Chapter Thirteen: Citizen Tifa, Part Three

Yuna was walking towards the elevator, getting ready to speak in Tifa's behalf. Just seconds before she got there, she was stopped by Tifa. Yuna had a blank look on her face because she didn't know what Tifa was up to.

YUNA: What are you doing?

TIFA: You have no idea where you're going. Do you?

YUNA: Uh…no.

TIFA: Thought so. I figured since this is my campaign, and I know where the stage is set for me, I'll come with you. So do you know what you want to say, Yuna?

YUNA: I know exactly what I want to say.

TIFA: Great. Let's go.

YUNA: Uh-huh.

So Tifa and Yuna entered the elevator together and went back to the lobby of the hotel. But instead of going out, they went downstairs into the lounge area. There, there was a huge podium set up, and a huge picture of Tifa in a battle stance with her name in all caps above it. Before they got to the podium, they ran into the receptionist again.

RECEPTIONIST: Tifa! You're a bit early. You don't give your speech for another 45 minutes!

TIFA: Tell them to air tape now. I have someone who wants to speak before me.

RECEPTIONIST: Is this young lady the one you're talking about?

TIFA: Yes.

RECEPTIONIST: I hate to be rude, but your guest has a striking resemblance to Miss Rinoa. Are you of any relation?

YUNA: No. Rinoa and I hardly know each other.

RECEPTIONIST: Well anyway, you take the podium and I'll tell the camera crew to roll tape.

YUNA: Okay.

TIFA: Whatever you do, don't get nervous.

YUNA: I won't.

Yuna took her position at the podium, and Tifa went to the right side of the stage. The receptionist told the crew that they were ready right then and there and they signaled to the stage crew to turn the lights on. All the lights on the stage shone upon Yuna. Anyone who witnessed Yunapalooza knows that stage fright isn't in her vocabulary. Yuna put herself in a mindset, the crew had everything ready and the director signaled to Yuna that they were rolling tape. She started to give a speech that would captivate millions all over Galbadia.

YUNA: My name is High Summoner Yuna. I am from the isle of Besaid in Spira. Yes, I came to Pandora to help fight The Shin-Ra Corporation. But from what I've seen here in Deling City, people are taking sides. Tradition vs. Change. Teens vs. Adults. The Past vs. The Future. Let's focus on that. The Past. Dictatorship under a very horrible man in Vinzer Deling. He let this city, the very city the bears his name, fall into the hands of a murderous sorceress from the future. The sorceress repaid him by killing him at a gathering for the sorceress. The Present. A man that witnessed the whole thing, General Caraway, the same General Caraway that is running for President, is trying to restore that same way of life. People living in fear. People with a need for a resistance. I've only been here for a couple of hours, and I see this clearly. Everyone I've seen and talked to are praying that someone keeps Caraway from winning and restoring this way of life. And the answer lies within the person who I am proudly representing. People shouldn't live in fear. People should feel a need to revolt against the leader of their continent, trust me, I was in the middle of a revolution when I fought against Yevon. People are uncomfortable in those situations. This person will not put you, the people of Galbadia, in uncomfortable situations. And most importantly, you need a leader that knows what they're going up against. Shin-Ra is much tougher than any sorceress you can think of. Without knowledge of your enemy, the results can be catastrophic. This person knows the Shin-Ra like the back of her hand. So without further adieu, I give to you the person who wishes to be your next president. I give you Miss Tifa Lockheart!

Tifa takes the stage, gives Yuna a hug as she leaves, and proceeds to go to the podium. She brings the microphone to her level and she begins to give her address.

TIFA: A new day is dawning in the skies of Galbadia. The winds of change are swirling. People have been longing for it ever since the days of Deling's dictatorship. I will help bring those winds of change. We need to stand together. Not against each other. Caraway plans to use the same old technique that got his superior killed, as Yuna stated. I will bring Galbadia together to fight an evil I know all too well. Words are for people that like things the way they are. The Shin-Ra are coming, and at a fast pace. If I am elected your president, I promise that I will be on the front lines fighting for justice. Fighting for your freedom. Fighting to make sure that the sun rises on Galbadia. I, like Yuna, am an outsider. I was born in Nibelheim, Mako. But I've been here long enough to be a proud Galbadian. I am here to make things better. I am here to make Galbadia respectable again. I am here to stop Shin-Ra from taking over. People of Galbadia, Tifa Lockheart is here…for YOU.

Tifa walked off the stage and the director signaled the crew to stop rolling the tape. Tifa tightened up the pink ribbon around her arm and joined Yuna.

TIFA: And now we wait.

YUNA: And now we wait.

They went back up to the hotel room to watch the elections on TV. Cameras were surrounding the room. Xu was on edge and Yuna was biting her nails. But Tifa remained calm throughout the whole thing. Nara was asleep, resting his wound. Hours passed and the end of the election was drawing near. It was now clear to see who voted for who. The ballots weren't even close. Tifa won Timber, Dollet and Winhill. Even if Caraway won Deling City, Tifa still won the election. Five minutes passed and the results came in that Tifa won Deling City also. Tifa started screaming and jumping up and down. She immediately got a hug from Yuna and Xu. Nara woke up due to all the screaming and yelling.

NARA: What the…what's all the commotion about?

TIFA: I WON, NARA! I WON, I WON, I REALLY WON!

Nara jumps out of his bed in excitement, bad leg and all.

NARA: WHAT!

YUNA: TI-FA-WON!

NARA: YES!

Nara joined in on the celebration, but Xu wanted to get their attention.

XU: You think that you guys are excited, take a look at it outside…

Yuna, Tifa, Xu and a hobbled Nara all went to the window. They were shocked by how many people showed up to catch a glimpse of the new President of Galbadia.

TEENAGE BOY: Look! It's President Lockheart! Say hi!

TEENAGE GIRL: That's President Tifa to you! HI PRESIDENT TIFA!

CROWD: TI-FA! TI-FA! TI-FA! TI-FA!

Tifa waived to the crowd with tears in her eyes. She knew that this was best to happen to her in a while. Yuna came up, and grabbed her hand.

YUNA: Congrats…President Tifa.

TIFA: Thanks. You know something, Summoner Girl? I think I'm gonna like this job.

YUNA: You earned it.

TIFA: You know what I said about fighting on the front lines to protect Galbadia? Well I meant it. You mind if I go with you?

YUNA: Huh?

TIFA: You know? Go on the quest to stop Shin-Ra from taking over Mana? Look. I know that you were originally looking for Irvine Kinneas, and I'll still help you look for him. The thing is that I want to put an end to Shin-Ra Corporation…for good. So I'm asking. No, (Gets down on one knee) I'm begging. Please let me go with you, High Summoner Yuna.

YUNA: Alright, alright Tifa! You can come!

TIFA: YES!

NARA: Hold on, President Tifa.

TIFA: Huh?

NARA: If you're going with Yuna to save Mana, then I'm coming too!

XU: Nara! You know that you're in no condition to walk, let alone fight against the Shin-Ra!

TIFA: Plus, we'll need you here to calm down the Caraway supporters.

NARA: No way, Miss President. I said when you first got here that I'd do anything for you while you stayed here. We became like brother and sister for the two years you were here. I took bullets for you while you were on you way to winning this election. I've done those things to protect you. Now I want to help you protect Mana. I will help you protect Mana whether you like or not.

TIFA: For starters, it's still Tifa. And the decision of you going on the quest is totally up to Summoner Girl.

YUNA: Of course you come, Nara. Lulu can fix your leg up in no time.

NARA: Thanks, Yuna!

YUNA: It's just my way of saying thanks for saving me from Caraway's supporters.

TIFA: Xu, I'm counting on you to keep this place safe until I come back, okay?

XU: Don't you worry about a thing, Miss Tifa. You can count on me.

TIFA: Thanks. Now I have to address my people.

Tifa turned back and addressed the public again.

TIFA: Thank you so much for entrusting me as your leader. Now, I have to go fulfill the promise I made to you in my speech. Nara and I will be going with High Summoner Yuna to join her in the fight to save Mana from Shin-Ra. I have no idea when I'll be back. But until then, Xu is in charge. She is a very reliable person and she will treat you with the upmost respect. I will be thinking of you all while I am gone. Oh yeah. The first person who catches Caraway receives $25,000,000 Gil.

The crowd cheers. Some people go storm towards Caraway's mansion, others stay and wish Tifa luck on her quest. After minutes of waiving to the crowd, Tifa, Yuna, Xu and Nara all walk back into the hotel room. When they get in, they see the receptionist at the door, and a man wearing a beige trench coat, beige jeans and brown cowboy hat. He was sitting in the chair by the door and he had his shotgun on his lap.

NARA: What in the red hell…

MAN: Oh, come on, little Rinoa. I'm no Caraway supporter, so you don't have to be defensive with me.

TIFA: Kinneas.

YUNA: That postpones searching for him.

IRVINE: I saw you on TV, Yuna. I took a wild guess and figured that you'd still be here, and obviously, I was right. So you lovely ladies ready to move out?

TIFA: Huh! (slaps Irvine) You WILL NOT talk to me like you want to date me! Show some respect, or I will fight you!

IRVINE: Whoa! A woman with some spunk. Me likes!

NARA: What about Yuna over here?

IRIVINE: Not my cup of tea.

YUNA: Feeling's mutual.

IRVINE: Anyways, Headmaster Martine wants to speak to you, High Summoner Yuna. It's probably about where the Shin-Ra is putting up their base.

YUNA: Okay. And where is this Martine?

NARA: Galbadia Garden.

TIFA: That's a ways from here. So I suggest we collect our thoughts, get some sleep and get ready for the adventure ahead of us. Tonight was a long night and we need a breather.

XU: Sounds like a good idea. This way, I can give Nara something to ease the pain.

IRVINE: I'll be staying in Room 3148. Nara, I have my Triple Triad cards with me if you want to come to my room and play.

NARA: SWEET! Miss Xu, I'll back here before I go to bed, I promise.

XU: Have fun, Nara!

NARA: Thanks, and congrats, Miss Tifa!

TIFA: Thank you! Have fun.

YUNA: That Nara's a nice young lad.

TIFA: Yeah, you said it.

XU: He takes after his sister. His mother died when he was just an infant. So all he knew was father was trying to teach him. Turns out that he learned more from Rinoa than he did from Caraway. Talk about poetic justice and karma!

YUNA: Nara…

TIFA: Well, I'm going to bed. Long day tomorrow, Summoner Girl. Better be ready!

YUNA: Yeah. Sleep is great idea. Good night, Tifa.

TIFA: Good night, Yuna.

So Tifa and Yuna went to bed. Xu stayed up, waiting for Nara to return so she could treat his wound again. They all knew that the next day would be trying for them and it would be the first step in their fight against Shin-Ra's treachery. So they needed all the rest they could get. Tomorrow brings new hope. It all begins as Yuna, Tifa, Nara and Irvine will head off to Galbadia Garden to find out where the Galbadian branch of Shin-Ra is located.