"Cant call it stupidity."
"Cant call it brilliance either."
"Well then, what would you call it?"
"Dumb luck"
"Babe, you spoil my good mood."
"Pleasure to make you miserable Rif."
"I cant say if I hate you or love you more by the day."
"Love me and I will kill you in your sleep. Hate me and I'll just kill you."
"...Sometimes I wonder about your sanity darling."
"Doesn't everyone?"
"True."
"Rhetorical question "Darling""
"Knew you loved me."
"Ugh. Just shoot the man to be sure he's dead. No, wait. You toppled over half the house. Give me the gun. I'll shoot him."
"Don't think I'd be able to handle it?"
"Nope, I think you'd miss the man bellow you, and shoot the woman behind you."
People scattered like rain drops on rocks. Screams of children and women burst through the air. Men scrambled to collect their frightened wives and the wives their terrified children. If the streets had been busy and crowded before, it was surly more chaotic now.
Black stumbled into Rif as a woman shoved past her, screaming and covering her head. Rif laughed at the sight. Chaos. How lovely it was when you were the wiser of the fools running away.
She walked past her friend, slightly taller then her, and went to the fallen man. Smirking, watching as people pushed into homes and buildings and businesses, Blade reached down and turned him over.
"Dead?"
"Of course, with your aim. Now for-"
"You there, what the hell is going on?" a voice asked. Blade smiled, her eyes still on the lifeless form of Galleon. The voice was familiar to her, stirring chilled memories and thoughts from some time ago.
"He slipped and fell it seems. Dead before he even hit the ground. Of course, the fall didn't kill him. He had some help with that." She looked up, chocolate eyes bright as she met the brilliant blue ones of a man.
His blond hair was held up into long spikes, bangs fell perfectly on his face. He was shorter then she was, and always had been. 5' 8" at the tallest, though she assumed he was a bit smaller then that. She wondered how he'd manage against two people of 6 feet. If he still fought as she remembered, he wouldn't last long.
Of course, Cloud Strife had been the one to rid the world of Sephiroth. It wasn't an easy task, for she had fought some just as skilled. She had never beaten them.
But she had one thing she could fight with, if not a sword or gun, or any other weapon fit for destruction. Words. Memories. Tender memories of the past. She's toy with his head if she had to. She hoped it wouldn't come to that. She didn't want to awaken memories.
The chaos that had consumed this once Hell of a place had died down. For those moments, it had truly been "Midgar" again. The Midgar she had know.
'No it hadn't. Deaths in the slums were normal. No one would run from a sudden burst of gunfire.'
Cloud glanced at her and hurried over, his step quick. His deep purple, almost a midnight sky black, suit pulled about his frame as the wind swept the city. Kneeling down next to the man, he examined the wounds on his body. She was waiting for him to realize who it was. She wanted Cloud to see the face and have it dawn on him who it was.
"This isn't an ordinary…"His voice trailed off and his head shot up to look at Blade.
"Wound? Oh, of course not." She said, still smiling. Clouds eyes looked over to his right slowly, where Rif stood. The man waited contently, silently, tapping his gun on his leg. "Bullets composed of frozen mako energy. Materia I guess you could say. Shaped and molded into bullets."
"Why did you kill him?" Cloud said looking past her at her Rif. Suddenly it hit him. "You! Who the hell are you." Rif's disguise could not hide his true self from Cloud. He had been to close to Sephiroth and his clones to miss that. Suddenly Cloud got up and stepped back a few paces. Rif just laughed.
Blade stood up backing towards her friend. "Frightened the past has comeback to haunt you, Strife?" She taunted. She knew she could not fight him yet. She hoped he would piss Rif off and she wouldn't have to.
Cloud stood hand instinctively rising and gripping the hilt of Faith. But his hand stayed there. He did not remove his sword yet. Stepping in to a balanced position he was ready for an surprise attacks.
"Why did you kill him? Who the hell are you? And how do you know my name?" Cloud readied himself for the reply.
"Yes. Frightened." Blade said, watching him. "Always were a small, timid child. You ran from home and came to what was possibly a great city. Brave of you, leaving your mother so young. You were never brave. Fear led you into the hands of strangers."
Cloud frowned, watching her still. "What are you talking about?"
"I guess you do deserve something, after all you're the reason this planet stands. What will your reward be…" She frowned, eyes on the ground. "Oh. I think I have it."
As if on queue, though never once rehearsing, Rif lifted the gun to point it at Cloud.
"Want to see your mother again? How about those people in sector 7, when the plate fell? How about Fox? She's the only reason you were left around." Blade asked, looking up at Cloud again. "Ignorant girl loved you. No idea why."
Cloud felt his knees almost buckle at the mention of her name. Thoughts started racing through his mind. Ivy knew this would happen. She wanted him to know it was her. And Rif was itching to fire. Everything dawn on him at once.
"No, you can't be! Ivy, what the hell is going on? Why are you with this clone. And why the hell is he pointing a gun at me." Cloud looked over at the Rif and continued. "Which by the way is not a very good idea." Cloud watched there every move looking for a sign.
"Rif? Rif isn't so much a clone as you think. We're being paid to bop you off kid. I cant just let people down, can I?"
Cloud never expected this. Immediately he drew Faith and held it out in front of him. Anger welling up inside he spoke. "You can to kill me. After all those years, you came to kill me. Ivy I am not the boy you used to know. You aren't seriously going to go through with this are you?"
Cloud looked at Rif, and could see scared kids scattering in the background. Rif grinned and shook his gun, as if to remind him that it was pointed at him still.
"Of course I am." Blade said. Suddenly she was drawing her blade and was racing at him. She never meant to hit him, just catch him off guard.
It didn't work. Glory and Faith collided, Blade bearing down on the younger man. "Though, part of me wants to end all this quickly, the other part wants me to walk away."
"Then walk away!" Cloud he suggested, shoving her off. "But I'll follow. You wont get far."
"You'd like to think that." She said, stumbling back. She regained her balance quickly, just in time to duck an incoming blow from Clouds blade. She realized suddenly it wasn't the Buster Sword. Something tugged at her heart. Had he abandoned her blade?
It only fed a fire in her though. She rolled away from the blond and climbed to her feet face. She turned back to Cloud, now standing between Rif and herself. The clone looked amused, but she knew he was silently hoping the opposite of her. He wanted Blade to deal with the blond herself.
Cloud spun, Faith's tip coming awful close to Blades stomach. The woman leapt back, narrowly missing the chance to have her insides worn on her boots.
"Careful Strife. Don't want Rif to fill your pretty face all full of holes now, do you?" She asked, falling back into her usual stance, watching him with cold eyes.
"There's more than just money in this for you. There has to be." Cloud said, watching her again.
"Why does there have to be?" She asked him, never once relaxing.
"You wouldn't do this for money."
"Ivy wouldn't, would she?" Blade asked, lunging at him again.
He blocked her first attack, aimed to turn him into a new sheath for Glory. Quickly she brought the sword up and slammed down a second, and a third. Everyone one he blocked easily. The last one he parried sending her off balance. This time he didn't let her get to far. He ran at her, as she was struggling to regain her flow of movements. He stepped forward bringing his sword down on her. The tip of Faith landed a cut on her arm. Her jacket would have protected her from such a blow, for it was a shallow wound because of her dodge. She had abounded the destroyed cover on the climb up the ladder. No more protection.
As she felt her blood trickle down her arm, she heard Rif suddenly spring into action. Cloud had managed to get her between Rif and Himself. Rif wouldn't risk a bullet to her head by aiming at Cloud. If she moved one way, or he dodged, they would both be sorry.
She felt her body suddenly be yanked from the way of Cloud, and Rif's own form rush to take her place. She managed to re-gain her footing quicker than the last time, but not quick enough to grab Rif.
Blade safely behind him Rif let out one solitary round aimed straight at Cloud. Instinctively Cloud brought Faith down in front of him. The blade connected with the bullet. The materia split sending a half of it past each side of Cloud. One half ricocheted of a near by lamppost. The other made a rather large hole in the wall behind Cloud.
Rif tossing the gun to his left hand continuing toward Cloud lashed out with his right fist. His bladed glove may have connected, if Cloud had not spun round Rif's left side and bringing faith down towards Rif's back. But Rif continued one more step narrowly avoiding Clouds blow.
Rif turned with the intention of letting off another round at Cloud. But he had other ideas. Cloud rushed forward Using the flat of his blade to push Rif's gun off aim to his left side. Immediately bringing up his right elbow connecting with Rif's jaw.
Rif stumbled back a few paces and stopped. Wiping the blood from his mouth with his right thumb he spoke.
"Not to shabby."
He looked past Cloud to see Blade standing watching them fight. He smiled at her in his usual way and launched his next attack. He ran forward letting off a series of shots and then jumping at Cloud. The first of these shots missed completely, carrying themselves in Blades direction. The last however hit Cloud on the left shoulder. The materia bullet ruptured in his shoulder, sending blood in a cloud from the wound. Cloud stumbled back.
Rif collided with cloud knocking them both to the ground. Blade held her for a few seconds at the surprising act. Rif was pissed, and Cloud was about to find out just how badly. Pinning Cloud to the ground he sat up, raising the gun and placing it against Clouds head.
"It's over." Rif laughed. "And Blade said you where tuff." Rif drew him a cold look.
"Then she has something you don't, Rif" He snapped.
"And what would that be?" Rif mocked, sure of his victory.
"The right idea!" Immediately Cloud twisted avoiding the aim of the gun, and brought his knee up hitting Rif hard in the back. Rolling over Cloud ended up on top of Rif. Raising his right fist, holding Rif down with his left. He slammed it into the clones face.
Blade, glory in hand, rushed to aid her friend. Reaching Cloud she kicked him hard on the left shoulder sending him off Rif. Pained flooded through his body, his wounded shoulder tighten at the blow and cause him serious pain.
Rif stood up placing a hand on Blades shoulder.
"Thanks doll"
"Enough of the pet names. Or I'll kill you never mind him."
Cloud surveyed the area. He noticed a car sitting nearby. Rif took aim once more aiming for Clouds head. An instant kill, he was sick of this fight. Blade raised glory ready to help if she needed to. Rif pulled the trigger. As he did Cloud rolled top his left, pushing himself to his feet and diving towards the car.
Rif's bullet missed once more. Clouded landed with a thud behind the car, he pressed him self up against it and closed his eyes.
"Rif damn you, you missed again!" Blade shouted shoving her friend. She walked slowly over towards the car. Watching every second. Rif started letting off rounds at the car. Stopping Clouds escape. Cloud sat behind the car eyes closed. He raised his right hand over his wound. Small drops of light leapt from his hand to his wound. It suddenly started to glow his shoulder heated up and then cooled after a few seconds.
His arm was completely healed thanks to his magic, full cure. Cloud picked up Faith once more, bullets penetrating the car but still whizzing past him to the wall in front. He watched as the bullets exploded. Blade walked up close to the car. Rif stopped firing for risk of hitting her.
She stepped round the front of the car bringing Glory down hard. Cloud was rising to meet the blow, Faith over powering Glory sending it upwards leaving her body open to attack and off balance. Cloud stepped forward placing his leg behind hers and bringing his forearm across her neck sending her hard top the ground.
Right away Rif seized the chance to open fire. Advancing forward he let off several shots at cloud. Cloud now stood left hand pointed towards Rif eyes closed. Each bullet meant for Cloud, strayed of course immediately following a light purple flash. Clouds reflect seemed to be working. How ever this would only work on Rif's mako bullets, not his bladed glove.
Rif discarding his gun he continued to advance. Blade struggled to her feet on the opposite side of him.
"Rif, I suggest you stop before I am forced to hurt you."
"Touch him and I'll gut you, Strife" Blade replied.
"I'm touched darling but I can look after my self." Rif added.
Cloud started to move outward, bringing both of them into view at once. He concentrated on his magic once more. This time it was slow. It was not very effective, but made enough of a difference to make fighting both of them a little easier.
Blade watching Cloud raised Faith once more. Rif a few paces to her left took up a kick boxing stance. The three where locked in a deadly triangle. If any one had the courage to stay and watch, the tension would crumble them now.
"Last chance Ivy."
"Don't call me that kid."
"Give up Ivy"
"Didn't you hear her right Strife…"Rif was cut off by Clouds sudden movement,
Cloud dashed forward swinging Faith to his left aiming for Blade. She stepped back bringing Glory to her defense. Cloud was between Rif and her, but facing past both Faith outstretched to his left. Rif kicked out aiming for Clouds stomach. At the same time Blade brought Glory. Cloud raised Faith with his left hand blocking Blades blow, and used his right arm to push off Rif's kick.
Rising Cloud spun, lashing out at Rif this time with faith. Rif jumped back his top having a gash made where Faith caught the material but not his skin. Cloud continued his spin bringing his right hand to aid in his swing at Blade. Glory blocked the strike aimed at Blades legs. Pushing off Clouds sword she attempted to counter with a downward strike.
Rif launched himself forward drawing his dagger with his left hand. He lashed out madly at Cloud with both weapons. Cloud dodged these hits completely and blocked the attack from Blade. This was possible thanks to the small amount they where slowed down by his magic. Small amount, but effective. Cloud turned blocking Rif's downward slash with Faith. Pushing Rif back wards he spun, bringing Faith down to block the low swing of Glory.
Immediately he brought Faith back up in an attempt to slash Blades shoulder. This attack was blocked by her, but barley. Turning 180 degrees cloud swung Faith around his head bringing the blade across his body, an attack meant not to harm Rif but to keep him at bay.
With out turning to face her, Cloud turned Faith around in his hand and stepped back wards stabbing at Blade with his back to her. She stepped in to the attack, swinging at his sword with rage, knocking it out to the side. She poured her anger straight into another downward slash. Cloud brought Faith up above his head, pointing down his back, blocking the attack.
Pushing it up and stepping forward he knocked Blade off balance and stepped forward swing Faith straight down towards Rif. The blow hit across Rif's body, not too deep, but enough to send him to the ground in pain.
Blade, off balance, stumbled back wards and fell to the ground dropping Glory. Cloud spun round stepping towards her.
"I gave you your chance Ivy." He spoke coldly. He raised Faith above his head and looked her in the eyes. Blade, almost smiling closed her eyes in anticipation. Rif, almost un conscious, saw this. With the last of his waking strength he tossed his dagger with his left hand. The dagger sunk in to Clouds left shoulder just as he brought down Faith. Sending him stumbling onto one knee faith by his side. Rif fell unconscious and lay face up to the sky.
Cloud heard his PHS beep. Suddenly he was aware why he was walking in the streets in the first place.
He dropped Faith and pulled out the dagger in his shoulder. He threw it as far away from Blade as he could. Taking Faith in his left hand he spoke. Struggling to rise to his feet.
"Well Ivy Sky. It appears I have more important business to attend to. This is not over. But you'll live. For now." With that he closed his eyes, using the last of his concentration to focus on the outskirts of Midgar. Casting Exit on himself he faded out.
Blade lay there looking up and the sky. Breathing heavily and almost crying. But alive.
Note!: Much, Much, Much, Much, Much deserved credit( as always). You wouldn't even have the italics in this chapter if not for Riene-Strife, not to mention the battle. Begging you to go and read his stuff. If you people don't soon, I'll just start randomly e-mailing you and tell you to( yes, I will. Yes. A threat.) Amazing, amazing writer and it would be well worth your time to read his stuff. Ah, and thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you :: continues on and on and on ::