Resurfacing of Old
Chapter 5: Course of Action.
"...And that's what brings us here." Finished Stratus.
"So let me get this straight." Red paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Ranish have been reformed and are trying to kill of all potential threats, like me, you and Piper?"
"Yes." Vincent replied, looking directly at Red.
"And everyone else I suppose?"
"Most likely." Yuffie added.
"This is a problem then." Red paused again in deep thought. After a while he looked up again and spoke: "We must warn he others then."
"That's what we are doing." Piper mumbled from the far reaches of the room, concealed in the dark shadows.
"Right."
"My father is closest so I think we should go there first." Stratus said, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the room.
"Agreed."
----
As the Sun rose over the mountains at Costa Del Sol two great warriors stood at the front of their town, guarding it against the attacking force. Tifa Strife stood beside her husband, her fist clenched tightly at her side in anticipation and a small bead of sweat on her forehead. Cloud Strife was equally ready for the impending battle, his hands gripping the blade of his Ultimate Weapon before him, the blade glistening in the rising sun. With a roar the soldiers charged forward, firing of shots that did nothing but bounce of the barriers Tifa had placed around them. Cloud charged forward, sword swinging, cutting metal and bone to pieces as he rushed through the throng of soldiers. Tifa decided to stay back and use her magic abilities to pick apart the enemy, fire, ice and lightning striking the floor from above.
"Shit!" Cloud hissed as a bullet grazed his shoulder. I'm getting too old for this shit! And with an ear-piercing scream he swirled around, cutting up the soldiers around him. He continued on, trying his best to ignore the stinging pain in his shoulder. After a few minutes of constant swinging his muscles began to ache and his vision blared. His head began to throb as he fell to the ground, sweat pouring from his brow and dripping down his face in an almost constant stream until finally hitting the ground, leaving small black dots dotted around his hunched form.
"Cloud!" Tifa cried as she spotted her fallen husband.
What the hell? Cloud thought as his skull continued to try and bulge from his head. A normal bullet wound wouldn't do this! What in the name of Shiva is this? A poisoned bullet? That's no normal army tactic.
Tifa kicked wildly, rushing through the crowd of men and pounding them along the way. She reached his side and dropped to a knee, not even bothering to notice the circle of soldier now surrounding her and Cloud.
"Cloud?" she asked, shaking his already sweat drenched form. "Cloud what's wrong?" His eyes where glazed over and his jaw was clenched, grinding his teeth together. Before she could push any further she felt the barrel of a gun jab into her back, knocking her out of her protective state.
"Sorry it has to be this way miss." A man with an exceptionally cold voice droned out, making it very hard to believe him. "But the big man has his orders. All threats must be eliminated." She closed her eyes, awaiting the bullet that would end her life. However, when a loud shot rang through her ears and she didn't drop dead, she turned her head. A tall man with long blond hair blocked her vision, his uncovered torso giving her a view of his muscular back. At his side was a long barreled shotgun, a small stream of smoke drifting from the end.
Before she could say a word the rest of the army opened fire, their bullets deflected by a barrier that surrounded her and the blond hair gunslinger. With a quick wrist the man opened fire on the army, the wide spread bullets of his Shotgun taking out men in groups of four, until finally none remained.
"How are you Miss Strife?" the man said in a familiar voice. As the man turned her eye's opened wide with shock and joy.
"Lance!" she flung her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. "What did I tell you about calling me that. It's Tifa!"
"Okay, Okay." He smiled back at her as she stepped back. "Look's like I was just in time."
"Yeah." Suddenly she remembered the now still form of Cloud laying not two feet from her and quickly dashed to his side once again.
----
"So how is Cloud?" Barret asked, his injured leg now fully healed thanks to a Cure spell from Tifa. They all sat round the Strife household's living room, Lance, Luna and Barret on the couch, Tifa in the armchair with a happy looking Blain on her lap.
"We gave Cloud an Antidote and at the moment he's resting in bed, he'll be fine." Tifa informed, ruffling Blain's hair a little, making the boy groan in protest and pout.
"Great." Lance said. "Do you have any idea why these soldiers are attacking us Tifa?"
"Well before you killed that soldier he said something about eliminating threats." Tifa mused. "And they looked awfully like Ranish soldiers to me."
"Yeah I thought that too." Barret said from his spot on the couch.
"That's because they where." A voice called. Tifa, and the rest turned their attention to the doorway to see Piper Jardel standing there, Oblivion in hand.
"Piper?" Tifa asked after a moment's silence.
"Yes it's him." Stratus said, pushing past said man and entering the room, followed by Yuffie, Gale, Hurrii, Vincent, Red, Shika and their kids.
"Stratus!" Tifa beamed, jumping to her feet and embracing her son.
"Erm. Mum. Can you. Let go. Can't breathe." He somehow managed to splutter out. Tifa quickly released him.
"Alright mister Explain." She demanded.
"Allow me." Red said, taking his spot by the fire.
Hours later, and after an interruption by Cid, Rain, Shera and Sara the group have finally filled each other in on the situation. They all sit in silence, trying to make sense out of the new information. Finally:
"So that's it then." Cid mumbled. "We are once again thrust into a fuckin' war!"
"Cid language!" Shera shouted. "We have children present."
"Well damn Shera I can't help it!" Cid argued.
"It's okay." Hurrii said. "My dad is always slipping up."
"Be quiet Hurrii." Gale shushed.
"Well I was just saying." Hurrii said with a slight 'humph' afterwards.
"Well I think it's time we take a break and cool down." Lance said, standing and heading for the door.
"Agreed." Stratus said, joining his old friend.
----
Lance sat on a nearby bench, outside the Strife household, gazing up at the bright sky.
"So how've you been Firecracker?" Stratus said, sitting next to him. Lance gave a slight chuckle at the nickname before answering:
"Not too bad. You?"
"Apart from recently, great." Stratus let out a sigh. "Can't we live our lives in peace? It's hard enough work dealing with Gale and Hurrii, and now I have to take care of Ranish again."
"Thing's not good at home?" Lance asked.
"No it's not that." Stratus paused. "Its just Gale's always on about keeping things clean and being all goody in front of Hurrii. It's like I have no freedom."
"Right." Lance laughed. "Luna's the same way with Blain."
"Women."
"Yeah. Women."
----
Piper once again stands at the top of a nearby hill, leaning against a tree and gazing out at the horizon. Why did this have to happen? He thought. Why couldn't I just live my life in peace? Not knowing the real monster I am. Why do I have to fight? He stepped away from the tree and with one angered swing tore it in two.
"Why didn't I die?" he whispered.
----
A low, drawn out groan filled the silent void of Cloud and Tifa Strife's bedroom, followed by the ruffling of sheets.
"Good Evening." Tifa smiled at her husband, as he held a hand over his face and let out another groan.
"What happened?" he asked. "What time is it? What's going on?"
"Well," Tifa began. "You got poisoned. It's around seven thirty and we are once again forced to deal with Ranish."
"Ahh Fuck." And with that he flopped back down on the bed and let out another groan.
----
Back in the living room the group reconvened, ready to decide their course of Action.
"The whole of Rocket City is filled with former Ranish Soldiers and employee's and it seems they have decided to reform. Possible under new leadership." Cid informed the group.
"They say a mysterious man arrived not long ago and confined himself in Rocket Tower." Rain added.
"So it's safe to assume this man is behind it all?" Red asked.
"I'd say so." Rain confirmed.
"Can we get to the matter at hand here?" Piper almost barked. "Ranish is back. I don't care who is running it. All I care about is stopping it."
"Okay, okay!" Cloud motioned for all to stop and listen. "I think the best bet is to attack Rocket City before it's too late. Take the enemy by surprise."
"I agree." Stratus said. "Piper?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Then that's settled. We set of tomorrow morning. I expect everyone ready by then. Got it?" Cloud asked.
"One problem." Cid said. "We will have to walk there. The Highwind was badly damaged on our escape and won't be able to fly for some time."
"Then we will have to walk. So pack light and remember to take camp supplies."
----
Later that night, on the floor of the Strife living room, a huge mattress has been laid down on the floor, blankets and pillows littering the area. Hurrii Strife sat in the center, fumbling with her pajama top, when a quiet flushing sound is heard, followed by a small scuffling sound. Moments later Blain steps into the room, wearing an extremely long and girly set of pajamas. Hurrii stifles a laugh as he sits next to her, looking extremely embarrassed.
"Dress like a girl often?" She asked, trying hard not to laugh.
"S-Shut up!" Blain protested in a stutter, obviously nervous and even more embarrassed at the girls teasing. "Miss Tifa said this was the only thing they had that would fit me."
"Well it doesn't even do that." Hurrii smirked. "It's way too big."
"Your is too!" Blain argued.
All he got in response was a stuck out tongue and a 'humph' as the girl turned her back to him and laid her head on a nearby pillow, pulling a blanket around her in the process. Blain looked at her for a moment before finding his own pillow and lying down as well.
After a long silence:
"W-Why does your d-daddy call mine Firecracker?" Blain asked.
"Cos' your dad gets nasty easy." Hurrii replied.
"No he doesn't!" Blain protested.
"My daddy said so."
"Your daddy's the nasty one."
----
Lance sat on the end of the hotel bed, wearing nothing but his boxers as Luna slept with her back turned from him. He sighed and turned to face her, placing a hand on her bare shoulder.
"I'm sorry." Lance said quietly. "I just get like that when I'm fighting."
"It's okay." She whispered back. "I've just never seen you fight before. It was kind of scary."
"Sorry." He said once again.
"Just get in bed." Luna turned and patted to the space next to her.
With out a word he slipped under the covers and kissed her on the lips lightly before resting his head on the pillow. She smiled intern and laid her head on is chest as they both drifted of to sleep.
----
Chapter 5: Course of Action.
"...And that's what brings us here." Finished Stratus.
"So let me get this straight." Red paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Ranish have been reformed and are trying to kill of all potential threats, like me, you and Piper?"
"Yes." Vincent replied, looking directly at Red.
"And everyone else I suppose?"
"Most likely." Yuffie added.
"This is a problem then." Red paused again in deep thought. After a while he looked up again and spoke: "We must warn he others then."
"That's what we are doing." Piper mumbled from the far reaches of the room, concealed in the dark shadows.
"Right."
"My father is closest so I think we should go there first." Stratus said, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the room.
"Agreed."
----
As the Sun rose over the mountains at Costa Del Sol two great warriors stood at the front of their town, guarding it against the attacking force. Tifa Strife stood beside her husband, her fist clenched tightly at her side in anticipation and a small bead of sweat on her forehead. Cloud Strife was equally ready for the impending battle, his hands gripping the blade of his Ultimate Weapon before him, the blade glistening in the rising sun. With a roar the soldiers charged forward, firing of shots that did nothing but bounce of the barriers Tifa had placed around them. Cloud charged forward, sword swinging, cutting metal and bone to pieces as he rushed through the throng of soldiers. Tifa decided to stay back and use her magic abilities to pick apart the enemy, fire, ice and lightning striking the floor from above.
"Shit!" Cloud hissed as a bullet grazed his shoulder. I'm getting too old for this shit! And with an ear-piercing scream he swirled around, cutting up the soldiers around him. He continued on, trying his best to ignore the stinging pain in his shoulder. After a few minutes of constant swinging his muscles began to ache and his vision blared. His head began to throb as he fell to the ground, sweat pouring from his brow and dripping down his face in an almost constant stream until finally hitting the ground, leaving small black dots dotted around his hunched form.
"Cloud!" Tifa cried as she spotted her fallen husband.
What the hell? Cloud thought as his skull continued to try and bulge from his head. A normal bullet wound wouldn't do this! What in the name of Shiva is this? A poisoned bullet? That's no normal army tactic.
Tifa kicked wildly, rushing through the crowd of men and pounding them along the way. She reached his side and dropped to a knee, not even bothering to notice the circle of soldier now surrounding her and Cloud.
"Cloud?" she asked, shaking his already sweat drenched form. "Cloud what's wrong?" His eyes where glazed over and his jaw was clenched, grinding his teeth together. Before she could push any further she felt the barrel of a gun jab into her back, knocking her out of her protective state.
"Sorry it has to be this way miss." A man with an exceptionally cold voice droned out, making it very hard to believe him. "But the big man has his orders. All threats must be eliminated." She closed her eyes, awaiting the bullet that would end her life. However, when a loud shot rang through her ears and she didn't drop dead, she turned her head. A tall man with long blond hair blocked her vision, his uncovered torso giving her a view of his muscular back. At his side was a long barreled shotgun, a small stream of smoke drifting from the end.
Before she could say a word the rest of the army opened fire, their bullets deflected by a barrier that surrounded her and the blond hair gunslinger. With a quick wrist the man opened fire on the army, the wide spread bullets of his Shotgun taking out men in groups of four, until finally none remained.
"How are you Miss Strife?" the man said in a familiar voice. As the man turned her eye's opened wide with shock and joy.
"Lance!" she flung her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. "What did I tell you about calling me that. It's Tifa!"
"Okay, Okay." He smiled back at her as she stepped back. "Look's like I was just in time."
"Yeah." Suddenly she remembered the now still form of Cloud laying not two feet from her and quickly dashed to his side once again.
----
"So how is Cloud?" Barret asked, his injured leg now fully healed thanks to a Cure spell from Tifa. They all sat round the Strife household's living room, Lance, Luna and Barret on the couch, Tifa in the armchair with a happy looking Blain on her lap.
"We gave Cloud an Antidote and at the moment he's resting in bed, he'll be fine." Tifa informed, ruffling Blain's hair a little, making the boy groan in protest and pout.
"Great." Lance said. "Do you have any idea why these soldiers are attacking us Tifa?"
"Well before you killed that soldier he said something about eliminating threats." Tifa mused. "And they looked awfully like Ranish soldiers to me."
"Yeah I thought that too." Barret said from his spot on the couch.
"That's because they where." A voice called. Tifa, and the rest turned their attention to the doorway to see Piper Jardel standing there, Oblivion in hand.
"Piper?" Tifa asked after a moment's silence.
"Yes it's him." Stratus said, pushing past said man and entering the room, followed by Yuffie, Gale, Hurrii, Vincent, Red, Shika and their kids.
"Stratus!" Tifa beamed, jumping to her feet and embracing her son.
"Erm. Mum. Can you. Let go. Can't breathe." He somehow managed to splutter out. Tifa quickly released him.
"Alright mister Explain." She demanded.
"Allow me." Red said, taking his spot by the fire.
Hours later, and after an interruption by Cid, Rain, Shera and Sara the group have finally filled each other in on the situation. They all sit in silence, trying to make sense out of the new information. Finally:
"So that's it then." Cid mumbled. "We are once again thrust into a fuckin' war!"
"Cid language!" Shera shouted. "We have children present."
"Well damn Shera I can't help it!" Cid argued.
"It's okay." Hurrii said. "My dad is always slipping up."
"Be quiet Hurrii." Gale shushed.
"Well I was just saying." Hurrii said with a slight 'humph' afterwards.
"Well I think it's time we take a break and cool down." Lance said, standing and heading for the door.
"Agreed." Stratus said, joining his old friend.
----
Lance sat on a nearby bench, outside the Strife household, gazing up at the bright sky.
"So how've you been Firecracker?" Stratus said, sitting next to him. Lance gave a slight chuckle at the nickname before answering:
"Not too bad. You?"
"Apart from recently, great." Stratus let out a sigh. "Can't we live our lives in peace? It's hard enough work dealing with Gale and Hurrii, and now I have to take care of Ranish again."
"Thing's not good at home?" Lance asked.
"No it's not that." Stratus paused. "Its just Gale's always on about keeping things clean and being all goody in front of Hurrii. It's like I have no freedom."
"Right." Lance laughed. "Luna's the same way with Blain."
"Women."
"Yeah. Women."
----
Piper once again stands at the top of a nearby hill, leaning against a tree and gazing out at the horizon. Why did this have to happen? He thought. Why couldn't I just live my life in peace? Not knowing the real monster I am. Why do I have to fight? He stepped away from the tree and with one angered swing tore it in two.
"Why didn't I die?" he whispered.
----
A low, drawn out groan filled the silent void of Cloud and Tifa Strife's bedroom, followed by the ruffling of sheets.
"Good Evening." Tifa smiled at her husband, as he held a hand over his face and let out another groan.
"What happened?" he asked. "What time is it? What's going on?"
"Well," Tifa began. "You got poisoned. It's around seven thirty and we are once again forced to deal with Ranish."
"Ahh Fuck." And with that he flopped back down on the bed and let out another groan.
----
Back in the living room the group reconvened, ready to decide their course of Action.
"The whole of Rocket City is filled with former Ranish Soldiers and employee's and it seems they have decided to reform. Possible under new leadership." Cid informed the group.
"They say a mysterious man arrived not long ago and confined himself in Rocket Tower." Rain added.
"So it's safe to assume this man is behind it all?" Red asked.
"I'd say so." Rain confirmed.
"Can we get to the matter at hand here?" Piper almost barked. "Ranish is back. I don't care who is running it. All I care about is stopping it."
"Okay, okay!" Cloud motioned for all to stop and listen. "I think the best bet is to attack Rocket City before it's too late. Take the enemy by surprise."
"I agree." Stratus said. "Piper?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Then that's settled. We set of tomorrow morning. I expect everyone ready by then. Got it?" Cloud asked.
"One problem." Cid said. "We will have to walk there. The Highwind was badly damaged on our escape and won't be able to fly for some time."
"Then we will have to walk. So pack light and remember to take camp supplies."
----
Later that night, on the floor of the Strife living room, a huge mattress has been laid down on the floor, blankets and pillows littering the area. Hurrii Strife sat in the center, fumbling with her pajama top, when a quiet flushing sound is heard, followed by a small scuffling sound. Moments later Blain steps into the room, wearing an extremely long and girly set of pajamas. Hurrii stifles a laugh as he sits next to her, looking extremely embarrassed.
"Dress like a girl often?" She asked, trying hard not to laugh.
"S-Shut up!" Blain protested in a stutter, obviously nervous and even more embarrassed at the girls teasing. "Miss Tifa said this was the only thing they had that would fit me."
"Well it doesn't even do that." Hurrii smirked. "It's way too big."
"Your is too!" Blain argued.
All he got in response was a stuck out tongue and a 'humph' as the girl turned her back to him and laid her head on a nearby pillow, pulling a blanket around her in the process. Blain looked at her for a moment before finding his own pillow and lying down as well.
After a long silence:
"W-Why does your d-daddy call mine Firecracker?" Blain asked.
"Cos' your dad gets nasty easy." Hurrii replied.
"No he doesn't!" Blain protested.
"My daddy said so."
"Your daddy's the nasty one."
----
Lance sat on the end of the hotel bed, wearing nothing but his boxers as Luna slept with her back turned from him. He sighed and turned to face her, placing a hand on her bare shoulder.
"I'm sorry." Lance said quietly. "I just get like that when I'm fighting."
"It's okay." She whispered back. "I've just never seen you fight before. It was kind of scary."
"Sorry." He said once again.
"Just get in bed." Luna turned and patted to the space next to her.
With out a word he slipped under the covers and kissed her on the lips lightly before resting his head on the pillow. She smiled intern and laid her head on is chest as they both drifted of to sleep.
----