Author's Note: Heads up, this will have a discussion about war time propaganda in cartoons, as I'm making Stamp's history to be heavily inspired by World War Two era cartoons. Further explanation in end note.
Please enjoy.
Guardians
"Hey guys, you hear the news?" Wedge asked, following Biggs into Seventh Heaven having traded off their watches with another couple of watchmen. Jessie and Tifa looked up from where they were talking at the bar while Tifa was cleaning a glass. Barret and Marlene were drawing at a table.
"What?"
"There's a couple ex-Soldiers in Sector 5, they do odd jobs for money, including monster hunting. Wymer hired them to clear some monsters." Biggs explained.
"We saw them! They're pretty cool!" Wedge added.
"ShinRa strays? Hmph." Barret huffed.
"Well, you might want to grin and bear it, they're coming up the steps." Biggs noticed.
"-Just be a minute!" The door opened. "Pops you here- nope."
"Pops sold the place a couple years ago!" Wedge grinned at the guy. "We're the new management! Or, Tifa, Marlene and Barret are!"
"Tifa?!"
Tifa dropped the glass. In front of her was Zack Fair, the first class who had been there when her village burned.
"You-!"
"Hold on a minute!" Zack reached back out and dragged in his accomplice, who blinked at them in confusion before focusing. "Cloud, look, it's Tifa! She made it!"
Cloud looked surprised, like he was seeing a ghost. Tifa ignored the broken glass as she moved to meet him only to hesitate when he flinched back.
"Cloud, are you okay?" Tifa asked.
"Tifa, I thought… you were hurt." Cloud stumbled on his words.
"You were there?" Tifa noticed Zack hesitate, looking at the others. "Anything you want to say can be said if front of them."
"Cloud was infantry back then, my student." Zack explained when Cloud went mute. "Unfortunately, taking down Sephiroth put both of us on ShinRa's shit list, we were imprisoned in the ShinRa Manor at Nibleheim. We broke out last year."
"You broke out." Cloud corrected. "I was …" he rubbed his chest.
"Cloud, I told you, the fact you woke up at all is a damn miracle." Zack sighed. "He was mako poisoned, only woke up a few days ago."
"After you dragged me around multiple continents."
"Worth it." Zack shrugged.
"I'm glad you survived, Cloud." Tifa said managing to catch his eyes. "You were the infantryman who took that hit for me, weren't you?"
"I …" Cloud looked at Zack.
"You did. Cloud-!" Zack caught him as he stumbled. "Hey, it's okay, I've got you."
"Is he okay?"
"Flashback, we triggered a flashback." Zack pulled Cloud to a chair. "C'mon, come back."
"Take Marlene downstairs." Barret ordered Wedge, who quickly lead her to the pinball table. Jessie and Biggs went out the front to keep anyone from entering.
Though by the time they had left, Cloud was already coming out of it. Though he seemed confused for a moment, looking at his hands before looking at Zack.
"You had another flashback, remember what it was?"
"The Nibleheim Water tower and a night sky … but it kept catching fire." Cloud softly said. "I think that was two different memories. I couldn't tell which was which."
"Don't force it."
"Something's wrong with your memories?"
"Mako Poisoning can cause amnesia. Cloud's got most of his memories, but some of them are tangled up or faded. Believe it or not, him having flashbacks is a good thing, we just need to work through which memory is where." Zack looked at her. "Maybe you can help him sort out the Nibleheim ones? I don't know much about his childhood."
"I can try."
"I'm right here, and I can talk for myself." Cloud reminded them. Barret snorted from his corner.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to step over you again. Are you alright with Tifa helping?"
"Yes, if you're okay with that, Tifa?"
"Of course. You saved me back then, I can help you now."
Cloud looked away.
"Anyway, Tifa, let us know if you need anything, we'll give you a discount." Zack said.
"Zack, I swear you have no idea how Gil works." Cloud shook his head. "No offense, Tifa, but he keeps doing this."
"Hey, helping people's important!"
"So's keeping a business going." Cloud sighed.
Tifa giggled. "Sounds like you've got your hands full, Cloud."
"You have no idea. Though I am fine with occasional discounts, this just needs to be the last one." Cloud gave her a weak smile.
"I know the feeling. In exchange, I can give you a discount on drinks." Tifa offered.
"Deal." They shook on it.
"Great!" Zack grinned. "Hey, Cloud, maybe you should hang out with Tifa for a bit, catch up!"
"Maybe later. We still have some hunts."
"Bar closes late, so just come by." Tifa smiled. "I'm almost always here watching Marlene."
"Oh, Tifa, would you mind putting this up? Please? We do all sorts of odd jobs."
It was a flyer, Fair & Strife Services, with a childish drawing of crossed Buster swords.
"Sure thing." Tifa smiled. "Kinda ironic, how your names sound…"
"Like it's meant to be, right?" Zack grinned. "Cloud's been grumbling whenever I say that."
"Getting shot hurts less than your jokes." Cloud sighed. "I'll see you later, Tifa, I have to keep Zack on some sort of schedule."
"Good luck."
"I need it." Cloud muttered.
"Right, see you later! C'mon, Cloud!"
Cloud followed and looked utterly exasperated as Zack jumped down the steps. Biggs and Jessie called out farewells.
"You believe them?" Barret asked, absently massaging his gun arm.
"Yes. Zack was … he was nice, and since Cloud was the infantryman … he kept pulling me out of trouble. Never said anything, but then … we didn't really talk." Tifa admitted.
Cloud came over that night looking a little less exasperated and carrying a couple flowers. One he gave to Tifa.
"Sorry about earlier. I'm glad you're safe." Cloud admitted. "Marlene, right? Thanks for looking after Tifa." He gave the other flower to Marlene, who shyly accepted it.
"Thank you." She whispered, before rushing to show her dad.
"You've gotten more chivalrous, Cloud."
"I guess? Though I have to admit, bringing flowers wasn't my idea. The little girls at the leaf house heard I had a date." Cloud grimaced. "I was told so many conflicting things, ranging from 'quiet dinner' to 'monster hunting'."
"And what did you decide on?" Tifa giggled.
"Asking you what you'd like to do, because I know nothing about Sector Seven nightlife or your likes or dislikes." Cloud admitted.
"Fair enough! Let's start with some drinks and I'll talk about myself, sound like a good start?"
"Yes."
Zack's a little bummed he can't go topside with Aerith to sell flowers, but there's no way he'd be able to pass the new id scan.
Aerith can, probably because the Turks watching her allow it.
Cloud will probably be disappointed but unsurprised that Zack bought a TV as soon as his friend was gone. He doesn't have his Soldier handset anymore, so they need the news somehow and standing in the square all the time is not feasible. After setting that up with Old Man Mooney's instructions (apparently, ShinRa's propaganda channels are free, there's a Cartoon Channel that mainly plays Stamp cartoons and two different news channels, one for things like local play reviews and the other 'information' on what ShinRa's doing; it's any other channel that needs to be paid for, naturally.) Zack thought he'd go to the Coliseum to blow off steam.
He's not expecting to see Sonon again, looking uncomfortable as he leans outside the Coliseum.
"Everything alright?"
"Aerith told me I should talk to you." Sonon admitted.
"She usually knows what she's talking about. C'mon, I've got something for us to do." Zack sighed.
Sonon is definitely judging him as brings him home.
"As soon as a reactor is built somewhere, ShinRa starts with its tv Package. There's only three channels to start, all written to promote ShinRa as the good guys. And it starts pretty young."
Luckily or Unluckily, the cartoon playing has Stamp rescuing his lady dog love a cartoon spaniel with long fur that was a Secretary from being sacrificed to Da Chao by evil Wutaian Cat ninjas. It's one of the older ones, judging by the animation.
"What the, that's not remotely right!" Sonon managed. "We don't do human sacrifices to Da-Chao, Da-Chao isn't a demon!"
"I know that. You know that. But it's hard to get people to fight unless you convince them that they're fighting against something evil." Zack rested a hand on Sonon's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't learn it was wrong until I was there."
Sonon pulled away, and Zack allowed it. He also didn't comment on the way Sonon's fists clenched as the evil cat emperor emerged on screen to plan the death of Stamp and to conquer the world.
"Every decade or so they reboot Stamp's story, to quote 'keep it fresh', but it's always the same, Stamp fights monsters and the evil Wutai empire. Five year ago they added Avalanche as a pack of evil dogs and an evil pack of rat bandits just for filler episodes. All wrapped up with parent approved lessons like 'help others' and 'don't lie'." Zack crossed his arms. "I'm not great at recognizing all the propaganda, of course, but now I know it's there."
"And everyone believes these lies?"
"You guys did have anti-soldier monsters and you did work with Avalanche. The news shared that information. Basically, any information that confirms you're violent and unreasonable is shared." Zack moved to turn the TV off.
Sonon stopped him. On screen, a female cat alerted Stamp to danger in exchange for saving her kittens from being sacrificed to Leviathan. This episode was from one of the older but more anthropomorphic cartoons.
"The teachers at the leaf house had Stamp on their skirts and aprons. Do they …"
"You are going to have to ask them what they teach. Like I said before, the propaganda is usually wrapped up in lessons that parents approve of." Zack turned it to the news which was talking about the weather. "I'm sure you have similar stories about how everyone in Midgar is evil."
"Our stories are real." Sonon crossed his arms.
"Right, so you don't have faceless troops murdering people and treated like monsters that need to be killed instead of people wearing masks?"
Sonon looked away.
"I get it. It's easier to fight monsters than people. People cheer when monsters die." Zack closed his eyes to push back memories of Angeal. "The instant you start thinking the enemy is a person with family that loves them, it's a little harder to pull that trigger."
The little girl that had gotten his number, was she okay? As frustrating as she had been at the time, it was a good memory.
"Why'd you leave ShinRa?"
"Because one day I realized ShinRa's run by monsters that lie and kill to cover up their mistakes, and I didn't want to be a monster that murdered people. I joined because I wanted to be a hero and save people, but in the end I only managed to save Cloud." Zack sighed. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it, I grew up believing the best in everyone, so I just rationalized the orders until I couldn't anymore."
"I guess I can understand that." Sonon admitted. "I just can't…"
"I get it. Some things aren't forgivable."
"We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news, Avalanche has attempted to assassinate the President once again." The words made both men freeze and look at the TV. "The President was making a speech announcing the rebuilding efforts of Sector 8 plate after Avalanche terrorists had greatly damaged it a week ago." The news anchor reported. "Director Heidegger has gone on record to say he suspects the attack wasn't just Avalanche, and that this attack may have had a backer."
A clip of Heidegger was played.
"Clearly, our enemies will stop at nothing to see our way of life destroyed! We had heard rumors of an alliance, but had dismissed it as fear mongering. We shall not give in to fear! We will sniff out these would be assassins that hide in our shadows and prove our superiority!"
Zack turned it off.
"Disappointed?"
"You know, as much as getting rid of the corrupt in power sounds good, that doesn't stop the ShinRa run media from insisting that the president was a victim. Heidegger … he took over soldier after Soldier Director Lazard was behind the desertion by a bunch of soldiers a few years ago. He's… more interested in looking strong and in control than ever admit he was wrong." Zack sighed. "Ugh. All my information is five years out of date."
"Why?"
"… ShinRa's not exactly forthcoming to prisoners." Zack sighed. "You better get to where you're living before public security decides to do a sweep of the slums. Need an escort?"
"I don't want you knowing where I live."
"Then I'll just escort you halfway. Trust me, you're gonna want an alibi."
"… fine."
They were almost to Wall Market when the security sweep ran into them.
"Halt! Identify yourselves- Sir?!"
"At ease. He's been helping me hunt monsters down here all day." Zack waved them off. "Try not to disrupt too many lives, will ya? Kids don't need to see Troopers behaving like bandits raiding a place, you're all better than that."
"Yessir!" The troopers straightened and left.
Sonon snorted.
"What?"
"You just treated them like children, how did they not notice?"
"A lot of them are kids, you know, teenagers hoping to make something of themselves. Without positive reinforcement they go on power trips and end up like Heidegger."
Mireille had been watching the two mercs in town. She found them interesting, and Old Man Mooney had exchanged observations with her.
Though where he thought they were veterans, discarded after they couldn't work, Mireille recognized the Buster Sword and it's wielder. She'd joined the boy's fan club to keep an eye on him after she had seen him five years ago, helping Aerith and quite a few others, all with a grin and a goodwill most Soldiers and troopers had started losing around the same time.
And she'd heard about ShinRa's mobilization for escaped specimens a few days ago, around the same time Sector 8 was attacked by Avalanche, a practical flock of suits had moved into the rather treacherous terrain of Sector 4 and had been steadily leaving- though not without annoying the locals who had a deep seated distrust of ShinRa after the plate had dropped on them. Mireille could respect that, and delivered supplies when she could.
Sector 8 was more junkyard than town now, something in the water was starting to make people sick, most people moving into Sector 7 or up to the plate.
Mireille had just finished escorting one such family to Marle, who could put them up for the night and was passing by Seventh Heaven when the younger merc exited, saying goodbye to the pretty bartender. Body language alone told Mireille she was looking at two young people who were attracted to each other and had no clue how to act on it. Young Love was usually equal parts adorable and frustrating to watch, and Mireille rather enjoyed it.
"Are you sure you can make it back alright? ShinRa's likely to send a security sweep after the assassination attempt." The bartender asked, arms wrapped around herself even as she leaned towards the merc.
"Need to get back to Zack, I have a bad feeling about this. I'll see you tomorrow?" But he was lingering on the steps, shifting his weight slightly in indecision.
"Tifa! Where's the salt?!" A voice from inside yelled, killing the moment and making them both straighten.
"On the counter!" Tifa yelled back before sighing and smiling. "Be careful on your way back."
"I will." He left the stairs.
Mireille decided to figuratively pounce on the opportunity.
"Well, if it isn't one of the mercs I've heard so much about." Mireille smiled. "Mind helping an old lady get home to Sector 5? I'll make it worth your while."
"Alright." He agreed. "I'm Cloud Strife."
"Mireille Dudley. You and that friend of yours are really helping people, you know."
"I try, he's more of a people person." Cloud matched her pace. Or tried to, he kept stepping a little longer than he needed to, obviously worried about his friend.
"I've noticed you're not. You know, you could stand to slow down and eavesdrop on what people are saying a bit more, you learn some interesting things that way."
"Don't people not like that?"
"Only if you're stock still and staring at them. But walking like this, all you need to do is just let the sound flow over you."
"All I hear is you." He muttered.
"Fair enough!" Mireille laughed. The poor kid looked like he didn't know how to react to that. "I'll quiet down for a bit."
Up ahead, people were talking about the ShinRa troops, in particular where they had been and where they were, and Cloud moved to avoid them, changing routes as if to avoid the crowd.
Her granddaughter hadn't picked up that trick yet, the foolish girl was too busy trying to get all the money she could instead learning to pick targets, or better still, not picking targets that were more trouble than they were worth. Youth could only excuse half of her granddaughter's choices.
Of course, there were some things you couldn't avoid.
The Happy Turtle was under siege by a handful of troopers that were causing trouble for no other reason than they had the power to.
Cloud glanced at her. The kid wanted to help, but would put her first.
"Give them hell, kid." Mireille instructed, slipping into an alley.
"There a problem?" Cloud asked.
"This man is obstructing our search!"
"Looks more like your ransacking his home and business. I suggest you leave." Cloud instructed.
"Our orders come from Heidegger."
"I don't care, I'm ex-Soldier. Leave."
The fight was pretty one sided. Especially when Zack Fair arrived with a kid who immediately went to help owner.
Mireille stepped out once the last one fell, checking over the leader and grabbing his wallet and slipping in her card.
"Nice work Merc." Mireille chuckled as she headed over to him. "You sure know how to show an old lady a good time. You doing alright there Hikaru?"
"Just fine Mireille. Thank you for stepping in." Hikaru, the owner of the Happy Turtle smiled.
"No problem, but what do we do with these guys?" Zack Fair noted.
"Killing them's too much trouble, I'll take care of it." One of the chocobo carriages had stopped nearby. The stable hand loaded them up and drove off.
Chocobo Sam was an idiot working with Corneo, in Mireille's opinion, but he did take care of his stable hands, the women trafficking for Corneo's bride auction was the only reason she targeted them and they knew it; though Sam's attempts to stop her from robbing him blind after each auction were hilarious. They never even guarded the front door.
Wall Market was usually off limits, forgotten, but ShinRa's attempt to bother them this time wasn't good. Something to keep an eye on.
"I'll stay here in case they return." The kid said.
"Be careful." Fair glanced at Cloud. "Let's hurry home."
"Need to help her to sector five as well."
"Hope you won't mind me crashing your trip." Zack turned to her.
"Why would I mind? I'm an old woman, I'm not dead." Mireille chuckled. That got both of them to blush. "I'm teasing. I got a granddaughter just a little younger than you boys."
"It's been a long day." Fair explained in their defense.
It's a nice trip back.
"I seriously need to invest in a phone or two for us at some point." Fair noted. "Just can't decide if it's worth the risk of ShinRa tracking us or not. Apparently there's new ones but they all have locators in them."
Mireille perked up at that. She had materia to give for this trip, but getting the boys phones that couldn't be tracked by ShinRa was easy. They'd be older models, but useful for a couple of budding mercs.
"Thanks for the escort. Here." She gave him the Gil from the trooper's wallet and the materia she'd found the other day. She knew there was a group in Sector Seven that liked having the ids of any ShinRa's employees they could find so she kept that.
"Take care ma'am." Zack smiled.
"Just Mireille. And take care of yourselves. ShinRa's gotten worse these past few years." She waved as she headed home to her lair. She had stuff to do before she could turn in.
Mireille was able to find a couple of flip phones in her stash. Stolen from a couple of Don Corneo hoodlums. The two had been unpleasant, thinking themselves far stronger and smarter than they were, and had presumably died after they tried to kill Corneo and take control of the slums a couple years back. She'd get the phones checked with a friend and deliver them in the morning.
End Note:
Zack making plans for Cloud without checking is a bad habit he will eventually grow out of. Cloud being the one who actually cares about handling money is based on him running a delivery service in the compilation and the fact I can't imagine Zack not impulse buying things he needs.
Why am I basing Stamp on World War Two era cartoons? Because those are the cartoons that are more obvious about the propaganda, for example, Donald Duck had cartoons depicting him fighting the different axis powers, while Woody Woodpecker and Bugs Bunny mentioned rationing gas and war bonds. Some of these cartoons are uncomfortable to look at now, but still pretty important historically to understand how public opinions can be swayed.
Later cartoons arguably got sneakier, but you can still match up past events to cartoons made at the time by jokes or comments the characters make.
There's also a degree of what I call cultural misappropriation in some of the older media, where something about another culture is made to be evil or horrible when it is very much not an evil thing in its home culture. Think the treatment of Kali in Temple of Doom for an example. this was also inspired by seeing a scene very old movie where apparently they were going to sacrifice a woman to a Buddha statue. No I don't remember anything else, it was in black and white and I was very sleepy, I just remember thinking 'I'm not Buddhist and I know they don't do human sacrifices so how did they fail this so bad?'
The Angel of the Slums is implied to be keeping an eye on everything, as well as watching over Cloud and co. I liked Mireille, so she's joining the story as a mentor figure to the group. Zhijie joins the story next chapter.
