Yes I know its been almost half a year since I've updated this story. Writer's block, fraternity stuff, classes, and of course the occasional party have kept me from my writing. This chapter was really hard to write because I couldn't remember a lot of the back story. I had to completely reread Advent Hearts and jot notes to try and keep the story line and content in place. With summer coming up I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get this story updated at least every other week, but don't hold me to it. I just finished pulling an all niter for an exam I've got in 6 hours and worked on this when I took breaks. The next chapter will be longer, but I figured ya'll been waiting half a year for something. Enjoy and as always R&R!

Chapter 2

Onward

The Shera was an impressive vessel. After the original Highwind had been destroyed, Rufus had taken the opportunity to build a newer, faster airship calling his father's Highwind an ancient piece of machinery. Of course, no one ever told Cid that.

The rough middle-aged captain was standing behind the helm of the large vessel with a toothpick between his teeth. Every now and then he'd grab a tin can of mints and pop a few into his mouth. The rest of the crew busily ran about the cockpit, checking readouts and instruments as they continued their course towards North Corel.

"Cid, why are you popping mints every five seconds?" The spiky blonde general had been confined in the cockpit for the past hour and was getting anxious.

"Helps keep the cravings down, broom head. What's it to ya?"

"Nothing; just bored."

"Well if ya need something to do, why don't you go scoop out the chocobo stalls."

"Don't you have someone to do that?"

"OHHH! Listen to this guy." Cid popped another couple of mints into his mouth and it seemed to calm him down. "Look, Spike, we're about to land in North Corel anyways. Just go gather up your fiancé and get ready to ride out."

"Ride out?"

"Yeah, Rufus took the car we usually keep on board so we gotta go ride those damn stupid birds into town."

Cloud smiled picturing Cid riding a chocobo. Grateful for the chance to leave the cockpit, he started to look around for Tifa. He started with the air deck and there was no trace of her; the meeting room and chocobo stalls yielded the same result. Looking into the cabins, he couldn't find her either. Just when he was about to leave he heard a toilet flush from the bathroom.

"Tifa?" When he didn't get an answer, he walked towards the bathroom.

The door opened and a startled brown haired martial artist quickly held something behind her back.

It perked Cloud's interest. "What you got there?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? I was sure I saw something."

"It's nothing, Cloud, don't worry about it."

"Tifa, are you hiding something?"

"Jeez, Cloud, it's a tampon, do you really want to see it?"

Cloud's usually stoic face inverted itself as the awkwardness quickly set in. "Ah…no that's ok. Cid wanted me to let you know we'll be landing soon."

"Thank you; I've been so notified, General Strife."

"Hey!"

Tifa giggled and quickly threw away the object she had been hiding in a small trash bag she had on her bed. "Alright, I'll lay off the title. I'll get ready; we're just picking up, Barrett right?"

"Yea, but be ready for anything. We're riding in on chocobos, so we shouldn't have to worry about the regular creatures lurking about. But I want to be extra careful with these mutants."

"Yes Gener-"

"Tifa."

She smiled. "I gotcha, baby."

Cloud sighed and put his hand over his face. "Why do you just go from one extreme to the other?"

She laughed again and lurched onto him. "Well, what do you want me to call you?" She pushed herself up against him and brought her lips inches from his. "Lover?"

"Tifa…" Cloud was getting worked up. His mind wanted to get out and get everything ready for the mission. His body, on the other hand, wanted to do something to Tifa.

"Heh; just kidding, Cloud." Tifa released her fiancé and threw a couple pairs of clothes into a duffle bag along with some items needed for the road. "But I'd wait a second before I go back to the cockpit."

"Why's that?"

Tifa laughed. "Well, the 'little general' is still standing at attention."

Cloud blushed and looked down noticing his predicament. Sitting down he focused on making himself more 'presentable'. "How do you always manage to do this to me?"

Tifa smiled mischievously. "Would you like me to show you?"

"You're not helping."

"Yeah, yeah. You can't blame me we've been cooped up in this thing for two hours with nothing to do."

"Hey, Lovebirds! Stop the humping and get to the chocobo stalls; we're heading out!"

Cloud sighed. "He just stepped down to the weaker nicotine patches."

"Well, at least he's still going strong. You go on; I'll catch up in just a second."

"Alright…everything ok?"

Tifa smiled at him. "Everything's fine, Cloud, stop worrying."

Cloud turned and walked out of the cabin.

As soon as she was sure he had left, Tifa looked at the bag on the bed. "…Crap." Grabbing the bag, she opened one of the port holes and quickly threw it out. "How am I supposed to tell him?"

Closing the port hole, Tifa shook off her concerns and put a smile on her face. "No sense in worrying about it now."

--

"Now I remember why I hate those damn, stupid, idiotic, piece of shit birds. Damn my ass hurts." Cloud and Tifa both started to laugh when Cid tried to sit on the stool and quickly jumped up; he settled on standing instead.

"Don't worry Cid. Barrett should be here soon, and then we should have a car to take us to the airship." Tifa threw a beer to Cid and grabbed a water for herself and Cloud.

"Mr. General ready to meet up with some old friends?"

"Tifa, can't you just call me Cloud?"

"Oh but it's so much more fun to call you General."

Cloud smiled. "I'm glad it's fun for you, but I'm still getting used to it. Brings back some bad memories."

Looking into her eyes, Cloud could tell Tifa understood what he meant. Every time he heard the world "general", he couldn't help but think of Sephiroth, and that was one memory he'd rather lay to rest.

"Sorry Cloud."

"No, it's not your fault. I shouldn't be worrying about it." He gently kissed her to reinforce his apology. "I'm just still getting used to the job."

Tifa smiled. "Well, I don't think there's a better man on the planet than you to protect the world." She kissed him. "And I'll always be by your side."

A loud cough broke the couple apart and quickly grabbed Cid's attention from the bar. "Would you two lovebirds mind not getting it on here?"

"Barrett!" Tifa ran over to the large man and gave him a hug.

"Nice to see you too, Teef, been too long since I've seen any of ya'lls sorry ass faces."

"Missed you too, ya over-grown ox." Cid chugged down the rest of his beer and threw the empty can behind the bar.

"That's Mayor Ox to you." Barrett came by and shook Cid's hand slapping him on the back. "So what's all the talk going 'round for? I tried ask'n Rufus, but he turned all smart ass on me, say'n to wait to hear it from you, Spike."

Cloud laid the confidential folder in front of Barrett and let him look over it. "We're supposed to go looking for the source of these mutants. Rufus thinks there's an organized group producing them."

Barrett continued to flip through the files. "Looks like ya'll finally caught one of those buggers. Shit, and even try'n to cure it?"

"Him, Barrett, him." Tifa looked sternly at the large black man.

"Gotcha, him. Sorry Teef, it's just so easy to forget these nightmare fuck'n things used to be human. We just had one last week try'n break into the town. Took me and five other guys armed to the teeth to take its ass down."

Cloud grabbed the folder. "You still have the corpse?"

"Yeah, got it in the hanger under guard. Come on, I'll show ya."

A short drive later the group arrived at the air strip. Barrett led them into a hanger the guards both on alert and highly armed kept watch over the mutant corpse.

Cloud bent down and took a close look at the body. The rapid decomposition of the mutants due to lack of a mako source made for a pretty gruesome sight, but he was still able to tell the mutant wasn't his father. "Looks like this one was pretty tough."

"Damn thing was charging around like a bull, knocking people every which damn way." Tifa shot Barrett a disapproving glare he put his hands up in defense. "I don't like killing them any more than you Teef, but ya gotta realize. These things don't give up. Can't lock 'em up, hell can't even stun 'em. I know they used to be human, but if some guy started running around killing people in my town I'd do him same way we did this mutant."

Tifa sighed. "I just hope the research department is able to figure out a cure for this mess."

Cloud was still looking over the body. It puzzled Cid. "Spike, what you taking such a damn long look at it for? I'm bout to toss my cookies just having to smell it."

"Rufus found some files from Hojo's old lab a little over a month ago. Hojo created these mutants for a project called Jenova's Gate. He wanted to use the maximum about of mako in a human being to try and create something as powerful as Jenova."

"What's that got to do with you looking at that corpse like its Midgar's Next Top Model?"

"My father was the first test subject for Hojo's project. Rufus and I both believe he's still alive, but we're certain he's running around as a mutant. I was making sure that wasn't him."

Barrett and Cid both got a solemn expression on their faces. "Damn Spike, sorry, didn't know it was like that."

Cloud stood. "It's not a problem. I've known my father to be dead most of my life, and I'm not getting my hopes too high on finding him alive. But I want to try. Barrett, you all loaded and ready to go?"

"Yea, jus gotta say good bye to Marlene and Elmyra."

Cid chuckled. "Much as you been shacking up with that woman when you gonna throw a ring on her finger?"

The entire group was dumbfounded when Barrett appeared embarrassed and didn't have a comeback. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket showing it to the trio. "I wanna make sure I come back from this one alive, then I'll ask."

Barrett walked off and the group left him be opting to head to the car instead. When Cloud was certain Tifa was out of earshot, he went up to one of the guards with a sealed order and handed it over. The guard opened it and nodded he would comply.

By Order of Neo-Shinra Security Division

You are to burn the corpse of the deceased mutant that attacked North Corel. This is for the safety of the general public of North Corel and at large.

Rufus Shinra

Cloud didn't like having to treat these once human's turned mutants like the fiends he fought out in the country side. But they were even more dangerous than the everyday monster and they posed a serious threat. "No measure's too extreme at this point."

--
A Few Day's Later
--

"The process is going very smoothly Cloud. You can actually tell he's a human boy at this point. The mutant extremities decomposed pretty early in the fusion process and left behind his original body. We're still trying to get the Mako out of his major organs, though."

Cloud stood on the air deck of the Shera, PHS in hand. He had meant to call Reeve earlier about the mutant boy's progress but an impromptu party triggered by their reuniting with Yuffie and Vincent in Wutai ended any productive plans Cloud had for the evening. The general gripped his forehead in pain, the hangover still taking its toll. "How far is he into the process?"

"This marks day three so far. His heartbeat is about normal and brain function is starting to emulate human patterns. If it wasn't for the painkillers and sedation, however, he'd still be going crazy."

"Alright, keep me posted if anything changes."

"Will do, Cloud."

"Vincent, I don't know how you put up with this daughter of mine!"

Cloud took a peep over the railing of the air deck to see Vincent, Yuffie, and Yuffie's father in what looked like a heated discussion. The airship was still docked just outside Wutai, as Cid still hadn't woken up.

"Dad, shut it, to think I came here to celebrate New Years with you!"

"You drank the palace's finest reserve of Sake? That stuff costs over a hundred thousand gil a bottle!"

"Are you saying your lousy alcohol is too good for your daughter?!"

"I just wish you'd act a bit more dignified! You threw up all over the head temple priest, for Leviathan's sake!"

"You…humpff" Vince had enough of the heated quarrel. He had been standing idly by, not saying anything, but the former Turk didn't like to be caged into an awkward situation for long.

"Thank you for your hospitality, King Godo. We'll take our leave now."

"Take care of her, Vincent." Cloud saw Godo look towards Yuffie with caring eyes. "She is my only daughter after all."

Yuffie stopped struggling and Vincent let her down. Without saying another word to her father Yuffie calmly walked up the ramp to the airship.

"I'll guard her with my life."

Godo smiled. "I'm more worried about you than her. Just don't let her wear you out; heaven knows we can't have the future king of Wutai dead before he weds."

Cloud had to hold back a laugh as Vincent was clearly embarrassed at the King's not so subtle hint at his expectations of Vincent and Yuffie's relationship. Vincent didn't reply to the King's comment and solemnly boarded the aircraft.

"Attention, assholes, I'm hungover and these damn nicotine patches ain't working! Get your shit ready to go, cuz I'm lift'n off any minute now. Trust me, none of you want to piss me off right now!"

Cloud sighed and headed below deck. Their last stop was Cosmo Canyon to pick up Red XIII. By the time they wrapped that up Cloud prayed the research department would have at least some news on a portable cure for the mutants.

"Everyone on the fuck'n air deck, now! We got us a visitor!"

The entire group rushed up to the air deck, Cloud merely turning around and walking back through the door. Looking off the port side, they spotted a mutant that was on course for Wutai.

"We've got to stop it. Are you all equipped?" Cloud turned to his friends who nodded.

Yuffie smiled holding up her conformer glowing with the equipped material. "I helped myself to the stockpile in the hold. Didn't think you'd mind, General."

Cloud sighed and led the group over the railing. After hitting the ground the group charged after the mutant. Barrett fired off a few shots to get its attention. It worked: the mutant quickly turned away from the town and faced its new adversaries.

Tifa took a stance next to Cloud. "You think we can capture it?"

"No; I wish we could, but there's no way we could risk brining it on the airship. If we leave it here, the entire town's doomed."

Tifa sighed. "I wish it didn't have to be this way." Tightening her gloves onto her hands, she started chanting a powerful fire spell.

The rest of the group followed suit hurling powerful elemental spells at the mutant. It howled in pain, and started charging.

Nearly impaling Barrett with one of its horns, the large gun-armed man managed to avoid the horn and was merely tossed into the air. He shot a rocket at the mutant, blowing it off course from nearly impaling Yuffie before he hit the ground.

Vincent quickly started firing off at the mutant, trying to find a weak spot. The skin on the creature was incredibly thick. While the spells seemed to have some effect, all physical attacks just seemed to agitate it. Tifa quickly dodged out of the way when the mutant tried to get her with its horn, but it didn't stop running. It crashed into the airship, leaving a gaping hole in one of the engines.

"Oh hell no, you little bitch! I don't care if you're a fuck'n walking battle tank! No one, and I mean no one, hurts my baby!" Cid uttered a quick spell and his lance suddenly caught on fire. Leaping high into the air, the pissed pilot aimed the lance right between the monsters eyes. Cloud and the group watched in anticipation, praying the lance would pierce the mutant's hide or Cid was going to have a horn right through his chest.

Just as the lance made contact, a massive blast enveloped the two combatants. When the dust settled, Cid was on one knee, panting, his lance firmly embedded in the mutants face.

"Are you fuck'n crazy! You're too old to be pulling shit like that!"

Cid smiled. "Look who's talking. That thing threw your gun-toting ass into the air like you were an f'n pillow."

"Whatever. Cloud, what we do with this thing now?"

Tifa scowled, but had given up trying to rebuke her teammates' disrespect to what she considered a victim. Even she was starting to see that without a cure, there was no alternative than to kill these things. The mutant was so violent and enraged that it had ripped a pretty good section out of the airship's engine.

"We're going to have to burn the corpse. We can't risk it reviving itself." Cloud looked at Tifa an apologetic expression on his face. Tifa didn't look happy, but she nodded her agreement; there was no other option…

End Chapter 2

So…yea it took a really long time to get this to ya'll. Life was the biggest problem, but you'll all be surprised to learn that Chapter 3 is just about ready to be posted, just a little more editing work and it'll be up so look for it in the coming week. Chapter 3 will focus on a slightly lighter issue than Chapter 2. Big thanks also goes out to Blue-eyes2014 (formerly known as Calistar Heir) and Inkster for their BETA work on this chapter. Please Read and Review! I'll be giving out individual reviewer thanks in the next chapter to all those that review this chapter!