Final Fantasy VII

The Mystery

CHAPTER TWO

Reno stood quietly over Elena's grave as she was laid to rest. Rude had troubles dealing with his emotions and had to leave early in the funeral. Tseng was being as professional as he could, but he was visibly shaken. Reno and Tseng were the only Turks left standing in the graveyard as the day went on. Reno fell to his knees, he then removed a rose from his pocket a gently placed it onto the grave.

'What happened Reno?' Tseng suddenly asked. Reno kept his eyes focused on Elena's gravestone and ignored the question. Tseng angrilly walked away. 'You can't stay silent forever!' Tseng yelled as he left the grave yard.

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Rufus looked outside the window of his office at the Healing Lodge. In the distance he could see the church where Elena had been laid to rest. Rufus gave a deep sigh, he couldn't see clearly enough. He tried to stand out of his wheelchair, his legs struggled before he fell back into his place. Garad Hett suddenly entered the room.

'I'm returning back to Edge sir,' Hett said. Rufus slowly nodded trying to hide the agony he was feeling. Hett looked around at the lodge. 'Where is everyone?' Rufus looked out the window.

'One of the Turks died a few days ago,' Rufus explained. 'It's their funeral today...' Hett looked concerned.

'Who?' Hett asked. Rufus sighed.

'Elena,' Rufus cried. Hett slowly nodded.

'How did it happen?' Hett asked. Rufus turned his wheelchair around to face Hett.

'We're still looking into that,' Rufus explained. 'We think an assasin tried to break in and she and her collegue stopped them...but not before suffering an awful fate...'

'Her collegue?' Hett asked again. Rufus shook his head.

'It's not important,' Rufus said. Hett shook is head.

'It is important sir!' Hett yelled. 'Someone tried to take your life...I'm not sure you shouldn't step down in your weakened state so you can protect yourself!' The anger suddenly burst in Rufus, he then used all his power to get to his feet, Hett stepped back in shock.

'Weakened state?' Rufus repeated Hett's words. 'I'll decide what's best!' Hett looked angry, but quickly hid it. Rude slowly entered the room. Hett nodded to both and left the room. Rufus sat back down and looked at Rude. 'How was it?' he asked. Rude lowered his head, Rufus looked back out the window to the church.

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Reno finally decided to leave the graveyard. He could not mourn forever, he had some thinking to do. As he was about to leave, someone riding a bike pulled up just in front of him. It was Cloud. Cloud slowly walked over to Reno.

'I'm sorry...' Cloud managed to say. Cloud looked around at the empty graveyard. 'I guess I'm late..' Reno nodded. 'Is Rufus around?' Cloud asked as he looked at the church and saw an expensive car.

'The President couldn't make an appearance today,' Reno said spitefully.

'Why not?' Cloud asked. Reno pointed towards the photographers that were circling the church trying to interview Tseng and Rude.

'He doesn't want THEM to see his weakened state...' Reno bitterly explained. Cloud slowly nodded, he looked at Elena's grave and paid his respects. He slowly walked back to Reno.

'What happened Reno?' Cloud asked. Images suddenly rushed into Reno's head as he thought about Cloud's question...

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Three weeks earlier, Rufus had sent Reno, Rude and Elena to inspect Edge and see how Hett's takeover of the city had been handled. Reno and Rude sat on a wall and watched as soldier's carried machinery around.

'You need some help with that,' Reno pointed out. The soldier nodded.

'As a matter of fact, I do thanks,' the soldier smiled. Reno grinned back.

'I know you do, that's why I said it,' Reno laughed. 'Off you go...' the soldier angrilly carried the machinery away. Rude looked suspicously at the machinery.

'What do they need that for?' Rude asked. Reno shrugged. Elena quickly approached them.

'Hey Elena,' Reno called. 'What are they using that machinery for?' Elena shrugged.

'I don't know Reno,' Elena explained. Reno slowly nodded.

'Right,' Reno hopped up. 'We'll have to find out, Rude you coming?' Rude shook his head.

'No. I need to keep watch here...' Reno slowly nodded. He looked towards Elena.

'Looks like its just you and me,' Reno sighed. Elena smiled.

'Great, I need to ask you some regulation questions?' Elena explained. Reno groaned as they both left Rude and slowly followed the soldier.

'What do you want to know?' Reno asked. Elena stopped him.

'I want to know why you're delibretly disobeying General Hett's orders,' Elena said sharply. 'He told us all was fine and commanded us to leave...but we're still here.' Reno nodded.

'We're still here because he commanded us,' Reno explained. 'Why would he be so desperate for us to leave?' Elena slowly nodded.

'Because he's up to something,' Elena realized.

'Exactly!' Reno smiled. Elena gave a faint smile.

'Reno, I'm sorry I questioned you...' Elena cried. Reno nodded.

'It's alright Elena,' Reno said. 'Just trust your instincts, okay?' Elena nodded. Reno grinned. They followed the soldier all the way to where he was going.

'Any more tips for me?' Elena smiled. Reno laughed.

'A few...' Reno and Elena suddenly stopped in their paths as they saw where the soldier had lead them. 'What the hell...' The two Turks stood in shock at what was before them...

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'Reno?' Cloud repeated. 'What happened?' Reno suddenly remembered where he was. He looked at Cloud.

'I can't remember...' Reno said quickly and walked past Cloud. Cloud confusingly looked on as Reno slowly left his sight and the graveyard.

END OF CHAPTER TWO

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