Chapter XXIII

Benched
"I can tangle with armies of Shinra drones but I can't even take a ride on a simple airplane." - Yuffie

"Barret," Yuffie said, wishing she could kick him. "Next time you put that elbow in my stomach I'm going to spew down your shirt."

"Once a brat, always a brat."

Yuffie coughed. That Jenova kid needed to learn finesse. Still, he had saved her from Carmine's Mechanus Cannon spell, though she would feel sore for a week. On the other hand, she clenched in her hand the best prize she had ever held. She held her hand up under her shirt in case it glowed lavender.

Cid passed the unconscious John to Vincent and headed to his captain's station.

Cait Sith jiggled. "That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot."

Cid said, "Now that the miracles are out of the way, how much time do we have until the place blows?"

Footsteps marched up the stairs.

"Hi. I'm Larry; this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl. We too have pondered the exact timing of the demise of the Shinra mako putrefier towers. Darryl says he's certain at least one tower will blow within the next five minutes, while Darryl says they've already blown and we simply don't realize we are dead yet."

"Let's take the uncertainty out of it. Darian? Hard to port. Reverse rotors, one quarter power. Ready? Missiles away!"

Yuffie watched half a dozen streaks of light slam the lower compound just below the three towers. The Highwind jerked back, affording a full view as the scene erupted in green and orange, the towers blowing apart like shattering clay pipes. The bridge cheered, though Cloud uttered no more than a satisfied grunt.

"Hold on. Shock wave!" Cid shouted orders but Yuffie clenched her eyes shut, clamping her hand even more tightly on her new Torment materia.

The wave struck with a hammer blow. Yuffie opened her eyes to find herself sprawled on the floor. A stale olive haze outside made her reach for her bucket. No more pea soup again. Ever.

"Ah, crap," Cid said, peering through the poisonous fog. "I just had the whole damned hull detailed."

The Highwind picked up speed, heading out over the black ocean. Orange beacons, buoys and fishing boats, eased Yuffie's distress as they slid underneath. Later, after Barret had hauled her back to the bench, she looked up to find Aeris handing her an herbal tea. She drank it, sighing as the young Cetra bathed her in a Healing Wind.

"I think everybody needed that," Aeris said.

"One Takeo left," Cid said, "and it's not following us. Good thing, 'cause we're a lot more banged up than I would like."

Yuffie, still wobbly, walked over and sat next to Tifa, putting her arm around the martial artist's shoulders. "How are you doing? As Cid would say, we kicked some real Shinra booty back there. You were awesome with Carmine. No one else could lay a pinkie on her. That is, until our pet loose cannon woke up and flattened her." She glared at John's cushion.

"I don't remember much," Tifa said, "after, you know, the truck."

"Let's not talk about that part. Carmine nearly punched my ticket too. You really wore Cloud out tonight, didn't you?"

Tifa blushed and pulled herself loose. Cloud mumbled something and went back to sleep.

Aeris sidled over to them.

"Yuffie might need more help than I do," Tifa said. "She's looking pale."

Indeed. Though the turbulence had roiled Yuffie's stomach, she had nothing left to hurl. She grasped her lavender touchstone and slumped in the chair next to Tifa. One more lurch and she reached for the bucket anyway. After an uneventful wretch, she lay sideways on the bench, legs in Tifa's lap, face pointed away from the windows or ceiling.

"I don't believe it," she said. "I can tangle with armies of Shinra drones but I can't even take a ride on a simple airplane."

Tifa touched her forearm. "It's been a long day. We all deserve a rest."

Aeris returned. "I heard we're having a double ritual in Cosmo Canyon. Nanaki just set it up."

"Double?"

"John and Zinnia - or Raine, if you prefer. The Cosmo elders gave in and decided they like parties after all. Though I hope Bugenhagen will not serenade us with 'Dead Puppies.'"

"Groan," Yuffie said.

"Sorry about the rough spot, folks," Cid said. "It should be clear sailing from here on out. Buckle up and enjoy your flight."

Yuffie smiled up at Tifa, lids drooping, surprised by her exhaustion. "Tifa, I'm so glad to have you back." She curled forward, twisting to shove the lavender orb down her right boot. Plenty of time later to puzzle out its powers.

"I must say," Tifa said with a wink. "That's one materia I'll be glad if I don't see for a while."

"It's in good hands now." Yuffie lay back with a grin.