Deciding Factor

AUTHORS NOTE: Sorry it took so long to put up another chapter but I still don't have any idea where the heck this story is going yet. Oh, I don't own most of these characters; Square does.

Vigilantly, I made my way into the alleyway, probing through the darkness, eager to find the inebriated red head. My patience was ultimately reaching its breaking point; I wasn't in the mood to play drunken mind games with Reno; I was ready to call it a night. Through the selfish bask of the nearby streetlight; I could scarcely make out a short, thickset outline of a person who unquestionably did not fit the depiction of the man that I had been walking home. Clutched tightly in his right hand was the unmistakable silhouette of a baseball bat.

"You think you're though now, Turk?" The voice emitting from the figure seemed no other than sixteen and even more arrogant than Reno had ever sounded tonight. The lanky redhead lay face down on the sidewalk, either unconscious from the numerous beers coursing through his system or the unexpected beating I assumed he had just received. Even though I had only known Reno for several hours and he was easily was the biggest condescending chauvinist pig I have ever had the "privilege" to know, I wasn't about to stand by and watch the poor drunken bastard get thrashed by an equally arrogant street thug.

"Why don't you crawl back into your hole street rat?" I hissed, retrieving the set of brass knuckles from my parka. It was no switchblade, granted, but any weapon was better than none.

My unpretentious request had been enough to divert his attention away from Reno and unto me, his gaze burrowing down onto me through the darkness.

"A girl?" He scoffed in bewildered amusement. I watched with deep concentration as he progressed towards me, his switchblade poorly concealed at his side. "You really think you can take me sweetheart?" The confidence he possessed was nearly nauseating as he made his way into the only consistence light the alleyway possessed.

The figure matched the voice with absolute accuracy. The kid looked no older than sixteen - his light blue eyes pierced callously through me, evidently annoyed by my presents. His lanky figure had begun circling mind, like a predator moving in on its prey.

"I've taken bigger than you before." I could feel that sudden rush of aderline rapidly building as I spoke. "You think I'm backing down from you, you're crazy. I don't back down from any piece of shit, including you."

The straightforwardness of my carelessly chosen words had been enough to set him off. He struck with remarkable nimbleness, missing me by mere inches with his switchblade.

"Nice try." I said, starting to loose what sense of confidence I had gathered. I knew I wasn't nearly as expeditious as this kid; at this rate, I would quickly be taken down. Seizing the opportunity, I charged him, catching him completely off guard. My right shoulder connecting with his abdomen sending him reeling towards the ground. Within seconds, I felt a deep surge of pain spreading rapidly throughout my right side; it was then I realized that the fucker had stabbed me. Despite the pain, I wasn't about to have my life end by some little anonymous punk living off the streets. Enticed by rage, I swung hard, splitting open his left cheek. The blonde hissed in pain, his hand gingerly brushed his wound; a steady trickle of blood worked its way down his face.

"Bitch." He scowled, struggling to get to his feet. "You'll pay for that."

No sooner than he said those words that an almost unbearable pain surged through my lower back sending me crashing to the ground below. From all the years out on the streets I should have known that street rats usually traveled in packs, especially around these parts. I gingerly rolled on my back to get a good look at my second assailant. He looked no bigger than the first kid - his dark brown eyes looked equally as cold as the first.

"Maybe I should have a little fun with you before I kill you honey." He said with a malicious grin. I knew where this was leading and I sure as hell wasn't about to let it go there.

"Fuck you!" I screamed, bringing my leg up, slamming him hard between the legs. He emitted a bellow, grabbing his crotch, doubling over in pain. Ignoring the sharp pain in my back and side, I got to my feet, turning just in time to see my original assailant charging towards me. Without a moment's hesitation, I dove out of his way, sending him toppling into his partner. Now was my chance; there was nothing stopping me from tucking my tail between my legs and running like hell - except for the fucking redhead still facedown on the pavement. Although numerous years on the street had driven me to acquire a cold exterior, I couldn't bear to leave the man behind.

It was then I saw it, a shiny metallic object protruding out of the Reno's jacket. It was no longer than three feet in length and seemed much lighter than my brass knuckles. Near the handle a green orb glowed gently, illumining the familiar Shinra logo beneath. Great, I thought grasping the rod firmly in my hands, why couldn't he be carrying a normal weapon?

"You fucking bitch." I could hear the blond curse under his breath as they both slowly regained their bearings.

"You're fucking dead!" The dark haired kid scrawled, evidently irritated by the fact that I wasn't such an easy target as they presumed. Slowly, they resumed their pursuit. I knew I was in trouble. There was no way I was going to be able to take down two guys, not here in these confined quarters. It looked like I was to become another Midgar statistic after all. If it hadn't been for my parents, I would have never been in this predicament in the first place. Why couldn't I have had a normal life? And why the fuck did I have to end up in the Goddamn bar hanging with the absolute worse crowd you could possibly imagine? Knowing my life was going to end here and know was nearly enough to drive me over the edge. I didn't want to die. Not here, not tonight.

"Fuck me." I muttered, as the rod gently illumined a shade of uncanny green. Maybe this rod wasn't such a piece of shit after all.

The two street rats stood in partial apprehension before proceeding on. They knew I didn't have any idea and how to work this fucking thing. How I wished Reno had an instruction manual somewhere in his jacket.

"You think that toy's gonna save you?"

"Fuck off." I knew there had to be a way to get this fucking rod to work. A moan only emitted from Reno as I kicked his harshly with my foot. God damn drunken prick. I could feel my body tense as the two began to close in for the kill. Why did I always have to get into predicaments like this? As my anger built the rod suddenly flickered in response, emitting the same spark that I had seen only seconds ago. A broad grin slowly creep across my face as I watched the rod in absolute amazement. I didn't need a damn instruction manual for this thing; it had been responding to pure emotion this entire time.

"Think we're supposed to be scared of that shit?" The blond's confidence level had quickly resurfaced, a smiling slowly emerging on his smug little face.

"I'm not going to die tonight!" I hissed, pointing the end of the metallic object at the obviously confused assailants. "Not by your fucking hands!" I could feel the rod vibrating violently in my hand as my mind slowly drifted back into the childhood I wish had never been; every little antagonizing detail played through my head, which in itself had almost been enough to drive me to my breaking point.

The sound was near deafening as the sparks left the tip of the rod, reaching up towards the heavens and swiftly bringing down a mass array of lighting with it. I could barely make out the blood curdling screams as the alleyway flashed brilliantly then quickly gave way to the dominating darkness.

Slowly, my eyes readjusted to see my two assailants bodies crumbled on top of one another, their bodies still twitching from the sudden onslaught of electricity that coursed violently throughout their veins. I could feel my stomach turn as the retched smell of burning flesh entered my nostrils.

"Where'd you learn to do that shit?" Reno's voice suddenly cut through the silenced alleyway. Despite the slightly slurred speech he sounded fine.

"I don't know." I slowly replied, replaying back the last several moments in my head. With the adrenaline slowly leaving my system I was now feeling the full effects of the beating I had just received. My entire body throbbed with pain; it had been awhile since I had been on the receiving end of a trashing like that.

I slowly turned to get a glimpse of the now conscious redhead. Other than the semi - distant look in his eye and a nearly unnoticeably limp he didn't look too bad at all. Slowly, he fumbled through his coat pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

"Must have learnt that from somewhere." Reno muttered, lighting one up. "You don't find too many people off the street that can conjure up shit like that in a moments notice."

"I wish I knew." I relied flatly, easing my way onto the concrete below. I was surprised I was able to stay standing for this long.

"You okay?" Reno asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine." I said, feeling the gently brushing of Reno's hand against my back. His attention quickly turned to the entrance of the alleyway where two figures watched in quiet apprehension. Not again, I thought to myself.. I knew I couldn't win another round - especially not after the last run in. Judging by the shadows I knew I couldn't take them; one was easily three times my size and the swiftly spinning alleyway made it nearly impossible to focus.

"It's about fucking time they showed up." Reno muttered under his breath. "Lay back and relax; I'll be right back." Reno's voice seemed clouded as the alleyway became darker than before, the voices slowly dimming down into distance whispers.

"Not everyday you see lighting like that…" I could hear the whispers of Reno and the other men as they slowly proceeded down the alleyway. Why weren't they helping me? Instead, they were lost in quiet conversation. I wanted to scream…to do anything to get their attention but the words wouldn't come out. I knew Turk's were Shin-ra's corporate dogs; why was I stupid enough to trust them? My death would mean absolutely nothing to them. I rested my head on the cold pavement, closing my eyes, trying to reserve my strength. Twenty minutes was all I had left, if that. Maybe death wasn't as bad as so many have feared.

Without warning, a sharp pain streaked across my cheek as my head suddenly jolted to one side. My God, I was down already; there was no need to beat me some more. Slowly, I focused on the figure hovering above me.

"Rude…" I knew my voice was barely a whisper. What the fuck was he doing here? I though he was headed home for the night. I wanted to ask but the words just wouldn't come.

"Save it.." He muttered as I felt the almost unbearable pain in my side resurface. I reached down to feel a hand pressed into my side. I guess they weren't going to let me die after all. "You'll be fine…"

I closed my eyes once more, feeling that once antagonizing pain suddenly vanished without a trace. All I wanted was some sleep, hopefully, waking the next morning to find that this all had been a bad dream.

"So, what do you think?" I could hear the familiar voice of Reno once again as I felt a gentle kick to my ribs.

"Hmph." An unfamiliar voice answered in return. "Reno, I'm not so sure…"

"I think she'd be alright…with a little training.." Training? What the fuck was he talking about?

A heavy sigh let out from the man beside him. "You know I've trusted you before with less than satisfying results…"

"I know but this one's pulling thunder spells from out of her ass. Nobody in the slums can do that shit….Besides, the less training we have to do, the better."

A moment's silence followed. "Fine. Rude, please see to it that she receives proper medical treatment. As for you Reno, please see to it that those two are properly disposed of."

"You're the boss…"

It was then I felt my body being hosted off the ground. I didn't know where they were taking me but anywhere had to be better than this God forsaken hellhole. Faintly I could hear the sound of an opening car door and the last words I could remember before finally succumbing to the darkness.

"I guess we'll see if your little experiment pays off…"