I sincerely apologize for the extended hiatus of this project. There were many things that came up in my life and writing needed to be put on hold. Luckily they have all been sorted out and I can continue this work. I will do my best to keep it updated regularly for all of you who wish to continue reading it. Thank you for your views, reviews, and patience.
Smoke filled the tunnel. Biggs coughed heavily. Everyone could feel their lungs burn with the putrid substance now circling around them. On one side of the tunnel, Wedge sat leaning against a large piling of rubble. He was considerably out of breath despite not running as far as the others. It was times like this that the robust young man wished he had more motivation to exercise.
Jessie knelt in front of a large pile of rubble now blocking the entrance that they had just run through. She wasn't necessarily looking for anything in particular. A look of shock mixed with admiration was covering her face.
Cloud walked over to her. "What are you doing?" He asked casually. As if anything about what they were doing was casual. They were currently a small group of terrorists that just destroyed a mako reactor and were now trapped in a tunnel slowly filling with smoke. Cloud thought the entire situation was sort of funny. He had spent the last few years serving Shinra. Now he was on the run from them.
"Oh… I was just admiring my handy work." She smiled proudly. "I built that bomb. All of this was possible because of me. Although…" She looked down slightly reddening at the cheeks. "Thanks for saving me back there. To be honest I wasn't sure if we could trust you. You know working with Shinra and all. But if it weren't for you I would still be in that building. Thanks Cloud."
He gave her a half smile and a pat on the shoulder. "Don't mention it Jessie. I would hate for a pretty face like yours to be turned into ashes by the monster of a weapon you made."
Jessie's face turned even redder than before as she mumbled another thank you.
While they were talking Barret had finished walking around the other end of the tunnel. He approached the two and was as usual not very happy. " 'nough a yer chit chat. How are we 'posed to get outa this tunnel?"
Jessie stood up quickly and ran to the other side. She gestured to the others with her arm and called to them. "No problem guys. Follow me."
The rag tag group slowly pulled themselves up and followed the red head. At the other end was more rubble that was probably knocked down due to the explosion. They really were trapped. Although Cloud could probably just use his buster sword to cleave a way through. He was slightly fatigued though and didn't really want to resort to that. Seeing no other way he brought his hand to the massive hilt and was ready to pull it from his back.
Jessie smiled and laughed as she watched Cloud ready to carve a path for them. "It's ok Cloud. I can handle this."
She kneeled down and began fiddling around with the debris.
Biggs and Wedge edged closer to see what she was doing. They didn't seem to succeed seeing as they walked back shrugging their shoulders. Cloud however saw that she was placing a small device into the base of the debris. She is going to blow it away with a controlled explosion. What a resourceful person.
When finished with her task, Jessie stood and ushered everyone away from the wall. "Now everyone get back. This might get loud."
Loud was an understatement. The resulting explosion rang throughout the small enclosed tunnel. The crashes rang over and over reverberating into their ears.
Luckily for the group, the direction of the blast was out of the tunnel and none of them felt so much more than a gust of wind.
Fire now covered the open entrance way. Smoke again filled their lungs. This time though, they could see their escape route.
Cloud was the first to start running. "Come on. We can't stay in the smoke for long." He charged straight at the inferno and dove out. Some of the flames caught on his pants so he skillfully rolled across the pavement to extinguish the fire.
Behind him came Barret, Jessie, and Biggs. Wedge emerged last and had a small fire on his bum. "Ow ow ow ow. Hot hot hot." He ran in circles trying to fan himself off. Biggs chuckled from the sight. Cloud merely walked over and told him to roll it out.
The sight was rather amusing. Wedge resembled a large rollie pollie as he flapped around on the ground. Once extinguished he stood and gave a triumphant thumbs up. "No problem at all." Biggs was now laughing loudly.
Barret scowled at the two. "Alright 'nough a yer nonsense. We need to get out of here. Everyone rendezvous at Sector 8 station. We'll split up and meet at the station." Everyone nodded and broke out running in different direction.
Cloud watched them go then ran toward Barret. "Hey Barret." The big man extended a hand and stopped him from continuing.
"If it's about yer money. Save it 'till we get back to the hideout." He gave Cloud a handshake and ran up a flight of stairs.
The ex-Soldier watched Barret run and waited for a few minutes. There was no point in leaving right away. If they were seen in a group it would lead to suspicion.
When he thought enough time had passed, Cloud ran up the same flight of stairs. He then found himself in one of the poorer districts of Midgar.
People were running around frantically. All worried that they would be involved in the terrorist attack. Some even preached that the end was near and everyone was going to die.
Cloud just walked slowly and shrugged off the chaos around him. What did he care what they thought. They saw his job as terrorism. Maybe it was. To him though. It was just a job. A job that got back at his prior employer.
He kept walking until a woman of about his age walked up to him.
"Excuse me sir." She said timidly to him.
She was wearing a long pink skirt and red blouse. Her long brown hair had two braided strands draping the sides of her face. Cloud noticed that she was holding a basket of fresh flowers. She was probably selling them t make more money. He wondered where she could get fresh flowers in this part of the city.
"What happened just now?" She tried to keep a strong voice but he could see that she was worried. Who wouldn't be when a massive explosion just took place near someone.
Cloud shrugged at his surroundings. "Nothing." He looked around and didn't think that she should stick around in this state of madness. "Hey listen. You should probably go somewhere else. It doesn't look like it's very safe right now."
He couldn't explain why he cared about her safety right then. Normally other people didn't matter to him. It could be that she was pretty. He always had a soft spot for pretty women. But it was something more with her. Something about this woman was familiar to him. He couldn't explain why, but he felt like he knew her.
"Oh ok. I guess I should leave then." She turned and straightened her dress. Cloud felt bad just letting her walk away.
"Wait." The flower girl turned and looked at him quizzically. "You don't see flowers like that around here…"
She immediately smiled. It was a bright expression that made her look dazzling. Cloud tried not to noticed how pretty she really was.
"Oh these. They are only one gil each. Would you like to buy one?" She rummaged through the stock gently and pulled a beautiful lily.
He couldn't resist. Besides it was only one gil. He had plenty of money and more coming. Maybe Tifa would appreciate it as well. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his hand bag. In it was remaining gil from his Soldier days. Not a fortune, but enough to make it by. He pulled out two gil and payed the woman for the flower.
She immediately went to grab another flower but he stopped her. "Just the one today. You keep the change. It should help out." He smiled while talking to her. It had been a while since he really smiled. It still felt forced, but around her it was easier. There was just something about this woman.
The brunette bowed and thanked him earnestly. She then wished him well and was on her own way.
Cloud felt good. It wasn't much and he didn't particularly care to help others out. But doing that felt good to him. He put the flower between his ear and walked down the streets.
Nothing unusual happened as he ran toward the train station. People ran around still panicking. He then found himself surrounded by residential houses. In front of him was the overpass where the train ran through. Looks like I will need to run to the next station.
Before he could take another step forward the sound of a large crowd running toward him took over his hearing. "Hey you! Stop right there."
Cloud turned to see a small group of Shinra officers running at him. They had their guns drawn and ready to fire. "You were near the reactor before the attack weren't you? Put down your weapon and come quietly."
Cloud looked around. More guards were approaching from every direction. He knew that he could easily fight his way through the lowly petty officers. But he felt something akin to pity for them. He too started as a minor patrol officer. They didn't really stand in his way or deserve to die today.
Instead of fighting he drew his sword and used it to block the onslaught of bullets that rained over him.
Below, he could feel the ground rumbling as something big approached. Perfect. The train is coming. Now I at least have a way out.
Meanwhile, the guards drew closer to Cloud. He knew that there was only one way out now. Slowly Cloud lowered his sword. The officers ceased their fire and same even closer to him. Some readied their handcuffs. None of them expected what Cloud would do next. He smirked and turned from the sea of blue uniforms in front of him. Then he lifted himself upon the ledge of the overpass.
The last any of the Shinra officers saw was the back of his spikey blonde hair as he jumped from the ledge to the railway below.
~ On board the Midgar Express
The small band of freedom fighter sat in silence. They all held their heads low. They waited around for Cloud at the station. Jessie even asked the conductor to wait a moment for a friend. The man indulged her request and stalled the train's departure by almost ten minutes. He could not hold the train any longer than what he already had. The train would leave the station without their new found partner.
They now sat in sadness. They wondered if he had simply left them. After all he said that he would leave them after the job was done. The one thing they were all thinking but refused to believe was that he was found and captured. Or worse.
Wedge was the first to break the silence. "Cloud didn't show up." His voice was low and layered with sadness. The others looked at him and saw a glisten in his eye. He looked to be withholding tears. The robust man was quick to make friends and was grateful to Cloud for helping him while he was on fire.
Biggs was the next to speak. "Cloud… I wonder if he was killed." The others looked up, upset that he would voice such an opinion even if they were thinking it personally. Biggs was cool and level-headed so it wasn't unlike him to speak curt and bluntly. Surprisingly, Barret spoke up against him. "No way! You saw him back there. Aint no way he would be gunned down like this."
Jessie sat down and sadly mumbled his name. "Cloud…"
"Do you think Cloud would have fought with us to the end?" Biggs wondered out loud.
"How the hell should I know? Do I look like a damn mind reader to you?" Barret yelled. He punched his mechanical hand into a crate. "If y'all weren't such screw ups maybe he'd be here right now." The big man scowled and folded his arms together.
"Hey Barret." Wedge began timidly. "Umm… What about our money?" Barret again punched the wooden crate. This time his arm broke the outside and splintered flew at Wedge. "Uhh nevermind."
They all sighed in unison while thinking of their new friend and his fate. The train shook as it progressed and rocked them back and forth. Even though they paid to get on using fake ID's to pass the checkpoints, the group made a home in the rear storage area. It was simply more private there. Much bumpier. At one point they heard a loud crash from above them. Maybe more of the rubble was falling apart from the city above. It would be no surprise. Then it happened again, but a little softer though. Suddenly the cargo door slid open and they all looked out to see the rush of lights passing by them. What none of them expected was the sudden appearance of a man in a purple turtle neck holding a massive broadsword swinging down from then roof.
Everyone jumped and ran toward him. "Cloud!" They had all called.
He stood up, brushed himself off, and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry guys. I guess I'm a little late.
Everyone but Barret laughed at his joke. The large man heaved with anger. "You damn right that you late Spikey. Making everyone worry about yer damn ass then jumping in like nothin happened. You tryin a make a scene?"
Cloud shrugged off the comment and smiled. "I'm sorry that I made you worry Barret. It must have hurt you to think I was in danger."
The crew burst with laughter. Barret on the other hand turned the crate beside him into nothing more than woodchips. "What! What did you say you little cocky shit!" More laughter ensued. "This is comin out of all your checks. Now wake up and let's get goin'." He then walked into the next car still huffing with anger.
Wedge reluctantly followed behind him. "You were great just now Cloud. It's good to have you back." Biggs was next in line. "Haha. I bet you will do even better next time." The man stressed next time and jumped after the other two.
Jessie slowly walked toward the open door and began to shut it. "You should be careful Cloud. It's dangerous to fall out of a moving train." She moved toward him. Her head bowed down and she blushed slightly. Upon looking up she was startled by something. "Oh Cloud. Your face is pitch black with soot. Let me help." She grabbed some cloth from the now ruined crate and wiped his face clean. Putting a hand to his own face, Cloud could no longer see black streaks on his fingers. "Thanks", he said to her.
She shook her head. "No thank you. You really helped us out. Especially me." She then leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Now blushing rather violently, Jessie walked to the doorway where her friends had gone and opened it. "See you up front Cloud."
He nodded and followed after her.
~ In the Sector 7 bar Seventh Heaven
Tifa Lockheart was just filling out the check for her last customer. The man had been there for several hours. He had long red hair that was spiked and covered some of his face. He had come in with some complaints about his job and how it shouldn't be his duty to babysit over some girl. Tifa couldn't help but notice that he worked for Shinra. She despised Shinra and all that it stood for. But this man seemed to be relatively nice. He was very courteous to her and tipped very well. Almost 40% of his bill. At only ten minutes until closing, she was going to ask him to leave when a larger dark skinned man wearing the same uniform with the addition to black sunglasses came in. The red head acknowledged his associate, finished his drink, and stood up. He thanked Tifa for the service and payed his bill in full. The two then left the establishment.
"For a Shinra employee, that guy was extremely polite. What was his name again. Reno I think?" She then locked the door and called for Marlene. Within a moment the little girl came running downstairs and sat at one of the barstools. "Gimme a hard glass of milk Tifa" She asked confidently.
The older woman laughed and gingerly filled a glass for the younger girl. "Is dad coming back soon?" She asked, drinking her cold beverage.
Tifa looked at the clock and remembered Cloud's promise. "Yeah. They will be here soon." It had been so long since she had seen him. It almost felt like fate that day some weeks ago. Cloud… You always promised to come back for me. She lost herself in thought while waiting with the young girl for her father and friends.
~The Shinra Main building. President's Office.
The explosion of Mako reactor number 1 shook the entire city. A large robust man in a burgundy suit sporting thinning blonde hair and a full moustache looks down at the destruction of his city. He grunts angrily. "AVALANCHE again no doubt. They have become very bold now haven't they?" Behind him another robust man with groomed black hair and matching goatee snorts. "They are just a rag tag group of children. Nothing more than a nuisance. "
The first man turns and stares down the green suit wearing man. "Heidegger. They are much more than a nuisance. They just destroyed one of my precious reactors."
The smug look on Heidegger disappeared quickly. "Yes of course Mr. President. I understand your concern. Would you like me to get the Turks on their case?"
The president of Shinra Electric Power Company looked down to the tremendous tragedy that was Mako Reactor number 1. He would stop AVALANCHE once and for all. "Yes. Do you have a team ready?"
Heidegger snorted and laughed. A sound that resembled an old horse. "Of course sir. I will get Tseng's unit on it. They are the best after all."
President Shinra grinned at hearing Tseng's name. "Good good. Get to it then. Let me know when they are ready."
The president watched the large man leave the office. He was rather eccentric and very haughty. But in the end he was loyal to the company and got good results. What more could one ask for in an employee? Don't worry my city. I will stop the men trying to hurt you soon.
I was originally going to add more to this chapter but found writing the beginning there was a lot I could add and didn't want to miss a good opportunity to expand. There will always be more time for later chapters and more information. As always Reviews of any kind are welcome. I don't mind harsh criticism either. It is what builds us into better writers.