Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Resident Evil.

Author's Note: First let me apologize for the extended wait on updates. I can assure you the wait was indeed worth it. Feel free to Read and Review. Blades and Knives are welcome. -Kiba Blackfire

RE8IDENT EVIL: RISING

Chapter 05:

Crossroads

The doors of the elevator opened taking Leon and Claire to final floor before they go face to face with Alex Wesker. They searched the room seeing it was clear of enemies. Not a single one; the room was…threat free.

It was just a room used for storage. The area was enormous in size. Steel canisters with flame warning signs filled the room. They reeked with the scent of gasoline. The search continued; there were crates filled with explosive dynamite. Scattered around were their weapons from before; ammunition, firepower to be used against Alex. This room was two stories high; the second floor had no access point but that floor was also loaded with fuel canisters and dynamite filled crates.

There was only one thing that drew their attention most; in the center of the room was giant steel storage case. The height was way out of reach unless Leon boosted Claire over it; there was no other means to reach the second floor. "Found it," A voice? Claire crouched down behind the steel storage unit. Leon was at her side. She peeked out to get a glimpse of -Moira!-

Claire could scarcely believe her eyes. She's alive; she knew it but to see her here of all places. Moira Burton; her clothes were a bit tattered for her adventures. She was more hardened than before. She was even carrying a handgun. She's alive, "Moira," Claire rushed over to her taking her into her arms. Words couldn't express how-Danger- Claire peered away from her seeing two submachine guns pointed at her.

"Are you," The brunette haired woman lowered her artillery. Her hair was tied in a ponytail; she wore an aquatic suit that wrapped her skin tight. This woman was heavily armed and from the look of her this wasn't her first time to be in a situation like this. Who is she? What is she doing here? "Chris," That name; it couldn't be, could it?

"Claire," She watched as the woman's partner turned. There was no mistake; that muscular build; the brown hair; those eyes. Her brother, Chris, he was here and that means this woman is his partner. He was here on a mission but what mission? She didn't like this; her instincts were telling her something was wrong here. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Claire replied; Moira broke free of her arms.

"Hey you guys," Moira got between them. "We're almost out of here," She flashed the keycard. "Chris, Jill, we have a job to do right?" She handed Jill the keycard; she accepted it. "Claire, you're here you can help us."

"Help you do what exactly?" Claire didn't take her eyes off her brother for a second. She could help it; her instincts told her that him being here wasn't good. She had a hunch and it told her he wasn't here for the same reason she was. "Chris, what's going on here?"

"So you're Claire," Jill held her hand out to her. "Jill Valentine, we're on the same side. Chris and I, we go way back. It's nice to finally meet "the sister"." Claire refused her hand shake; she didn't like this at all. Maybe if circumstances were different she would have been delighted to meet her. "Not very trusting is she?" She moved her hand away. "I will say this much for her. Chris, your sister here, you might want to watch out. She might just be better at this than you are. She's pretty tough to be in a place like this and make it this far on her own."

"I wouldn't say on her own," Leon stepped in. "I may have helped her out. So you're Jill," He held his hand out. "Leon S. Kennedy." She shook his hand. "So what's your objective?" Claire thought on this for a moment; there was only reason she could think of. The only reason that made sense but she hoped that she was wrong. She didn't want to be right.

"Its revenge isn't it?" Claire spoke. "You're here to kill her aren't you?" She stared to Chris' eyes and knew right then she was right. His mission was to kill Alex Wesker; to kill their only means to stopping the viral threat for good. The percentage was small but it was the only percentage they had. This was their only chance, Chris, her brother, sought to destroy it.

"You aren't here to stop us are you?" Jill's eyes shifted at her; her entire mood shifted with them. "We worked our ass off to get this far, I'm not walking out of here unless she's dead. So if you intend to get in my way, I won't hesitate." Chris grabbed her shoulder settling her nerves. "I wasn't able to do anything about Jake but-," Chris cut her off.

"Jill, I'll talk to her," He reasoned; Jill took a deep breath. Claire watched as she walked off to cool off for sec. She was willing to fight her over this; Claire wasn't sure of the outcome. She refused to let them kill her; Alex was to be captured not killed.

"Claire," Chris began. "You shouldn't be here." Obviously, she should be here otherwise he'd kill her. "Just wait here and let me deal with Alex, she's dangerous and she'll kill you."

"Let you kill her," Claire argued. "I have a better idea," She countered. "I just need you to trust me, let me deal with Alex. Please just trust me, there's a better way. She doesn't have to die."

"Are you suggesting that I just let her live," Chris raised his voice. "Claire, you're being childish," Childish; he thinks she's being childish. He's the one trying to kill their only means of stopping Umbrella for good for what Revenge? He might be willing to risk it but she damn sure wasn't going to. "When are you going to stop trying to save everyone and realize that kind of thinking only gets you killed? Claire, you don't belong here, you need to stay here where it's safe."

"I'm not someone who needs to be protected anymore," Claire retorted. "I can do this but I need you to trust me, there is a better way. Why else would I here?" She asked him. "I admit Moira was a part of it but I'm here for a much bigger reason and if you kill her. That reason is gone, so trust me on this."

"Do you even hear yourself?" Chris shouted. "Look at what Alex did to you," He grabbed her arm showing her the burn marks she had on her skin. "How many times has she nearly killed you? You expect me to just let that go. You're my sister, I'll say it one more time and that's it," He warned her. "Stay out of it, Claire." She couldn't do that; not knowing that he was making a huge mistake. He wasn't listening to words but he'd listen to her one way or another.

"She's just a child," Claire aimed her handgun at him; She felt a submachine draw near her head. Jill stepped in; Leon pointed his handgun at her. She withdrew a second submachine gun holding it at his head. She passed a glare at him; her eyes returned to Claire.

"A child doesn't manipulate the infected. A child doesn't move things with their mind. A child doesn't enter someone's mind and control it. Most of all, a child doesn't try to kill people for fun and games. Alex is just like her brother and like him; she's a threat. She has to die." She explained. "I can't let you walk out of here with her knowing she's a danger to everyone."

"Chris," Leon reasoned. "No matter what you think; the fact is she is a child. Alex is using Natalia; she has no idea she's doing any of this. There is another way; we can free Natalia from Alex and give her a new home away from all of this."

"Leon, Claire, wait here. We'll take of the rest," Chris held his hand out for the keycard. Jill reached into her pocket tossing it over to him.

The keycard moved slowly in Claire's mind. She knew what she had to do. Alex's life rested in her hands; everything rested on this decision. Leon wanted her to make the call. She didn't hesitate; Claire knew the answer. She had to stop Chris; she had to stop her brother.

The bullet fired from the barrel of her handgun moving gradually toward the keycard in process. A sharp graze hit the plastic card making Chris miss his catch. At the same exact time, Leon put his hands up in surrender; he casually tossed a flash grenade behind him. The grenade distilled the area with a gleam of light. The effect blinded both Chris and Jill. During the flash, Moira rushed by grabbing the keycard taking shelter. She held onto the card; until the issue was resolved.

Claire swiftly took advantage of light; she jumped at Jill ready to str-Claire felt a foot lodge into her stomach. The impact so heavy; in seconds she found herself being flung by that foot. Her body clashed against the brick wall. –Bullets?- Jill rested on her back firing art her with her dual submachine guns. Claire rolled behind cover; getting grazed by a couple of shots but nothing serious. Her back ached in pain from the earlier collision. Regardless, Claire ignored the pain and kept fighting.

She readied her handgun firing off a couple shots at Jill. Jill took shelter behind cover; she fired at the fuel canister. The explosion emitted from the canister; Claire moved away from it barely escaping. That was close, Claire pulled out her knife throwing it directly at Jill.

The knife flashed by slicing Jill's upper arm. She got her barely; Jill peered at the slice on her right upper arm. Crimson blood seeped from the tiny cut; the blood angered her. Jill eye's formed a fierce glare; she intended to get serious now. Claire braced herself. She gasped as bullets fired from Jill's guns aiming for the fuel canisters. The explosions occurred in chains so constant; it tore the area apart. Claire tired to get -Jill's fist collided with her face-

Claire tried to kick her; she blocked. Jill struck her with punches to the stomach. So many, it was as if she were hitting a drum. Jill spun and with it came fierce kick that knocked her into the brick wall. She clinched her throat; as Jill began choking her with her hand. Her airways were closing; her grip so tight. Claire's body began to rise as Jill lifted her with one arm by her throat. Her vision was starting to fade to black; she needed to break free. Alex, she had to this, there was no choice.

Claire took notice of pipe near Jill's arm spouting steam. She felt the grip tighten; she placed her hand on her throat. She couldn't breathe; it hurt but she knew how to escape. She just had to, Claire shifted her handgun's aim to the pipe. The bullet fired breaking a hole in the pipe. Jill's arm retreated as the hot steam burned her forearm forcing her to let go.

This was her chance; Claire punched Jill directly in the jaw. She grabbed Jill jamming her knee into her stomach; six strikes back to back. Claire prepared fully charged roundhouse kick-What the- Jill gripped leg tightly stopping her attack.

Jill cultivated her sharp elbow onto her shin. The impact so great; Claire screamed. She felt deadly left hook strike her in the face. Claire prepared to shoot her; she knocked her handgun aside. The gun slid across the concrete as Jill struck her into fuel canister knocking it over. The fuel spilled onto the floor. This pain; Claire tried to get up but Jill was so strong; she had no idea she packed this much power. Jill shook her hand after punching her harming her knuckles in the process. She spit blood out as dripped from her lip after Claire's punch. Claire struggled to get back up spitting blood from her lip after being hammered by Jill's left hook. This wasn't over, not yet, she'd beat her somehow…

Chris shook off the effects of the flash grenade thrown by Leon. While he was trying to recover Leon went to kic-He felt a tight grip on his leg, so strong- Chris pulled him into his fist striking him heavy with his fist. The impact felt as if a steel hammer was slammed on his chest. Leon felt another punch, and another, -Damn, he wasn't letting up- Leon swayed away from his fist catching him with a kick to the jaw. Chris endured the kick; his head turned slightly as if it barely hurt. Leon evaded his counter attack; kicking him again this time. He struck Chris' jaw so hard, he spit out a tooth.

Leon spun tripping him; he prepared to grab Chris as he fell. Instead he felt powerful fist strike his side. Chris punched him again in the jaw; Leon collapsed to the concrete after being struck. Leon quickly kicked Chris in the stomach before he could strike him again. He leaped to his feet landing in front of him. He drove his knee into Chris' abdomen as Redfield's hammer like fist pounded away at him. Together they withdrew their handguns aiming them at each other; stalemate.

They gazed into each other's eyes for what seemed like hours. Leon could hear Claire fighting against Jill; their fight dragging on. While his remained unsettled; Chris refused to lower his gun. He wanted to kill Alex; Leon wanted to capture her. Chris and him, though they were friends. They always had a different way of doing things. Their conflicts would never be resolved unless,

"Leon," Chris spoke as gunshots emerged from their partner's fight. "Let's settle this," He knew what Chris wanted or what needed to happen to settle this once and for all. "Like men." Leon nodded; together they held their handguns to the side. This was it; the final showdown between them. No more guns, they had to resolve this with -their handguns dropped to the floor below- their fists.

Chris drew his fist back prepared to strike. Leon ducked his fist jabbing him in ribs with several strikes. Now, Leon tried to kick him, Chris caught his foot. –Shit- Chris took hold of it with both arms throwing him into the fuel canisters knocking them over.

Leon felt Chris grab his t shirt forcing him to stand. Before Chris to could let out a punch; Kennedy kicked him the stomach. He swift kicked him again knocking Chris into a dynamite crate moving it with the impact. He grabbed Chris' shirt only to be stricken with mighty head butt to the face.

Damn, Leon stepped back his head like a bull. His nose was bleeding from the collision. His body arched forward Chris' boot shoved into his stomach. He couldn't breathe; the wind was knocked out of him. He struggled trying to catch his breath. The weight of his body was lifted into the air. That same weight crashed directly onto the hard concrete floor. -Fuck-

Leon's body throbbed in pain; his spine felt as if it had been snapped like a twig. Luckily that wasn't the case, he could still move just hurt like hell. He was going to need a sec to recoperate. "Stay down, Kennedy." Chris panted wiping his lip off. "You can't win."

"Fuck off, Redfield." Leon kicked a fuel canister rolling it to him. He picked up his handgun shooting the canister. Chris moved out of the way of the explosion by leaping out of the way. He shot at another canister; the explosions roaring as he shot more.

While Chris was blinded by the flames; Leon rushed at him. Keep at it, Chris tried to pick up his gun; Leon kicked it aside. He swift kicked Chris in the face afterward. Leon tried to stomp on him but he moved at the last second. –Damn- Leon's body felt the deadly weight of Chris' fist striking his ribs. Leon's weight soon collided with that of a brick wall as Chris tackled him. The impact so great, he dropped his handgun.

Leon could feel the tremendous strength behind every punch. Chris had him in a corner; he was being struck acting as if he were a punching bag. The immense pain coursing through him; his stomach being bruised with every strike, his ribs felt as if they were going to shatter. He couldn't take much more of this; he had to –Now- Leon eluded that fist causing him to strike the wall instead. Leon slipped behind him taking out his knife. He jabbed the sharp edge into Chris' side pulling it out. –Got him-

Claire proceeding trading blows with Jill; it was clear close quarters. Jill was better at it; she couldn't compare; she had to get away. Distance was her ally; she made this task so hard. Jill's strikes were relentless, fast; powerful. Claire's body plunged into Jill's sharp knee taking her breath away. Jill elbow crashed against her spine forcing to fall to the floor. Still, she couldn't lose not after coming so far.

Claire noticed a assault rifle on the ground; wait was that-She had an idea- She evaded Jill's axe kick as it came crashing down on her. Claire picked up her handgun preparing to fire; Jill deterred her shot smacking her hands. The Handgun flew out of her hands hitting the floor. Jill's elbow jammed into her neck pushing her back. Another, Claire ducked sprinting towards the assault rifle.

Almost there; Claire increased her speed. She could feel her heart pounding; so close. Jill pulled out dual submachine guns. –Oh god- She ran faster as Jill shot at the pipes in the ceiling steam pouring down on her. This hot steam would burn her skin; still she out ran the steam. Claire went to reach for the gun but Jill's weight hit her lower back at full force. Her body slammed into the concrete. Claire's eye peered up at the assault rifle; only a few inches away. Just a bit more, She started using her legs t kick Jill off her reaching for it. –Yes- Claire fired a grenade at Jill using the grenade launcher attachment. Jill quickly threw her body out of the way as the explosion tore the area apart.

The dynamite crates exploding; fuel canisters erupting; the ground cracking. Claire panted holding the assault rifle to her chest. The severity of her attack; it scared Jill off; she'd retreat for-What- Jill struck her with a fierce blow to the chest. She knocked the assault rifle out her hands. Jill started pounding away at her punches, kicks, so fast. Claire swung at her; she caught her arm striking at her kidney. Claire screamed as her body was thrown onto the ground like a meteor crashing down. Jill gripped her right arm twisting it dislocating her shoulder.

Claire forced herself to get back up; Jill eyed her every move. She was out of breath; her attacks would be slower now. This was her chance for a comeback; Claire picked up her knife swinging at Jill. She ducked striking her side with great force. She caught Claire's arm twisting it making her drop the knife. Claire tried to strike her with her elbow but Jill caught it getting behind her. She had her restrained; she couldn't move.

"You're no Chris," Jill grabbed a handful of her ponytail pulling it tight. Claire cried out in pain as she pulled her hair. She felt the tug get rougher forcing to her to surrender; still she wouldn't give up. There had to be a way out of this; she had to fight back. Beat her, for Alex. Claire noticed a knife sheathed at Jill upper thigh. The tug on hair so tight; tears dripped her eyes but she could do this. Claire reached for the knife grasping it.

"You're right," Claire lips formed a smirk. "I'm his sister." She jammed the sharp edge of the knife into Jill's leg twisting it. Jill screamed releasing her hair; Claire drew her head back slamming into her face. She had to act now, this was it her chance.

She punched Jill in the stomach refusing to let up for a second; she had until Jill pulled the knife out to end her. The second Jill pulled it out; Claire struck with a fully charged round house kick that knocked Jill into the steel storage unit. Jill hit it her whole body slammed into the steel. The collision creating a loud echo.

Claire took a deep breath; panting loudly. She did it; she-No- Jill glared at her forced into a sit by her attack. She watched as she got back up ready for more. The anger was back, the adrenaline back, Jill eyes pierced her. –How could she still be standing? - Jill pulled out her dual submachine guns. Claire had to act fast; she charged at her. –How the- Jill performed back flip landing on top of the steel storage unit; she couldn't reach her. How did she do that?

"You shouldn't have done that," Jill warned; Claire gasped as the bullets came rushing towards her. She couldn't reach her; Jill had the high ground this wasn't good. No time to complain, she had to run like hell. Claire rushed passed staying out of her line of fire as her sub machine gun hit every canister by her creating explosion after explosion. Back to back; Claire barely out ran them. The blistering heat rising; her adrenaline pumping; this wasn't over yet.

Claire took shelter behind cover; she gripped her dislocated shoulder-Easy- Claire popped it back in place returning movement to her arm. Claire took a deep breath waiting for the pain to settle for now; Jill wasn't able to get a shot at her. This gave her time to think; how was she going to get up there? Jill leaped to the second floor; she aimed artillery towards Leon.

Chris and Leon proceeded trading blows until bullets whisked passed him. The fuel canister next to them exploded. Chris blocked while Leon was sent tumbling across the ground. He didn't expect it; his partner she got involved Claire was nowhere in sight. For now it was two on one, Claire was probably taking time to sort out a plan of some kind. He'd had to hold out long enough for her to come up with one.

Leon noticed more bullets rushing towards him; he dodged them rolling in front of Redfield while Jill reloaded. He struck Chris several times; more bullets. Leon ducked Chris' fist rolling out of the way of Jill's bullets. He cringed; he was shot; he gripped his leg as blood seeped from the wound. Chris punched him knocking him to the floor. He got back on his feet; Jill started reloading. He didn't have much time for this.

Leon tossed his last flash grenade at Jill. She took cover; Chris went to hit him. He ducked kicking Chris in the jaw. He then grabbed Chris from behind choking him out. Chris fought with him trying to get free; he refused to let go until he passed out. Leon's back collided with brick wall as Chris used it to gain leverage; still he refused to let go. –Damn-

Chris gripped Leon's shirt throwing him on the concrete. Chris got on top of him; punching him in the face; Leon put his arms up blocking every hit. He just needed one opening that's it. –There it is- Leon struck Chris in the nose stopping his assault. Chris wiped the blood from his nose.

Chris grabbed him by his shirt tearing it a bit. Leon tried to get free but he was tossed into a crate of dynamite. "Catch," Chris lit his lighter-No thanks-

Leon jumped out the crate as it ignited the dynamite. The brutal explosion pushed him back not being able to avoid all of it. Bullets, Leon ran out running them. As long as he stayed in motion; she couldn't get a clear- Chris' punched him while he was in motion. He ran right into it. "There we go," Chris grabbed his shirt picking him up by it. "Face it Kennedy you've lost." He held his machete to his throat. "Now leave Alex to," Leon kicked the machete out of his hands. Chris went to punch him; he caught his fist. The other fist; he caught it too. Leon kicked Chris in the stomach knocking the air out of him.

"Leon," Claire ran out of cover; she had an idea. Jill began firing at her. Claire sprinted passed the bullets. She was running towards him. Leon knew her idea; Chris went to strike him. Leon ducked; Claire climbed on his back jumping off it; she kicked Chris in the back of the head leaping off it. Claire threw her body at the storage unit landing on top of it. She made it.

Claire landed in crouch position. She took a few deep breaths. Her eyes leered up at Jill; they were on even ground now.

Her kick hit Chris so hard; he moved toward Leon; an opening. Leon wrapped his arms around Chris' waist slamming him onto the concrete. Chris lied there trying to get back up; Leon went to retrieve his handgun but Chris tackled him. The impact caused him to collapse onto the floor. Leon felt his fists pounding on his lower back. He reached for his Handgun; almost. Chris grabbed his leg dragging him away from it. –Damn it- Leon kicked him breaking free.

Chris rolled picking up Leon's handgun; he fired at him. Leon picked up his knife running up the wall landing behind him. The shots missed; hitting the wall instead. "Hold it," Leon held the knife to his throat. Chris elbowed him in the stomach; the impact caused him to release the knife. He felt the fury of Redfield's punches. Each strike heavier than the next-Finally- Leon saw his opening and took it; He kicked Chris in the jaw knocking him to the floor. –What- Leon jumped behind cover as a fuel canister exploded. Jill was targeting him still; he smirked not for long.

Claire sprinted at Jill tackling her to the floor. She thought she had her but Jill caught her. She felt her knees jam into her stomach. Jill tried to shoot her; Claire kicked the gun out of her hand. Jill spun trying to strike her; she evaded striking her with another kick. Jill stumbled into a fuel canister. She dumped it over; the gas poured onto the floor. Jill lit a match tossing it on the gas streak. Claire stepped back as the flames drew closer. Jill readied her submachine gun firing at her.

Claire slid behind cover; the flames protected her; she couldn't get close to her. Still there had to be-Perfect- Claire noticed a M39R resting in the one of the crates; she armed herself with it firing back at her. She focused her aim on the Fuel Canisters by Jill.

Jill evaded the explosion still targeting her; Claire refused to let up either. Bullets hit the dynamite crate next to Jill. More explosions, she kept firing at the explosives keeping Valentine on the ropes. Jill fired back at her; she hid behind cover. –That sound-

Claire heard a clip drop; Jill was reloading. Now; Claire rushed passed the flames striking her in the face. Jill caught her arm twisting it; Claire found herself trapped in barrage of kicks to her ribs-Now- She ducked Jill's roundhouse kick; grabbing her waist. –Take this- Claire ran off the second floor with Jill slamming her body onto the concrete with a brutal tackle. The impact caused Jill to release her submachine gun. Claire resided on top of her pinning her down; she reacted quickly. She couldn't hold her for long; Claire struck Jill with the submachine gun as hard as she could.

At last, Jill Valentine was out cold; she beat her. All that was left was to defeat her brother. No time for breaks; Leon needed her. "Leon, catch," She tossed him submachine gun.

Leon raced over to it catching it; he spun in mid air shooting a steel chain that held up a steel storage unit. The giant unit fell; Chris left with no options jumped away from it becoming trapped behind it. "Kennedy," He heard him scream in anger. The fight was over; they won barely.

"I guess we're doing this your way," Moira handed Claire the keycard.

"Yeah, we are," Leon panted out of breath tossing the empty submachine gun aside. "Let's go before they come after us." Claire nodded; she wasn't looking forward to a rematch with Jill. Something told her; she wouldn't surprise her the second time.

Claire swiped the keycard; the doors began to massive elevator opened slowly. –Oh you got to be kidding- Jill started to wake up eager to stop them. Chris started climbing over the storage unit that blocked his path. Their team reunited gathered their firearms. Claire and Leon slipped underneath the elevator door getting inside as bullet rushed passed them. The doors began to close. "Claire wait," Moira yelled. "I'm coming with you." The bullets flew passed them; it's too dangerous to talk about this right now.

"Stay here," Claire requested. "My brother and Jill; will look after you. I'm not losing you again; I'll be back when it's over." She assured her.

"But Claire,

"Take care," Claire winked at her; the door to the elevator shut. They heard a loud slam; as either Chris or Jill hit the door trying to stop them but it was too late. Chris just had to trust her on this; he no longer had a choice. She took a deep breath relaxing as the elevator took them very last floor. "We made it,"

"Yeah," Leon agreed sitting down next to her. "We did," Claire rested her head on his shoulder. It would be some time before the elevator came to a stop. This is last floor; their mission would over soon. The nightmare was coming to an end. They just had to fight one more time; one last encounter. "So when this is over, what are you going to do?" Claire laughed.

"Isn't it a little too soon for celebration," She questioned. "I'll humor you, first a bath, a long one. Maybe a trip to a spa; a little drinks, a nap; I'll settle for a vacation. A nice long virus-free vacation," Leon chuckled.

"Sounds good," Leon draped his arm on her shoulder . "Got room for one more on that vacation?" Claire laughed.

"Maybe,"