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Chapter 8: The Lone Wolf
Five days later the investigation of Rufus Shinra had turned up no evidence of wrong doing, Rufus however was playing the humanitarian, funding a big clean up project in conjunction with the WRO. Thankfully NECRO WEAPON hadn't caused much damage outside of all the wreaked equipment and soldiers who lost their lives fighting the NECRO beasts and those who ran the rail cannon. After the battle John had gone missing, no one had seen or talked to him since the incident. Jr. has been at his short end of his father's temper for letting the airship get damaged and has since forth been solely working on it, he works so hard that he even sleeps in the hanger now. Alex has also been a recluse the past five days, he only returns home to eat and sleep then heads out to do his deliveries the only one of his family members he has talked to was his mother for about 10 minutes each day, but its only about delivery orders. Lucy has gone on a desperate search for her brother and Alex, but as good as she is they are crafty and know how to avoid her. Denzel has been swamped with work at the WRO since the NECRO WEAPON incident with Reeve retiring soon the organization is in an uproar about who will take his place and bring the WRO into a new era.
"Stop fusing about." Chided Marlene to her husband as she fixed his neck tie for him
Marlene and Denzel were at home preparing for the big ceremony tonight was the night that Reeve finally stood down as head of the WRO. Denzel was slightly anxious at Reeves discussion, whatever it was it was about to change Denzel's life in a big way.
"Stop moving and let me get this tie on you, I want my baby to look perfect for his big promotion." Stated Marlene loving as she smiled at Denzel
"Come on Marlene, you know I'm not going to replace Reeve, there are at least 100 people better than me." Chuckled Denzel as he kissed Marlene on the lips lightly
"That's true, but none of the are you." Stated Marlene as she finished with Denzel's tie
Denzel smiled at his wife as she went to her mirror to put on her earrings, then turned around to view himself in his own mirror. Denzel believed that he looked dashing in his brand new tux. He didn't usually wear things like this, but this was a special occasion. Denzel looked at his wife, Marlene was wearing a beautiful dark purple dress. Denzel smiled for a woman who was four months pregnant with his child he thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. As she stood up Denzel moved over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her, just as he leaned in for a passionate kiss, he was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Marlene smiled at him loving then kissed him on the cheek as she walked down the stairs to the front door. Cloud and Tifa had arrived at Denzel's house to greet their daughter-in-law at the front door.
"Marlene you look beautiful." Remarked Cloud as he gave her a big hug
"Yes you look wonderful, are you guys ready?" asked Tifa as she too gave Marlene a hug.
Denzel walked down the stairs as he was greeted with a warm hug by his mother, Cloud walked up to his son and patted him on the shoulder with an acknowledging smile.
"Let's go." Exclaimed cloud
"Is Alex coming?" asked Denzel
"I don't know, no one's talked to him in 5 days." Stated Tifa sadly
Everyone piled into the Strife Family van and headed for the WRO head quarters. About an 20min later they had finally reached the WRO headquarters. The building had been decorated nicely for this auspicious occasion. The Strife family had entered and we greeted by the smiling Shelke and Cait Sith.
"Welcome guys , everyone is out in the garden area in the back." Stated Shelke warmly
"Yeah, Let's get this party started!" shouted Cait
"You look beautiful Shelke." Stated Tifa as Shelke did a slight turn in her charming blue dress
"Thank you Tifa, you and Marlene look amazing as well." Stated Shelke
"Thanks you very much." Giggled Marlene
Cloud and Denzel just chuckled as they headed for the garden. 20 minutes later everyone had been ushered into the garden and the ceremony was about to began. As the small slideshow chronicling the history of the WRO began, Alex stepped out on to the balcony over looking the courtyard from behind, far from the others. Alex chuckled to himself, no matter what he was going through he'd never miss his brother's big day. Alex had thought back to the night of the NECRO WEAPON incident and reflected on what brought him into this reclusive state, Alex looked on and focused on the scene in front of him.
5 days earlier………..
Alex had finally arrived home after 4 hours of debriefing, he had told Reeve everything he knew about the case. The only problem was nothing seemed to connect. Nothing made sense, there were so many questions but not enough answers. Alex flopped on to his bed as he started to feel his eyes flutter shut, they felt like two massive dump trunks pulling on his eyes as he slipped into blissful slumber. As Alex slept he once again fell into the same dream that had been plaguing him for months.
Alex was walking through the same church once again when he was confronted by the same woman in pink. Alex growled in anger he was down with this, after everything he'd been through today he was up to facing another one of these self –esteem lowing dreams.
'What do you want? Go away I don't wanna talk to you!" exclaimed Alex
"I'm only trying to help Alex, please listen." Asked the girl in pink
"How by criticizing me! I've had enough to deal with today and I don't need you telling I'm not good enough any more!" shouted Alex
"Alex that's not what I'm doing and you know it, you have to trust me." Stated the girl
"Why should I? I don't even know who the hell you are….or even if your real!" exclaimed Alex
"Some times its just enough to have faith, please have faith in me Alex. You don't have to be like your father….you can't be like him, you can only be….." stated the girl
"Be what a loser, You have no power over me or my actions! I make my own decisions. I've lived my whole life as the son of Cloud Strife do have any idea how that feels?" exclaimed Alex
"No I don't but that's not all you are." Stated the girl warmly
"What else am I?"
"Your Alexander Zachary Strife, and as you said only you can define that identity."
"Alex Strife is a no body screw up…….did you see what happened today? I had my chance to stop NECRO WEAPON, but I screwed it up. Everyone had to save my ass today, Lucy, Cid, Vincent, John…….my brother. When I had my chance I wasted it….I did shit…that's all I do…..all I'm worth."
"Dilly dally silly sally!" shouted the girl
"What!" exclaimed a perplexed Alex
"What you're saying is nonsense, Dilly dally silly sally, just plain nonsense see." Replied the girl
"My mother used to say that to me……...DON"T YOU EVER SAY THAT TO ME! I don't know why I even decided to hear you out. Your just a figment of my imagination, you're not real. You're just something that my mind came up with to drive me crazy." Shouted Alex angrily
"That's not it Alex you're in danger!" exclaimed the girl desperately
"From what!" shouted Alex
"I….can't tell you. You must come to terms with yourself If you ever hope to face the road that lies before you."
"And what lies ahead of me?"
"That I also can't say, It's your path only you can walk it."
"Then let me, let me choose my path. And the path I choose……is one far from you down the same road as my father, so that when I get to the end I can finally look at myself in the mirror and see more than a failure. Whatever danger you think is up ahead I'll be more than ready."
"Alex No!" she exclaimed in desperation
"SHUT UP!" shouted Alex as he suddenly fell through the floor into a dark abyss
As Alex fell he saw a shadowed figure covered in a glowing aura. It looked like his father, dressed in one of Shinra's SOLIDER uniforms, complete with glowing blue mako eyes. But some how it was different from his father, the vision before him had wild dark hair.
"Choosing the path of the lone wolf huh! Your just like your old man, maybe you'll learn the same lesion, I just hope it's not through the hard way." Stated
As Alex reached out toward the ghostly figure he fell deeper into the darkness and awoke in a cold sweat. Alex was breathing heavily as he moved into a sitting position, He cupped his face in his hands as he tried to make sense of things. Alex had never seen the other figure in his dreams before. His mind was playing tricks on him and Alex was nearing the end of his rope. He sighed heavily as he looked at the time on the clock it was 2:00 am, it was eight hours before his next delivery and considering how his life was going recently he'd need all the sleep he could get to deal with the next day.
The next morning Alex stopped by the Seventh Heaven Bar to pick up his delivery orders from his mother. As he entered the lights were off as usually during the early morning hours. Alex called out into the seemingly desolate bar for his mother, but there was no response. Alex proceeded cautiously into Seventh Heaven, he called out once more as he neared the stairs.
"I'm up here Alex in the close!" gleefully shouted Tifa to her son
Alex sighed with relief, as he hastily ascended up the stairs. He rounded the corner find his mother squatting down in front of the hall closet rummaging through boxes. Alex smirked slightly as he leaned against the wall, as he watched his mother work.
"What are you doing Mom?" asked Alex
"I'm going through the closet honey, It's so full of clutter that it needs to be cleaned out." Replied Tifa sweetly
"Oh, I see. Hey where's dad?" asked Alex as he took a quick look around the hall
"He left early for the WRO headquarters to have a meeting with Reeve about yesterday."
"Do you know what's the meeting about?"
"Sorry, but no. Hey honey could you hold this box of old photos real quick."
Tifa handed her son a small shoe box full of pictures, Alex sighed as he started to rummage through the photos. He chuckled a bit as old memories flashed through his brain, the photos reminding him of all the good times he had with his family. Suddenly he noticed a small envelope in the box that seemed to be all tapped up separate from the rest of the photos. Alex turned away from his mother slightly and slowly opened the small envelope unnoticed. When it was open he saw that it was filled with small worn away old photos. Alex's eyes widened with shock as he held up one particular picture. It was of his mother and father and their friends at The Gold Saucer, but Alex's eyes were focused solely on the woman at the front of the picture standing next to his father. She was the same woman in pink that had been haunting his dreams for months. Alex's mouth was a gape as he dropped the box of photos. Tifa turned her head in shock toward her son as held the photo in front of his mother's face.
"Who's she?" asked Alex as he tried to stay calm
Tifa's eyes saddened as her head lowered.
"She was an old friend long ago, she……..helped us save the world, but died in the process….her name was…..Aerith." stated Tifa solemnly
Alex dropped the photo as he ran his hands through his hair in desperation. Alex slowly started to back away from his mother as he started to breathe heavily. Alex was in disbelief he was being haunted by a ghost. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around this nor did he want to. Alex hastily ran down the stairs as his mother began fearfully calling out to him astonished by her son's behavior. Alex ran out door and quickly fumbled with his keys before he screamed out loud in anger and revved up the Fenrir, bursting down the street and out of Edge City. Tifa stood by the Seventh Heaven Bar as she watched Alex leave an emotional mess, she hand no idea what was wrong with her son, but apparently it had something to do with the old photo of Aerith she held in her hand.
Meanwhile at the WRO headquarters Reeve was sitting in his office looking out the window as Cloud Strife stood in front of his desk reading over the NECRO WEAPON report.
"Is this all?" asked Cloud
"It's every piece of information that we could find……or that was handed to us." Sighed Reeve
"Do you think Rufus is on the level?"
"I don't know what to believe Cloud. These past years Rufus hasn't given us any reasons to not trust him. He's given so much to the WRO, he even handed us all the Shinra files he had on NECRO WEAPON."
"I know, but something just doesn't sit well. As big project like this rears its ugly headed because of a simple accident, all the pieces of this case just fit too perfectly."
"I know what you mean I have apprehensions as well, but there's little I can do without proof. That's why I sent Shelke and Nanaki on a recognizance mission to gather info on Rufus, so far…..they got nothing."
"What if Rufus isn't behind this ARE there other leads?"
"Who else is there? Who has the money the means,….the motive?"
"I guess your right. But I can't figure things out Rufus hands us all the info, he even gave us files we weren't looking for."
"You mean the Nibelheim file, brings back bad memories doesn't it?"
"I didn't even know he had that file. But that's besides the point Rufus is acting like he's innocent, like he has nothing to hide." Stated Cloud as he tossed the Nibelheim file onto Reeve's desk, unnoticed by both of them one of the photos accidentally slipped out. It was an old photo of Tifa, Zack and Sephiroth from over 25 years ago.
"And that's a bad thing?"
"A man with that much blood on his hands and sins in his heart, should have a mountain of things to hide." Said Cloud as Reeve nodded in agreement
"Hey Cloud, would you consider taking over for me when I retire?" asked Reeve hopefully
"I don't think I'm the right man for the job, besides…..I'm not much good at helping people as you are." Chuckled Cloud
"That's exactly what Vincent said." Chuckled Reeve
You still haven't decided on a replacement yet?" asked Cloud
"I've asked everyone I could think of they all turned down the position."
"What about Denzel?"
"Do you think he's right for the job?"
"He's my son. I know he's right." Smiled Cloud
Alex however was not right at the time, he had been circling around the hills outside of Edge City for an hour now trying to clear his head to no avail. Suddenly something caught his eye on one of the hills over looking Midgar. Alex rode up to it and approached carefully, he left Fenrir at the base of the hill as he walked up slowly. It was an old rusted buster sword, stuck in the ground as if a monument to something. Alex examined the sword carefully. There was an inscription carved on the blade that had been worn by time. To Zack I'm sorry. Please find peace in the lifestream my friend. I'll live for the both of us. Alex sighed as he took a seat at the edge of the cliff.
The last thing Alex needed was to be seeing the ghost of his parent's old friends in his dreams. He didn't know who left this memorial here, but he had a feeling he knew who it was. Alex sighed as he looked over the hills at the crystal blue sky. After a couple of minutes Alex noticed that a wolf had walked up beside him. Alex recoiled slightly before he realized it wouldn't hurt him. The wolf crawled up next to Alex and laid next to him, Alex smiled a bit as he lightly petted the wolf on the head it whimpered a bit as it nuzzled his hand.
"Where's your family?" Alex asked the wolf softly, The wolf merely whimpered a bit in reply.
"Lone Wolf huh? I know the feeling your in good company." Stated Alex
Alex sat there for a while thinking things over before his phone started to ring, he was reluctant to answer at first, but finally gave in.
"Hello." He stated somberly
"Alex it's your mother where are you?" Tifa asked concerned
"Some where near." Stated Alex
"Alex what's wrong with you, tell me please. You ran out of the house so suddenly…"
"I'm fine, do have any deliveries for me, cuz if you don't I'm gonna hang up."
"Yes, come by the bar to pick up a package the address is on the box….are you sure your ok honey?"
"I'm fine bye."
Alex clicked off his phone as he stood up and headed for his Fenrir, Alex looked on at the memorial in disgust. Suddenly, he popped open the bike's sword compartment and drew his Tsurugi, he bolted for the memorial and sliced the buster sword in half out of anger. The wolf looked on in horror as Alex rode away on his bike a trail of tears flowing behind him. The wolf looked on toward the sky and howled out in sadness, yet no reply would be heard.
Alex was about to turn the corner and head for the bar when he noticed the old abandoned church, it seemed to call out to him. Alex switched off his engine and slowly walked into the church. Alex kneeled down by the flowers as he had in his dreams. He closed his eyes and breathed in the soft floral scent. Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his shoulder startling him. Alex jumped back as the woman in pink stood before him.
"What do you want?" Alex shouted in anger
"You can't do this to yourself Alex. Distancing yourself from others will only make the problem grow." Stated Aerith sweetly
"I don't need a lecture from my parent's dead friend." Stated Alex gruffly
"It seems like a lecture is exactly what you need." Stated Zack who appeared behind Alex scaring him slightly
"Neither of you is real! Your just…faded memories!" shouted Alex as he swung at the apparitions with his sword
The ghost faded away as he swung at them. Alex stood alone in the church for a while as he sheathed his sword. He walked out of the church with a sullen look as his phone rang once more.
"WHO IS IT?" shouted Alex
"You can't run forever Alex." Stated Aerith on the other line
Alex tossed his phone in anger and shock. It flew through the air finally colliding with a brick wall shattering to pieces.
"I'm gonna try." Stated Alex as he got on his bike and drove off
As Alex drove off Zack and Aerith watched him from the church. Aerith sighed with sadness in her eyes as Zack placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"He's just like his dad." Chuckled Zack
"Yes…..too much like him. And that's the problem." Sighed Aerith
Present day
Alex was suddenly brought out of his trance as a thunderous applause came from the crowd, the presentation was over and Reeve had made his way on to the stage. Reeve smiled as he waved to the various people. Alex leaned over the balcony a little, a slight twinge of excitement at his upcoming announcement.
"Welcome everybody to this auspicious occasion. I am happy to bring you all here today to celebrate. I know that these past years have not been easy, on the planet…..on the people…..but the WRO was created to bring hope and promise in a time of grave darkness. From Meteorfall to the Deepground incident and even the tragic NECRO WEAPON debacle, which I regret to inform claimed the lives of many good men recently. We have come so far and it is with a heavy heart that I must resign from my position as head of the WRO. But in my place I leave you in capable hands and I am here to announce my successor. The person I choose as my replacement is a strong willed person,…intelligent, responsible with a big heart. The new head of the WRO is………………Denzel Strife." Stated Reeve
Everyone started clapping wildly for a standing ovation, Marlene gave her husband a deep kiss as he walked on to the stage and shook Reeve's hand. Cloud beamed with pride at his son as Tifa snapped a few pictures and held back a wave of tears. Alex smirked slightly as he gave his brother a thumbs up.
"Thank you, all of you! I probably don't deserve this, but I do promise that I will do the best job I possibly can. Here's to the WRO and a brand new future filled with hope!" Shouted Denzel courageously
Alex smiled then turned away from the stage and started to walk away from the balcony. He headed for the parking garage, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.
"So are you just going to leave without congratulating your brother?" asked Lucy
"He doesn't need my praise." Smirked Alex
Alex turned around to look at Lucy she was wearing a stunningly beautiful crimson dress, Alex step closer to her as he drunk in her beauty with his eyes.
"Wow you look amazing tonight."
"I don't see you for a week and all you have to say is that I look amazing. Your not half as charming as you think you are Alex."
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't give me I'm sorry Alex!"
"The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you."
"How funny, the least you could do is tell me what's going on with you."
"I can't."
"Why! Please Alex open up to me I care about you. Why do you keep running from things Alex we need to talk about this……I know you have problems. You feel inadequate, but you've been able to open up to me in the past….what makes this situation different?"
"Goodbye." Stated Alex sadly as he got on Fenrir
"Goodbye…Goodbye! No you do not get to run away….Alex get back here right this instant!" Shouted Lucy as Alex drove off
As he drove away Lucy broke down into tears, her brother was missing her best friend was distancing himself from her, nothing seemed to be going right. As the crowds cheered in the garden above Lucy Valentine sat crying to herself in the parking garage under the WRO.
Next; Chapter 9: The Family Man