Chapter 4 For the Children…

At the harbour town of Junon Zack and Cloud were ready to get on the ship bound for the western continent. On arrival they soon noticed Wutai's situation, the town was a shell of what it once was. Once a peaceful beautiful and lively town was now a tourist attraction few of the townsfolk were still in Wutai mostly just tourists dressed in far different clothes from the residents.
Zack looked around in utter disbelief. "This is terrible… I remember seeing pictures in the papers of this place it's famous for it's tall Buddha statues on the mountains called Da-Chao and the massive Pagoda that's at the end of the town." He suddenly extended his arm and pointed a finger to the distance. "Look Cloud, there's the Pagoda! Before we deliver these provisions we should look around."
Cloud nodded in affirmation. "Sure, I've always wanted to see this place."
They made their way across town to probably the most famous bar on Gaia, the Turtles Paradise. Everything inside was so oriental, so different from anywhere else.
Bonsai trees took up the corners of the bar and exotic drinks lay across the shelves.
The barkeeper noticed the two ShinRa men. "You're from ShinRa right?" He said while cleaning a glass. "What more damage could ShinRa do to this town?"
"We're here to supply provisions for the town, nothing more." Zack sighed. "Listen we'll drop of the supplies at the Pagoda and we'll be gone before you know it."

At the Pagoda, the grounds outside were quiet just a single dog wandered around whimpering. The Pagoda itself was colossal and there were seven floors to the antique building. To the left of the Pagoda was a small shrine with a golden coloured gong. Just as Zack and Cloud got to the entrance a very young girl with short black hair came rushing out crying. Zack tried to calm the girl as she passed by and the girl stopped suddenly. "SHUT UP!! I'm the great Materia Hunter! And I'm gonna get lot's of Materia and restore Wutai to it's former beauty!!" after that outburst she ran off. The girl looked like she was only about nine years old, her cheeks were bright red and she wore a bandana around her forehead.
Zack shrugged his shoulders. "Well whatever… I tried to help, come on Cloud let's go inside." When the two entered a middle-aged man wearing a royal blue kimono greeted them. "Welcome! I am Godo the mayor of this fine town would you be hear to see the attract…" he cut himself off and paused for a second. "Oh! Men from ShinRa! I apologise I didn't notice a first. What brings you to Wutai?"
Zack and Cloud both dropped two large rucksacks from their shoulders.
"Here, these are supplies provided by ShinRa to help maintain a standard of living in this town… at least that's what we were told to say." Zack sighed quietly. "I really don't like what's happened here, I'm sorry for what ShinRa has done."
Godo walked over to the two young men and put his hands on their shoulders. "Don't worry about it, you two are far too young to be responsible for the war, what's done is done. Please enjoy the sights of Wutai before you leave."
Zack and Cloud headed outside and out of the Pagoda grounds to the main part of town.

Behind the gong a young cocky red-haired man was making a call of his company phone. "Sir, I've made contact… your orders?" the man on the other end of the phone replied. "Reno, just keep watch for now."
"You got it Mr. Veld." Reno said cockily.
Back at the Turtles Paradise, the barkeeper agreed to let Zack and Cloud drink.
Cloud sighed and Zack leaned back of his chair.
"It's a shame, we could have something with alcohol in it if we weren't on the job." Zack said smiling.
"You and alcohol? Equals bad mix." Cloud said light-heartedly.
"Funny guy." Zack answered. "Well I guess we should get going."
The to youths made their way outside and across the small bridge, suddenly a scream was heard from the Da-Chao mountains. The young girl from before came running down the mountain path followed by some monsters. The girl stopped in front of Zack and Cloud. "What are you waiting for!? Do something!!"
Zack took out his sword confidently and Cloud readied his rifle. Zack knocked back one of the monsters with the broad side of his sword. But when Cloud fired the bug-like beast evaded every shot. "Damn this is no good! I need a sword!" Cloud shouted.
"Cloud! I'll cover you, get a sword from the weapons store!" Zack blocked off the enemies while Cloud ran to the weapons store on his way he took the young girl in his arms and carried her to the store. "You'll be safe here, don't come outside until we say so… okay?"
The girl blushed slightly. "O… okay…"
"Sir! I need a sword!" The burly storeowner threw him a sword. Cloud nodded before rushing out of the store.

Zack was busy fighting the monsters. He slashed at the flying bug-like creature and cut it in half. "Heh, that's what you get!" Zack said confidently. Unknown to him another creature was behind him before Zack got to strike it was sliced by another sword. "What? You think you're some kind of show off now?" Zack said jokingly.
"You're welcome." Cloud replied.
The two young men turned to see one last monster waiting to strike. This enemy was a pharaoh like dog creature, it cast Bolt 2 and the dirt from the ground flew up, after it settled Zack and Cloud couldn't be seen. Suddenly the creature turned around to see the two soldiers standing side to side with their swords ready. They both smiled prior to leaping into the air and somersaulting before slashing the monster in a cross like fashion cutting it into four pieces. The pair shouldered their swords confidently as the people of the town came outside to see them, they were cheering.
"Thank you so much young'uns." an old woman said croakily.
"You did great!" a young resident shouted.
"I'm sorry I doubted you, you guys are all right!" the barkeeper said while laughing.
Zack scratched the back of his head. "Well, this doesn't usually happen." He said surprised.
Cloud held out the sword he borrowed to the storeowner.
"Keep it, go on it's my thanks for what you guys did, in our culture it's called a Katana take good care of it!"
Cloud smiled. "Thank you…"
Afterwards Zack and Cloud left the town as the people waved them goodbye, the young girl just looked on at the men who saved her life.
Back on the ship bound for Junon Cloud and Zack relaxed after their day.
"You know Cloud, we really did a good thing today didn't we?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think we did…" Cloud replied.
"So what are you gonna do with that sword?"
"Company regulations won't allow a ShinRa MP like me use anything but a standard issue rifle, I guess I'll put it in my locker for now."
"Cool, I can't wait to tell commander Angeal about today!" Zack said excitedly.

End Chapter…