All But One
Revelations
The night sky was hued in red, an unnatural glow illuminating its great expanse as the calamity known simply as Meteor stormed down upon the planet of Gaia, seeking to deliver certain doom. As the crew aboard the Highwind watched in terror, Cloud was constantly shouting orders into his PHS, advising Yuffie and Vincent where to evacuate the citizens, as they knew little about the city of Midgar.
After their final battle with the notorious one winged angel Sephiroth, AVALANCHE split into two groups, one of which consisted of Yuffie, Vincent and Reeve. Their task was to get everyone to safety, while Cloud and the others went to retrieve Elmyra and Marlene.
Yuffie watched as a ShinRa aircraft landed near her location, groups of ten to twelve rescue squad members scattering around the panicked vicinity and leading the people to the evacuation routes.
"Come on! Hurry up! And try not to drop anybody this time!" she shouted, waving her arms into the air and signaling for more men.
The rescue squad captain ran to her side, his body clad in a ShinRa Emergency Uniform.
"Report!" Yuffie ordered, still clutching the PHS in one hand.
"Evac complete! All the injured have been moved to the transports!"
"Okay!" Yuffie shouted, her voice barely audible in the raging wind. "Let's get outta here!"
She nodded as the aircraft returned to the air, transporting a group of twenty individuals. Four more rescue squad teams scrambled out towards the Sector Gate, leading a large crowd of civilians.
Yuffie turned back to the captain. "Just remember to keep on guard until you're clear of the red zone!"
The captain nodded, rushing out from the street and shouting orders at his men.
Yuffie held up her PHS, pressing the trigger and shouting, "We're all done here! How 'bout you?"
---
Reeve could barely make out her voice through the device, the chorus of the wind and people's screams blaring out in an inharmonic frenzy.
"I only have one more group!" he yelled, pacing forward as the crowd quickly followed behind him.
"Alright!" Yuffie answered. "Vincent and I will rendezvous with Cloud and the others! Meet us at the Sector Three evac site!"
"Got it!"
Reeve tucked in his PHS and waved his arm.
"Come on! We're almost there!"
The residents of Sector Six would never make it to the main evac site on time, but fortunately, Reeve knew of a secret underground science facility ShinRa had constructed some time back. It had been abandoned after the former president's assassination, since Rufus knew nothing of the facility, but Reeve knew that it was an excellent shelter with the necessary provisions to keep these people safe.
"Alright! Someone give me a hand with this!" he shouted, kneeling down next to the large plate that read "Keep Out."
A tall man, dark-haired and green-eyed shoved through the crowd.
"What's your name?!" Reeve yelled, fiddling with his bundle of keys.
The man merely stared back, and answered, "I am Que'd."
-xXx-
Reeve sipped at his mug of black coffee, his eyes still fixed on the report files that were piled up on his desk. The WRO had been investigating the disappearance of Barret Wallace for over a month now, and Reeve was frustrated at the lack of progression. Despite their week-long inspections in Junon, Mideel and Corel, the Investigative Department had little to no knowledge on Barret's whereabouts, and on top of that, Cid Highwind was not picking up the damn phone.
Reeve pressed down on the com, and was a little surprised when the secretary responded.
"Rosianna, you're still here?"
"Yes, Commissioner."
"It's an hour past midnight!"
"As long as you're in your office, I'll be in mine, sir."
Reeve grinned.
"Listen, Rosie, have you been able to get in contact with Vincent Valentine?"
"No, sir, he's not picking up."
Reeve let out a sigh. Why is no one answering the damn phone?!
"What about the search team? Have you dispatched a group?"
"Yes, sir, but they haven't been able to locate the target, yet."
"Okay, listen. Tell them to contact me as soon as they find Nanaki."
"Understood, sir."
"I'm gonna try heading over to the bar now."
The secretary giggled.
"Long day, sir?"
"Oh no, Rosie, I have friends working there."
"Ah."
"Anyways, be sure to contact me if anything shows up, okay?"
"Yes, Commissioner."
-xXx-
After witnessing the obliteration of Meteor, courtesy of the Lifestream, the survivors of the underground facility returned to the surface, their visages masked with expressions of horror as they gazed upon the ruination of their once proud city. Reeve Tuetsi was finally able to rendezvous with the other members of AVALANCHE, and at last revealed his true human self to his heroic comrades, as Cait Sith had been acting on his behalf prior to this encounter. Days passed by, and AVALANCHE voluntary helped the civilians of Midgar, escorting lost children to the temporary shelters at the outskirts of the city, where some of the were fortunate enough to reunite with their families. Eventually, the group bid their farewells to each other, and set off on their own paths, despite Yuffie Kisaragi's relentless protests against the schism. Reeve remained in Midgar for a few months, lending a hand to those in need and helping with the construction of homeless shelters. He was able to meet his old co-worker from ShinRa, Rosianna, who had resigned from the corporation after the Sector Seven incident.
Meanwhile, Venge and his gang continued to search for new members, urging the survivors of Midgar to help him in his "quest for restoration." Soon after Meteorfall, they resided within the vicinity of Sector Six, usually taking shelter in the abandoned homes, where they scavenged for canned foods and preserved aliments. They dubbed the underground facility as "the Meeting Place," and Venge continued to plan out his revenge against the members of AVALANCHE. But to his fortune, he had learned about Reeve's involvement with the group and how he sought to establish a new program dedicated to the rebuilding of the world, and this knowledge marked the start of his ingenious plan.
The relationship between Reeve and Rosianna was impenetrable in that they had been co-workers since their first promotions into the ShinRa Company. Though they never harbored any romantic feelings toward each other, their trust was thought to be absolute.
However, Reeve Tuetsi had no knowledge of the reasons behind Rosianna's resignation from ShinRa.
"When does he plan to start this program of his?" Venge asked, scooping out the remaining scraps from the tuna can.
"Two to three months."
"Are you sure you'll get a position?"
Rosianna nodded. "Reeve and I go way back."
She rose, turning to leave and return to the shelters, but Venge gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her momentarily.
His dark green eyes showed a cold gaze as he whispered, "For Lillia."
Rosianna lowered her head, the burden of her younger sister's death still heavy within her heart.
"For vengeance."
-xXx-
When Reeve arrived at the Seventh Heaven Diner and Bar, he was a little surprised at the absence of Cloud's bike near the entrance. Guess he's late again, he thought. Tifa shouldn't be too happy.
He knocked.
No answer.
It wasn't unexpected, considering it was past 1 am, but Tifa usually stayed awake until Cloud's arrival. Reeve knocked a few more times, and when he was convinced that no one was home, he headed around the back of the building, where Yuffie had once shared her knowledge of the "secret entrance" with him. Crouching low next to the dumpster, Reeve grabbed the metal railing, lifting himself up enough to reach the windowsill. He leveled his head with the window, gazing in to see if there was anyone inside, and pulled out a small sheathed knife, which he kept for self-defense. He slipped the blade in under the window and pressed down against the hilt, opening a small crack big enough to fit his fingers through. He pulled open the window and climbed in, mentally apologizing to Tifa, who wouldn't have been too thrilled to discover his "break in."
This was Tifa's room. About a year ago, when Reeve made frequent visits to the bar, Yuffie had gotten herself into trouble (as usual), and covertly escaped through the back window. She shared with him her "ingenious discovery" and now Reeve couldn't help but thank the mischievous ninja girl from Wutai.
He descended down the stairs and entered the bar. There was an unfamiliar fish tank resting on top of the counter, which lured Reeve's interest. He figured it had been a gift from Cloud, considering Tifa's passion for the ocean was a common fact to the AVALANCHE members. Reeve had in fact suggested the idea of buying her a fish tank, and found himself grinning at the thought of Cloud actually pulling it off.
But something caught his eye.
There was a small piece of paper tucked in at the bottom of the fish tank. He pulled it out, eyes scanning over the familiar handwriting, which obviously belonged to Tifa.
Just in case you come home, we're all out looking for you.
Me, Yuffie, Vincent, even the Turks. If you read this note,
call me. Denz and Marlene are with Elmyra.
-Love Tifa
Reeve was troubled; he had no knowledge of Cloud's abduction. Placing the note back onto the counter, he reached in for his cell phone, and headed back up to the "secret entrance."
-xXx-
Rosianna had finally been able to obtain access to a small WRO aircraft, designed for transportation purposes. She had been hired as Reeve Tuetsi's secretary, which was even better than Venge had anticipated. She gained access to all of AVALANCHE's profiles, consequently giving them information on their individual whereabouts and professions. Venge was particularly interested in Cid Highwind's possession of his renowned airship.
The plan for revenge was about to unfold. Venge and his men would capture Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace and Rufus Shinra. Barret seemed to have an old grudge against the former president, considering his anti-ShinRa movements and the affiliation with the original AVALANCHE group. Venge would use this to his advantage.
A few of his men were to attend Tifa's bar regularly, taking in information on Cloud Strife's delivery service, and taking photographs of their targets, the original members of AVALANCHE. They would time his kidnap on the day he clumsily forgot to take his weapons, and apply the Blindsight materia, which they had found in the condensed pools of Mako near the ruins of Midgar.
Meanwhile, Rufus Shinra would be abducted when his Turks were not around. Venge had little to no information on the identities of the Turks, so he would have to take them out separately.
Barret Wallace was the easiest to lure. Using a combination of Manipulate and Mime materia, Venge's men were able to record multiple vocal tracks of Yuffie Kisaragi, Cid Highwind and Reeve Tuetsi. If and when Barret asked for their confirmation of Tifa, Marlene and Denzel's deaths, Venge's men would intercept the phone call, and utilize the recorded voices to trick him. Considering Rosianna's previous position in ShinRa as the Secretary of the Technological Department, her abilities with digital programming were put to use in constructing fake photographs of the three "victims," making it appear as if they'd been killed.
Venge knew the Turks would be quick in their search for Shinra, and so he told Barret that they were responsible for the murders of his family.
His original plan was simple: Using the Blindsight materia, which they had deciphered, they would utilize Rufus, Barret and Cloud as their puppets. The Turks would be lured in to Barret's location in the underground facility, by using scattered materia around Midgar as bait.
Barret would then dispose of them.
Meanwhile, Tifa would likely get in contact with her former AVALANCHE friends. Using the WRO aircraft, courtesy of Rosianna, Venge would take Cloud Strife and obtain the Shera airship from Cid Highwind.
Rufus would be used to obtain access to Reeve Tuetsi's military base, where Venge would then take control of the WRO army, wreaking havoc on all parts of the world, finally unleashing his vengeance.
He would use Cloud Strife to rid the remaining AVALANCHE members.
Unfortunately, however, Rosianna now knew the plan would not work. She had been busy scattering random materia all over the ruins of Midgar, but saw Yuffie Kisaragi accompanied by two other Turks.
They had not anticipated such an alliance between the former enemies.
Rosianna quickly returned to the shelter in Sector Six, where she was to meet the pilot for the WRO aircraft. She dashed into the children's room, shuffling around the photographs and tossing them onto the baby's crib. Pulling out a pen and a piece of paper, she hurriedly wrote a note addressed to the pilot.
He's at the meeting place now.
We're going to go find some more materia.
Wait for us at the meeting place.
They'll be coming soon.
Leaving the note on the coffee table, she quickly ran out from the house, heading in the direction of the underground facility.
Venge's plan was not going to work.
-xXx-
Reeve held the phone against his ear, cursing at the lack of a response.
"Pick up the damn phone!" he shouted, speeding past the red light and heading towards the intersection.
Reeve now knew that Barret Wallace's disappearance was not just a strange occurrence. Cloud was also missing, and something weird was going on. This was all part of some kind of sick plan.
Right now, Reeve was heading back to the WRO Headquarters, but Rosianna was not answering the phone. Cid wasn't picking up, Vincent wasn't picking up, Tifa wasn't at the bar, Cloud was missing, Barret was missing, and Nanaki was out of reach. Reeve was aware that someone obviously had a grudge against AVALANCHE, but what he hadn't expected was the arrival of the Shera right next to the WRO Headquarters Building.
The airship hovered down to the ground, and Reeve felt a shiver go up his spine as Cloud Strife and Cid Highwind disembarked.