Well. I've received some pretty good reactions from you the fans and to be honest…. I'm relishing the feeling of suspense myself. Oooooh its just getting good. Sadly though now is the one chapter I feel will bring a tear to eyes and a feeling of injustice towards the story's plot. This will probably be a fairly long chapter and I hope to wrap things up before June as I have to ship off for fort Benn by then.
Now without further delay I give you the begging of the end. Hold your nose cause here goes the cold water.
Fall out:
"Koty no!! Please no you'll die out there"
"So be it. I will not let them destroy my family."
"Family?" 'Now I get it…..' "No Koty no!!!!"
It was the last conversation she thought she would share with the man she had come to favor as a brother. Or was it just a brother. She had often times saw him as a physically grown Denzel. Brother son or just a passerby it made no difference to her. She knew now why he had stayed, why he had been so willing to help. It wasn't that he saw his old friends in them. He had hoped to make new friends. He wanted a family. He had even referred to her as sister which at the time was slightly disturbing; however it seemed now to make sense. He hadn't remembered Jonah or Elizabeth until after he met Tifa. He had simply wanted to exist. He wanted a family.
"Koty no…… please don't…….. Little brother please." 'Please let this work'
He stopped in his tracks without even turning. 'Oh thank god.'
"Koty…… you're too weak to march off into battle against that." Cloud shocked her as he moved forward to the man. "Please…….. You asked us for time." 'Cloud what are you doing?' Tifa listened with awe. "Let us give you something else….. Time doesn't seem to be an option…… but we wana…….. I wana give you a reason………. A reason to live……."
"What reason cloud….. I am a murderer……….. I am a drifter……… I am a destroyer…… a monster…….. Demon….. I cause pain and bring discord….. If I die…. What consequence is it…… what reason should…….. What reason could I possibly have?" Koty allowed a defeated yet determined tone overflow from him.
"Everyone deserves a reason….. And we need you……"
"My strength is best left alone. If I die they would no longer need to chase you and my strength would be unnecessary."
"You're still thinking too hard man." Zack butted in. "don't think of it from a tactical stand point. You gota think with your heart not your head."
"I don't understand."
"Do you know why Kara died Koty?" red was next.
"Enlighten me oh strange feline." He sounded sarcastic and slightly impressed at the same time.
"She loved you…. She didn't die because she was afraid of lithium. She didn't die because she saw no other option. She died to give you the strength to live free of the chains of bondage. So that you could exist. But if she were to live you would have died. However in the same sentence if she had died earlier than that you would have died. Love kept you alive this long. Now listen to cloud. He has something to ask." He looked over at cloud as if handing the situation over to him.
"Koty" cloud put a hand on the stalwart mans shoulder. "You said you wouldn't let them destroy your family…… I know that it probably to you counted as a slip of the tongue but……. To me……….. All I had growing up was my mother………. When you came along I was the worst of the worst………. I didn't care but for one person and it wasn't even me……. I thought that my only friend in the world would rather I just die and fall of the edge of the earth……. But……… I had made a promise……….. The same promise Kara made to you……. I told them I would be with them till the end……. Koty……… Kara is still there……….. And now….. Now I wana be there………… I know what it's like to feel like you're alone…….. I know what it feels like to be against all odds…… I know what it's like to push forward when you're about to break……….. And I want……… I want you to know….. That even though I haven't known you long……. That…….. That I can't stand the thought of letting you die………"
"I deserve as much."
"No you don't and stop saying that" Tifa sobbed as she looked at him. "They did this to you. They destroyed your life and you're pride…….. You didn't kill them because it brought you satisfaction. You didn't laugh at the sight of Jonah dying or at the blood of those soldiers covering your hand. You don't deserve any of this…….."
"Tifa" cloud turned to her as if to calm her. "Koty it's like you said we're family……….. I haven't had but one person I called family until you came along…. And I just feel like……. Like maybe you're part of my family……. Even if I don't know you that well….. I feel like we've known each other for a long time. And I just…….. I want you to be there……… later……… so that." He trailed off.
"Cloud…….. I am not human." Koty turned a hesitant eye. "I need no mercy pity or sympathy."
"Damit I'm not pitying you………. I love you……… I feel like if I let you die……… that I may as well have let Denzel die………. Or let Yuffie or Vincent……… you mean as much to me as they do……"
"Why…… you don't know me………. You don't have any ties to bind you…….. At first you seemed so eager to do lithium's job personally…….. Why such a change…"
"Because that's before I realized….. That you're……..you're like me………… lost…….. Alone… and fighting for a chance to make it all right."
His head lowered. He had apparently been afflicted by clouds words. 'Please don't let him do this… if there's anyone up there make him stop.'
"Family………" he said the word as if analyzing it. "Family……. I don't know what that means……"
"But you talk like you do." Cloud backed away a few steps.
"Do I?"
"You wana find out? Then stay…… we'll be your family….."
"Cloud……… I want to believe……….. I want to believe your words…….. But….."
"But nothing ya creepy bastard." cid barked over the man "you're stuck with us…… whether or not Yuffie or you like it." He aimed the comment at the still fuming Yuffie who sat heaving on the ground behind them.
"And you I have not been acquainted with….."
"Cid highwind…… best damn pilot to ever grace the skies….. Better not forget it either….. Got that."
"Cid……. And you I presume are…?" he looked at Barret who looked around rather nervously.
"Just call me Barret." Barret gruffly cleared his throat.
"And this strange talking feline…?"
"You may call me red….." the cat purred "everyone else seems to have a liking to that name. But names aren't important. It is a pleasure to meet you"
"Like wise…… I already know the four of you." He exchanged glances between cloud Tifa Yuffie and Shelke. "And zack………. And miss Gainsborough"
"Aerith." She informed him.
"And I know you two as well………. Denzel……. Marlene…….. Oh I almost forgot…… Marlene I believe you left this in my safety……" he held out his hand and with a burst of light he held the plushy form of 'mog' dangling loosely from his fingertips.
"Mog!!!" the little girl squealed as she ran to retrieve it.
"And you are" he glance at Shera as if confused.
"Names Shera hun" she walked up behind cid and locked her arm around his.
"And Vincent I know very well."
He received a gruff nod in response before looking around to see the tattered pieces of metal.
"I apologize for our current predicament…. I am too weak to take us any further." He looked around for a moment before his eyes again went black. "However I can make the trip slightly less strenuous."
Cloud was baffled as the broken pieces of metal he had known as fenrir collected and seemed to meld back together. 'What the hell…. How does he do that…..' the pieces snapped and bent with the groan of stress and seemed to melt together as they joined. As the moments passed the swords that lay around them began to find their homes in the sheath compartments they had come from. Then as if the wreck had never happened fenrir stood proud and almost brand new before the group.
"There…….. That should hold……" Koty collapsed from exhaustion and cloud knelt beside him.
"You okay?" He caught him as he fell forward. "Take that as a no."
"I need to rest….. I will be fine….. I just need…… time." He was unconscious in moments and the familiar aura around him began again.
"Geez what the." Cloud dropped the man and backed away. "What the hell?"
"He's recovering……. Give him a moment…… someone should stay with him." Shelke concluded before standing.
"I'll do it Shelke you need some sleep. And it'll take a while to get anywhere from here……. By the way" Tifa was next to step into the conversation "where are we gona go…….. Edge is out of the question and all the other cities are miles away"
"Midgar…….. The church…………" cloud's voice commanded authority "it's the last place they'll expect us to go and with Koty down we can't hope to fight them all. We need to buy some time and think of a battle plan…."
"That's spikes for ya always thinkin ahead" zack slapped his back with approval. "But how are we all gona fit on the bike man."
"We'll just have to make multiple trips…… I'll get you guys to midgar and then ill ride out to kalm with someone to get another means of transport. Till then we need to lay low."
"Hey spear head…… could we make it to my place? I got a bird on standby we could use that….." cid laughed. "Didn't think about that did ya"
"What about reeve?" Shelke inquired "the WRO could assist us with this…. We need all the help we can get."
"Good thinking." Cloud commended her for her swift mind. He had almost forgotten about the WRO "we could use the extra man power. But first we need to get to midgar and wait out the night so that we don't attract too much attention… with lithium now controlling well……. What's left of edge……… we can't take the risk of being caught out in the open. It'll take a few hours…… ill take the kids first…..Yuffie you're pretty small………."
"Hey" she retorted "I'm not small I'm fun sized."
"Still you and the kids need to come with me…… then we'll draw straws I guess…… Tifa you sure you can handle yourself out here." He was obviously worried but knew well that when Tifa made up her mind there was no changing it.
"I'll be fine……. Someone needs to watch him and I'm not helpless by any means. Besides this way I'll get to ride later. May get some onboard action." She winked at him bringing a chuckle from Aerith and a hearty laugh from Barret. "Go on the sooner the better. Denzel Marlene you better behave…….. And Yuffie that goes double for you."
Sarcastic gestures and a few happy bounces from Marlene ended the conversation and cloud revved the surprisingly stable engine. 'Now I gotta ask him how he did that trick…… may come in handy' he pulled the handle bar and noticed a large slice of the front guard missing. 'That must be from the souvenir I kept…… gota get that fixed……. But for now…… gota ride…….'
Again he took to her. His mistress in waiting had successfully made him keep his promise but at the same time had nearly made him break it. She was a happy hostess for the odd trio. However cloud was now more shell shocked to say the least. He had someone to come home to and as much as he loved his mistress he loved Tifa far more. 'I need to keep it steady… I can't risk it now.'
He rode her miles with reverence and caution. Several times that night. It was the last he would partake of her in hope. However he knew when all of the battles had ceased he would again call for her comfort from time to time. 'When all of this is done……. I quit…….. And Tifa…… I'm gona make her quit……. I'll take over the bar and she can worry about herself……. I'll deal with all of it……. But for right now we need to rebuild it……… I can't say that Koty didn't bring this with him that would be a lie. But I can say that I don't blame him……. He had no intention of ever hurting us………' his last run had required him to ride with Vincent. An off feeling to be certain. He knew cid and Barret would make jokes the whole way about cloud simply wanting to take them out into the desert and have his way. But not Vincent he was quiet, too quiet. He rode in silence a careful hand coddling Cerberus like a small child.
After the estranged jokes and awkward silence that followed he only had four more left. Zack and Aerith and then Tifa and Koty. 'Zack may can squeeze Aerith between us…….. As for Koty I guess he's ridding bitch when we get back.'
"Cloud" Vincent called to him before throwing him a small pouch. "That should help Koty….. I managed to collect these from Tifa's room. Koty seems to be able to handle it well so give it to him he'll know what to do."
"What is it? Mako" he questioned rhetorically with no true response from the stalwart gunman.
'Guess I have no choice…… ill have to hide it from Tifa……. Don't want her getting these.' The ride back was long and took several minutes and by the time he came back darkness had fallen. 'Gota make this quick……. Don't wana be out here when the guard hounds start scavenging.'
He came upon the location he had left from to find a small fire and zack using his buster sword as a prop and sleeping with Aerith cuddled closely in his lap. 'Now aint that sweet. Friggin idiot…… he could get killed sleeping out here……. Not that he thinks about those things.'
"Strife…. Your back…… Tifa is sleeping………." Koty's voice alerted him that the group was well defended.
"Is she alright?"
"Yes….. She is tired though……… I'm sorry though I am now physically restored I have no more power……. I have been sapped. It will take several hours to regenerate my strength."
"Its okay……… hey…… I heard from Vincent that you were able to control this." He held up the pouch and shook it for good measure. "You know what this is right."
"Yes…… I am aware of its contents …….. I had found it on Tifa's desk a few nights ago and had not the knowledge of what the substance was………. But after my contract I have tasted its power."
"Here take these then…….. I don't want Tifa to get a hold of them."
"I understand….. I can put this to some use now however…….. But this would mean I would be down for a few hours…….."
"We'll watch you…….. I trust your judgment on this……."
"Thank you cloud……. Now please wake the others this will need to be quick." He removed a small glowing syringe and looked at cloud before pocketing the pouch. "I will only have a few minutes of power……. Now hurry."
He walked over to the sleeping girl lying next to the fire on what appeared to be her jacket folded and fluffed. 'She looks so tired but I have to hurry the minute that stuff gets sunk in Koty won't last long…………'
"Tifa….. Tifa babe you need to get up." he shook her gently to alert her.
"Mmmm….. You're back…… wait…….. Where's Koty………" she moaned as she sat up and glanced around groggily "did he..?"
"He's fine but we have to go. Hurry get woke up quick it won't end well."
"What about zack and Aerith? Are they?"
"Ill deal with it just worry about yourself for now." He left her to prepare and then moved to the couple by the sword. "Hey you two……… come on love birds lets go…………." He was getting impatient.
Walking to behind the sword he yanked the hilt. It lifted with ease and Zack's head met the ground with a thud.
"Aw man what the hell?" the still sleepy soldier looked up with surprised eyes.
"We gota move zack……… ill explain later. Get Aerith up."
As the sleepy man began to wake his partner cloud looked at Koty. His eyes were glowing and he seemed to carry an intense aura around him.
"How much…..?" cloud stared him down with concern in his eyes obvious.
"Fourth……. A fourth of this should suffice for a small jump…….." his voice was strained "are we prepared?"
"Yeah…… alright guys.." he slammed the buster swords blade deep into the earth. "Brace yourself."
The words were spoken too late and the group found themselves again cursed with the misfortune of having the oh so familiar nausea.
"Sonuva" zack was the first to be hit.
"Damit…." Tifa was next.
"Cloud…… you seem to be unaffected…… you are indeed very strong." Koty was oddly surprised by cloud's lack of affliction.
Aerith never spoke she simply sat very still with her hands covering her mouth. 'Must be pretty bad for her.' Cloud thought to himself before noticing Koty fall.
"Koty!" he moved quickly to him. "You alright."
He was out and cloud was sure it was the mako. 'Well we'd better get some sleep…… I guess I'm keeping an eye on Koty…… '
"Is he alright" Vincent thundered from behind him.
"Christ Vincent you scared the hell out of me."
"I'm sorry… but he is radiating mako energy…… I take it that he stalled on more than a few milligrams."
"Only a fourth needle. I think he'll be fine…… but I'll keep an eye on him….. We don't want him falling out tomorrow morning for a fight."
"Don't worry too much about him…….. I think he's changed his mind." Vincent stalked off to leave cloud to himself.
'This is gona be a long couple of days.' As he watched Koty begin to glow again he wracked his mind for an answer as to why the man had decided to stay. 'He never had a family before…….? Just like Denzel…………… this is cruel………. Shinra never chased us like this…….. These guys are just after his power…….. And from the looks of things they'll do anything including destroying innocent lives to get it….. Well…….. We won't let them have their way' He stood and walked away from the man.
"You rest….. It'll be better in the morning…….. Promise……." He left his silent promise to the man before leaving to assist Tifa. "Pretty rough I take it."
"ughhhah…….. yeah…… I'm okay though…..cloud what are you doing." She struggled for a moment as she was lifted into his arms.
"taking you somewhere quiet." He knew the church even in the dim moonlight.
He walked away from the spot where Tifa had been hunched over for several minutes to walk over to the patch of flowers. Aerith it seemed had fallen asleep soon after arrival on a pew next to zack at the far end of the church. Shera and cid had apparently followed suit soon after. Vincent had seemed to disappeared along with red and Shelke watched Koty like a protective angel from afar. Marlene and Denzel had fallen asleep on Yuffie's lap and she sat with her eyes closed and appeared to be meditating.
'well that's new. I guess everyone's tired….. it's been a long few hours….. I guess we should get some rest.'
"Tifa?" he whispered cautiously.
"what is it baby? Is something wrong." She looked into his eyes for a moment.
"I'm……. I……… I won't deny you any more………. If you want to do this then I guess……. What I mean to say is……."
"shhhh……. You don't need to say anything I understand your eyes……… I know…….. and I want to………. But for your sake and well the rest of the group…….. lets save it for the honeymoon." She kissed him and felt him drop to his knees before slowly lowering her to the flowers below. "cloud……… your eyes are so beautiful in the moon light……….."
"Tifa……… I won't……… I won't let you go…… please……….just….."
"no more words……. Just dance for me………"
It was the most passionate that he had been with her. He felt his heart pour out for her. As if the sky were coming down he kissed her. He landed elegant kisses along her neck and shoulder. Pulling her tank top straps aside to reveal the skin that hid beneath he grazed her collar bone with gentle kisses and feverishly drank from her soft moans.
'Ill protect you' he thought to himself.
"cloud….. yes……. Ohhh…..more…….."
'yes my love' he moved down her chest with swift careful fingers.
"that's……… ohhh….. cloud…….mmmmmmm"
'its all for you just tell me what you want' he let her guide his hands past her sternum and onto her supple breasts. 'wow…..Koty did pull a lot of power now that I think about it…… he must have gotten her clothes too….. he did have Marlene's doll………. And he did fix fenrir……. And from the looks of things he got the buster too……….. either he's smart or there's a proximity thing for that warp of his….. oh well…… damn……. Focus idiot she's callin you' he massaged her carefully making sure to take in the feeling of her skin as she slipped his fingertips underneath her clothes. 'she's so soft……… wait what's she doing.'
She guided his hand slowly down her torso. Making him feel her muscles and marvel at her curves she pushed forward on his hand. 'god does she have any idea what she's doing………. Stupid of course she does she's getting off on this as much as you are' down her chest and over her stomach smoothly gliding over her abdomen to her hips. He was indeed enjoying himself but he was shocked to notice that she too seemed to take a great pleasure in his touch. 'she wants this so badly…. That's one thing I have to thank fukin sephiroth for………. If he hadn't burned fukin nibelheim down I wouldn't have come back to her…….. sad but true….. Tifa what the…..?'
She surprised him again as she used her free hand to kiss him while simultaneously sliding his hand beneath her belt. 'Tifa……. Oh shit…….. oh…..OH!' his hand met with damp curls and an epiphany dawned upon him what she was doing.
"Tifa?" he whispered her name as if hiding from her.
"please….. I don't want anyone else to do this……… only you……….. but I want you to so bad…….." she silently heaved in between words. "you feel so good…… and I love you so much…….. please cloud….."
'she's never been so forward before…… or maybe I just wasn't paying attention close enough…… oh…….oh Tifa don't do that.' She pressed on his ring finger applying pressure to her femininity 'Tifa! I cant do that…… not here in front of every one.'
"what's wrong…… too much?" she released his hand and looked into his eyes with a deep pleading.
"no its just…….. maybe this is the wrong place for this." He looked around hesitantly to notice there were two figures other than Vincent and red missing. 'wait how long have we been here? And?' "Tifa did you see where Denzel went……… and where's Koty?"
"oh my god……..!" she gasped realizing that Denzel had disappeared along with the once incapacitated Koty. "you don't think Koty……. He wouldn't……. no!"
"again…… very good but still you will need to learn to deal with the weight of your weapon" Vincent was listening carefully to the clang of steel on steel as Koty's voice rained down instructions for someone to follow.
"Denzel perhaps you should reconsider this…… you are talented but still very young if anything were to happen cloud would……." Red attempted to speak but was cut short as Denzel snapped at him.
"I have to get stronger……… for cloud…….. and Tifa………. Mom……..and dad I mean……" he was winded. "I have to make them proud."
At this Vincent stood and walked to the boy. "Denzel…….."
"huh" he looked up almost surprised to see the crimson clad man.
"cloud could never be more proud of you. He constantly talks about you and Marlene……. If there were anymore a proud father they wouldn't exist……." He placed a gloved hand upon his shoulder and looked at him profoundly. "he would more than likely disapprove of your decision but I can see your resolve…….. Koty"
"as you wish……" Koty waved his hand as if dismissing someone and Denzel's sword which had been stuck in the ground for the last few moments melted into sand and disappeared.
"how do you do that?" the child marveled at the feet and lifted a handful of the sand that was his blade.
"it is a matter of……" Vincent cut him short.
"its magic Denzel." He scoffed at the man and pushed the child forward.
"magic? That's stupid…… magic is something little kids believe in……."
"your calling me a child?" he looked down.
"no…….I just……….."
"my we live in dark times if someone your age is too world weary to believe in magic."
"but……. The sword."
"I know…… that was magic." Vincent was startled as he ran head long into Tifa who seemed frazzled and worried. "ghaaah"
They collided and were both knocked down. The wind knocked out of both the fighter and the gunman they laid on the ground and appeared almost dead.
"ah crap….. teef……… man…….. hey Vincent you okay……. Tifa……. Tifa?" cloud was first to notice the collapsed duo.
"I'm fine……… how is Tifa" he groaned as he sat up.
"sorry Vince……. I was just………. Denzel!!"she attempted to apologize but upon seeing the boy she immediately dropped the thought and threw her arms around him. "where were you….. and why are you sweating so much….. what have you been doing."
"ti…… I mean…. Mom………… I was training with Koty…." He was shy as he admitted his truth.
"what……. Training……… what do you mean?"
"he wishes to know the ways of war big sister……" the man came forward red following behind him slowly. He seemed to give off a disarming vibe but even with this Tifa was worried. "however he is slightly too small for the weapon he has chosen." She looked at him gravely as she noticed the makeshift sling binding his left arm.
"so you were teaching him?" she was quiet but her voice emulated disdain.
"yes"
"I see. Denzel….."
"Ti…..I mean….. mom I"
"I'm not mad…… just worried…….. are you sure you want to do this?"
"uhhh"
"Denzel……." Cloud was standing over the boy by then and pulled him aside. "come'er buddy….. walk with me a while……… we'll be back by dawn I promise."
as the two walked away Tifa stood and looked at Koty with a rather disdainful air.
"have I done something wrong?" he questioned her with earnest eyes.
"how long."
"pardon?"
"how long have you known this?"
The look was long and sorrowful. It was as if she doubted his credibility.
"he told me only a few hours ago..... he seems hard pressed…… perhaps something he gets from his father."
"you know I don't want him to do this………. Why…….?"
"He requested my tutelage so I accepted him…… he shows promise………. But he fears your disapproval……"
"and you don't? he's my son Koty………. Even if not by blood or paperwork……. I…………. I can't let him be like us………. He deserves better"
"all of you do……. And I'm sorry……….. but I did nothing but teach…….. and Denzel came to me it is his choice not mine. However you are his mother if you wish it sister I can cease his teaching………"
"I don't want him wound up in all of this. But if it's what he wants…… on to another subject. First how the hell did you manage to get my cloths back…." She faked a grin and poked him. "you know I was about to have a really good time…"
"there is a proximity effect enabled when I drag another person through the space time frames. By using the last remaining memory of a person I can instantly pull any person object or 'attire pieces' that they were accustomed…."
"in short we come out having and wearing what we had in your last memory." She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "that about right."
"yes….. I'm sorry…….. I am not accustomed….. to being… how do you say………. Blunt?"
"its fine….. Koty……….. can I ask you something……"
"What troubles you big sister."
"please stop that…….."
"apologies….. Tifa"
"why do you concern yourself with the kids so much. You see m so different around them."
"they are children. They know so very little of life yet their concept of it is so flawless….. they are to be honored…… cherished……. Protected…… you do not think so?"
"you were a kid once too ya know…… you know how it feels to have that naive nature pulled from you……… that's why isn't it……"
"I am aware of my past…… and that the world is not a beautiful place……. The view of a child is so sweet and ignorant……….. I cannot allow lithium or anyone else to poison their innocence…….. like mine."
"I see………… Koty……….. I'm so sorry."
They had been walking for roughly a mile before cloud broke the silence.
"Denzel………"
"Cl…….. dad…… what is it." The boy stuttered with the new word.
"why do you want to fight….?"
"why not……. You and Koty fight….. Tifa and Barret….. even miss Aerith fights….."
"not the point……" he was stern but gentle "Denzel…… Tifa and I have tried to keep you out of fighting…… it's not a good thing to do……"
"why not?" he shouted in protest.
"Denzel…. Tifa……..Koty…… and me……… we've done terrible things. Things we regret…….. we've killed people."
"but that's part of fighting…… people die…"
"Denzel….. it's not that simple……. When we killed sephiroth even the second time it was only out of necessity…… we were……. Forced to do that…….."
"but still if you hadn't fought everyone would have died."
"true….. but do you know why your fighting……. Its different when you're forced to fight. So I'm asking why…… why do you fight?"
"to be strong……… like you……."
"Denzel……"
"I just wanted you to think………"
"Denzel your already stronger than I could ever be."
He embraced the boy with a solemn tear streaming from his eye.
"you've dealt with geostigma…… you lost your home…… your family…….. and you've been alone for such a long time……… I would have cracked long before you…………. Even I can't be that strong…."
"cloud……. Dad……. I"
"if it's what you want to do I won't stop you. But fighting because you wana be strong is not a good reason…….. please…… I don't want you to end up like me…….."
"but cloud."
'he thinks you're a hero….. he wants to be like you moron' he slapped himself mentally.
"look Denzel……I'm not a good guy….. there is no hero in a fight……. Only fighters…….. you can't be stronger……… only better than the next guy…….. promise me you won't fight for the wrong reason….. that's all I ask……." 'don't crack here….'
"why should I fight."
"only to protect the ones you love………" he stood and ruffled the boy's hair. "promise.."
The child took a moment before looking up with a determined smile. "promise….."
"alright now let's get you back Tifa will freak if we don't come back soon……."
"oh yeah…….." he grimaced at the thought.
'Alright……. I hope he understands everything I just said…… gods please don't let him be like me.'
The two walked the expanse back, cloud laughing with both a sincere comic relief and a strong sense of pride as he allowed Denzel to try and carry his sword. The small boy bobbled from side to side and almost toppled over several times before finally deciding to drag the hulking metal mass.
By the time they arrived cloud was playing piggy back and hefting his sword one handed.
"oh thank god." Tifas voice broke in sobs "are you two okay where have you been?"
"we're fine…. Tifa baby are you gona be aright…. Calm down."
"its dangerous as hell out there and my husband and son are out romping around in the dark…. I was terrified…….. but I'll get over it….. at least your safe…….."
"yeah but I need some help……… he's got a pretty good grip." Cloud nodded to his newly added tumor that was Denzel.
She plucked the boy from his spot before laying him on an unbroken pew. 'phew… glad that hayride is over.' cloud exhaled a long breath before realizing that Tifa was standing literally a centimeter from his face.
"you know between you Denzel and Koty I still haven't gotten any action." She teased as her fingers traced up his chest. "maybe you could help me with this little problem…….."
"well I am the delivery boy…… welcome and thank you for choosing strife delivery. What can I do you for ma'am?"
"well I'm looking for a strong…. Handsome…. Courageous man with a history of heroism and a way with kids….."
"I'm sure we can find one somewhere….. any particular model your looking for?"
"well I was interested in your 'cloud strife' model……. Mind if I play with it first…….?"
'wow she's good' he swallowed hard in an attempt not to kiss her.
'this is so fun….' She giggled at his anxiety 'I never knew he was so good at acting…. Kina sexy when I think about it…… all those times I could've played doctor……'
"I guess you could give it a test run and tell me if you like it" he stammered on his words as she moved closer to his lips 'oh boy this is going to be a long night.'
{note break.: for all of you fans who are reading for the mush I'm sorry that it's been so choppy I'm gona fix that eventually. Any way this is getting fairly long and confusing so I decided to break it up into two different chapters to lessen the confusion. Any way the last chap was about the calm before the storm….. this next one is right down the middle. Between the eyes mess. So read and enjoy.}
Fall out(act 2):
The dreams were sweet to say. They were the first dreams he had in years that were not nightmares. No guns no swords no fighting just him and his family and friends. It always went without saying that if it was too good to be true it wasn't.
The sound of gunfire and sinister laughter broke his sleep. It was right outside and it threatened to end all he loved. 'shit they found us already….. gota get……….. wait where the hell is Koty.'
A voice of dark pleasure echoed from outside. "are all creatures from your world so weak….. hahahah…….. I can defeat all of you blind folded. How do you expect to defeat that which you can't even touch?"
Cloud followed the voice to the outside world where he found Vincent and Cerberus ready but calm.
"what's going on?" he bombarded Vincent instantly after noticing his relaxed stance.
"he seems to take some satisfaction out of obliterating the local wildlife." Vincent responded coldly as he pushed cloud out of the way of a flying guardhoud.
"what the…." As he glanced upwards he saw Koty perched on a stray piece of support beam laughing as if he had been playing a child's game.
"I applaud you for your bravery but I think it is best that you take your pets before I decide I do not wish to play any longer." Koty's laughter ceased though cloud in some sense thought the silence even more disturbing.
Another voice came from the distance and clouds eyes focused on its location. "why you little……." He snapped his vision in the direction of the voice to find that it came from Reno who apparently had been in on the action at some point in time. "nobody and I mean nobody messes with me. I'm gona rip your f'in head off. Let me at him."
Rude was patiently holding him back as Tsung prepared his side arms.
"what are they doing here" cloud whispered in Vincent's direction "if shinra knows where we're at it won't end pretty."
"I don't think they're after Koty if that's what you mean. But Koty seems to be recovering at an alarming rate. It would not be unintelligent for them to try his patience much longer." The cold reply was followed by Tsung stepping forward.
"stranger your impeding Turk business. This is an official command site of the Turks. In this district we are authorized to use lethal……." He was cut off.
"spare me the folderol. I do not abide by your regulations. You will not pass this point as long as I live and I assure you that my life span greatly exceeds yours if you try." The response was with a demonic chuckle as if something funny had been said.
"what are you protecting."
"nunofyur"
"what? What the hell does that mean. What the hell is nunofyur" Reno was confused at the man's strange word.
"none of your business" Koty let out a dark laugh as the Turks face became the crimson of Vincent's cloak.
"I see you will not be upfront but I'll ask again what are you protecting" Tsung's patients was wearing thin and it showed by the way his posture shifted.
"family…. Why……….. you will not pass regardless so why do you need to know."
"we received a call from one of our joint operatives in the WRO Reeve tuesti. He said that a distress beacon was activated here and that it would be too dangerous to try and investigate for a normal team of soldiers. So he called in a favor and asked for us to do the job."
"well then." He grinned as he crouched like a gargoyle on his perch "report back and tell them you found nothing. It will save you the trouble of being dissimilated."
"the call came from a former WRO operative Shelke Rui."
His grin faded and a violent aura swallowed his left arm. "Shelke…… what is your business with her? I will not allow harm to come to her and if you want her you'll have to end me first."
"We are here to extract miss Rui and transport her to safety ….. but you appear too adamant to allow us to complete our mission so please stand aside."
"Koty its okay." Cloud finally spoke up. "they're here to help…." 'I hope'
"ah cloud strife. It has been a while hasn't it. I suppose that Shelke's distress call was for the explosion that happened in edge. We checked the ruins and surmised that you had been killed. I am glad to see that the hero of meteor fall did not perish with his home. And what of Tifa and the children."
"they're fine but that's not your problem. First off why did they send you."
"ah.. well as you know the shinra company has officially collapsed and though we hold an extensive amount of gill in banks world round there is no point for a small collection of operatives to keep such large sums of money. The president is how can I put this….. feeling rather generous lately. He has set up a joint operations team between the Turks and WRO. The WRO provides the man power and SHINRA provides the funds and capabilities. We had a slightly larger team than this but you're stalwart friend has seen a swift end to that."
"sorry… but you shouldn't just expect not to get attacked. You are creeping around an uncontrolled area……. This place is dangerous."
"we were sure of that when we heard that Shelke had been the one to send the distress beacon. She is a former deepground operative. A tsviet generally can handle themselves so we prepared for the worst scenario. However your unnatural compodre seems too strong for any general force to contend with. I doubted it would be pretentious if we had sent in an army to deal with him."
"Koty go inside Vincent and I will deal with them. Don't waste your strength."
Without questioning him Koty launched himself from his position only to meet with Reno's intense glare.
"you I would suggest getting training. Or at the very least humility" he scoffed before following clouds request and retreating to the church again.
"Reno rude. Get the extraction chopper readied." Tsung's vocals demanded of his subordinates before his eyes leveled with clouds. "so if what they say is true edge was attacked."
"yeah. How'd you guess?"
"I apologize. I know edge was your home. But you should know that……."
"what." He sounded almost reluctant to expect good news.
"there were no survivors…… it looked like whatever the explosion didn't kill whoever attacked sent in ground forces to finish off. I'm sorry cloud."
"not your problem."
"We would like you to know that if you require any funding that……"
"not interested. Just get us out of here…… then I don't want to see you or shinra for a while….. got it."
"understood."
He returned to the inside world less agitated with Koty and more the fact that they were enlisting the help of shinra.
"so I take it they spoke the truth." Cloud averted eyes to Koty who was cradling Shelke's head in his lap as he played absentmindedly with her hair.
"don't know but anywhere's better than here….. hey what's you deal with Shelke?"
"I am fond of her."
"seems like a crush."
"don't be ridiculous……. I am far too dangerous for such nonsense. It would only serve to get her killed. Besides I barely know her…….. but I do find her intriguing. She's not like the rest of you"
"how so?"
"she's detached…….. almost indifferent to the feelings of others yet she is not cold. She simply is…… she reminds me of Vincent in this…. However I can see a stirring of gears and clockwork in a heart that does not recognize emotion. Its……. Interesting."
"don't you mean sexy" cloud joked at the man.
"no….. she's intriguing but I don't find a sexual stirring for her…"
'wow I struck a nerve………. Is he blushing……… oh yeah…… I hit the nail on the head.' "well if that's the case why do you play with her hair…….. while she's sleeping."
"oh….um……… I……."
"face it you like her…… don't lie I see the way you always retreat to her…….. and not to mention the fact that she looks like…."
"enough………… please…….. if you have any kindness you will not say her name." is fist clinched as if he were holding back something.
"sorry…….. I didn't mean…….."
"its fine. We need to wake the rest of the group."
"okay. Vincent's waiting outside maybe you should stand watch with him. He and Tsung have a rough history and I don't think it's wise to let them hang around out there alone."
"very well."
As he left cloud noticed that he took great care not to wake the sleeping girl. 'not a crush my ass. You're a horrible liar Koty…… I don't get it…….. I mean she is a lookalike to that Kara girl but there is no way their personalities are the same. Maybe it's like he said. She does seem like a pretty odd person. I guess maybe he wants to see what makes her tick. But I'm not dumb I see the attraction there. Both ways. I got a feeling this is not going to end well for Shelke.' He started to wake the crew and realized that when one was up they all were up. 'damn…. Guess great minds think alike.'
"alright everyone we've got transport we're going to the WRO hq. we need to move quickly if the Mercs zero in on that chopper we'll miss our chance at the element of surprise. I know we've been through so many of these world crisis moments but we've got one more to go through……. We can't let this go…. Edge is gone…… what's gona follow if we don't take action…….."
"Well get it done spiky" Barret growled as a determined smirk crossed his face.
"things will turn out for the best they always do" red purred as he stood.
"we won't let them have their way." Denzel surprised the group as he stood with defiance in his voice.
"Its good to know everyone thinks the same way." Cloud finalized that everyone felt alike.
"are we prepared" Vincent walked in within a few moments. "the Turks are ready. We need to move."
The collection of resolute heroes moved on clouds signal and the long flight to the WRO HQ began. It wasn't long because of distance but long because of the fact that such sorrow overtook the group at the sight of a black cloud towering over the once lively city of edge.
"man oh man….. this is bad……" zack voiced an open opinion on the devastation.
The rest of the group said nothing as they watched Tifa break down and cry into clouds shoulder. They were infuriated, saddened and forlorn. In cloud's eyes they saw a fire for vengeance. In Tifa's weeping they heard the faint frailty of despair. There was nothing left of the place their friends had called home.
Out of the silence they heard the roar of a lion. The shout of a war god rang loudly from the opposite end of the aircraft as the luminescence of Koty's arm increased tenfold.
"I will not abide this! Burdock……. For them you will suffer! You deserve no less than the destruction of your soul. Raaaaaah." His left hand at that slammed into the side of the helicopter causing it to rock.
"jeez man chill don't rock the boat dude." Zack staggered to catch himself as Yuffie struggled with the contents of her stomach. "he will die……… if it is the last breath both of us draw he will meet my reaper……….. I will destroy him."
"I know how you feel Koty…….. but it would be better if we make it to him alive." Cloud protested his current choice of action. "lets just get there first."
The flight afterwards was silent. Short of the sounds of the blades and the occasional dry heave from Yuffie no one made a sound. The ship was destined to land in the same sorrow that it had taken off in.
Once they had reached the base things seemed to calm but the silence didn't relent. Even as reeve greeted them with both worry and relief stretched across his tortured face.
"oh thank goodness…….. they're safe….. cloud!" the executive ran to the group with hopes of figuring out the situation but instead found a handful of broken and despaired heroes. "how are you. Are any of you injured…… cloud ….. cloud."
The man simply stormed past him to the training yard. Followed by an intensely angered Koty.
"Tifa…. Tell me what's going on. I need to know."
She shook her head and walked away only a few words discernable "its gone…. All gone."
"they aint feeling so good. I assume you're the head honcho right?" zack pardoned the rest of the group to consort with reeve."
"and you are?"
"soldier first class zack fair."
"strange your name seems so familiar…… well. It's nice to meet you…… have you any idea what has happened no one seems to want to speak."
"we were attacked reeve…… they wiped out everything." Vincent interrupted.
"I've heard of the explosion and I thought that maybe someone had had an accident I wasn't prepared for a disaster of war. Who did this…….. I couldn't be deepground."
"no its not deepgroud… but it was an attack."
"the soldiers that have come back have started calling the city ruins fall out point………. Fall out for short. Is the devastation really that severe."
"oh hold ya breath it gets worse." Barret twirled a finger in the air as he walked forward to join cloud and Koty. Suddenly people started running away from the training grounds in a panic and explosions mixed with the sounds of clanging metal filled the area.
"what's going on…… you soldier what's happening in there?" reeve interrogated one of the soldiers who had been in the training yard halted to look back.
"Director don't go in there. Those two are crazy….. it's a warzone in there……… its way too dangerous……… they're gona tear the place apart."
"Koty and cloud………. Are they training?" zack quizzed the man.
"they're fighting its unlike anything I've ever seen it's like walking into an artillery fire zone don't go in there"
"well we can't stand here. Let's go."
They rushed the smoke and doorway before realizing what the man meant by war zone. The place was completely ransacked and cloud was rushing Koty like an angry titan. Dodging and slashing at everything that was thrown at him. Koty did likewise and expertly blocked clouds oncoming assault as if swatting a fly.
"shit." Zack jumped out of the way as an airborne Koty was sent slamming into the wall beside him. "Koty."
The man pulled himself from the crater he had made in the metal and appeared unaffected.
"that's it cloud……. Do it………. Unleash it all." He laughed as if enjoying the beating he was receiving.
Cloud said nothing but was clearly irritated. But zack noticed something even more strange than clouds eerie silence.
His eyes were jet black. His normal mako blue glossed over with sheer obsidian.
"no way." Zack whispered to the wind as the dust settled to reveal a cloud he had never noticed before.
'that isn't cloud.' The man then charged Koty power reverberating from him as if he were a mass of pure energy. He was fast and his face showed no emotion. Only the dark pools which were his eyes. He looked as if he were out for blood. Like a wild animal out for the hunt he charged his foe.
"cloud stop……. What are you doing? Cloud!" zack was terrified as cloud assaulted Koty once again.
As if he were rabid with power he swung his sword. The clang of the metal against the hardened skin of Koty's arm vibrated the area several times before cloud found an upper hand.
A missed swing and a well place punch were next. Then a trip kick that failed on Koty's behalf a shoulder barge from cloud. Another landed punch and an executed sword slam. The last swing of clouds blade caught the strange man off guard and sent him flying into the far wall only to be pinned by clouds free hand.
He had him by the throat. And it was looking grim for the seemingly Omni powerful warrior.
"cloud stop." Zack had apparently struck a nerve as cloud didn't execute the man.
He was silent and they seemed to stare each other down. Clouds gaze seemed so dark that one would almost mistake him for a machine.
"put'em down spike…….. he didn't do it."
"silence…… he cannot be reached now. It is his control. He has to overcome himself………." Koty wheezed as cloud held him aloft. "he has to do this alone………"
It took several moments before cloud snapped to and released the man.
"That….. what was……." Cloud stammered. "I felt……… the universe……. it seemed to give me strength."
"that is the final stage of a human. The reaper……… within." Koty picked himself from the ground and looked at cloud. "you have no idea how much power hides in you……… for a moment I doubted I could defeat you…………… but for now you must learn to control that power……… it is useless if it destroys more than it protects……………"
"What did you do to me"
"I did nothing. It has always been a part of you……. You just never realized it before."
Cloud walked away to leave zack and the rest standing in awe, everyone but Koty who simply returned to his spot on the ground.
"what the hell." Zack walked over to the collapsed Koty "are you alright?"
"I'm fine but cloud needs to recover….. the breaking can be draining……… I only need a few hours rest…." He responded as he lay back against the wall.
"Well I guess I'll keep ya company then…. So let's get started with what the hell just happened."
Cloud was stupefied. 'how did I do that……. I remember a roar and then everything slowed down. It was like a slow-motion movie……. So much strength…… I felt like he was a piece of paper…….. I could have scattered him across that wall with that kinda power…….. That was unreal.' He had no idea why but he found himself following his nose. The scent of lavender pulled at him and beckoned him to follow.
'That's not right…. I can feel her……. Tifa……..' he followed it to a room inside. There she lay. Pressed delicately into a pillow she cried. 'I need that power…….. To protect her.'
He didn't waste time. He went to her side and wrapped an arm around her.
"Someday things will be better……." He whispered in her ear "i'll make sure of it….. I won't abide it……. Not anymore……."
They soon fell asleep cloud too weary to keep his eyes open and Tifa too tired of crying. For the moment they were dead to the world and to reality. They could enjoy bliss if only for a small moment. 'I………. I can't sleep without her……….. I haven't slept in so long………… not like this……… it feels……… good…………. Phhh…….. As if much is good these days………… but still it isn't half bad…………. Well all bad ………… as long as she's here…………. I love you teef…………' with nothing left he allowed her to lead him into a quiet darkness that even his thoughts could not disturb. There it was numb. Not cold but thoughtless. There he could rest. He could finally find the peace he had hoped would be in edge. He found his forgiveness and his purpose in one fell swoop. She was his purpose. His remediation of sin was her. She was his saving grace and he her guardian angel. And to cloud that was enough to face even another fall out.
