Chapter 7
The falcon appeared in a large grassy field, about 5 feet above ground. It hit the ground with a crash and basically fell into 1000 pieces. The group jumped off the wreckage and landed softly on the ground. The spell had taken a lot out of Terra. She had returned to her human form and was unconscious.
"What just happened?" Sabin asked, looking around. "Where'd the storm go? And furthermore, where are we?" They heard Setzer moan, and a worried look crossed his face as he looked form Setzer to the airship.
"This could be bad…" Mog said as he saw Setzer open his eyes. Setzer sat up and looked at the group.
"What happened? Why do you guys look so sad?" He remembered little from the storm then realized they were looking behind him. "Tell me the Falcon is okay. It's okay isn't it Sabin? Shadow? Anybody?" He slowly turned around and went pale.
Trying to lighten the mood a bit, Sabin looked at Mog and said, "Hey Mog, he's as white as you." No one even heard the crack. Setzer was suddenly wracked by deep sobs as he looked at what remained of Daryl's airship. He had lost the last thing he had left from his friend.
"Not to seem insensitive, but the sky is growing dark. We should find some shelter for the night. No telling where we are and what's about. Transportation would be nice too." Shadow mentioned, looking at the group. Sabin nodded, and lifted Terra into his arms.
"Setzer? Mog? Come on. We've gotta get going." Sabin said, looking at the still form in his arms. Mog responded first with a soft "kupo…"
"We can't just leave her here. He gotta do something." Setzer said looking at the Falcon.
"There's nothing we can do here Setzer." Sabin said. "Let's see if we can find a town. Maybe then we can find enough supplies and money to repair it." Setzer looked up at him and nodded. He got up and went over to the group.
"I'll be back for you my friend." He said looking at the Falcon. They started walking what they guessed to be west. For the most part they walked on in silence. There was actually little to talk about. Terra occasionally muttered words, but they were usually too quiet for anyone to understand what she was saying.
"Hey shadow, do you feel it?" Sabin whispered. Shadow nodded.
"We're being followed. 45 feet back, two of them. Twice our size as well." They looked at each other and nodded. They stopped for a moment and Sabin placed Terra on the ground. "Interceptor, watch over her. " Shadow said.
"Kupo? What's going on?" He asked, but the two were already in action. Three shurikens sank into a wolf-like creature while Sabin's Aurabolt slammed into the second. Both creatures darted off into the darkness. "How did you know?" Mog asked.
"Something you gain from years of experience Mog." Sabin said, lifting Terra into his arms again. They walked for a while longer when they saw a fire ahead. They could see roughly four figures sitting around the flames. They were human, there was no doubt about that much. They picked up their pace, knowing there was safety in numbers. Shadow had pulled his famous vanishing act and had disappeared, though they knew he was close by. Suddenly Setzer stopped cold as the feeling of cold steel was placed against his neck.
"Sabin… we're not alone." Setzer said. Sabin turned around to see a figure holding a double-barrel shotgun against the back of Setzer's neck. But just as quickly a sword was placed at the strangers neck.
"Move and you're dead." Shadow said coldly.
"You're pretty good." The stranger said lowering his shotgun. "Name's Vincent. You've earned that much with your skill alone."
"Why the surprise attack?" Sabin asked looking at Vincent.
"No offense, but one can't be too careful out here. You with Shinra?" Vincent asked.
"Who? Never heard of 'em. Kupo." Mog replied.
"I can tell you're sincere. Come. Meet the others." Vincent said. He slipped out of Shadow's grip and sword like a pro.
"You're pretty good yourself." Shadow said. "You coulda taken me out easily."
"Only if you're an enemy. Not to mention I woulda been outnumbered."
* * *
"Looks like we got company." Tifa said as she saw Vincent and a group of five approach the fire. She noticed Vincent took a particular liking to the one dressed entirely in black.
"Damn, I ain't sharin' my bear with 'em." Cid said as he lit a cigarette.
"Oh try to behave Cid. If Vincent is bringing them here they must be friendly." Tifa said looking at him coldly. They noticed the group suddenly stopped and one of them fell to his knees.
"What's with him?" Cloud wondered.
* * *
"Setzer, what's wrong?" Vincent asked. Setzer pointed towards the group by the fire. They all looked as he pointed towards the Highwind.
"Oh you gotta be kidding me!" Sabin said as he saw the large airship.
"Talk about a low blow." Shadow added. Vincent looked confused.
"Setzer here owned an airship called the Falcon. It was the best. Now it's scrap." Sabin said.
"We're not much better off." Vincent said calmly. "The Highwind is in bad shape and we can't even get it off the ground." They reached the group after getting Setzer walking again. Setzer and Cid instantly matched gazes, Sabin and Cloud looked at each other, both with their weapons ready, Barett moved closer to Tifa, and mog hid behind his friends. Terra started to stir as well. Vincent and Shadow looked at each other.
"I do believe I sense some tension in the group." Shadow stated matter-of-factly. Terra's eyes fluttered and Sabin helped her stand.
"You back with us now?" He asked her. She nodded and saw the group and their looks.
"What's going on here?" she asked. She moved over to Setzer and nudged him. "Lighten up Setzer."
"You tell him girly." Cid said with a mock grin.
"Oh shut up Cid." Tifa said with a look of disgust. Sabin couldn't help but chuckle. Cloud also popped a grin.
"That's better." Terra said. "So who are you?" Cloud stood up, more at ease now.
"I'm Cloud Strife. Allow me to introduce my team here. That's Cid, as you probably guessed." Cid growled. "Over here is Tifa, Barrett's next to her." Barett simply nodded and Tifa gave a wave. "And you've already met Vincent." Sabin took a step of forward.
"Guess it's my turn. I'm Sabin Figaro. Half king of Figaro Castle. This is Setzer, who owns a… slightly damaged airship." Setzer's face fell. "Uh, this is Terra, and Mog." They both smiled. "And this is Shadow and his dog Interceptor…. Uh, shadow?" They looked around, but once again, he had vanished.
"Up here Sabin." Came a voice from the top of the Highwind. The group looked up as the ninja leaped down. "Setzer, I bet you could handle this. It's a mechanical problem." Setzer stood up and looked at the Highwind.
"It's not much different from the Falcon from what I can tell. A little more advanced, though. A very nice craft."
"You like it?" Cid asked. "Built it myself. From the bottom up. It's my true love."
"I thought that was himself." Tifa whispered, giggling. The others smiled, but Cid ignored her.
"Let me give you a tour." Cid said, escorting Setzer inside.
"Looks like those two have something in common after all." Sabin said.
"Hopefully they can fix it. I hate being stuck out here." Barett growled.
"Well let's go aboard. I'll give you a tour and we can get some refreshments." Tifa said.
"Sounds good to me." Terra agreed and they went aboard.