Final Fantasy VII
Memories Not Forgotten
Author's Note: After this chapter is when I may stop switching between areas so much mid-chapter, and instead focus mainly on Cloud and his group.
Chapter 3
Ambushed!
Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Yuffie was in the corner, attempting to fight off what little airsickness she still had, while trying to hold a conversation with Vincent.
Tifa was sitting upon a railing off to the side, discussing with Red what her plans were once they reached Rocket Town.
Cid was talking with the main air pilot about one thing or another, but it didn't last long, as the pilot often lost control of the Highwind.
Cait Sith was speaking with Barret about what he planned on doing with Midgar now that Shin-Ra was no more, but Barret didn't seem the least interested.
And Cloud had stayed on his own, like always. He never moved away from the large glass, watching the fields of snow lazily roll by.
The bridge was filled with mixed talking and occasional laughter coming from separate parties. Normally, it was so quiet, eerie. Perhaps because during their quest, there was rarely a happy moment. Always the situation seemed to be getting worse and worse.. So how could anyone be happy during such a time?
Eventually, Red wandered off to sit elsewhere, leaving Tifa sitting upon the railing by herself. Spotting Cloud alone, she hopped off, and headed toward him.
"What's wrong, Cloud?" She had asked him, arms crossing behind her.
"Nothing," he answered, "just thinking, is all." His voice was plain.
'Just like him to always seem distant." Her mind told her. "What about?" She had to keep the conversation going somehow.
"What I'll do once we land." Again, he responded plainly.
He was planning on leaving her? Again? But why? For what reasons? These questions swam on Tifa's mind, but then it donned on her.
Aerith.
Perhaps he was planning on living alone, to grieve their dead friend. But she had lost him on many occasions. She wouldn't lose him again!
Tifa shook her head, "Well, I guess we'll just have to think about it once we land, right?"
He had turned around to look directly into her eyes. He was so close to her, she could feel his breath upon her skin, "Right."
"Cloud…" She was about to place a hand to his shoulder, but all the happiness in the ship seemed to fly out the window.
The ceilings of the Highwind gave off many bright red flashes, illuminating the bridge in a red tint. Sirens sounded off loudly, drowning out all other sound. Immediately, everyone stopped whatever they were doing, and gathered around on the main part of the ship.
"What the hell is that?" Cid shouted to one of the pilots.
"We're under attack, sir!" A panicked worker said from his panel.
"Attack? By who?" Came Tifa's voice.
The same worker punched several buttons, and his screen flashed. "Shin-Ra troops!"
"Shin-Ra? Shit!" Cid pounded his skull a few times, trying to decide what to do.
All eyes turned on the giant moogle on the edge of the group.
"Dun' look at me!" The cat retorted, shaking its head, "It's got nuthin' to do wit' me. I swear!"
"Then who?" Barret asked. He was ready to tear the damn toy apart.
"How should I know?" Cait replied.
Cloud suddenly jerked around, "Enough!" He then turned to the two sub-pilots. "What are we getting hit with?"
As if to answer his question, the next sounds to drown out their speaking were endless clanging noises all around.
"Bullets," Vincent stated in a low voice. "They're shooting at us."
Next to come was an explosion, apparently coming from the back of the ship.
"… And grenades." The marksmen finished.
"God damn it! Those bastards are messin' up my ship!" Cid pounded his fist against a railing.
By this time, Yuffie had begun to panic. "What are we going to do? We're gonna die!"
"No one's going to die, Yuffie…" Tifa tried to reassure her, by patting her upon the back.
"Pilot," Now Cloud looked towards the one behind the wheel. "Land, right now."
Red appeared once again within the small circle, "What are you thinking, Cloud?"
"We're landing, and fighting them off."
"What?"
"That's suicide!"
"What are you thinking, moron!"
Different replies came from separate members, but Cloud would not be refused. "We can't fight them from the air, and they'll destroy the ship if we try to get away. So unless you'd all rather walk back to Rocket Town, let's go!"
There was such confidence in his voice, even Vincent had gotten the chills.
"Awright, Cloud! Let's show these bastards whose boss!" Barret said.
After the others threw in their own support, Cid threw a palm out, pointing to where the smoke from the grenades were coming from. "Full speed ahead!"
As the entire ship jolted, and kicked up into a faster speed, everyone dashed out the small door in a single line. Crossing the small red mesh, they all ran up towards the stairs leading to the outside of the ship.
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"Looks like only one rocket hit." Elena said, dropping her launcher.
"No shit," Reno retorted.
"Reno, sir! They've landed just nearby!"
The three Turks watched as the ship had landed just a few meters away from where they were, and eight figures leapt off the ship and began towards them.
"Hold your fire!" Reno threw his own launcher into the air, ejecting the electric rod from his jacket.
The Turks moved out within the middle of the troops, who all had their weapons pointed outward, towards the oncoming party.
Cloud, with the Buster Sword held behind his back.
Tifa, her gloves lined with solid steel across the knuckle and toes of her boots.
Barret, the gun augment outstretched his other hand clutching a handle upon it.
Yuffie, her four-point shuriken clutching across her left shoulder.
Cid, a spear clutched in both hands, pointed out towards the foe.
Cait Sith, the mog was bouncing about a bit, the cat clutching a teal microphone.
Red XIII, was crouched low like a cat, his headpiece giving a faint red glow.
And Vincent, hadn't even withdrawn the somewhat large pistol from his side.
"So, you've come!" A soldier said.
Cloud readied his weapon, "Of course!"
Barret raised the gun arm, "You bastards'll regret this!"
"I highly doubt it," A more calm voice came from the center of the troops.
The front lines moved apart, and three figures emerged from them. A tall, balding man with leathered gloves upon his hands. A shorter flame-haired man with a rod slung across his shoulder, and a blonde female, who didn't seem to have any weapon in particular.
"The Turks!" Tifa called.
"I should have known it was you!" Cloud huffed.
"You idiots never give up, d'ya?" Cid had said.
"Shut up, old man." Reno huffed back.
Cid was ready to lunge out and impale the bastard on the spot, but Vincent stopped him.
"I'd say we're really lucky!" Came Elena's voice, "We got every member of Cloud's little party."
"You won't get away," Rude spoke, closing two fists in front of his face.
Before all hell could break loose, a small energy sphere formed upon the snow between the two factions. A sphere which took the shape of a man. The energy cleared, and the first thing that was noticed was the long turquoise hair.
"It's you!" Reno seemed to know the man.
Narak turned, smiling plainly. "Nicely done, Reno."
"H, hey! Who's that guy?" Cait had asked. He received no answer.
"My real name isn't important. You can call me Narak."
"Enough talk. Time to die, Cloud!" Elena was eager for a fight.
"No," Narak stopped the entire company before the attack could commence.
"… Why not?" Rude lowered his stance, and turned to look at the blue-haired one.
"You 'captured' Cloud, yes. But you also outnumber them in an unfair way." Narak spoke, turning around to face the Turks.
Elena raised a brow. "And how is that?"
Narak shook his head, "Look around. You have many soldiers, armed with guns," He stopped, and turned to Cloud's party. "As you can see, only two of them have guns as well."
"So?" It was Reno.
"So you would kill them at the end of a gun? While outnumbered? I won't stand for that. Cloud and his friends are heroes. They deserve a more honorable death."
"So what do you plan on us doing?" Reno again said.
"You three will come with me. We'll leave the troops to fight Cloud."
Suddenly, Elena snapped. "But you just said you didn't want them to die by a gun! Make up your damn mind!"
Again, Narak shook his head. "With you three here, the fight would end much quicker. Because you three are such fine fighters. With you out of the picture, it will be more of a fair fight."
"……." Rude grunted lightly. He didn't like the idea of having to sit camped out in blistering cold only to retreat at the last moment.
Silently, the Turks all agreed. So Narak stepped over to stand next to them. The same warping spell, which brought him to the place, also took him and the Turks away.
"Who was that weird guy?" Tifa asked.
"We'll figure that out later," Cloud answered. "Now we must fight!"
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Next chapter, I may skip the battle with the troops. Since they're nothing but peons, and all they have are guns, the story descriptions would get repetitive. So instead I'll just SAY that Cloud and the others won, since they would anyway.
Don't forget to review!