Chapter Twelve: Citizen Tifa, Part Two

YUNA: There's no way possible that you can be Tifa Lockheart!s You're from Nibelheim! You work for the Strife Delivery Service!

TIFA: That's until Cloud went missing…again.

YUNA: What do you mean again?

TIFA: It's a long story, but I'll tell you. Come with me to the Galbadia Hotel.

YUNA: What about Nara? He was shot in the leg by one of the guards.

TIFA: Nara's a tough customer. He'll be able to hold out until we get him to the hotel. Someone will look at him there.

So Tifa and Yuna lifted up Nara, and carried him all the way back to the Galbadia Hotel. When they got there, Yuna couldn't help but notice all the signs there, promoting Tifa's presidential run. They all acknowledged Tifa as she came in. But she couldn't answer them right now because her first priority was getting Nara to safety. As soon as she saw the receptionist, Tifa spoke to her.

TIFA: Nara got shot by one of Caraway's lackies. Call up Xu right now. I'm in room 3142.

RECEPTIONIST: I'm on it, Miss Lockheart.

They proceeded to get into the elevator and rode up to the third floor. When they arrived at the room, Tifa and Yuna gently laid Nara up on the bed. The pain was finally getting to him after walking all that way.

NARA: Aw damn, Tifa! This hurts!

TIFA: Hang in there, sport. Xu will be here shortly. It'll all be fine.

YUNA: It's my fault. I apologize for all of this.

TIFA: It's not your fault, Yuna. Nara's always picking fights with Caraway's men. This isn't the first time that he's been shot by the Galbadian Army.

YUNA: What?

TIFA: Yeah. They shot him in the arm, too. Said that he didn't have any respect for his elders. Nara's the nicest kid I know. I have no clue why they target him.

YUNA: I hate to be a buzzkill, but I'm here to gather information on where the Shin-Ra Corporation is going to hit next.

Hearing that, Nara tries to roll over on to his good leg.

NARA: Did…you hear that…unhh…from my sister?

YUNA: I take it your sister is Rinoa Heartilly?

NARA: Bingo.

YUNA: To answer your question, I did hear that from your sister. She said that Kristi Shinra and the corporation were going to attack Pandora.

NARA (sarcastically): Great…

TIFA: This is the reason I'm running for president here. I think I can make people embrace Galbadia, and not see it as a threat as they have during the years Deling was running it. Not only that, but I know Shin-Ra better than anyone. They are cold hearted killers that will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to get what they want. And I hear that Kristi, although she's the runt of the Shinra litter, is the worst of all of them. What in the hell will Caraway do if he comes face to face and eye to eye with The Shin-Ra?

NARA: …Caraway…that rat will do nothing. Just like he did nothing about The Sorceress.

YUNA: So basically for Galbadia to have a shot at freedom, you have to win this election, Tifa.

TIFA: Now you're catching on, Summoner Girl!

YUNA: There's a favor that I need you to do for me. I'm looking for an Irvine Kinneas. Rinoa said that he was in the most obvious part of town. You don't happen to know where that is, do you?

TIFA: I've been staying here for two years now. Of course I know where that is. He's at the President's House. A place that won't be vacant for much longer.

As Tifa and Yuna were talking, Xu came in. She was wearing her SeeD outfit, and carrying a medical bag. She immediately went up to Nara, and started getting some gauze out to wrap his foot.

XU: So what did you say to them, this time, Nara?

NARA: They heckled me while I was talking to this stranger here…unhh…

XU (looking at Yuna): So, you're the one talking to Nara when he got shot?

YUNA: Yeah. He asked me if I was siding with Caraway. I personally don't know the guy…

XU: Be grateful you don't. He's a real character, that Caraway. Ever since the death of Deling, he's been trying to get Presidency. Now that he has enough people backing him, he's got a real shot at it. But tonight is election night, and there are literally TONS of Tifa supporters in Deling City alone.

NARA: Who knows how many supporters Tifa has in Dollet and Timber…

TIFA: He wants this so badly that he had the Galbadian Army to imprison or kill all my supporters all over, just so he cold win. That Damn Caraway. In a few hours, he'll get his.

YUNA: This sounds deep. And you'd be the logical choice to represent Galbadia in the fight against Sephiroth.

TIFA: So what are you saying? You'll say something in my behalf? My speech is in 45 minutes.

YUNA: You offered to help me find Irvine. I want to do something for you. I will speak in your behalf.

As soon as Tifa and Yuna shook, the hotel receptionist peered in the doorway.

RECEPTIONIST: Miss Lockheart! Miss Lockheart! Caraway's giving his speech right now! Turn it to Channel Fourteen!

TIFA: Thanks! (Turns back to the group): Now let's hear what this lowlife has to say.

The attention of the group focused in on the TV. They saw General Caraway standing in front of the President's House, with a podium set up for him. It was heavily guarded with many of Galbadia's finest. He then started to speak.

CARAWAY (on TV): My fellow Galbadians. There are things happening in Mana that cannot be explained. We not only have to worry about some outsider named Sephiroth coming to destroy everything THE GREAT Vinzer Deling worked so hard to build for you, but we have rebellious teenagers that will not listen to their elders. We have people who don't know right from wrong. We have people who think that dictation isn't the way of Galbadian life. If we can't take care of ourselves, then how are we going to take care of Sephiroth? (The radicals start booing) Galbadia! Vote in one of your own! Don't vote in an outsider like Tifa Lockheart, who rode on the coattails of Cloud Strife to get her fame! There is only one choice for your next DICTATOR of Galbadia. Use your head. Vote the right way. Vote Caraway.

NARA: That was THE CHEESIEST campaign line I have ever heard in my life!

TIFA: He IS your father, Nara…

NARA: That's the sad part.

YUNA: I hate saying this, but Nara's right. That was pretty corny.

XU: I can't believe that Caraway would try and persuade Galbadia with that line of bull. Did you hear the people. They were booing louder each second that he talked. Yuna may not have to say anything in Tifa's behalf! She may already have this won!

YUNA: Xu, I want to. I know I've only been here for a little south of two hours. But from that little time, and processing the information that I gathered, I know who's right and who's wrong here. I know what I must do. Tifa. I won't let you down. Not when you've obviously come so close.

All Tifa could do was smile as she watched Yuna leave the hotel room. Both she and Xu knew that Yuna's speech would be the straw to break Caraway's back. But their smiles turned to laugher when they both realized something.

TIFA: She doesn't where the lounge is, does she?

XU: Nope.

NARA: Oh, this is just perfect! I'm going after her!

TIFA: You stay right there, Nara! I'll go after Yuna. Xu, you keep and eye on him, okay.

XU: Gotcha, President Tifa!

TIFA: President Tifa…I sorta like that!

XU: Good luck!

NARA: Kick some ass, Tifa!

TIFA: I will, Nara. I will.

Nara lay back down on the bed with Xu watching over him, as Tifa draped her leather bomber over her shoulder, and headed to go find Yuna. This moment would either make or break an entire continent, so Tifa and Yuna have to be on point…or else they both know that Galbadia is doomed.