloud just sat there thinking about the things Barret had said to him in silence. After about 5 minutes the small train they were in came to a slow stop, and the team Avalanche got off . Once off the train Barret called them all over to him underneath a light pole of sector seven train station. ///////////////////////
"Alright" said Barret," lets go meet back at the bar". everyone headed off separate ways toward the bar in the sector 7 slums.
Sector 7 was one of the better looking slums in Midgar, but still wasn't a place that people would choose to live in. It was still dirty, but the trash that was deposited there was moved to sides of the sector and piled. It actually had a dirt road that ran through it.
The bar was at the far end of the tiny sector also called 7th heaven. The bar was nicer than most other buildings around. It was made of wood, that was a little on the old side, and had a wood porch on the front. It also had a sign on top that had 7th heaven bar written on it.
Cloud walked onto the street the bar was on just in time to see Barret kicking all of the customers out of the bar. When Cloud made it up to the wooden steps of the bar Barret told him to go inside while he was arguing with a few of the angry people he threw out.
The inside of the bar was nice and well kept. It had a few wood tables, and a wooden bar at the far end. On the other side of the bar was a cabinet full of different drinks. There was also a pinball machine on the far right.
When Cloud walked into the small well kept bar a little girl ran up to him and said, "papa". The girl realized it wasn't her papa and ran over to the corner blushing. A young female ran after her. " Its ok Marlene", said the young woman," its just Cloud". The young lady walked up to Cloud with Marlene fallowing close behind her and said in a warm welcoming tone " Welcome back Cloud" and threw her arms around him. " Hi Tifa", said Cloud, "miss me". "Yes" she said happily, " Cloud whose flowers are those"."Yalls" stated Cloud as he handed one to Marlene and one to Tifa. "They smell great", said Tifa smelling the golden flower that she now possessed in her hands.
Right after that Barret Wallace came barging through the old wood door. "Papa" yelped the little girl as she ran to great her dad. It was obvious to any one that saw the two of them that they were not related by blood. Barret is black, and huge, like 6'7", with a massive build, and Marlene on the other hand is milky white and very skinny. Barret gave his daughter a gentle hug and sat her down on his shoulder while yelling out his next order.
"Everyone downstairs now, we have a meetin",said Barret a little loud. Everyone got up and went down stairs through the elevator platform, which was disguised as the pinball machine. The only two people that stayed were Cloud and Tifa.
"Cloud", said Tifa in a loving voice, "Are you feeling well". "I'm fine" he answered softly. " "I was scared to death when yall left for this mission", admitted Tifa. "Tifa this wasn't even a tough mission", stated Cloud a little to coldly," We should probably go down for Barrets meeting", " Your right", replied Tifa, "lets go".
Cloud and Tifa climbed on the elevator platform together and went down. The basement floor was as big as the upstairs room but this one was made of concrete. There was a table, a TV, a computer, a few maps of the city, and a few supplies. It also had a metal bench lining the wall, there was a well worn punching bag on one wall for Barret. When the two people got down there Barret had just finished talking and was hitting his punching bag.
Cloud had just touched the concrete floor when he remembered he had to tell Barret something. Cloud walked over to Barret and said," Barret I am staying here tonight but I wont be going on the next mission with yall, I have a few things I need to find out. "Ok, fine with me", said Barret, "though we could really use the help.
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After a few moments Everyone left to go to sleep. Tifa went to her bedroom in the back of the bar and Cloud laid down on the metal bench this basement. A few minutes later after the Barret had left the bar with Marlene, Cloud heard the elevator come down.
"Cloud", said Tifa ,"are you still awake". "Ya Tif" answered Cloud in a groggy voice. Tifa went and sat beside where Cloud was laying. "This can't be comfortable" ,stated Tifa in a friendly tone, " why don't you come and lay with me"? At that Cloud sat up slowly on the cold hard bench and looked at Tifa," are you sure", he said. "Yes", she said. "The truth is I'm a little scared and shaken about tonight and want you there with me". "Ok", Cloud stated in a thankful voice.
Tifa Led Cloud up the elevator platform. Through the bar room, through the back room, and into a small bedroom which held pictures of the whole gang. To Cloud's astonishment there was even a picture of him when he was a child. In the corner of the room against the wall was a double wide bed with the sheet and covers pulled down. In the room was also a night stand by the bed, a hair brush was placed in the middle, and a glass of water was right beside it.
Tifa looked up at Cloud smiled and pulled him onto the soft bed with her. Cloud was in heaven. He had not slept in a bed in so long he had forgotten what it felt like. After Cloud finally got over at how comfortable the bed was he got ready to sleep. Cloud took off his shirt, shoes, socks, and pants slowly and quietly, while Tifa laid down in a big T-shirt on the bed. When Cloud had gotten done taking off his pants Tifa pulled him into the bed beside her, and after a while they both fell asleep dreaming.
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Cloud a woke in the middle of the night. He looked over and saw that Tifa was shaking uncontrollable, she was covered and sweat and had a very disturbed look on her face. Cloud was startled by this reaction in Tifa. She was having a nightmare.
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Tifa was looking around there was fire everywhere ,it looked as if everything had been engulfed in hell and was frying for the devils delight. Shrill screams filled the air around her, screams that she had heard before, screams she tried so hard to forget. She was back at Nibelheim, her hometown. all around lay bodies of fire and ash. She saw her house covered in dancing flames, flames of death. Tifa looked to the smaller house next door. "Cloud", Tifa screamed at the top of her voice.
She darted into the house. Smoke clouded her view she ran through the house and into a bedroom, she saw the body that lay before her covered in blood and burned in many places. "NO", Tifa yelled as she ran over to the body. Tifa curled up the young blond into her arms. The man was breathing, yet very lightly. "Cloud" she whispered to the man. "..........", there was no response. "CLOUD", she screamed, still nothing. She then bent over and ran her hand through Cloud's hair. "no" she said in a low voice. " uh... Tifa" whispered the young blond in response. "Cloud", Tifa whispered again. "Tifa..... goodbye" said Cloud in a low whisper. "NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO" screamed Tifa at the top of her voice.
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"Tifa wake up" said a worried voice. Tifa opened her eyes to the worried face of Cloud Strife. "Cloud", said Tifa while she wrapped him in tender hug. "It was just a dream", said Cloud in a soothing voice.
Tifa lay in Cloud's arms crying while Cloud held her close and stroked her beautiful brown hair. Cloud had loved Tifa for as long as he had known her, and that had been a very long time. He already knew what she had dreamed about, he had dreamt of many times before, but he had to ask. "Tifa what were you dreaming", said Cloud in a voice barley audible. " Cloud it was horrible Nibelheim was in flames and...and I lost you", she said in between sobs. "Tifa I'm right here there is nothing to be afraid of", said Cloud reassuringly. He couldn't help but think about that night to, the night his home town was burned to the ground by the Shinra, that was the day that he had been captured, but that was all over now and he didn't want to remember it.. " I know, I know" Tifa replied in a low whisper.
After that she fell asleep again in Clouds arms. Cloud didn't go back to sleep for along time that night, he was to unnerved. "I wish I knew if Zack and Seph are alright," he thought.
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Tifa awoke the next morning in the strong arms of Cloud. "Cloud", she thought," why can't it always be like this. Tifa tried to slowly slide her self out of Clouds arms, which is very hard to do to a trained solider. Cloud woke up from Tifa's movement. "mmmmmmm Tif", said the sleepy young solider. "sshh Cloud go back to sleep I am going to make breakfast" said Tifa in Cloud's ear.
Tifa got up and went into the bars kitchen. After a few moments you could hear the sounds of pots and pans.
Cloud reluctantly got out of bed a few minutes later as Tifa called him to breakfast. Cloud slipped on his pants and walked out of the room. Tifa was waiting with breakfast at one of the tables.
"mm smells good", said Cloud as he made his way to the table where Tifa was taking a seat. Cloud and Tifa started to eat breakfast.
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The Hooded figure walked through the gates of Midgar, and through the shadows of the slums around him. The soil he walked upon was barren and lifeless. Everywhere he looked was trash and scrap metal. The city under the great plate had become nothing more than a waste land. He could not forget his mission. He was almost there, he could feel her energy. She was so pure and innocent, he did not understand what she could do for the planet. However the planet had told him to protect this innocent girl at all costs.
The figure found what he was looking for, a church. The church was old and worn. There was a whole in the top of where light , actual sunlight was shining through. As he approached the broad doors he saw the girl. She was stunningly beautiful, she was the most perfect being he had ever seen before. Everything about her was amazing, the way she walked the way she stood, even the way she breathed. "She would be perfect for him", thought the figure. "This girl might actually be the one that opened him up and broke through his barriers. ""If only I can find him then everything would be right. He is in this city, I can feel him."
The young girl turned around it a startle to see who was at the door. "Could it be them" she thought. No it wasn't , it was a young man in a dark black hood and robe. The girls eyes stayed on him as she said," who are you?" . The man pulled down his hood. " I am Zack"
The girls eyes widened with Shock, this young man looked just like the other one she had seen today. Except this one had dark black hair, and dark black eyes instead. He even had a huge sword like the other one.