AN: Um, so, I, you know... GAH IM SO SORRY -BOWS LIKE AN IDIOT- It's actually been a year since I last updated, and for that I'm so, so terribly sorry..! DX I haven't really given up on this story, as you've seen the update. Maybe some of you would be like, 'holy sh!t she updated' or 'man she's still here' or even 'i wont forgive you /3' BUT! I am back! I, Rivai, formerly Noelle Strife, shall continue this and battle my type 6 writer's block until the end!
Now, Let's see Cloud cross-dress.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII. You know the drill.
Oh, and to help with my sickening sickness,
Please Read and Review..! Thank you!
Enjoy this overbearingly late, Save File Six.
~Rivai
Save File Six
"Alright, let's recap." Cloud quietly said, eyes strained to the hand drawn map laid out on the table. I put down my bottle of water and watched the blond nod at the girls, who both did so back albeit anxiously. "We're going to the Don's Mansion, so Tifa, Aeris, and me will go on. Noel meanwhile," He traced his finger to the back of the house, where a green circle was hastily drawn on. "You'll infiltrate the mansion on your own, and rendezvous with us when we interrogate the Don. Let's try to avoid as much fights as we can."
"Remember, we're here to only question this loony, and not to do 'that' with the others." I shivered at the thought as the girls nervously sweat dropped. "You'll protect us, right, Cloud?" Aeris asked the blond who nodded seriously, although from this angle I could see his ears turn pink. I had to chuckle at that. If not for Zack's influence, these two would have been a great couple.
We're at an inn at the corner of the Sector Six Marketplace, a room for three especially reserved for us, (with me and my hard earned Gil that is!). I was strapping on new equipment such as the Iron Bangles while Tifa was helping Aeris put on some protective gear. Cloud was sitting at a bed, studying the map like a pro. I swear, his eyebrows were like connected already. He was concentrating really hard, but I know this is just an excuse to hide his nervousness of being a, erhm, a girl.
A few minutes later, the three left the inn to shop for their disguises while I went out to get some new weapons for Tifa and Aeris. The marketplace is lively. It's like every shopping district back at home. The vendors were shouting out their wares, others were trying to push poor customers into buying their stuff, others were doing vocal advertising. I walked past them and went north, where a lot of scrap metal stood to form shops and buildings. A neon sign saying 'Machine and Gun' caught my eye as I strode over there. A lot of people were looking at me, but I didn't pay attention and entered the shop.
"Excuse me!"
I tinged the bell and somebody wearing gruff clothes approached me from the other side of the counter, "Whaddya want?" He said roughly as I gulped nervously. Hey, I may be fearless when it comes to fighting monsters, but talking up front with salesmen is another story. "Yeah, I'd like to see your Weapon's list, please." I said rather timidly as the guy rolled his eyes and pushed a piece of paper in front of me. I bought Aeris's new staff as well as a new set of Tifa's gloves. I restocked up on ammunition that I would need much later on in the game. My current load is a bit taxing, even for someone like me.
I also went along to restock on Potions and Phoenix Downs. I can't really afford for many of these, so later I'm just going to get back my money from Cloud. I walked around a bit to get to know a little more about the Marketplace. My thoughts were confirmed that this place isn't suitable for a young lady, especially Tifa and Aeris no matter how strong they are. There are plenty of men here; most them were just sitting around, drinking to their hearts content.
They must've gotten their dress now, I think, so I wonder where they are. I had a little hunch as I entered the gym, and look what I found?
"You can do this, Cloud!"
"Yeah! Show em' who's boss!"
I walked inside the tent-like gym and I spotted the three immediately. They're surrounded by macho looking 'men' while this little pint-sized one stood in front of them, hands crossed over his chest, "The rules are simple; do as many squats as you can and beat the other's score. That sounds fair enough, right?" He, or she maybe, said snootily as the trio plus another manly trio nodded.
Aeris spotted me from the entrance waved me over, "We needed a wig for Cloud, since he refused to have his hair touched." She giggled to herself as I smirked. "Do you mind if this guy joins too?" Cloud suddenly said, his finger pointing at my direction. My jaw drop as I vigorously shook my head.
"No way." I don't want to sound like a wuss, but I failed PE since high school. Squats aren't even my thing since I have my asthma.
Cloud chuckled darkly as he hid his face from me, "Let's do this two on two." The other men agreed rather, enthusiastically.
"It's settled!"
"Wait-! Wha-!" Tifa already pushed me beside Cloud as they began to form their positions as Big Bro, the pint-sized one earlier, raised his hand to signal his mark. "On your mark, get set-!" I scrambled up on my knees, imitating the way Cloud is doing and trying to remember how we even did it.
"Go!"
30 seconds later
"They had a combination of 22 squats, while you guys got a score of 23."
I lay on my back as I breathed heavily; my legs and thighs feel so sore I could barely even move them. Cloud was like a monster, drilling himself until he's satisfied. The others weren't bad either, but I'm glad we won.
"You're really something. Okay, I'm a man of my word, here you are." Big Bro took something from his bag and gave it to the blond, who accepted it gratefully. The wig looked almost real, and shiny and soft to touch too. The other guys looked like they were about to throw a tantrum when their boss sucker punched them in the face. Tifa helped me up as we walked out of the gym and to the dress shop. I assumed they already talked to the tailor there.
"Welcome! Oh, it's you guys…" A hopeful looking young woman with slicked back hair greeted us at the entrance. The flower girl turned to the blond and asked if he's gonna go do dress up now. The ex-SOLDIER reluctantly nodded, "Ready as I'll ever be…" He took the dress from the older tailor's hands, begrudgingly walking towards the dressing room. I was looking over the dresses on display when I saw a pretty red, sequined dress. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this must be Aeris's dress, and I admit it must've looked pretty damn hot on her.
"What you got there, Noel?" I tilted my head to see the brunette to acknowledge her.
"Nothin' much. I just found this dress though; I think it looks cute on you." I replied as I handed the dress to her. She brushed her hands over the fabric, a small smile gracing her features.
Cute. "I'd like to have this one." She said, her eyes glittering with excitement. I produced my wallet and handed some remaining Gil to the store clerk. "Bill's on me." The clerk nodded to make arrangements when the flower girl gasped, "Wha?! Noel, it's fine; I can pay for this myself..!" She exclaimed as she reddened in embarrassment. I ruffled her hair in return.
"Don't worry about it. Besides," I looked over to Tifa, who was complimenting some of the store's other dresses, "A pretty lady must wear a pretty dress. Implied for all girls of different ages." I said cheerfully when the rustle of the dressing room curtain made me turn around. But as I did, my jaw dropped as my cheeks flushed.
"D-don't stare at me…" Cloud furiously stuttered, bowing his head to cover his awkwardness. I never thought that the blond looks super hot wearing a sexy looking dress and wig. In some weird way, the dress finely shaped his body, yet the hard-as-rock muscles were vaguely visible. He had on make-up, and I can't believe I even find this hot to begin with.
Damn, isn't this one of those yaoi things those students at school were fantasizing about..? He fucking reminds me of an uke… I shouldn't have read that Buko No Poci manga I confiscated from them!
"Wow, Cloud! It looks natural on you..!" The raven haired brawler said with a grin, sizing him up and down. The store owner and his daughter looked at each other and gushed up about how this could be a cool, new business for them. Aeris went to get dressed next as I sulked in a corner, contemplating my life. How the hell am I so attracted to this?! "Oy, Noel, you okay?" Tifa leaned down to pat my head, to which I visibly shuddered. My image as a ladies' man is at stake here!
I paid for Aeris dress, waited for her to get dressed and we went out afterwards. The four of us headed straight for the Don's Mansion, some of the men were looking at the girls, but most of them paid attention to Cloud. The blond, despite being masculine in a way, put his head down, abashed to raise it any further. I chortled quietly to myself as we reached the China town-like theme of the place. Or it may be Wutain, I think.
Tifa stopped in front of a skinny lad at the doors, hand at her hip with a confident pose, "I would like to see Don Corneo." She said firmly, eyeing the young man with dissatisfaction. He raised a brow, "What be your purpose here?"
"Can't you see I got some pretty hot babes here?" I reluctantly placed an arm around Cloud's waist, as said she-guy flinched at the touch. "They're gifts for the Don for helping my sister." So far, so good. The young man looked at the girls plus she-guy from head to toe. He let out a small cluck of his tongue. "Alright, fair enough." He then turned to the doors and announced, "Three ladies coming through!" The double doors opened as I nudged the three to get a move on. "Good luck…" I mumbled as they walked forward, Cloud fidgeting on his spot.
For theatrical measures, I tried to go with them. But as expected, the guy stopped me short on my tracks. "Look, the Don ain't interested in men. Even though you may be his old friend or whatever, I can't let you through." He put up his palm and deftly pushed me away. I stumbled on my feet and forcefully landed on my ass. I could see Aeris glancing at me worriedly, but I gave her a signal to keep going. The golden double doors closed, the last face I could see was Cloud's, looking terrified and absolutely frightened. Reminding myself to tease him later on when I come in to save them, I picked myself up from the spot and faced the guy. He arched a brow, but was quickly knocked back by my severe right cross. He stumbled and lay on the cold pavement as I immediately dragged his body with me.
"W-where…?" He mumbled incoherently as I looked back and kicked him at the face, to which he finally fell out of consciousness. I smirked as I shoved him inside a garbage bin and scaled the house, dragging the party's weapons with me, all the way to the back. I can hear raucous laughing coming from the inside of the mansion, as yellow and red lights flashed from the windows. They seem to be celebrating about something I thought, instantly reaching the back. There are two guards posted by the door, both talking excitedly and swinging their drinks. I stayed by the shadows, watching and listening in to their conversation.
"Hey, I heard we got a complete set of fine dolls today..!" One hooted.
"Hell yeah! I caught a glimpse earlier and they're smokin' hot!" The other flushed with enthusiasm.
Fucking perverts. I nearly let out a growl as I stepped out of the shadows, tightening my gloves, "You two talkin' about my girls?" I snarled, watching them freeze at my appearance. In a split second, I locked my arm and leg around either neck of the two. Crunching up their muscles and bones, I could hear a resounding snap, echoing across the silence. Without another word, I soundlessly let them go as they slumped to the floor. Three down, a whole lot to go. I thought, opening up the small piece of paper where a map is sketched.
The next thing to do is to go inside and wait and see who the Don's gonna pick. I arched my eyebrows, scanning the map once again. I swear to god if that sicko picked Aeris, I'm really going to kick his ass in Wutai. I pocketed the map and picked up the two unconscious grunts up to the trash can, shoving them both inside. "Nothing personal, boys." I murmured at their cataleptic forms before shutting the lid. I stepped up inside the musty hallway and put up the collar of my windbreaker, carefully making sure that I am not being followed.
"Mhmmmm… Nice, very nice…" The Don practically purred at the sight of Cloud, who turned his face the other way. On either side of him are Tifa and Aeris, both eyeing him worriedly. I sat on top of the beam, watching with bathed breath as the Don moved from one girl to the next. Somehow, I'm feeling a little sorry about Cloud; I'll treat him to some dinner after this.
"Slim and slender…" He hummed at Aeris, who gulped anxiously. I bawled a fist, threatening to come jumping down on him and beat the crap outta-! Ahem, back to the subject. The fat man then turned to Tifa, the brawler stiffening at his gaze, "Cute, cute…" He leered closer to her, nose nearing the hem of her bossom…
Before I made my decision of going down there and pound his fat, meaty ass with my magic, Don Corneo moved instantly to Cloud. He smirked and checked out the blond's face once more, who then moved to the other side. They kept doing this for several times until the Don made a satisfied smile, "Woo-hoo! I've made up my mind!"
I held in breath.
"My choice for tonight is…..this healthy looking girl!" He kneeled in front of Cloud as I prevented myself from guffawing. The Ex-SOLDIER looked damn surprised.
"Wa, wait a sec- I mean, uh, please wait a moment!" He took a step backward while shaking his head. The Don pervertedly shook his hips, "Woo-hoo! I love chickies who play hard to get! Yeowza!" Too bad for you Cloud; you look too hot anyway, for a guy.
Don Corneo turned to the two other lackeys, "You can have the other ones." The flunkies saluted him.
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you, sir!"
The blond pervert turned to the 'girl' he chose and emitted a sickening smile, "Well, then. Shall we go, my pretty?" He said as he wrapped a meaty arm around Cloud's waist; the ex-SOLDIER's adam's apple bobbed up and down, causing Tifa to warn him with her eyes. Finally, he let out a sigh that went unnoticed by the Don, and followed him reluctantly into the next room.
"This way, ladies…" Scotch led Tifa away from Aeris, who was being dragged away by Kotch. If looks could kill, they'd all be dead right now by my heated gaze. I racked my brains as hard as I could; Tifa would be in the room with the many guys, while Aeris would be alone with that sonofabitch. I first thought of Aeris and how dangerous it is to be in the same room with guy who would touch her or rape her. She's not great with physical brawls, but she is an adept mage. I'm sure with that Ice Materia I bought for her, she should be able to kick Kotch's ass. And while I shouldn't worry about Tifa, since she is pretty good in combat after all, and yet at the same time, it's a one vs. many battle.
I decided to follow Tifa.
"Hey, guys! We have a guest!" I could hear Scoth yelling at the din, as several others hooted and whooped in glee. I perched myself above the beams, carefully making sure that I'm safely propped up to the wooden entrails, "Hehe, we'll take REAL good care of you…" A lackey said all the while smacking his lips with his tongue. Tifa mad a face at him.
"This is all thanks to the big boss, Don Corneo! Don't forget to pay your respects to him." Scotch said giddily. The men cheered and hooted again.
"Three cheers to Don Corneo, the Don of the Slums!"
"Aye, aye!"
"Here, here!"
"Three I said!"
"Psst, Tifa." The raven haired young woman looked up and caught sight of me waving at her. Her face was a mixture of surprise and relief, "Noel…" She mumbled, continuing to look up at me while the others cheered with whatever they're doing. I motioned her to await my signal when Scotch's banter ceased once again and placed their attention back on Tifa, "Heh, heh…well, lady, are you, uh, all ready?" Scotch has this sly smirk etched on his pathetic face that makes wanna rip it into pieces.
The brawler, however, walked over to Scotch, her face looking determined. The man, seeing this, said softly, "Hey…what's wrong? Want me to keep you company?" Tifa had a different idea though.
"I'm flattered, but no thanks."
"Because…" Scotch raised an eyebrow.
"Because..?"
"Because she ain't INTERESTED in a buncha scrubs like you jackasses!" I jumped down from my hiding spot and threw the young woman her gloves, just as Tifa flung her dress off; her normal clothes are under it though.
Damn. Great for keeping my fantasies. "Wha-!...A MAN?" Scotch backed away and fell on his ass. The others began to surround us. "Goddamnit! You think you can get away with this?! Get him and kick the crap outta him!" The man ordered as the men unsheathed their swords, but me and Tifa were more than ready.
"One, two, fuck you!" I surged forward, my right palm glowed a brilliant fiery red glow as I sucker punched the first one's face, a loud sizzling sound took place and he yelled in pain. They lunged at me, sword in hand, as they twisted to hack and stab me in all sorts of parts of my body. Seeing this, I pulled out my gun and rammed the pistol to one's head. BANG! Red smoke emitted as the body fell on its backside. The men surrounding us were hesitating to make another attack, "I'll only say this once," I said at the din, flipping my gun again and again with Tifa beside me, clenching her muscles.
"If you value your lives, and that of the Don's, get out of our way..!" I slackened my grip as I smirked at their faces. Scotch is a few meters in front of us, sweating buckets and biting his lower lip. "Decide the fate of your comrades," I added, when he suddenly snapped and snarled at me.
"H-he's bluffing!" He shouted to the other men, who all gaped like idiots. "He's taking all the girls, kill him!" With a roar, the men charged in on us with the stupid realization of me trying to score Tifa, Aeris, and probably Cloud. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I stopped dwindling with my gun and aimed it at Scotch, my Nativus glove glowing blue. "You guys are seriously…"
BANG!
"Deluded." Several blue salvos erupted from the tip of my gun and went wild around the room. The first to get hit was Scotch, who choked up on his spit as the beam hit his stomach and sent him flying in the air. The others ricocheted about and hit the others in their weak spots as well. "It's alright, I think I won't kill you." I said as I holstered the gun and stretched my neck. Tifa pumped her fists onto her waist and stretched as well, "Not bad, El. Even though they are weak shots, you've managed to knock them all out in one shot." She said with a whistle as I gave her my signature thumbs up.
"It pays well after studying Human Anatomy..!"
"As much as you sounded so cool," Tifa sighed and threw her hands in the air. "Let's save the conversation for later. We gotta help Aeris and Cloud." She replied as the two of us nodded at each other and raced outside. The whole mansion was quiet, until-
"No-! Help!"
"Aeris..!" I cried out as I immediately ran to the second room with the creepy dungeon-like interior. The stairs was steep and the walls blue, and that bastard Kotch chasing the flower girl in circles around the operation table. Aeris caught sight of me and proceeded to run to the stairs, whereas Kotch stupidly followed.
"Don't even try touching her, sicko." I glared dangerously, as Tifa behind me rushed forward and delivered one of her sickening somersaults, effectively kicking his chin and sending the man flying a good feet in the air. "Aeris! You all right?" I asked as she took my outstretched hand.
"Y…yeah… When I say I'm used to danger, I really mean it. …But to tell you the truth, my heart was pounding…" She said breathlessly.
"Uh…ugh…" It was coming from Kotch. The three of us jumped as the man struggled to stand up. "Heh... heh… I like girls like you…" He said in a slurred voice, which is creepy as fuck. I was about to reach for my gun when Aeris suddenly went and kicked him at the balls.
"I'm so sorry!" She cried and bowed, as said sicko flailed his arms and finally fell down the stairs. I gaped my mouth as Aeris continued to apologize and bow.
"I guess you really are cut-out for SOLDIER." I finally said, a nervous grin etched on my face. Tifa patted Aeris at the back with the same grin. "…Well, let's go and save Cloud. I'm worried about him." She said as she made way to the Don's room. Aeris followed her, but I came up to her, gave her the weapons and ran the other way.
"Noel? Where are you going? The Don's room is this way." The flower girl called out and yet I only gave her a wave as I sprinted down the stairs. "Something's come up, you and Tifa go ahead, I'll meet you three back at Sector 7!" I exclaimed as I flung open the doors and into the streets of Wall Market. I didn't have the time to reason out with them, seeing as how I stupidly forgot one of the many critical things I was supposed to prevent from happening here in Final Fantasy VII.
Please let me get there on time. I thought as I rushed into the gates of Sector 7. Please let me save them.
Meanwhile…
"Ahh, we're finally alone..." The potbellied man said while licking his lips. Cloud stood stock still by the foot board of one huge, ridiculously adorned bed, his head down and trying to keep his heart rate steady.
'Noel is gonna pay for all this.'
"All right, pussycat... Come to daddy!" Don called out to the maiden in the shadows, and Cloud reluctantly stepped forward. It took every ounce of his willpower to even walk to the side of the bed.
"You're so cute, I can never get tired of looking at you." Don smacked his lips again, lustfully gazing up and down at the blonde. "Do you like me, too?"
"Ummm…" Cloud fiddled with the hem of his dress, too deadpanned to meet the sicko's eyes. The Don looked crestfallen however, "You don't like me? There's somebody else, is there?!" He demanded as Cloud alarmingly shook his head.
"N-no..! I-It's just that I…" His voice trailed off midway. Damnit! I have to think of a way to get out of this mess..!
'There's somebody else, is there?!'
…That's it!
"…Barret…"
"What was that?" Get your wits together, Strife! Cloud gulped before making sure he pulled out the fakest, most sultry voice he could manage. "Y-yes, um…" The blond/e racked his brains, trying to find a manly name. "-his name's Barret…"
"Wha-! No way!" He whined rather childishly, then quickly stopped. "Hmm? Barret? That sounds familiar…" Cloud turned his back from him with a serious look on his face.
"You know, he's one of the ones you were trying to find out about. You know, AVALANCHE..?" His voice trailed off. "Oh, yeah, yeah. In Sector 7 in the slum…" The Don hopped forward on the bed like a frog.
"…and how do YOU know that!?" He looked more like a dog with the way he wagged his hips at Cloud, causing him to ignore the weird sounds coming from him. He turned back to face the pot-belly again.
"Because…" He tore of his wig and forcefully threw it to the Don's face. "Because he's the one who sent me here to get some information!" He then flung off his woman's clothes and also threw the rest of it to him.
"A man?!" Corneo was astonished. "You tricked me! Somebody get in here NOW!" He shouted for the guards to come in. Just as Cloud readied himself to face what's coming, he heard a familiar voice.
"Unfortunately, no one'll be comin' to help."
The door burst open, revealing Aeris and Tifa whose leg was extended as she had just kicked the door open earlier.
"Nice work, Cloud! I didn't know you had it in you." Aeris joked, hauling the blond his Buster Sword as the Don scampered to the far side of the bed, away from us. "You're the ones from before! Wh… what the hell's going on?" He exclaimed as Tifa walked up to Cloud's side and glowered at him.
"Shut up, we're asking the questions now. What did your assistants find out?" The brawler questioned but the Don he kept shaking his head. "Talk! If you don't tell us…"
Cloud placed his foot on the bed, and with steely eyes, said, "…I'll chop them off."
Don Corneo flinched at his words. "No! Not that! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!" He fearfully pleaded as Tifa shrugged at him.
"So… talk."
"…I made 'em find out where the man with the gun-arm was. But that's what I was ordered to do."
"By who?"
Corneo shook his head again. "No-! If I told you that, I'd be killed!"
"Talk! If you don't tell us…" This time, Aeris put her foot on the bed, threatening him with the tip of her staff.
"…I'll rip them off."
He literally squeaked on his spot and began to spout off more information. "Aaaaah-! It was Heidegger! Heidegger of Shinra, head of Public Safety Maintenance!"
Cloud furrowed his brows, "The head of Public Safety Maintenance?" He said to himself as he clucked his tongue, "Shinra's always the cause of the problem, huh?"
"What are the Shinra up to!?" Tifa thundered but the Don clammed up again. Annoyed at the slow progress, the barwoman stepped up. "Talk! If you don't tell us…"
She placed her foot on the bed and raised a gloved fist. "I'll smash them."
"…You're serious, aren't you… …ohboy, ohboy, ohboy." He mumbled incoherently. "…I'm not fooling around here either, you know. Shinra's trying to crush a small rebel group called AVALANCHE. And want to infiltrate their hideout."
He waved his arms, as if demonstrating it. "And they're really going to crush them… literally. By breaking the support holding up the plate above them..!" Tifa took a step back, shocked at the news.
"Break the support?!"
"You know what's going to happen, right? The plate'll go PING-" He made a gesture. "and everything's gonna go BAMMM!" And another gesture. "I heard their hideout's in the Sector 7 Slums…"
The whole party is astonished at the statement. Corneo, however, won't even shut up. "I'm just glad it's not here in Sector 6."
"They're going to wipe out the Sector 7 Slums…" Cloud stated.
"Oh, no…" Aeris covered her mouth with her hand as Tifa turned to the blond with a panic stricken face. "Cloud, will you come with me to Sector 7?" She asked as Cloud quickly nodded, "Of course, Tifa." The three then went to move out of the room. Just as they reached the foot board of the bed-
"Just a second!" Corneo stood on his bed, gazing at the three with his tobacco stick limply sticking out of his white and gold teeth.
"Shut up!" Cloud irritatingly yelled.
"No wait, it'll only take a second." He took the tobacco stick and tried to make a puff. "How do you think scum like me feels when they babble on about the truth?"
The ex-SOLDIER didn't even pause to think about his answer, "Because they don't even know what the hell's going on..!" The Don puffed a ring of smoke and guffawed.
"Close, but no cigar!"
Immediately, he struck his hand behind him to the head board and pulled a switch. The floor underneath the trio opened up as they fell into the darkness…
"Let me through, you bastards!" I roared at the MPs who blocked my way. I quickly charged up my Nativus and Ice'd them from the path. "Everyone! Get out of Sector 7..! The Pillar's gonna fall..!" I yelled as I passed through houses, waking up the neighbors and urging them to get going.
The whole Sector's in a state of panic. Ever since I got back I had been shouting and screaming in the neighborhood. It took some time for them to asses what's going on, but a few gunshots in the air and everyone's in a hurry to evacuate.
"Hurry..! There's no time you gotta get out of here!" I said to an old couple when somebody rapped on my shoulder. I turned around to see Jessie, who I am so glad to see. "Jessie,"
"You gotta help me evacuate the people of Sector 7 right now."
"I-I don't understand, what's going on?"
"Shinra's planning to destroy AVALANCHE by literally breaking the supports on the Pillar." I exclaimed as the look on Jessie's face turned white. "I don't have much time to explain, just pass the message on to Biggs and Wedge and evacuate the citizens as quickly as you can..!"
"A-all right." The brunette nodded and turned heel when I remembered something else. I lightly grabbed her shoulder to make her face me again.
"Wha-?!"
"Jessie, whatever you do, don't ever come to the Tower. You, Biggs and Wedge. Just focus on evacuating the people out of the Sector, okay?"
The brunette looked puzzled and inquired, "Why? Is there something at the Tower..?" I nodded at her as I pointed at its peak, "A Shinra team would be arriving at that spot. They're going to activate the Emergency Plate Release System, taking down the pillar and the rest of Sector 7 down the slums. We have no means of preventing that but," I breathed some air. "What's most important is that we save the people of Sector 7 from Shinra..!" I replied with a fist on my chest.
"So, Jessie please… Stay away from the tower-"
"What about you, Noel?"
"I'll stay here and distract the Shinra. I have to get to Barret too. Gaea knows what hell he's stirred up," I smirked at the thought. "We'll buy you guys some time so get out of here while you all can." I proclaimed as I started my way to Barret. But before I could, I felt a tug on my sleeve and was forced to look back. "Wha-?"
The young woman's face was so close I could smell her breath. Mint toothpaste..? "You…you gotta come back safely, you hear?" Her eyes were fixed into concentration as I gradually noted how brown they were, 'Like chocolate…'
Seeing as how close in proximity we are, I felt my face flush red and took a step back, hiding my face with the back of my hand. "Y-yeah…I guess so…" Dammnit. Now's not the time to feel embarrassed. The young woman and I parted, her going in the direction of the neighborhood and me to the place where the hideout is. The people were getting the message, faster than I had imagined, as I quickly headed into the bar.
I slammed open the doors. "Barret! Biggs?! Wedge?!" I cried out in the din, finding only Marlene at the counter. She looked up curiously as I made way to her, "Marlene, have you seen Barret?" I asked as she only pointed to the pinball machine. Said pinball machine was already going down with me in it, jumping at the landing to meet the burly man punching the bag again.
"Barret!" My brows furrowed. How the hell can he remain calm at a time like this? "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
The man stopped to look over his shoulder, and finally noticed me standing there. "What the- Noel?! You're alive!" He said as he fully faced me. I waved a hand impatiently. Now's not the time to fully appreciate my appearance and celebrate it.
I sighed. "Yeah, I know. Tough luck. Anyway, we gotta go, now!" I said, yanking his tan vest to him. The gun-man looked confused as he was able to grab it in time.
"What're you talking about?"
"I'd explain later. Right now, we gotta get to the tower." Without another glance, I climbed the pipe up as Barret followed suit, albeit grumpily. He doesn't seem pleased to be ordered around, well, he is my boss after all.
"Mind at least explaining to me why we're here then?" Huffed the gun man as we craned our necks to gaze at the top of the tower. I cracked my knuckles and snapped my joints in place.
"Let's just say some Shinra scum are gonna blow up the supports." I glared at the top like how I'm glaring at an enemy as Barret snarled. "That means the information we have about the Don-"
"Is spot on. Cloud and Tifa just squeezed it out of him; Shinra's plan is to destroy the supports of the plate. It's meant to crash down onto Sector 7 slums and kill AVALANCHE." I ignored the horrified look on his face as I continued. "They sent me to prevent the explosion at all costs." It's a freaking lie, but there isn't any time to think about the loopholes.
With this, Barret is already fuming. He tuned his gun arm and growled menacingly. "Shinra's one ass motherfucker to go this far just to kill us." He turned to me and nodded seriously. I slightly smirked and clenched a fist.
The sound of a chopper interrupted our train of thought. Wordlessly, I looked up, spying several troops coming down from it. I irritatingly clucked my tongue at the scene. "Alright. It's time to play hero, Barret!"
AN: Needs to be cut off here, for cliff-hanger issues. Save File Seven is underway, but I think it would be safe to say to you guys that you will be able to read it again in a few more weeks...Okay, I'll try to make it one week DX
Please don't forget to review! If I'm going to be inspired, it will be coming from you, dear reader/reviewer. That will be just fifteen seconds of your life I promise!
Thank you for reading 'Through The Worlds To You'
~Rivai