Splintered Dreams

"Escape from Shin-Ra Tower"

Chapter 18

The President's office wasn't shadowed or blood smeared when they entered, but fully lit and exactly as Zack remembered it, and somehow the bright overhead lights made the scene in front of them all the more ominous. Face-down on his garish desk, the President of the Shin-Ra Electric Power Company stared at them with glazed, unseeing eyes and a long, painfully familiar, sword buried deep in his back.

The sight of it stopped Zack in his tracks, and as he stared at the gleaming blade, a mixture of emotions bubbled up in him that couldn't be pinpointed into any one specific. Beside him, he felt, rather than saw, Tifa tense, and wondered if she recognized the sword as well. He scoffed at his own stupidity. Of course she did.

No one saw Masamune and forgot it.

Zack tore his gaze away from the President long enough to scan the room for anyone else, and not seeing anyone, he then surveyed it for anything out of the ordinary. His jaw tightened when he saw the Buster Sword mounted on the wall behind the desk. Shinra must have shelved it there like some sort of trophy.

"Dead," Barret's voice was soft, a bit awed and delayed, as though he were having a hard time believing his own eyes. The AVALANCHE leader edged in past Zack, astute enough to still be on guard despite the abandoned appearance of the office. He rubbed the the shoulder of his gun-arm, shaking his head. "I don't fuckin' believe it. Shinra is dead."

"That sword..." Tifa's eyes were focused so intently on the weapon that Zack doubted she registered anything else at the moment.

It was eerie to see her approaching Masamune. Like standing inside of his own dream and watching the action, but not part of it. For a split second her leather shorts and sleeveless top were tan fringe and beaded leather. He blinked the ghost from his eyes and when she was within a few feet of the President's body, he moved toward her. He didn't want her touching it. It was irrational, he knew, but she couldn't touch it. It was tainted and...evil.

"Tifa." Zack's voice was sharp, and it did the trick. Startled, Tifa snapped her head towards him.

"It's Sephiroth's" she said, and the acid that dipped off the word made clear her taste of the man.

"Yes." There was no use pretending otherwise.

"Who the fuck cares who did it," Barret strode up to the desk; pointed. "This is the end of Shin-Ra! We should be—Hey!" Barret reeled back as a man darted up from behind the chair, stumbling to get away.

Simultaneously Zack and Barret lunged after him. They gripped the man's wildly swinging arms, jerked him to an abrupt and painful halt.

"P-p-p-please...d-d-d-don't kill m-m-m-me..."

"Looks like there's a little troll in here," Barret sneered.

Skin slick with sweat and ruddy at the cheeks, Zack recognized the man as a Shin-Ra lackey named Palmer.

"What the hell happened here, twitchy?" Barret asked, the full power of his glare causing Palmer to practically shrink in on himself.

"Se-Sephiroth," Palmer stuttered. "Sephiroth was here."

That name sent ice and heat through Zack in alternating intervals. It wasn't a pleasant sensation. "Did you see him?" Zack demanded with a hard shake. "Did you actually see Sephiroth?"

"Y-yeah, I saw him." Palmer's head was in danger of falling off he nodded it so vigorously.

"Don't lie to me," Zack warned through clenched teeth, the banked green in his eyes flickering dangerously. He felt the urge to shake Palmer again, and decided against fighting it.

"Zack...?" Aerith's soft voice was alarmed. "I think you're hurting him."

Good, Zack thought, because that's damn well what he'd intended. But instead of replying to her—he couldn't lose focus...didn't want to see the gentle reproach he knew would be in her eyes—he simply shook his head, ever so slightly, and thinned his lips.

"Ugh, yes, I saw him. Ow! Why would I lie?" Palmer's teeth clacked together and his wheedling voice grated on Zack's already thin nerves. "I heard him too," he added with a grimace.

"What did he say?" Each syllable was bit out and enunciated with a hard jostle.

"He said, um, he said something ab-about not letting us have the Promised Land."

Barret gave Zack a hard look over Palmer's thinning hair. "So, what? The Promised Land really exists and this Sephiroth guy is here to save it from Shin-Ra? Sounds like my kind of guy."

The notion made Zack's lips twist. "No way. Sephiroth is as far away from good as you can get. If Sephiroth is involved, he has—!"

The sudden flooding of light blinded them. It caused Zack to flinch away from the big bay windows and gave Palmer the opportunity to wiggle out of their grasp and run for the door.

Red flicked his tail in silent question.

"Forget him," Zack waved him down, shielding his eyes. Palmer was of no use to them and not worth the effort of chasing. The Shin-Ra helicopter hovered for a moment, its searchlight scanning the office before it lifted up and they watched it land across the way, on the northern heli-pad. A fluttering of white from the open side door caused Zack to straighten. "We have bigger fish, so to speak."

"What the hell?" Barret's brow furrowed. "Who's that clown?"

"Rufus," Zack stated.

"Shit. Shinra's brat. I forgot all about him."

"Is he here?" Aerith wondered, moving to stand beside Barret. "He was gone for awhile, right?"

"Rumor had it he was exiled for tryin' to off his old man," Barret told her.

"I've heard no one has ever seen him bleed or cry. Do you think he is responsible for..." She made a sweeping gesture toward the older Shinra's body.

Zack eyed the balcony doors. "Only one way to know for sure."

"Zack, wait," Tifa called to him. He turned to see her hauling the Buster Sword off the wall. "You might need this."

He grunted his thanks when she tossed the massive sword at him. The hilt felt solid in his hands, the weight of the weapon a comfort in its familiarity. They shared a long look, and Zack was surprised by the wealth of things he suddenly wanted to say to her. Felt he needed to say, but knew it would have to wait.

There was other shit to deal with at the moment. There was always other shit, he thought, turning away.

The doors slid open easily, and the group followed Zack out onto the balcony. "You don't have to come—" he started. A quick grumble from Barret and resolved looks from the others silenced him and he nodded. They were a team. "Stay close. The catwalk is tricky."

The upper catwalks ran between all of the adjacent rooftops of the Shin-Ra building, giving emergency workers and repair technicians access if needed. The bars were sturdy and wide enough for all to pass on, but the occasional gust of wind would sneak between the grated metal with enough force to knock a grown man down.

On the opposite rooftop, Rufus Shinra stepped out of the helicopter and met a scrambling Palmer.

"That slippery little worm is quick," Barret commented as they descended the wall.

As soon as Rufus was clear of the blades, the helicopter rose again, circling the building, its searchlight trained on the younger Shinra.

"...So, Sephiroth really was here," Rufus was saying as they approached. He lifted his gaze, eyes flicking over them in disinterest and annoyance. "Who are you?" he demanded. His tone was one of a man that was used to getting his way and brimmed to overflowing with superiority.

And Zack disliked him immediately.

Palmer's eyes widened and he floundered, his mouth flapping until he simply squealed and ran for the stairwell across the pad.

Rufus's brow went up at that and his eyes sparked with interest. "You seem to have made quite an impression on Mr. Palmer," he commented idly. He faced Zack directly. "So, I'll ask again: who are you?"

"AVALANCHE," Barret answered, shaking his fist at him.

Rufus brushed his hair back from his eyes and shrugged. "Ah, yes. The infamous eco-terrorists that were such a thorn in my father's side. A motley crew if I ever saw one."

"I'll show you motley crew," Barret snarled with a threatening step forward.

"You do realize you are threatening the new President of Shin-Ra," Rufus pointed out with a small, smug smile.

Barret snorted. "You're only president 'cause your old man is a pincushion in there."

"Be that as it may, I am still the President and you will show me the proper respect." He walked toward Tifa, inclined his head, raked his eyes over her from head to toe. "Would you like to hear my appointment speech?"

"Not particularly," she replied, holding his gaze.

"Hm." Rufus smirked and walked to where Aerith stood. Red growled a warning low in his throat, and Rufus stayed a sensible distance away. "The population is counting on Shin-Ra to protect them. They work at Shin-Ra, they get their pay and if a terrorist attacks them, then Shin-Ra to the rescue... but not anymore. I plan to do things differently. My father used money as his means of control... I'll use fear. And that Promised Land he so desired will be mine."

"Well, he likes to make speeches like his father." Tifa rolled her eyes.

His smile was cruel when he turned on her. "A little fear can go a long way."

Zack had heard just about enough. Reaching out, he grabbed Aerith's arm, pulled her to his side and then moved her between him and Barret. "Take her out of this building," he instructed, keeping his eyes on Rufus's smug face.

"Huh?" Barret blinked. "What?"

"Just take her. Keep her safe." He glanced at Tifa, then Red. "Guard her."

The two of them nodded, flanking Aerith and Barret.

"What about you?" Tifa asked and the concern in her eyes warmed him where the icy hate had started to form.

"I'll be right behind you. I just want to take care of him," he pointed at Rufus, who smiled wider in return.

She glanced at Rufus dismissively, then back to Zack. "Don't take too long."

Zack's lips quirked. "I won't."

"Awright, enough of this shit," Barret griped. "Let's go!"

Zack watched them retreat through the steel door that led to the stairs, then turned his attention back to Rufus. He tightened his hold on his Buster Sword, angled it at the ready.

Rufus cocked his head. "Why do you want to fight me?"

"You want the Promised Land. I can't let you have it."

"And what of newly returned Sephiroth?"

"That's none of your business."

"Hm." Rufus smoothed his hair again. "You do know Sephiroth is an Ancient, don't you?"

Sephiroth an Ancient? Not likely, Zack thought, but kept it to himself.

"He can lead me to the Promised Land. He will, of course, be rewarded for his trouble."

"Sephiroth was sick of Shin-Ra before I was," Zack countered.

"Perhaps. But everyone has a weakness that can be exploited." Rufus's smile was threatening. "What's yours?"

"Go to hell."

Rufus laughed, a soft chuckle that more for show than genuine amusement. "I see. I guess this means we won't become friends," he tsked. "Too bad. Dark Nation, attack!"

Zack swore when a shadow of fang and claw leaped from the helicopter hatch and lunged at him. "What the hell?" He dodged the animal's muzzle, swung a swift kick up and sent the creature rolling across the rooftop.

It scrambled to its feet quickly, positioning itself between Zack and its master. Even fully illuminated by the spotlight the specifics of the animal were hard to make out. It was ink black with no distinction anywhere on its sleek form. It was like a living—pissed off—shadow.

A long spine of...flesh?...rose up on the beast's back and Zack heard the air hum and watched it shimmer in front of Rufus. Barrier. That damn thing could cast a barrier spell? He shook his head. One of Hojo's precious specimens, no doubt.

The thing growled, then darted forward at staggering speed. Zack was fast, but it was faster. He barely had time to bring his sword down to block the snap of teeth. The animal snarled, shook its head and lunged again. And again. It was relentless and managed to get two deep bites in before Zack found his proper footing.

Blood seeping between his fingers, Zack watched the animal pace in front of him and ready itself for another sprint. It charged, teeth gleaming crimson, and Zack held his stance, knowing if he turned either way he was leaving some major arteries open for attack. The animal hit him hard, plowed him into the asphalt roof and he slid painfully for several feet with the enraged, snarling animal on top of him.

As their momentum slowed, Zack spun himself, circling behind the animal's back and grabbing the long spike at its neck, forcing it down on the ground. Dark Nation, as Rufus had called it, shook itself, trying to dislodge him, but Zack's hold was solid. Black eyes glittered in the light, but there was no life in them, no genuine spark, and Zack felt no remorse at all when he twisted—hard—cracking the animal's neck. All fight left it and it flopped lifeless to the ground.

The cement wall behind him spit up mortar and chips and Zack jerked his head around to see Rufus glaring at him, mouth white at the edges, a sawed-off shotgun in his gloved hand.

"You rotten slum piece of trash," Rufus sneered.

"Aw, did I kill your kittie?" Zack pushed himself to his feet, his grin as malicious as any Shinra had given.

"Dark Nation was no common cat," Rufus was indignant. He reloaded, pointed the gun at Zack. "He was a spectacular creature, designed to perfection."

Zack glanced down at the limp body, shrugged. "Looks like roadkill now."

Another round fired, but Zack was prepared. He swung his sword up, deflected the bullet and was in motion before the ricochet hit the ground.

Eyes wide, Rufus drew out a small grenade and lobbed it across the space between them as he sprinted towards the edge of the building.

The explosion was immediate and sent Zack flying back into the wall with enough force to dislodge some of the bricks. Shaking the ringing from his ears, Zack watched as the the circling helicopter swung in and Rufus snatched the runner.

"Until next time," he called down to Zack with a tip of his gun.

"Damn it." Zack surged to his feet. Rufus wasn't to be underestimated, apparently, and Zack wouldn't make that mistake again. "Yeah, next time," he muttered, hand tightening on his sword. "Count on it."

There were sirens now.

Tifa winced beneath swirling red lights at the piercing sound. From the lobby loudspeakers a soothing female voice advised them to surrender peacefully and that capture was imminent.

Swearing, Barret raised his arm and pointed it at the speakers, only to swear again—louder and more vehemently—when he realized he was still without ammo.

"Ever wonder who they get to make those recordings?" Tifa asked him as she came up alongside.

He shot her a dark look. "No."

"Aw, lighten up, Big Guy." She reached in her pocket, tossed him a clip.

His brows went up. "Where...?"

"The guards weren't needing them anymore." She did her best not to sound defensive. She hadn't liked pilfering the pockets of the dead, but their options weren't exactly plentiful.

Barret pressed some configuration of buttons on his arm before slipping the clip inside a metal chamber and locking it back into place. The bullhorn in the corner spluttered and bleated and then fell silent, its wires dangling from smoldering plastic. Barret smiled, lowered his arm.

"Feel better?" Tifa asked.

"Yes."

She bumped him in the side. "Figures. But be sparing, okay?" She handed him two more clips. "That's all I got."

Barret placed them in his vest pocket. "I'll make 'em count, don't you worry about that." He gave the front doors a grim look. Resolutely, he squared his massive shoulders. "I'll head out first. Check things out." He motioned them all to get down.

"Be careful," Tifa told him.

He was through the door, and back again in less than a minute, a hail of gunfire spider-webbing the safety glass over his ducked head. Leaning back against a potted plant he sent her a deep frown, and only someone that knew him as well as she did would see the worry etched in it. "Fuckin' surrounded."

"Any options?" Tifa questioned, crawling over to where he was. She raised up to peer out the front window. The parking lot was literally crawling with Shin-Ra soldiers and weaponry. She swore under her breath and crouched down beside him. Had it been just her and Barret, she knew he would suggest fighting their way out, all blaze and glory, but with Aerith and Red, they couldn't risk the casualties. Wouldn't risk them.

"Gimme a sec," he rubbed the spot between his brows, face scrunched in concentration, grooves etched into the corners of his mouth.

Aerith, from her squat beside one of the plush guest chairs, was hesitant, but sincere when she offered, "You could get away and leave me. It's not like it's you they're after..."

Barret gave her a look that was both incredulous and irritated. "That ain't happening," he told her. "You got caught up in this because you protected my baby. Now, I'm gonna protect you."

Aerith's hand rested over her heart and her smile was tremulous. "...Thank you, Mr. Barret."

"Who you callin' mister? That just don't sound right." But he smiled back at her.

"If you people are done chatting, perhaps we can come up with a plan for a way out of here," Red's smooth voice rumbled with impatience.

"Already got one."

Tifa rose up on her knees. "Zack!" She was surprised by the amount of relief just seeing him brought her. She quashed it down, denied the flutter in her chest and refused to attribute any weakness in her limbs to anything more than fatigue.

They were in the Shin-Ra building, surrounded by troopers and Gods only knew what else, trying to find a way out. Focus, Lockhart.

"Sorry it took so long." He shot her a small grin that sent her non-existent flutter into overdrive.

"And Rufus?" she asked, pleased at the neutralness of her voice.

"Got away." He ran his hand through his hair and Tifa spotted fresh blood.

She was at his side immediately. "You're hurt."

He glanced at his arm, shrugged it off. "Not bad."

Tifa frowned, and moved closer to examine it for herself. She pressed her fingers gently around what appeared to be teeth marks. Deep, but nothing too serious. "We should wrap this," she murmured.

"I will later," he told her and she was surprised at how close they were. His breath was warm on her cheek and the forever stray lock of his hair brushed the tip of her nose when she tilted her face up. She raised her eyes to find his bright as the sky and full of everything unspoken. The look made her feel a little light headed.

"So, what's the plan?" Red wanted to know, his voice drawing them apart.

Tifa flushed to the roots of her hair and quickly turned away from Zack only to find herself beneath Aerith's quiet scrutiny. Where were those damn Shin-Ra guards and their guns now, huh? She turned again, doing her best to ignore the flash of guilt that spread through her, and focused on Red. Red was safe.

"We're hitting the highway," Zack informed them with a sweeping gesture to the far left.

Barret crossed his arms over his chest. "And, uh, just how in the hell are you plannin' on pulling that little stunt off, Slick?"

"The showroom upstairs. It has a truck. We can use it to get out."

Barret glanced at Tifa expectantly. He wouldn't make the call without her okay. It was one of the things she appreciated most about him. She in turn looked at Zack, who gave her a nod of assurance, then back to Barret. "It's as good a plan as any."

Barret seemed to agree, if his easy acceptance was anything to go on. "All right. Let's go."

The showroom had been one of his favorite rooms to hang out in, Zack thought as the group pushed through the wide doors. It was a room designed to showcase Shin-Ra's most unique inventions and products yet to come. Completely modern; completely top-of-the-line.

He caught Barret's soft whistle and Aerith's breathy "Ahhhh..." at all of the items in the room. The walls were a series of glass shelves where newly fused materias—some experimental, some well tested—were set up, and there were large circular displays throughout the room with various modes of transportation spinning in slow circles, new paint shining beneath bright spotlights.

Back in the day, Zack had loved to wander the exhibits—and being a SOLDIER—he was often encouraged to try out the newest gadgets and vehicles. Angeal had caught him on more than one occasion in this very room, well past curfew, checking out the latests rides. The memory caused a sharp pang in his chest and Zack's steps faltered.

"Okay?" Tifa's hand on his arm was steady, her presence reassuring. Did she know how much comfort he got from her? How it eased him on a level that he couldn't even begin to understand when he saw the warmth in her eyes? How had she, in such a few short weeks, become so vitally important? "Zack?" she prodded, when he still hadn't answered.

He reached out, brushed her hair—still matted and caked with blood and sweat—back from her face. "I'm fine." It wasn't exactly true, but it wasn't exactly a lie either, and it'd have to do.

She didn't look entirely convinced, but she didn't question it. "Good," she said. "Now get us the hell out of here."

"Yeah, Slick, what's the plan?" Barret's gaze was speculative as it darted between to the two of them.

He stepped back from Tifa and addressed the group as a whole."Grab what you can: materia, weapons, and follow me." Setting the example, he walked to the glass display case, punched through and snatched a ball of materia. "Don't take the ones in the blue cases, they're untested. The last thing we need is experimental materia blowing up in our faces," he instructed. "Make it fast, they won't wait long before busting in once they figure out we're on the move. Barret, weapons and ammo are over there. We leave yesterday. Move!"

The five darted about the room, splitting up to cover the most ground, grabbing what they could. Barret ransacked the weapons display, whooped at the energy source he found. Aerith and Tifa pulled materia from the shelves, stuffing both of their pockets full. Red sniffed out several potions and antidotes which Zack snatched up.

"Over here," Zack called less than a minute into scavenging. He knew they didn't have any time to spare, he heard the front doors smash in and the thud of dozens of feet coming up the steps.

He opened the door of a small, three wheel truck that Shin-Ra had developed for faster weapon transport. They wouldn't all fit inside, but it would take the bulk of them.

"I'm drivin'," Barret announced.

"Suit yourself," Zack agreed. There wasn't time to argue. He motioned for Aerith and helped her into the cab. She smiled fleetingly at him and he read a thousand questions in her eyes—none of which he had answers for. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and tried his best to reassure her with that. "Aerith rides in front with you," he told Barret. "Tifa and Red will have to ride—shit!" Zack swore when he saw shadows flit past the doors. "Get in! Now!"

Across the room Tifa flipped a table on its side, rolled it in front of the door just as the glass shattered and bullets tore into the floor and walls.

"Go!" she screamed, dropping behind the steel table and covering her head as glass showered down on her.

"Teef!" Barret bellowed, returning fire.

Zack shoved Barret towards the truck. "I'll get her. You get Aerith out safe! Up the stairs in the corner. Out the window!"

"You better be right fuckin' behind us!" Barret threatened, dropping the truck into gear and squealing the tires.

From behind the table Tifa pulled a glowing orb from her pocket, slid it into the open slot on her glove. Zack saw her hand glow orange and then she was on her knees, a wall of fire between her and those attacking them.

She was giving him time, and he wasn't about to waste it. He swung his leg over the latest Hardy Daytona model rotating on display, shoved his sword into the rack at the rear, pressed the auto-ignition and gunned the engine.

Tifa turned toward him just as he swerved alongside her, his arm curving around her waist to lift her onto the bike.

"Hold on tight," he instructed, spinning the bike around and leaving a trail of burnt rubber in his wake.

"You're insane!" Tifa told him as they rumbled up the stairs, accelerating towards an already shattered window but he distinctly heard a laugh beneath the exclamation.

He grinned at her over his shoulder. "Hang on!"

The wind whistled in his ears and Tifa's fingers knotted in his shirt as the Shin-Ra building dropped away and the freeway raced towards them. Zack tightened his grip on the handlebars, steadied himself and maintained control even as the tires screeched on pavement and the bike jerked at the abrupt impact.

He fist pumped into the air. "Yeah!"

Ahead of them, a few hundred feet along the road, Zack spotted taillights and a flickering flame tail.

Tifa lifted her head from its buried position between his shoulder blades. "We made it?"

"Your faith in me is astounding," Zack teased, relief making him feel lighter. He glanced back to say something else but the sight of half a dozen individual headlights stopped him. "Shit," he shifted his weight, sped up. "Company."

Tifa tucked her head under her arm, saw the Shin-Ra Cycles coming up fast. Customized for speed they were closing the gap quickly. "Zack!"

Two cycles zipped past, crisscrossing in front of them. They were after the truck, Zack realized. Aerith!

The remaining Shin-Ra bikes closed the distance, flanking them on both sides, forcing Zack to slow down or risk a wreck.

"Get closer to them."

Behind him Zack felt her shift, her weight suddenly absent and the chill on his back was both physical and ominous. "Tifa, what...?"

"Closer!" she shouted, hands on his shoulders.

Trusting her to know what she was doing, Zack swerved sharply. He felt Tifa press down on his shoulders, and in the mirror he saw her leg lash out, kicking the rider from his cycle. One foot planted on the seat behind him and then a hand and she scissored out, catching the opposite driver and hauling him off.

Zack's heart jumped into his throat when the third driver caught Tifa's ankle; yanked.

"No!" Zack wrapped his fingers around her wrist, kept her from being drug from the bike. His gaze flickered between her and the truck ahead. He could see sparks and flashes and he knew the armor plating wouldn't hold on the vehicle forever. Neither would his grip on Tifa, he thought as she slipped a bit.

Zack pressed the brake, held out his arm and caught the Shin-Ra pursuer beneath his helmet strap, sending him flying back. He curled that same arm back, pulled Tifa up before she hit the pavement.

"Thanks," she said, breathless.

"You should be more careful," he snapped. Fear made him irritable.

Defensive, Tifa replied, "Careful doesn't always get it done. Now less attitude and more ass-kick." She shoved his shoulder, pointed at the truck ahead of them.

Obligingly, Zack sped up, closed the distance between them and the truck. With determination he rammed into the back of one of the motorcycles. As he did, Barret cut the wheel and drove the remaining two pursuers into the guard rail, sparks shooting up from the twisted metal.

Zack pulled up alongside the truck, peered inside. "Everyone okay?"From the passenger seat Aerith nodded. She looked pale to Zack's eyes and he regretted her having to be involved with Shin-Ra at all.

"We'll have to get off the freeway soon." There would be roadblocks set up eventually, Zack knew, and helicopters. "We can take the lower Midgar exit and head—"

"Zack!" Aerith pointed behind them, her eyes wide.

"Damn Shin-Ra don't give up," Barret cussed, checking his rear-view.

Coming up fast and loud behind them Zack recognized Shin-Ra's Motor Ball recovery and assault vehicle. An unmanned battle unit, the Motor Ball was designed to squash enemies and retrieve hostages. It was and aggressive unit armed to the teeth and larger than most small houses.

"Problem!" Barret hollered, slamming on his brakes. The truck swerved, fishtailed and finally jerked to an abrupt stop.

"Hell." Zack followed suit. Of all the bad karma bullshit... he shook his head. The freeway appeared to be collapsed and had yet to be repaired. All that was in front of them was a gaping hole and hundreds of feet of empty space.

Behind them was an approaching mechanical monster programmed to smash them like insects.

They were effectively cornered.

"The machine does not appear to be stopping," Red commented, rising up from his haunches.

"Out of the truck!" Zack ordered, swinging off the bike. He yanked his sword free, spun it in his hand. Tifa hopped off beside him.

The group was forced to dive aside as the Motor Ball rumbled up without pause and ran over the vehicles, grinding them down into mangled, useless, oil-bleeding steel.

A series of loud clacks and whine and the top portion of the machine swiveled and turned toward them, the red eyes at it's center scanning.

"What do we do?" Tifa asked in a hushed voice. The red laser skittered over her features and along the ground.

Zack had seen Motor Balls taken down before, had done so himself in combat training. All they needed to do was target its main control panel and take it down. If he could get close enough, he could probably slice the thing wide open. Barret may even be able to shoot the optic center from the head of the machine and render it blind...

Before he could reply to Tifa, however, another sound caught his attention and the hairs on his arms rose as if someone had surrounded him with static. A slow hiss and sizzle was the only warning given before the sky sparked, electricity slamming into the Motor Ball and scorching the ground with enough force to knock them all back several steps.

The machine whined piteously, clunked futilely for a moment, then stopped, and slumped over, smoldering.

All eyes swung toward Aerith, who brushed her hair back with a dainty shrug. "It was in our way," she said demurely. She held the materia up between her fingers, examined it. "I expected it to be stronger," she added.

"Any stronger and we'd be toast," Barret stated rubbing his eyes, appreciation evident in his voice. "Damn, girl, where'd you learn how to use materia like that?"

Aerith blushed. "It just... kind of comes naturally."

Red padded up alongside her. "If I had any doubts about you being Cetra, they have been silenced with that display."

"That's my girl!" Zack grinned at her. He was proud of her. For someone not used to battle, fighting or constant bloodshed, she was handling everything thrown at her with champion spirit. The fact that she just single handedly whooped Shin-Ra technology ass was simply icing.

She smiled back, blushing. "So...what do we do now?" she asked, changing the subject.

"If Sephiroth is really alive..." Zack faced the distant mountains, his eyes shadowed with memories. "Then I have a score to settle."

Tifa dusted her hands against her thighs. "Me too."

"Teef...?" Barret placed his hand on her shoulder. "Will that save the planet?"

"Maybe." She rubbed her face wearily. "Don't know. I just know that I have to do this."

"Then I'm with you," Barret stated and Zack was once more silently awed by the bond they shared.

"I couldn't ask you—"

"You ain't. I'm comin'."

She nodded, brushed her fingers along his cheek. "Thanks."

"I'm coming too," Aerith added, straightening her ribbon.

"What? No," Zack shook his head. "It's too dangerous."

"I have things I need to know, Zack," she said, resolve on her face. "Shin-Ra wants me, and will hunt me no matter where I am. Aren't I safest with you?"

He couldn't fault her logic, Zack thought. And personally he would feel better knowing she was safe, but it wasn't a traveling vacation they were about to embark on. He was hunting Sephiroth and by the sounds of it so was Shinra. Odds were definitely stacked that they would cross paths again.

"I know you think I can't handle myself, but I can. Please, Zack."

"Are you sure?" he asked gently. This wasn't something she could change her mind on, and he had to know she was certain.

She angled her head, both an acknowledgement and challenge. "Yes."

"If it isn't a bother, I would like to travel with you until I reach my hometown." Red spoke up.

"Sure." Zack agreed easily. Red had already proven himself a valuable asset and had stayed when he could have fled. The least they could do was allow him to remain with them until he was safely home.

Barret rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck. "So, it looks like this is goodbye Midgar, huh?"

"Looks like." Tifa rubbed the back of her neck in response to Barret's snaps and pops.

"I've never been out of Midgar," Aerith stated, staring up at the sky. "It's a bit daunting."

"Ain't nothin' to worry about," Barret assured her. "You've got us now."

Green eyes glittered above a gentle smile. "I do, don't I? I guess everything will be all right then, won't it?"

"You bet your ass." Barret puffed out his chest.

Tifa rolled her eyes at his antics, but her own smile was full of tenderness. Turning to Zack, she asked, "Where to first?"

Zack gave the distant mountains another look, then said, "Northeast to Kalm. We can rest, get supplies and figure out where to go from there." He gave the busted vehicles a longing glance. "Looks like we're hoofing it," he added. "So we better get moving."

AN: Well, what do you know, I updated. :P Thank you allfor reading and especially for your thoughtful reviews. It's always nice to know what's working in the story and what isn't. I hope you enjoyed the update and more coming soon.