Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Cid, and Yuffie all sat around the fire of Cosmo Canyon waiting for their wolf-like friend, Red XIII. Cloud, quiet as usual, while the others talked to each other back and forth.
"I wondered this new Pres. of Shinra is up to?" Barret said to Tifa.
"Who knows? Maybe he wants to do good..."
"By starting up the Mako Reactors again? Tifa, you know better than that...."
"I know...but there's always a chance."
Mean while Cid and Yuffie sat talking, or rather trying to talk.
"So, uhh, how's Wutai doin'?"
"Why you ask?"
"Jus' trying to make conversation."
"Well...why talk about Wutai? Why don't we talk about Materia. That's always a good thing to talk about."
"It is?"
And so it continued on like that until Red XIII appeared walking down the steps towards the bon fire. When he reached the fire, everyone's conversations ceased as he walked over and sat beside Cloud. Opening his eyes, Cloud turned to look at the wolf-like creature.
"So, why did you all come?" Red XIII asked looking around the circle.
"Ya mean you haven't heard?" answered Barret
"Heard what?"
"Shinra's revived..." Cloud cut in, "and we need to see if you're willing to fight."
"If it comes to that, but who's to say what the Shinra will do." Red XIII said looking at the ground.
"So that's a yes, right, Red XIII?" asked Tifa.
"Yes, I will help."
"Good...now, we need to go get Vincent and Cait Sith."
"I don't so no need ta get that damn Cat..."
"Barret, if Shinra's revived then he's probably been made an executive. He could be useful for insight...." Tifa answered.
"Psst...says you...I still think he's no good for anything. He'll probably just betray us."
"Who know's what'll happen Barret...but we'll deal with that when the time comes." said Cloud. "Now, let's go and get Vincent."
The group disembarked from the airship and went into the small cave Vincent and Lucrecia had dubbed their home. Cloud took the lead and stopped when he came upon Vincent who stood with his arms crossed.
"What do you want?" he asked "If it's about the revival of Shinra, then I want no part in it."
"Why not? You'd be a great asset in a fight against them...." responded Cloud.
"They've done nothing for us to jump to conclusions on. I will not fight a meaningless battle."
"I understand that...and we're not saying let's charge in accusing them of something they might not have done. What we are saying is that if we watch them closely and if we see they are pulling shady stuff again, we do something about it. So what do you say?"
Cloud and the other's watched hopefully for a change in the man's face and stance, but saw none after about a minute as Vincent turned his back to them.
"My answer is still no. Now, please leave."
"WHY NOT!" Tifa yelled at him. "Look what the Shinra did to you...yet you still refuse to fight. Why?"
"Because...I don't want to risk losing the life I have now." he answered.
"Neither do we..." Barret said stepping up. "I still have to look after Marlene. I'm always worried about her and don't want anything bad to happen to her, so I fight."
"Why?" Vincent said coldly.
"Because...If I don't then the Shinra might take her away from me...just like the did my wife...just like they did Dyne and his...I don't wanna see that again, so I fight."
"Even if it means your life?"
"We'll do whatever it takes, Vincent. You should know that." Cloud said turning away. "Me and Tifa...We lost our home because of what they did to Sephiroth...I lost my identity because of Hojo and his sick scheme. I will not see Shinra hire another maniac to do what he did to me and harm anyone else. That is why I fight...and I'll give my life if it means Shinra falls."
A woman walked up beside Vincent and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Vincent...you've seen why they fight. I know how they feel, as should you." the woman said to him. "They took my child away from me...they turned you into a monster."
"Lucrecia's right, Vincent. Will you allow what happened to us, happen to others?" Cloud asked slowly.
"I think you should fight, Vincent, however, I shall not force you. It is your choice, but if you care for me, then you'll fight. Protect others in this world, don't allow them to become monsters who fell prey to the Shinra."
Vincent nodded and turned to the group of six.
"Very well...I shall join you. I understand why you fight, and I will join that cause."
The other's smiled, as Cloud smirked.
"Good to know you want to help, Vincent." Cloud said pushing past the group and making his way outside. "We need to go get Cait Sith from Gold Saucer...Let's go."
With that said the group of seven now boarded the airship and set off towards the Gold Saucer to pick up the last of their team.
