And here's the last one in the story! Aren't you all excited?
The Present:
The cell phone rang and beeped several times before he finally answered the caller. Flipping the phone open he placed it next to his ear gently. He had been reminiscing again, about five years ago at the reactor in Mount Nibel…
"Commander," said the voice on the phone. "There are intelligence reports that say the target has entered the area."
Tseng nodded. "Alright," he said. "I'll be there immediately." He hung up the phone, sat for a moment more, and sighed. He closed his eyes at the thought of trying to take away their freedom again. Tseng stood up and closed the case album, he had to get ready if he were to ever make it.
"Target is already past point 28. The motorbike they used was abandoned during their escape because it ran out of gas." The voice continued steadily, "They've hitchhiked a ride on a truck heading for Outer Midgar." Tseng grabbed his coat and headed for the helicopter launching area. Awaiting him were his fellow Turks and the sleek black helicopter that two of them were previously using.
Reno, a young Turk that was highly skilled yet dressed with his shirt un- tucked and his un- kept hair tied back low, nudged the young rookie next to him. His hair was reddish brown and nowhere near as bright as Reno's. He had been an ex- gang leader in Midgar who had been arrested by the redhead for trying to steal a bike from the company he now worked for. He was skilled in hand- to- hand combat, but grew over confident on many occasions.
Reno had a silly grin plastered on his face. "The commander looks all serious again, yo." His shirt still remained un- tucked, even in the presence of his leader and his blazer was unbuttoned. His hair, as usual, looked in a permanent state of bed- head. The ex- gang leader shook his head.
"We helped them five years ago, and now we're chasing them?"
The blonde woman who had previously co- piloted the helicopter shook her head. Her father was a teacher at the Shin-Ra military academy, where she attended. She graduated with outstanding performances, and her forte is marksmanship. Her excellent handling of firearms impressed the leader of the Turks, Tseng, and he recruited her to the force with great confidence in her abilities. She was a very serious person who rarely joked around, and was often very strict.
"It's destiny," she said. Another man spoke up. He had been a former body- guard for Don Conero and possessed the ability to rapidly fire two guns and still retain a high accuracy. His black hair was slicked back except his spiky bangs, in which they covered his right eye. He had spent most of his time in the slums, he became fed up with the politics that had overrun the underworld society and was offered a place in the Turks. He took up the role, knowing that it would put his skills to the test.
His unorthodox "underground" style of conducting missions often resulted in him failing. "They really are a group of pathetic people if you think about it," he said apathetically.
"It makes me want to sympathize with them." The next to speak was the ex- detective from Costa del Sol. He was really tall and had the build of a fighter with his tick, broad shoulders. The next in line was a female with light brown hair tied high upon her head. She was a female hunter from a wealthy family who liked to do things with flair. She had familiarized herself with the art of hunting since she was a child, and is, thus, an expert with her chosen weapon. She likes showing off and constantly tries to outdo herself, and, thus, immediately accepted the offer to become a Turks when it was presented.
"Wow," she said with a smirk. "You guys are nice." The commander stopped in his tracks, over- hearing his fellow Turk's conversation.
"Whatever the mission may be," said Reno. "We will always carry it out. That is out job, yo."
Tseng continued walking towards the helicopter. "Let's go," he said. The huntress stuck her tongue out at the ex- gang leader next to Reno.
"Yes sir!" they all said in unison. Reno nudged the rookie next to him. "We're going. You, new guy… Hurry up!"
"I'm going," came his reply.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was daylight now and had been for several hours. The sun stood high in the empyrean and shone brightly like a ball of fire. The sky itself was a gorgeous light blue and the clouds formed pictures and figurines. The canyon was nice as well. It would have been hot even so early in the afternoon, but there was a strong wind emitting from the back of the yellow pick- up truck. It sprayed dirt from its tires, forming substantial and seemingly endless dust clouds in its wake. From the front came loud rock n' roll type music, so Zack had to shout over it to even hear himself speak. He looked over at Cloud with a grin on his cheerful face. They had escaped and were on their way to Midgar. There they could find a job and live out the rest of their lives in peace, hopefully…
"Hey," Zack called over to Cloud. "What are you going to do when you get to Midgar?" He received the usual silence for an answer; there hadn't been a word from Cloud since that day, five years ago… Zack continued on anyway, making light of the situation. "Anyway," he continued with a cheerful grin. "We have to get some money first." He paused and thought for a moment. Raising his voice to talk to the driver, he asked, "Hey pops, do you know any business that I'll be able to do?"
"What are you saying?" the old man driving the truck replied gruffly. "You need to try out everything while you're still young," he stopped to think of some sort of philosophical lesson on life, what he had, was pretty good. "Spend your time trying things before you get too old… Find your own path." The man took pride in his answer, smiling to himself and heaving a small sigh.
Zack grinned from ear to ear. "He said we can do anything," he said to Cloud. More quietly he continued, "But that doesn't really help…" There was a brief pause, the sound of the truck bouncing up and down on the rocky path kept the silence at bay. "Oh yeah!" he went on. It shouldn't have taken him that long to figure it out, but… He was Zack.
"I have a lot of knowledge and skills that other people don't have..." he paused. "All right, I've decided! I'll open a business that does everything!" The old man turned his head around angrily.
"Hey you… Were you listening to anything I've said?" he asked acrimoniously, but Zack went on.
"Troublesome things, and dangerous things… I'm gonna do everything, depending on the reward of course!" he chuckled gleefully his voice filled with mirth and joviality. "I'm gonna make a fortune!" He then turned to who just stared at his boots or some other random article of clothing.
His eyes expressed the usual emptiness and containing no other emotion… Yet, Zack knew Cloud could hear him. "Hey, Cloud… What are you going to do?" he waited a bit, just to see if the blonde would respond. When he didn't Zack decided to continue. "I'm just kidding," Zack joked. "I wouldn't abandon you." The ebony- haired man crossed his legs, his elbows resting against his knees. "We're friends, right?"
Zack leaned forward. "We're going to open a business that does everything. Do you understand, Cloud?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere within the dry, rocky terrain were a group of Shin- Ra military soldiers. A few of them were standing around, complaining about both the temperature and their boring jobs, but a few other kept their eyes on their mission. One man sat on his knees on the ground, his vision increasing through the scope. He noticed a long trail of dust several yards away. In front of that dust cloud was the yellow pick- up truck they had been sent to keep a close watch on. The center of the scope was aimed at a young ash blonde man: one of the fugitives that escaped from Nibelheim…
"The targets have passed point 12. They are about to enter our firing range," said the man at the scope.
The leader behind him nodded in approval. "All right," he announced to his men. "Let's do it."
"But," one of his subordinates argued. "We were told by the Turks to wait for their arrival."
The captain just barked at the argumentative man. "There's no need to let them handle this. Just fire it." He seemed on edge and keyed up. He was aware that they were going against their proprietor's orders, but why shouldn't they finish the mission themselves? Why should the Turks get all the glory from Shin- Ra? Whether or not it was right, he had already issued the order, it was too late to go back now…
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From a helicopter high above, Tseng and the blonde female Turk, had an entire view of the landscape below. They were following the path of dirt that was kicked up from the truck's tires. The driver slowly and steadily followed the beaten path to the outer city of Midgar. From above, the Turks could see how the truck rocked back and forth, jerking with every bump or rut in the road.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey pops, why aren't we there yet?" Zack leaned on the top of the truck's ceiling, hovering just above the driver. He seemed like a child eager to go on vacation… Then again, Zack was a child, and he was going on a furlough of some sort. He'd be away from Hojo and the other kooky scientists, he get to see the love of his life again after all these years. It all seemed so… perfect.
He sighed and gently hit the top of the car done in from sitting around and not doing anything. "This old piece of junk…" he muttered, referring to the car needless to say. The breeze felt good as it tangled itself within his unruly locks of hair. Suddenly heard what he thought to be a roar of some monster or fiend. Then it donned on him: a shot had been fired. They were driving out in the open; it wouldn't have been hard to have missed such obvious and open targets. Instantly, Zack turned and dove downwards in front of Cloud. "Get down!" he cried. He figured that the old man was relatively safe, seeing he was boxed within the car, but Cloud…
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Through the green haze of Mako eyes he saw Zack jump in front of him, his features filled with worry and concern. Everything went dark from then on; he felt Zack's arms around him, pulling him none too gently in a certain direction. Their pace was slow, but it was as fast as their legs could take them. He couldn't see, what was going on? They fell to the ground abruptly, landing hard on to the rough, textured earth. He heard a clash of swords and gun- shots, what was happening? He couldn't see and he couldn't breath… he felt as if he were being swallowed up!
Shouts of several men could be heard, but one rang the loudest in particular. "Cloud, run!" It grew silent from then on; a blast was heard that echoed like a clap of thunder. The vibrations of the sound bounced off the mountain walls until it finally ceased. A shot was fired…
Final Sequence End
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So let me know what you guys think. Some reviews would be greatly appreciated; comments, questions, and constructive criticism are welcome! This is my first fanfiction to be posted on the Internet. Flames will be used for toasting marshmallows…
I did add the scene of soldiers at the very end. In the movie they just had a speaking part and no appearance when they fired the gun without waiting for further orders from the Turks. Final Fantasy VII fans will know what happens next, but I hope I did well with the ending. I know it's very long and I'll be very happy with those who took the time to read through it; you have my thanks.